Alternative Medicine

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.

Often referred to as "umcka," pelargonium is an herbal remedy thought to treat coughs and colds. Long used in traditional South African medicine, pelargonium has been found to knock out viruses and stimulate the immune system in a number of test-tube studies.

While relatively few clinical trials have tested the cold-fighting effects of pelargonium, there's some evidence that using liquid preparations of the herb may help ease cold severity and shorten the duration of sickness. In addition, several studies suggest that pelargonium may help relieve bronchitis.

If you're looking for a natural cold remedy, research shows that herbs like echinacea and astragalus may also provide cold relief. Getting plenty of sleep, gargling with warm salt water, and drinking lots of water and tea can help soothe your symptoms as well, according to the National Institutes of Health. Read the article: Pelargonium - What You Need to Know.

Like shiitake and maitake, chaga is a medicinal mushroom often used to rev up the immune system and fend off illness. Many proponents even suggest that taking chaga supplements--or drinking chaga tea--can increase the body's defense against cancer.

Although there is currently a lack of scientific support for the claim that chaga can help prevent cancer, some preliminary research shows that chaga can slow up the growth of cancer cells. What's more, a number of studies indicate that chaga can combat oxidative stress (a destructive biological process thought to be linked to the development of cancer).

To protect against cancer, it's crucial to avoid smoking, follow a balanced diet rich in antioxidant-packed vegetables and fruits, exercise regularly, and keep your weight in check. Some studies have found that people who drink tea and maintain optimal levels of vitamin D may be less likely to develop certain types of cancer. Read the article: Chaga - What You Need to Know.

Oats, barley, and certain medicinal mushrooms all contain beta-glucan, a natural substance that's widely available in supplement form. Touted as a natural remedy for a host of health problems (from allergies and asthma to major diseases like diabetes), beta-glucan is also purported to protect against some forms of cancer.

Although there is currently a lack of research on the potential benefits of taking beta-glucan supplements, a number of studies suggest that dietary intake of beta-glucan may help enhance your health. For instance, studies show that the beta-glucan found in oats may help reduce cholesterol levels. There's also some evidence that including beta-glucan-rich foods in your diet may help manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels and lowering blood pressure.

In addition, preliminary research in animals indicates that beta-glucan may help strengthen the immune system and fend off colds and flu. And while some laboratory research suggests that beta-glucan may possess anti-cancer properties, it's too soon to recommend beta-glucan for cancer prevention. Read the full article: Beta-Glucan - What You Need to Know.

A vibrant purple berry that grows wild in some regions of South America, maqui shows promise as a natural means of keeping cholesterol in check. Rich in potent antioxidants known as anthocyanins, maqui has been found to reduce cholesterol, fight oxidative stress, and protect against atherosclerosis in laboratory research.

Since scientists have yet to test the cholesterol-lowering effects of maqui in humans, it's too soon to recommend this inflammation-fighting berry for cholesterol management. To curb your cholesterol--and, in turn, boost your defense against heart disease--make sure to follow a balanced diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking. Some research suggests that sipping green tea, adding flaxseed to your diet, and getting your fill of fish oil may also help manage cholesterol levels. Read the full article: Maqui - What You Need to Know.

Practitioners of traditional Indian medicine have long used a natural remedy known as caralluma to suppress appetite. Now, caralluma supplements are marketed as a natural weight loss aid, with many proponents claiming that the herb can fight fat formation in addition to alleviating hunger.

To date, there's very little scientific evidence that caralluma can help you slim down. While some preliminary research suggests that caralluma can curb hunger and prevent weight gain, it's too soon to recommend caralluma supplements for weight loss.

If you're looking for a natural way to tame your hunger, try adding chili peppers to your diet. Studies show that capsaicin (the compound that gives hot peppers their spicy kick) may help ease your appetite and reduce levels of ghrelin (a hormone that plays a key role in promoting hunger). Read the article: Caralluma for Weight Loss.

An herbal remedy extracted from the leaves of the Lagerstroemia speciosa tree, banana may help fight diabetes. In animal-based research, scientists have shown that banaba extract may help keep blood sugar in check (as well as reduce cholesterol levels). Banaba is rich in both corosolic acid (a substance found to offer blood-sugar-lowering and anti-inflammatory benefits) and ellagitannins (a class of compounds with antioxidant effects).

For more help in boosting your diabetes defense, try spicing up your meals with cinnamon (another natural substance known to aid in blood sugar control). There's also some evidence that drinking tea on a regular basis and maintaining ample levels of vitamin D may help with diabetes prevention. Read the article: Banaba - What You Need to Know.

For years, practitioners of herbal medicine have used sea buckthorn to treat skin disorders. Now, a number of beauty companies are including sea buckthorn extract in their skin-care products (especially in so-called "anti-aging" formulas). Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, sea buckthorn is said to improve your complexion and reverse aging-related damage to skin.

To date, few studies have tested the possible benefits of applying sea buckthorn to the skin. However, some research suggests that taking sea buckthorn in supplement form may help treat certain skin troubles (such as eczema and burn wounds).

For other natural remedies that may help beautify your skin, consider using products that contain argan oil, shea butter, lavender, or green tea....Read the article: Sea Buckthorn - What You Need to Know

An amino acid found naturally in green tea, theanine is said to promote relaxation and treat a number of mental health problems. For instance, many people take theanine supplements to alleviate anxiety, fight depression, and reduce stress.

So far, scientists have yet to extensively explore the health effects of theanine. However, preliminary research suggests that theanine may help lift mood, enhance brain function, and calm the body's response to stress.

While it's too soon to recommend the use of theanine supplements for treatment or prevention of any health condition, upping your theanine intake by drinking green tea may offer a wide range of health benefits. In fact, studies show that people who drink green tea on a regular basis may have increased protection against high blood pressure and high cholesterol (two top risk factors for heart disease), as well as some forms of cancer...Read: Theanine - What You Need to Know.