Herb Evidence and Safety at a Glance: Table of Every Profile
One table of every single-herb profile in this library: scientific name, the first use studied and its evidence label, and the main caution, with a link to each full profile.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herb safety and interactions before you use anything on this page.
Start here if you are worried about a symptom. If someone has collapsed, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or may have swallowed something toxic, use the Herb Safety Quick Reference first. In the US, call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. [1]
This page is a map of the 120 single-herb profiles in the Herbs and Botanicals library. For each herb it shows the scientific name, the use that its profile lists first with the evidence label given there, and the main caution the profile raises. It is a summary, not a verdict. Read the full profile before you rely on a row, because each profile names the plant part, the preparation, the people studied and the sources.
How to read the table
- Labels belong to one use, one plant part and one preparation. A herb can be "promising but limited" for one use and carry a serious warning for another. A result for a tea does not carry over to a capsule, extract or oil. [2]
- The use shown is the first one listed on the profile, not the best-supported one. Other uses, often with different labels, are on the profile.
- No row is a ranking. Nothing here says one herb is better or safer than another. NCCIH notes that the amount of scientific evidence varies widely from supplement to supplement. [3]
- A missing caution is not a clean bill of health. Where a profile says a safety point is "not described in the sources we read," that is a gap, not reassurance. MedlinePlus notes that herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that drugs do. [4]
- Labels are ours, built from the sources each profile cites. They are defined in the Glossary of Herbal Medicine Terms.
- Medicines come first. Any herb can interact with a medicine. Ask a pharmacist, and see How Interactions Work.
Herbs with the most serious documented warnings
These rows carry a source we read for this page. Each herb has its own profile with more detail.
| Herb | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Ephedra | NCCIH: the FDA banned sale of supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids, and ephedra has been linked to high blood pressure, heart attack, seizure, stroke and psychosis. [5] |
| Comfrey | MedlinePlus lists comfrey, with ephedra, among herbs that can cause serious harm. [4] |
| Black cohosh | NCCIH: cases of liver damage, some very serious, have been reported with products labeled as black cohosh. [6] |
| Turmeric and curcumin | NCCIH: highly bioavailable curcumin formulations may harm your liver. [7] |
| Green tea | NCCIH: liver injury, though uncommon, has been reported with green tea products, mainly extracts in capsule or tablet form. [8] |
| Butterbur | NCCIH: the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can damage the liver and lungs and may cause cancer. [9] |
| Licorice root | NCCIH: glycyrrhizin can cause serious effects such as irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest. [10] |
| St. John's wort | NCCIH: it can interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with a variety of medicines. [11] |
| Ginkgo | NCCIH: fresh seeds are toxic, [12] and the leaf extract may raise bleeding risk with anticoagulants such as warfarin. [12] |
| Garlic | NCCIH: garlic supplements may increase the risk of bleeding. [13] |
| Elderberry | NCCIH: raw or unripe berries and other parts of the elder tree contain poisonous cyanide-producing substances. [14] |
| Horse chestnut | NCCIH: raw seeds, bark, flowers and leaves are unsafe when used orally. [15] |
| Sage | NCCIH: some sage species, including common sage, contain thujone, which can be toxic in large amounts. [16] |
| Aloe vera | NCCIH: whole leaf extract of aloe vera is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a possible carcinogen in humans. [17] |
| Goldenseal | NCCIH: should not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding or given to infants, and may change how the body processes many medications. [18] |
| Cat's claw | NCCIH: it might make the immune system more active, which could increase symptoms of autoimmune diseases. [19] |
| Passionflower | NCCIH: should not be used during pregnancy as it may induce uterine contractions. [20] |
| Chamomile | NCCIH: allergic reactions are more likely in people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies. [21] |
| Echinacea | NCCIH: some people have allergic reactions to echinacea, which may be severe. [22] |
| Valerian | NCCIH: it should not be taken along with alcohol or sedatives. [23] |
Other herbs in the full table below also carry documented harms, for example neem oil swallowed by mouth, swallowed clove oil, star anise tea given to infants, and large amounts of nutmeg. Those cautions are explained, with their sources, on each profile.
The full table, collection by collection
The ten herb collections follow in the order of the library. Each profile link opens the full page with its sources.
