A tree native to tropical regions of Africa, baobab produces fruit that's rich in antioxidants. Baobab has long been used for medicinal purposes in Africa, and in recent years the fruit has turned up in energy drinks, energy bars, juices, and supplements in the United States.

So far, very few studies have tested the health effects of consuming baobab. While research shows that the fruit offers a number of nutrients (including vitamin C and a variety of minerals), it's too soon to recommend baobab for treatment or prevention of any health problem.

If you're looking to boost your antioxidant intake, try loading up on vibrantly colored vegetables and fruits. You can also get your fill of antioxidants by sipping green tea, black tea, and yerba mate. In addition, natural-foods-store staples such as goji berries contain an abundance of antioxidants. Read the article: Baobab - What You Need to Know.

A type of medicinal mushroom long used in traditional Chinese medicine, lion's mane, lion's mane shows promise as a natural remedy for preserving brain health as you age. For instance, in a small study published in 2009, lion's mane appeared to improve brain function in a group of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. In addition, tests on animals suggest that lion's mane may help fight the harmful effects of amyloid beta (a substance that forms the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease).

More research is needed to explore the brain-protecting benefits of lion's mane. To help keep your brain healthy as you get older, make sure to follow a diet high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, exercise regularly, and keep mentally and socially active. Some studies show that natural substances like resveratrol and turmeric may also help shield brain health. Read the article: Lion's Mane - What You Need to Know.

A tree native to West Africa, the African mango produces seeds said to speed up weight loss. Sold in supplement form, African mango seed extract contains many nutrients (including fiber, essential fatty acids, amino acids, and minerals). But while African mango seeds may possess healthful properties, it's not known whether taking African mango supplements can help you shed pounds.

Some preliminary research suggests that African mango may help protect against obesity. For instance, several small studies show that taking African mango supplements may help lower body weight, trim away fat, and reduce waist size (as well as cut cholesterol). However, these findings have yet to be tested in large clinical trials.

While few natural remedies are known to safely and effectively promote weight loss, there's some evidence that enhancing your health routine with certain alternative therapies (such as yoga, meditation, and tai chi) may support weight-loss efforts. Read the article: African Mango for Weight Loss.

A type of medicinal mushroom, agaricus is often touted as an all-natural immune-booster. Indeed, there's some evidence that agaricus may help stimulate the immune system and even help strengthen your defense against some forms of cancer. However, since most of this evidence comes from animal-based research and test-tube studies, it's too soon to recommend agaricus for cancer defense.

To keep your immune system strong, it's important to follow a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and keep your stress in check. In addition, some studies show that certain herbs (including echinacea and astragalus) can help bolster your immune system and help fend off colds. In order to get the full benefit of these herbs, it's important to start taking your supplements as soon as cold symptoms set in. Read the article: Agaricus - What You Need to Know.