Horse Chestnut
A Strong clinical evidenceAesculus hippocastanum
Standardised horse chestnut seed extract may help chronic venous insufficiency with swollen, heavy, aching legs; never eat raw conkers.
Forms of use
Clay, Soap & Other
Other natural products such as clay, soap and algae.
8 herbs · 3 with clinical evidence (A/B) · 5 not marked avoid in pregnancy
Saw Palmetto
A Strong clinical evidenceSerenoa repens
Saw palmetto fruit extract may help urinary symptoms of benign prostate enlargement; raised INR has been reported with warfarin.
Spirulina Powder
B Limited clinical evidenceArthrospira platensis
A protein-rich blue-green alga. Meta-analyses of small studies found modest falls in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides; choose tested products.
Arnica
T Traditional useArnica montana
Gels and creams with arnica flower are used only on the skin for bruises, sprains and localised muscle pain; never on broken skin or by mouth.
Witch Hazel
T Traditional useHamamelis virginiana
Witch hazel leaf is used on the skin for minor inflammation and dryness, for haemorrhoid itching and burning, and as a mouth gargle.
Green Clay
C Laboratory / animal evidenceMontmorillonite / Illite (mineral)
A clay used in face masks to absorb oil and dirt. Drinking it is not recommended: it can contain heavy metals such as lead and arsenic.
Terebinth Soap
T Traditional usePistacia terebinthus
A traditional soap from South-East Anatolia made with terebinth fruit oil. Used to wash hair and skin; no healing effect has been shown.
Blue Anemone Flower
T Traditional useAnemone spp.
A flower marketed in cosmetics as "anti-wrinkle". No independent study shows the effect, and the fresh plant is poisonous.