Immune and respiratory herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elderberry | Sambucus nigra | Colds and flu symptoms: Promising but limited | Raw or unripe berries, leaves and stems are poisonous. |
| Echinacea | Echinacea purpurea and related species | Preventing a cold: Promising but limited | Allergic reactions, some severe; the EU advises against use in autoimmune disease and immunosuppression. |
| Andrographis | Andrographis paniculata | Symptoms of acute respiratory infections: Promising but limited | Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported. |
| Goldenseal | Hydrastis canadensis | Colds and upper respiratory infections: Insufficient evidence | Not for pregnancy, breastfeeding or infants; can change how the body handles medicines such as metformin. |
| Cat's claw | Uncaria tomentosa | Arthritis, infections, cancer: Insufficient evidence | May make the immune system more active; ask first with autoimmune disease, blood thinners, pregnancy or planned surgery. |
| Pelargonium (Umckaloabo) | Pelargonium sidoides | Acute bronchitis (adults): Promising but limited | Liver problems reported with root medicines; whether the herb caused them is debated. |
| Mullein | Verbascum thapsus | Sore throat with dry cough and cold: Traditional use only | No side effects were reported in the EU assessment; that is not proof of safety. |
| Marshmallow root | Althaea officinalis | Throat irritation with dry cough: Traditional use only | May delay absorption of other medicines taken at the same time (EU monograph). |
| Slippery elm | Ulmus rubra | Cough and throat irritation: Traditional use only | Medicine timing, pregnancy and children not described in the sources read; the tree is a conservation concern. |
| Licorice root | Glycyrrhiza glabra | Canker sores: Promising but limited | Real licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium; interacts with several medicines. |
| Ivy leaf | Hedera helix | Acute cough: Promising but limited (effects minimal at best) | Not for children under 2; not for people allergic to ivy-family plants. |
| Elecampane | Inula helenium | Cough, bronchitis: Traditional use only | Daisy-family contact allergy documented in patch testing. |
Calming, sleep and mood herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamomile | Matricaria chamomilla | Generalized anxiety disorder: Promising but limited | Allergic reactions, including severe ones, especially with daisy-family allergy; interacts with warfarin. |
| Valerian | Valeriana officinalis | Sleep problems and chronic insomnia: Mixed | Not with alcohol or sedatives; withdrawal after long use; rare liver reports. |
| St. John's wort | Hypericum perforatum | Mild to moderate depression: Promising but limited | Dangerous interactions with many medicines, including some antidepressants, birth control and transplant medicine. |
| Passionflower | Passiflora incarnata | Anxiety, including before surgery: Promising but limited | Not for use in pregnancy (NIH); may add to sedation with anesthesia drugs. |
| Lemon balm | Melissa officinalis | Anxiety and depression symptoms: Promising but limited | No serious side effects in a meta-analysis; medicine interactions not described in the sources read. |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Anxiety (oral standardized lavender oil capsule): Promising but limited | Oral products can upset the stomach or cause headache; skin products can cause allergic reactions. |
| Skullcap | Scutellaria lateriflora | Mood and anxiety in healthy adults: Promising but limited | Liver injury reported, usually in combinations; products have been adulterated with germander. |
| Hops | Humulus lupulus | Sleep (hops alone): Preclinical support; Proper evidence not found for hops alone in people | EU monograph lists no reported interactions; sedative and hormone-medicine interactions not described. |
| California poppy | Eschscholzia californica | Anxiety: Promising but limited | Animal work suggests it may add to sedating medicines; human interaction data not found. |
| Catnip | Nepeta cataria | Calm or sleep in people: No good evidence found | Human safety not described in the sources read. |
| Linden flower | Tilia cordata and Tilia platyphyllos | Calm or sleep in people: No good evidence found | Cautions for infants and iron are on the profile. |
| Motherwort | Leonurus cardiaca | Nervous tension, palpitations: Traditional use only | Not for use in pregnancy; EU limits use to adults. |
| Lemon verbena | Aloysia citrodora | Stress and sleep quality: Promising but limited | Pooled trials found lower blood pressure; mention it to a pharmacist if you take blood pressure or diabetes medicines. |
| Saffron | Crocus sativus | Depression and anxiety symptoms: Promising but limited | Possible extra bleeding with anticoagulants (one case report); extra caution in psychiatric disorders. |
Digestive herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | Zingiber officinale | Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: Promising but limited | Supplement forms: Memorial Sloan Kettering advises against them with blood thinners, NSAIDs, bleeding disorders, gallstones or surgery. |
