Ifosfamide: Cancer Treatment Benefits, How It Works, Dosing Schedules, and Safety
Ifosfamide is a prescription chemotherapy medicine used to treat several solid tumors and lymphomas. It belongs to the oxazaphosphorine class of alkylating agents and must be activated in the liver to work. In modern oncology, ifosfamide is rarely given alone; it is combined with other anticancer drugs and always paired with a uroprotectant (mesna) and aggressive hydration to protect...
Ilex aquifolium: Antioxidant Properties, Practical Uses, Dosage Advice, and Safety Risks
Ilex aquifolium—better known as European holly—is an evergreen shrub with glossy, spined leaves and bright red berries. Beyond its iconic winter look, the plant’s leaves contain polyphenols (notably chlorogenic acids), triterpenoid saponins, and other constituents that show antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory models. Unlike its caffeinated cousins (yerba mate, guayusa, yaupon), European holly is not consumed as...
Ilex cornuta: Evidence-Based Benefits, How to Use the Leaf, Recommended Dosage, and Side Effects
Ilex cornuta—better known as Chinese holly—is an evergreen shrub prized for glossy leaves and bright red berries. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the dried leaves (often labeled as Ilicis Cornutae Folium) are used for “heat-clearing” formulas, and modern lab research explores antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. At the same time, the vivid fruits are not food: holly berries contain...
Ilex guayusa: Energy, Antioxidants, Uses, Dosage Guidelines, and Safety Tips
Ilex guayusa (pronounced “gwhy-OO-sah”) is an Amazonian holly traditionally brewed as a bright, earthy tea. It naturally contains caffeine along with chlorogenic acids, quercetin derivatives, and other polyphenols that contribute antioxidant activity. Many people use guayusa as a gentler, steady energy source for morning focus, pre-work sessions, or long workdays. Early research suggests guayusa extracts may sharpen reaction time...
Ilex kudingcha: Cholesterol Support, Brewing Methods, Optimal Dosage, and Side Effects
Kudingcha made from Ilex kudingcha (a broad-leaf holly) is a boldly bitter, caffeine-light tea used in parts of China for everyday wellness. The leaves contain triterpenoid saponins (kudinosides), chlorogenic acids, and flavonoids that have been studied for effects on blood lipids, weight control, inflammation, and liver and gut resilience. Human trials on “kuding tea” suggest small but meaningful improvements...
Ilex latifolia: Cholesterol and Weight Support, Brewing Guide, Recommended Dosage, and Side Effects
Ilex latifolia—often sold as “large-leaf kuding tea”—is a bitter, caffeine-light holly used as a daily wellness beverage across parts of East Asia. Its leaves are rich in triterpenoid saponins, phenolic acids (such as chlorogenic acids), and flavonoids that have been studied for effects on blood lipids, weight management, oxidative stress, and liver and gut health. Early human trials on...
Ilex paraguariensis: Cardiometabolic Benefits, Evidence, Daily Use, Dosage, and Side Effects
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is the backbone of a social ritual across Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil—yet its appeal now extends far beyond the traditional gourd. Brewed as an infusion or used as a standardized extract, yerba mate combines naturally occurring caffeine with chlorogenic acids (CGAs), saponins, and other polyphenols. Together, these compounds can promote alertness, support metabolic...
Ilex pubescens: Cardiovascular Benefits, Evidence-Based Uses, Dosage Guidelines, and Safety Considerations
Ilex pubescens—often called Mao Dong Qing or pubescent holly—is a traditional East Asian medicinal plant used for circulatory and cerebrovascular concerns. Modern lab and animal data suggest anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, antiplrombotic, and endothelial-protective actions driven by triterpene saponins and flavonoids. Formulas containing Ilex pubescens are being evaluated for heart failure and microvascular support, and purified extracts show neuroprotective effects in...
Ilex vomitoria: Yaupon Tea Benefits, Preparation Methods, Daily Dosage, and Side Effects
Ilex vomitoria—better known as yaupon holly—is the only caffeine-bearing plant native to North America that’s still commonly brewed as tea. Traditionally prepared as the “black drink” across the Southeastern United States, its young leaves and twigs are rich in xanthines (notably caffeine) and polyphenols that behave as antioxidants. Modern interest centers on yaupon’s clean, tea-like stimulation, potential mood and...
Illicium verum: Star Anise Benefits, Uses in Cooking and Tea, Dosage, and Side Effects
Star anise (Illicium verum) is the star-shaped fruit of an evergreen tree native to southern China and Vietnam. In the kitchen, it lends warm licorice notes to broths, chai, and baked goods. In traditional medicine, it has long been used for coughs, digestive discomfort, and seasonal ailments. Modern analysis shows the fruit and its essential oil are rich in...
Illite: Skin Benefits, How to Use It, Recommended Topical Dosage, and Safety
Illite is a naturally occurring clay mineral widely used in skin care, personal care, and industrial applications because of its ability to absorb oils, bind moisture, and interact with dissolved substances. In cosmetics, illite appears in masks, cleansers, and scalp pastes for mattifying shine and supporting gentle detox routines. In agriculture and environmental settings, illite may be blended with...
Iloprost: Uses in Pulmonary Hypertension and Systemic Sclerosis, Dosage Guidance, and Safety
Iloprost is a synthetic analogue of prostacyclin (PGI₂), a naturally occurring molecule that dilates blood vessels, reduces platelet stickiness, and helps protect the lining of arteries. Clinically, it is used by inhalation for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and by intravenous infusion for severe peripheral ischemia, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and systemic sclerosis–related digital ulcers in certain settings. In 2024, an intravenous...
Imatinib: Evidence-Based Guide to Benefits, Proper Use, Dosage Ranges, and Adverse Effects
Imatinib is a first-in-class tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that changed cancer care by targeting the abnormal signaling that drives certain leukemias and tumors. Best known for treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, it also treats gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and several rarer conditions. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, imatinib blocks specific enzymes—BCR-ABL1, KIT, and PDGFRA—allowing effective, often...
Imipenem: Health Benefits in Severe Infections, How to Use It, Recommended Dosage, and Safety
Imipenem is a hospital-grade, broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic given by intravenous infusion—nearly always co-formulated with cilastatin, which protects imipenem from rapid breakdown in the kidneys. Clinicians rely on it for severe, polymicrobial, or resistant infections when narrower options are unlikely to work. Imipenem targets cell-wall synthesis, remains active against many Gram-positives, Gram-negatives (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa in many regions), and anaerobes,...
Imiquimod: Complete Guide to Benefits, Properties, Dosage Schedules, and Adverse Effects
Imiquimod is a prescription-only topical immune response modifier used for certain skin conditions caused by sun damage or viruses. Rather than killing cells directly, it activates local innate immunity—especially toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)—to trigger interferon and other cytokines that help the skin clear abnormal or infected cells. Clinicians prescribe specific strengths and schedules for three main problems: actinic keratoses...
Immortelle: Skin Benefits, Digestive Uses, Dosage Guidance, and Side Effects
“Immortelle” usually refers to two closely related Mediterranean wildflowers in the Helichrysum genus—most often Helichrysum italicum (everlasting/Italian strawflower) and, in Central and Eastern Europe, Helichrysum arenarium (sandy everlasting). Both have a long heritage in herbalism, though they are used differently. H. italicum is best known for its aromatic essential oil and extracts used topically for skin comfort, bruising appearance,...
