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,...
Imperata cylindrica extract: Skin Hydration, Diuretic Signals, Dosage Guidance, and Side Effects
Imperata cylindrica—also called cogon grass or Bai Mao Gen—is a hardy rhizomatous grass with a long record in East and Southeast Asian medicine and, more recently, in cosmetic science. Extracts from its rhizome and root are used for urinary complaints and bleeding in traditional settings, while standardized root extracts now appear on skincare labels for long-lasting hydration. Laboratory studies...
Incarvillea sinensis extract: Non-Opioid Pain Relief, How It Works, Dosage, and Safety
Incarvillea sinensis extract comes from the trumpet-flower plant long used in East Asian medicine for “wind-damp” pain, stiff joints, and bruises. Modern lab studies focus on its alkaloid incarvillateine, a non-opioid compound that appears to act through the body’s adenosine signaling rather than opioid receptors. Early animal work suggests potential for inflammatory and neuropathic pain, with less effect on...
Indian cassia: Blood Sugar Support, Evidence-Based Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects
Indian cassia is the warming, sweet-spicy cinnamon most cooks meet first—the sturdy “cassia” bark used in chai, biryani, and bakery spice blends. In nutrition and herbal practice, “Indian cassia” typically refers to cassia-type cinnamon (from Cinnamomum species such as C. cassia and C. burmannii) grown or traded in the Indian subcontinent. Some markets also use “Indian cassia” historically for...
Indian kino: Blood Sugar Support, Antioxidant Benefits, Dosage, and Safety
Indian kino (Pterocarpus marsupium) is a traditional Ayurvedic tree prized for its dark “kino gum” and heartwood. For centuries, practitioners have used it to support healthy blood sugar, manage inflammation, and protect the liver. Modern research has focused on its signature compound, pterostilbene—a relative of resveratrol—along with flavonoids and phenolics found in the bark and heartwood. Early clinical data...
Indian kudzu: Nutrient-Rich Tonic, Effective Dosages, Real-World Uses, and Risks Explained
Indian kudzu (Pueraria tuberosa), also called vidari kand in Ayurveda, is a climbing legume with starchy underground tubers and a long record of food and medicinal use across the Indian subcontinent. The tuber is naturally rich in isoflavones (such as puerarin, daidzein, and genistein), sterols, and antioxidant phenolics, and it’s classed traditionally as a nourishing, strength-building “rasayana.” Today, interest...
Indian long pepper: Complete Guide to Benefits, Forms, Timing, and Safety Considerations
Indian long pepper (Piper longum, often called pippali) is both a spice and a traditional remedy with a distinct sweet-heat that lingers longer than black pepper. Beyond the kitchen, it appears in classical Ayurveda—on its own and in blends like Trikatu—primarily for digestion, respiratory comfort, and sluggish metabolism. Modern interest centers on its amide alkaloids, especially piperine and piperlongumine,...
Indian pennywort: Uses for Venous Insufficiency and Wound Healing, Dosing, and Side Effects
Indian pennywort—better known globally as gotu kola and botanically as Centella asiatica—is a low-growing culinary herb used across South and Southeast Asia as both food and medicine. In traditional systems, it supports wound care, skin integrity, venous circulation, and mental clarity. Modern extracts standardized to triterpenes (asiaticoside, madecassoside, and their aglycones) are used for chronic venous insufficiency symptoms, minor...
Indian Physic: Bitter Tonic Actions, Laxative Applications, Dosage Guidelines, and Risk Profile
Indian Physic (Gillenia trifoliata, synonym Porteranthus trifoliatus), also known as Bowman’s root or American ipecac, is a North American woodland perennial with a long record in Indigenous and early American medicine. Traditionally, the dried root was used in tiny amounts as a bitter digestive and in larger, carefully measured amounts as an emetic or brisk laxative. Today, most people...
Indian sarsaparilla: Skin and Digestive Benefits, How It Works, Dosage Guidelines, and Safety
Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus), called Sariva or Anantamul in Ayurveda, is a fragrant climbing shrub whose roots have been used for centuries as a cooling, blood-purifying tonic and skin soother. Modern analyses show a diverse profile of phytochemicals—pregnane glycosides, saponins, phenolics, lignans, and essential oils—that may help modulate inflammation and oxidative stress. Traditional practitioners reach for Indian sarsaparilla to...
Indian senna: Fast Laxative Action, Proper Use, Recommended Dosage, and Side Effects
Indian senna (Senna alexandrina, traditionally Cassia angustifolia) is a time-tested stimulant laxative used to relieve occasional constipation and to prepare the bowel before certain procedures. Its active compounds—sennosides—act mainly in the large intestine, where gut bacteria convert them into metabolites that stimulate peristalsis and reduce water reabsorption, softening stool and promoting a complete bowel movement. Senna works predictably within...