| Peppermint | Mentha x piperita | Irritable bowel syndrome: Promising but limited | Can worsen heartburn; the oil has liver, bile-duct and age contraindications in the EU monograph. |
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | Infant colic: Promising but limited | Estragole limits: EU advises against use under 4 years and in pregnancy or breastfeeding. |
| Caraway | Carum carvi | Bloating and gas (caraway alone): Traditional use only | EU: not recommended with liver disease, bile-duct disorders or gallstones; carrot-family allergy. |
| Anise (aniseed) | Pimpinella anisum | Mild digestive complaints (tea): Traditional use only | A different plant from star anise; EU cautions on allergy, pregnancy and children. |
| Cardamom | Elettaria cardamomum | Digestive complaints: Insufficient evidence | People with gallstones are advised to stay at food amounts (consumer reference). |
| Artichoke leaf | Cynara cardunculus | Indigestion: Promising but limited | EU contraindications: bile-duct obstruction, liver disease, gallstones; daisy-family allergy. |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | Mild indigestion and loss of appetite: Traditional use only | Daisy-family allergy; bile-duct, gallstone, ulcer, kidney failure and potassium cautions. |
| Aloe vera | Aloe vera | Burns (gel on the skin): Promising but limited | Oral latex and whole-leaf extract differ from gel; abdominal pain and diarrhea; by mouth it may be unsafe in pregnancy (NCCIH). |
| Senna | Senna alexandrina | Occasional constipation: Established (short term) | Short-term use only (EU: not beyond one week); low potassium with prolonged use. |
| Gentian root | Gentiana lutea | Loss of appetite; mild indigestion: Traditional use only | No side effects reported in the EU assessment; allergy is a contraindication. |
| Chicory root | Cichorium intybus | Constipation (inulin from chicory): Promising but limited | Gas and bloating; daisy-family allergy reported. |
| Spearmint | Mentha spicata | Hormone levels in women with excess hair growth: Insufficient evidence | Safety data limited; one extract trial reported no severe adverse events. |
| Cascara sagrada | Frangula purshiana (also named Rhamnus purshiana) | Occasional constipation: Established use (regulator); Proper evidence not found for cascara in trials | Short-term stimulant laxative only; potassium loss; EU: not beyond one week. |
Heart, blood sugar and metabolism herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | Allium sativum | High cholesterol: Promising but limited | Supplements may raise bleeding risk; tell your clinicians, especially before surgery. |
| Hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus laevigata | Chronic heart failure (added to usual care): Mixed | May add to digoxin, blood pressure medicines and anticoagulants (LactMed); toxic look-alike product warning. |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon) and Cinnamomum cassia | Type 2 diabetes (blood sugar): Mixed | Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin (liver); species confusion on labels. |
| Fenugreek | Trigonella foenum-graecum | Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: Promising but limited | Not for use above food amounts in pregnancy; legume allergy; blood sugar medicine cautions. |
| Bitter melon | Momordica charantia | Blood sugar control (older Cochrane review): Insufficient evidence | Human pregnancy safety evidence not found; caution with blood sugar medicines. |
| Gymnema | Gymnema sylvestre | Blood glucose in type 2 diabetes: Promising but limited | Low blood sugar episodes reported with diabetes medicines; one liver case report. |
| Barberry | Berberis vulgaris | Blood sugar: Mixed | Contains berberine; affects drug-processing enzymes; pregnancy and newborn cautions. |
| Oregon grape | Mahonia aquifolium | Psoriasis (cream): Promising but limited | Contains berberine; cell work suggests it may affect drug transporters; pregnancy and newborn cautions. |
| Coleus forskohlii | Plectranthus barbatus (also named Coleus forskohlii) | Fat loss and body weight: Mixed and limited | Cautions for blood pressure medicines and blood thinners. |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus sabdariffa | Blood pressure (strict review): Insufficient evidence (Cochrane) | May add to blood pressure medicines (a reasoned caution, not a documented harm); pregnancy. |
| Olive leaf | Olea europaea | Blood pressure (stage-1 hypertension): Promising but limited | Ask first if you take blood pressure or diabetes medicine; cardiac or kidney disease. |
| Guggul | Commiphora wightii | Cholesterol (2003 Western trial): No good evidence of benefit (in this trial) | Rash in trials; lowered propranolol and diltiazem levels in one small study; the wild tree is endangered. |
| Stevia | Stevia rebaudiana | Blood pressure: Mixed | Purified sweeteners differ from whole-leaf stevia (FDA). |
