Tea, berries, and common kitchen foods often marketed as “functional.”
Common Names acai (pronounced AH-sigh-EE), acai berry, acai palm Latin Names Euterpe oleracea, Euterpe badiocarpa Background The acai palm tree, native to tropical Central and South America and widely found in the Brazilian Amazon region, produces a round, dark purple fruit. The acai fruit, also known as acai berry, has long been an important food…
Common Names aloe Latin Names Aloe vera, Aloe africana, Aloe arborescens, Aloe barbadensis Background Aloe is a cactus-like plant that grows in hot, dry climates. It is grown in subtropical regions around the world, including the southern border areas of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Aloe was used in ancient Greece, Rome, Babylonia, and…
Common Names hawthorn, hawthorne, harthorne, English hawthorn, Mexican hawthorn, raiz de tejocote, tejocote, shanzha, WS 1442 Latin Names Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus mexicana, Crataegus pinnatifida, (synonym, Crataegus oxycantha, ), Crataegus laevigata Background Hawthorn is a flowering shrub or tree of the rose family. It grows in temperate regions throughout the world. Hawthorn was traditionally used for…
Common Names white mulberry leaf, common mulberry, Egyptian mulberry, Russian mulberry, silkworm mulberry Latin Names Morus alba Background White mulberry (Morus alba) is native to China but can be found throughout the world in temperate and tropical climates. In parts of Asia, mulberry leaves have been used for tea, wine, bean curd, and noodles. In…
Common Names grape seed extract Latin Names Vitis vinifera Background Grape seed extract, which is made from the seeds of wine grapes, is promoted as a dietary supplement for various purposes, including reducing blood cholesterol and blood pressure, and as an ingredient in topical products for promoting wound healing and preventing tooth decay. Grape seed…
Common Names noni, morinda, Indian mulberry, hog apple, canarywood Latin Names Morinda citrifolia Background Noni is a small evergreen tree found in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Australia, and India. Traditionally, noni has been used to treat the common cold, bacterial infections, fevers, and gastrointestinal problems. The plant’s roots, stem, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit…
The herb peppermint, a natural cross between water mint and spearmint, grows throughout Europe, North America, and the Mediterranean.
This fact sheet focuses on the use of soy by adults for health purposes.
Flaxseed has a long history of traditional use for health and industrial purposes. Originally cultivated near the Middle East, flaxseed was later used to make linen cloths in ancient Egypt, stews in Ethiopia, and laxatives in ancient Greece. In North America, European settlers used flaxseed to make poultices for cuts and burns and oil for paints.
Pomegranate is a small, fruit-bearing tree that comes from the Middle East and is now cultivated in many parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, Southeast Asia, and the Southwestern United States.
Content is for education only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with a qualified clinician before changing your diet, sleep routine, or supplement plan — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.