--- title: "14 Herbs for General Nutrition: Evidence & Safety" description: "Natural foods that contribute fibre, healthy fats or vitamins. They are best seen in the context of an overall diet rather than for a specific complaint." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- Explore by need # General Nutrition Natural foods that contribute fibre, healthy fats or vitamins. They are best seen in the context of an overall diet rather than for a specific complaint. 14 herbs · 4 with clinical evidence (A/B) · 13 not marked avoid in pregnancy Search herbs Forms of useSort Hide herbs to avoid in pregnancyHide external-use-only herbsStrong / limited evidence only (A/B) These filters do not guarantee safety. Results may include herbs with unknown safety. **14** herbs found ### [Black Pepper](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-pepper/) B Limited clinical evidence Piper nigrum The world's most widely used spice. Its piperine markedly increases the absorption of some compounds, such as curcumin from turmeric. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Rose Hip](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/rose-hip/) B Limited clinical evidence Rosa canina A fruit rich in vitamin C. A special rose hip powder helped reduce pain in knee and hip osteoarthritis in small clinical studies. [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Sesame](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/sesame/) B Limited clinical evidence Sesamum indicum The seed behind tahini and simit. It contains healthy fats, protein and lignans; small studies saw modest falls in cholesterol and blood pressure. [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Spirulina Powder](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/spirulina-powder/) B Limited clinical evidence Arthrospira platensis A protein-rich blue-green alga. Meta-analyses of small studies found modest falls in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides; choose tested products. [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Clay, Soap & Other](https://herbadex.com/en/form/other/) ### [Black Mulberry Syrup](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-mulberry-syrup/) T Traditional use Morus nigra A black mulberry syrup traditionally used in Anatolia for mouth ulcers and sore throats. It is rich in anthocyanins and high in sugar. [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Syrup & Paste](https://herbadex.com/en/form/syrup-paste/) ### [Curry Powder](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/curry-powder/) T Traditional use Curcuma longa, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Trigonella foenum-graecum An Indian-style blend of turmeric, coriander, cumin and fenugreek. It adds flavour; the amount of turmeric is usually too low for health effects. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Mahlab](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/mahlab/) T Traditional use Prunus mahaleb The kernel of the mahaleb cherry stone, giving pastries their distinctive aroma. Its health effects rest on tradition only, and it contains coumarin. [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Terebinth Berry](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/terebinth-berry/) T Traditional use Pistacia terebinthus The roasted fruit of terebinth, a wild pistachio. Its "coffee" is loved in South-East Anatolia; respiratory uses are traditional only. [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Syrup & Paste](https://herbadex.com/en/form/syrup-paste/) ### [Tonka Bean](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/tonka-bean/) T Traditional use Dipteryx odorata A seed with a vanilla-almond scent, used in tiny amounts in desserts. Its high coumarin content can damage the liver, so food use is restricted. [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Vanilla Bean](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/vanilla-bean/) T Traditional use Vanilla planifolia The fermented fruit of an orchid. It flavours desserts; the calming effect of its scent has only been studied in small early trials. [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Za'atar](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/zaatar/) T Traditional use Thymbra spicata, Rhus coriaria, Sesamum indicum A breakfast blend of thyme, sumac and sesame, eaten with olive oil and bread. It is a food; immunity claims are unproven. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Spice](https://herbadex.com/en/form/spice/) ### [Argan Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/argan-oil/) C Laboratory / animal evidence Argania spinosa An oil from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree, rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids. Used to moisturise skin and hair. [Skin & Hair](https://herbadex.com/en/for/skin-hair/) [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Carrier Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/carrier-oil/) ### [Okra Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/okra-seed/) C Laboratory / animal evidence Abelmoschus esculentus A nourishing seed with fibre, protein and mucilage. There is no scientific evidence for its popular use for knee pain or joint fluid. [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Metabolism, Weight & Blood Sugar](https://herbadex.com/en/for/metabolism/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Poppy Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/poppy-seed/) C Laboratory / animal evidence Papaver somniferum Poppy seed is a nourishing seed with calcium, magnesium and healthy fats. There is no evidence for its use for sleep or calming. [General Nutrition](https://herbadex.com/en/for/general-nutrition/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.