| Horse chestnut | Aesculus hippocastanum | Chronic venous insufficiency: Promising but limited | Raw seeds, bark, flowers and leaves are unsafe to swallow. |
| Butcher's broom | Ruscus aculeatus | Chronic venous insufficiency: Promising but limited | Sudden leg swelling and leg ulcers need a doctor, not self-treatment (EU). |
Brain, memory and circulation herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo | Ginkgo biloba | Preventing dementia: No good evidence of benefit | Fresh seeds are toxic; bleeding risk with anticoagulants. |
| Bacopa | Bacopa monnieri | Memory and thinking speed: Promising but limited | Stomach side effects; thyroid and medicine cautions; gaps in safety data. |
| Gotu kola | Centella asiatica | Wound healing: Promising but limited | Liver injury reported in a case series. |
| Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus (also named Rosmarinus officinalis) | Memory, anxiety and sleep in students: Promising but limited | Food use differs from medicinal use; not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding; bile-duct and liver conditions. |
| Sage | Salvia officinalis | Menopausal hot flashes: Promising but limited | Thujone can be toxic in large amounts; seizures reported after sage oil; pregnancy. |
| Periwinkle and vinpocetine | Vinca minor | Dementia and cognitive impairment: Insufficient evidence | Vinpocetine: FDA advises pregnant women not to take it. |
| Huperzia and huperzine A | Huperzia serrata | Alzheimer's disease (older reviews): Mixed, low-quality trials | Acts like Alzheimer's medicines; heart-rate and medicine cautions. |
| Butterbur | Petasites hybridus | Migraine prevention in adults: Promising but limited, with a safety signal | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids; rare liver injury even with products reported to be PA-free. |
| Feverfew | Tanacetum parthenium | Preventing migraine: Mixed | Not for pregnancy; may slow clotting; daisy-family allergy. |
Women's and men's health herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black cohosh | Actaea racemosa | Overall menopause symptoms: Promising but limited | Liver damage reported, some very serious; mislabeled and adulterated products. |
| Red clover | Trifolium pratense | Hot flashes in menopause: Mixed | Possible extra bleeding with warfarin (case reports); avoid with hormone-sensitive cancer (MSK). |
| Chasteberry | Vitex agnus-castus | PMS symptoms: Promising but limited | May be unsafe with hormone-sensitive conditions and in pregnancy (NIH). |
| Dong quai | Angelica sinensis | Hot flashes in menopause: No good evidence of benefit | May increase bleeding with warfarin; skin sensitivity to light; avoid in pregnancy. |
| Evening primrose | Oenothera biennis | Any health condition: Insufficient evidence | May increase bleeding with blood thinners; may raise blood pressure. |
| Red raspberry leaf | Rubus idaeus | Shortening labor: Mixed, small effects | Safety evidence in pregnancy is limited; tell your midwife. |
| Wild yam | Dioscorea villosa | Menopausal symptoms (cream): No good evidence of benefit | Talk to a physician with hormone-sensitive cancer; animal data on kidney and liver. |
| Stinging nettle | Urtica dioica | Prostate symptoms (root): Promising but limited | Nausea, stomach upset and allergy; EU does not recommend the herb in pregnancy. |
| Saw palmetto | Serenoa repens | Urinary symptoms from BPH: No good evidence of benefit | Case reports of extra bleeding, including during surgery. |
| Pygeum | Prunus africana | BPH urinary symptoms: Promising but limited | Mild digestive effects; the tree has a conservation concern. |
| Tribulus | Tribulus terrestris | Testosterone levels: No good evidence of benefit | Kidney and liver case report; doping-test concerns. |
| Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | Increasing urine: Promising but limited | Thiamine-destroying factor; possible nicotine; look-alike species. |
Liver, kidney and urinary herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk thistle | Silybum marianum | Blood sugar in type 2 diabetes: Promising but limited | Daisy-family allergy; label amounts can differ from contents. |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon | Recurrent urinary infections in women: Moderate certainty, with inconsistent findings | Not a treatment for a urinary infection; ask about warfarin and kidney stones. |
| Uva ursi | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Urinary infections: Traditional use only | Not for kidney disorders, men, under 18 or pregnancy (EU); not beyond one week. |
| Burdock root | Arctium lappa | Urinary flushing, appetite, skin conditions: Traditional use only | One burdock tea contaminated with a belladonna-type plant caused atropine-like poisoning (EU report); daisy-family allergy. |
| Juniper berry | Juniperus communis | Urinary flushing; indigestion: Traditional use only | Not recommended in severe kidney disease or if told to limit fluids; pregnancy. |
| Goldenrod | Solidago virgaurea | Minor urinary complaints: Traditional use only | Daisy-family allergy; severe heart or kidney disease; not with water pills. |
| Cleavers | Galium aparine | Urinary, kidney or "lymphatic" problems: Insufficient evidence | Safe use in people not established in the sources read. |
Pain, inflammation, joints and skin herbs
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turmeric | Curcuma longa | Knee osteoarthritis pain: Promising but limited | Bioavailable curcumin products linked to liver injury; stop and seek care for liver warning signs. |
| Boswellia | Boswellia serrata | Osteoarthritis pain (by mouth): Promising but limited | Allergic skin reactions; ask about blood thinners. |
| Devil's claw | Harpagophytum procumbens | Low back pain: Promising but limited | Stomach and gut symptoms, allergic reactions; stomach and gallstone cautions (EU). |
| White willow bark | Salix alba | Low back pain: Promising but limited | Aspirin and salicylate allergy; children and teens; blood thinners and ulcers. |
| Arnica | Arnica montana | Hand osteoarthritis (on the skin): Promising but limited | Not to be swallowed; daisy-family allergy; not on broken skin. |
| Comfrey | Symphytum officinale | Knee osteoarthritis pain (skin gel): Promising but limited | Swallowing is linked to liver injury; FDA (2001) asked firms to remove comfrey supplements. |
| Calendula | Calendula officinalis | Wound healing: Mixed | Daisy-family allergy; use in pregnancy not recommended. |
| Witch hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | Minor skin inflammation: Traditional use only, with limited trials | Contact allergy documented; eyes need special care. |
| Neem | Azadirachta indica | Gum inflammation (mouth rinse): Promising but limited | Neem oil by mouth has caused severe poisoning in children and adults. |
| Cayenne pepper | Capsicum annuum and related species | Chronic nerve pain (high-concentration skin patch): Promising but limited | Capsaicin burns: not on broken skin or near eyes. |
| Plantain leaf | Plantago major | Wound healing (animal studies): Preclinical (animals) | Pollen allergy with ribwort plantain; broadleaf plantain data thin. |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Loss of appetite, mild digestive cramps: Traditional use only | Daisy-family allergy is its best-documented risk. |
| Chickweed | Stellaria media | Itchy or inflamed skin (salves): Insufficient evidence | No human safety data found in the sources read. |
Teas, berries and nutrient-rich botanicals
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green tea | Camellia sinensis | Cancer risk: Mixed | Extract capsules linked to liver injury; can lower levels of some medicines. |
| Rose hips | Rosa canina | Osteoarthritis pain: Promising but limited | Medicine interactions not described in the sources read. |
| Sea buckthorn | Hippophae rhamnoides | Cholesterol and blood fats: Promising but limited | People with kidney disease should ask first; bleeding effects not documented in the sources read. |
| Bilberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | Night vision: No good evidence of benefit (healthy people) | EU: fresh fruit for adults only and up to 4 weeks; ask about diabetes medicines. |
| Black seed (Nigella) | Nigella sativa | Blood pressure: Promising but limited | Pure oil on the skin caused allergic reactions; affects liver enzymes. |
| Goji | Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense | Blood fats and heart risk: Promising but limited | Warfarin bleeding reports; food allergy. |
| Noni | Morinda citrifolia | Any health condition: No good evidence of benefit | Liver injury reports; potassium for people with kidney disease. |
| Maqui berry | Aristotelia chilensis | Blood sugar right after a meal: Promising but limited | Interactions not described in the sources read; ask about diabetes medicines. |
Culinary herbs and spices used as remedies
| Herb | Scientific name | Use listed first, and its label on the profile | Main caution on the profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare | Chronic sinus inflammation: Promising but limited | A case report of a raised clotting test with a blood thinner; pregnancy and allergy cautions. |
| Thyme | Thymus vulgaris | Productive cough with colds: Traditional use only (regulator); trials inconclusive | Mint-family allergy; EU does not recommend use in pregnancy. |
| Basil | Ocimum basilicum | Sleep in menopause: Promising but limited | Estragole concern for concentrated forms; LactMed notes medicinal amounts are not recommended while breastfeeding. |
| Parsley | Petroselinum crispum | Liver, kidney and other protection (lab studies): Preclinical (cells or animals) | The essential oil should not be used; vitamin K and warfarin; oxalate; allergy. |
| Cumin | Cuminum cyminum | Blood sugar: Mixed | Allergy; phototoxic skin reactions; stay at food amounts in pregnancy. |
| Coriander (cilantro) | Coriandrum sativum | Blood sugar and cholesterol in type 2 diabetes: Promising but limited | Spice allergy can be severe. |
| Cloves | Syzygium aromaticum | Toothache: Traditional use only | Swallowed clove oil has poisoned young children (liver failure). |
| Black pepper | Piper nigrum | Raising blood levels of curcumin: Promising but limited | Isolated piperine can change levels of some medicines. |
| Star anise | Illicium verum | Gum inflammation (one mouthwash trial): Promising but limited | Tea has caused seizures in infants; toxic look-alike contamination. |
| Sumac (culinary) | Rhus coriaria | Blood sugar: Mixed | Culinary sumac is not poison sumac; safety data limited. |
| Celery seed | Apium graveolens | Blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides: Promising but limited | Celery allergy can be severe. |
| Horseradish | Armoracia rusticana | Acute bronchitis (one combination product): Promising but limited | Safety data thin; trials used one combination product. |
| Mustard seed | Brassica juncea and Sinapis alba | Knee osteoarthritis pain (plaster): Promising but limited at best | Mustard plasters have caused skin burns. |
| Lemongrass | Cymbopogon citratus | Dental anxiety (inhaled essential oil): Promising but limited | Pregnancy and kidney guidance not described in the sources read. |
| Dill | Anethum graveolens | LDL cholesterol and insulin resistance: Promising but limited | Allergy (celery family); medicine interactions not described. |
| Nutmeg | Myristica fragrans | Toxicity from large amounts: Documented harm (observational reports) | Large amounts can poison; call Poison Help. |
What is not in this table
Adaptogen herbs such as ashwagandha and ginseng are profiled in Adaptogens. Mushrooms are in Mushrooms, essential oils in Essential Oils, and herbal teas and extracts as products in Herbal Teas and Extracts. The psychoactive plant profiles kept in this library are covered under Specialty Topics. The Research Library has a separate herb database. New or updated profiles may not appear here until this table is next regenerated.
Frequently asked questions
Which herb in this table is the safest?
This table does not rank herbs. Safety depends on the herb, the plant part, the product, the person and the medicines they take. MedlinePlus says "natural" does not mean safe and that herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that drugs do. [4]
What does "promising but limited" mean?
It is our label for a use where some human studies or reviews point toward benefit, but the evidence is small, short, inconsistent or of limited quality. It is not a recommendation. The labels are defined in the Glossary of Herbal Medicine Terms.
Does "traditional use only" mean an herb does not work?
No. It means the main support in the sources we read is long use rather than trial results. Traditional use and research are kept separate on every profile, and neither is treated as proof of the other. NCCIH, for example, describes turmeric's long history in several traditional systems and also says we do not know enough to conclude it benefits any health purpose. [7]
If a herb has no caution listed, can I assume it is fine?
No. Many profiles say a point is "not described in the sources we read." Lack of evidence about harm is not evidence of safety. NCCIH advises anyone taking medicine to talk with a health care provider before using herbal products, because some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. [7]
Can I use this table to choose what to take?
No. It is information only. MedlinePlus advises getting information from reliable sources and telling your health care provider about any herbal medicines you take. [4] A pharmacist can check your medicines against a specific product.
References
- Poison Control (webPOISONCONTROL). Poison Control, your trusted resource. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Glossary on herbal teas, EMA/HMPC/5829/2010 Rev.1, 2010. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Dietary and Herbal Supplements, last updated February 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. Herbal Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Ephedra. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Black Cohosh. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Turmeric. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Green Tea. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Butterbur. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Licorice Root. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). St. John’s Wort. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Ginkgo. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Garlic. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Elderberry. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Horse Chestnut. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Sage. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Aloe Vera. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Goldenseal. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Cat’s Claw. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Passionflower. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Chamomile. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Echinacea. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Valerian. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.