Iris versicolor benefits for skin and digestion, how to use it, dosage guidelines, and key safety tips
Iris versicolor—often called blue flag—is a striking North American iris whose rhizome has a long history in eclectic and Indigenous herbal practice. Today, interest in blue flag centers on its bitter, resinous constituents and a growing (though still preliminary) body of laboratory research on Iris species for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. People are most curious about whether Iris...
Irish sea moss: Proven Benefits, Dosage Guidelines, How to Take It, and Side Effects
Irish sea moss, often labeled as Chondrus crispus or simply “sea moss,” is a red seaweed long used as a thickener in foods and as a traditional wellness tonic. Today it shows up as dried flakes, capsules, and gels. People reach for it to support thyroid function, digestion, and skin hydration, and to add a plant-based source of minerals...
Iron bisglycinate: Health Benefits, Absorption, Optimal Dosage, and Safety Explained
Iron bisglycinate is a chelated form of iron bound to two glycine molecules. Many people choose it because it’s effective at restoring iron stores while being gentler on the stomach than common salts like ferrous sulfate. You’ll see it on labels as “ferrous bisglycinate chelate,” sometimes branded (for example, as Ferrochel), and it typically provides about 20% elemental iron...
Iron carbonate: Practical guide to benefits, properties, dosage strategies, and safety
Iron carbonate—more precisely ferrous carbonate (FeCO₃)—is an oral iron salt used to rebuild low iron stores and correct iron-deficiency anemia when diet alone is not enough. As a source of elemental iron, it supplies the mineral your bone marrow needs to make hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Ferrous carbonate contains a high proportion of elemental iron...
Iron dextran: Uses in CKD and pregnancy, infusion protocols, monitoring, and precautions
Iron dextran is a long-standing intravenous (IV) iron therapy designed to rebuild iron stores quickly when tablets are ineffective, poorly tolerated, or too slow. Packaged as an iron(III)–hydroxide core coated with dextran, it bypasses the gut and hepcidin “gatekeeping,” delivering iron directly to transferrin and bone marrow for hemoglobin synthesis. Unlike small-dose IV irons that require multiple visits, iron...
Iron sucrose: What to expect during treatment, optimal dosing, lab targets, and precautions
Iron sucrose is a hospital-grade intravenous (IV) iron used when pills cannot correct iron deficiency or when time is short. It delivers elemental iron directly into the bloodstream as a stable iron(III)–hydroxide sucrose complex that your bone marrow repurposes to build hemoglobin. Compared with older IV irons, iron sucrose has a well-established safety record and typically does not require...
Iron: Deficiency signs, proven benefits, optimal dosing strategies, and risk management
Iron is one of the body’s most tightly regulated nutrients—and for good reason. It sits at the center of hemoglobin and myoglobin, moving oxygen to every cell. When you are short on iron, fatigue, shortness of breath, hair shedding, brittle nails, and brain fog can creep in; when you have too much, oxidative stress and organ damage become risks....
Irvingia gabonensis extract: Weight loss results, metabolic health benefits, dosage, and side effects
Irvingia gabonensis—often called African mango—is a seed-kernel extract used in weight-management formulas and metabolic health blends. Modern extracts, including proprietary versions such as IGOB131, concentrate fiber-like polysaccharides and phenolic compounds that may influence appetite, lipid handling, and inflammatory signaling. Early human trials suggest modest reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and blood lipids over 8–10 weeks when taken alongside...
Irwinol: Cosmetic Ingredient Guide to Benefits, Formulation Tips, Dosage Ranges, and Safety
Irwinol is a cosmetic-grade botanical butter derived from the kernels of the African bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis). Unlike ingestible “African mango” supplements, Irwinol is formulated for topical care—especially lips, face, and dry or damaged hair. It is rich in saturated triglycerides dominated by lauric (C12:0) and myristic (C14:0) fatty acids, which melt near skin temperature and form a breathable,...
Isaria cicadae: Kidney Support, Immune Effects, Recommended Use, and Side Effects
Isaria cicadae—also known as Cordyceps cicadae or Paecilomyces cicadae—is an edible, medicinal fungus that naturally grows on cicada nymphs. Long used in East Asian herbal practice, it has moved into modern research because of unique molecules such as N6-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine (HEA) and complex polysaccharides. Early evidence points to renal (kidney) support, immune modulation, and antioxidant activity, with promising signals...
Isaria sinclairii: Health Benefits, Mechanisms, How to Use, Dosage, and Safety
Isaria sinclairii is a cicada-associated medicinal fungus best known as the original natural source of myriocin (also called ISP-1), a compound that inspired the multiple sclerosis drug fingolimod. Beyond that claim to fame, extracts of Isaria sinclairii have been explored for immune modulation, joint comfort, metabolic balance, and skin health in preliminary models. Because this species (historically grouped with...
Isatis indigotica: Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Properties, Uses, Dosage, and Risks
Isatis indigotica—known in traditional Chinese medicine as ban lan gen (root) and da qing ye (leaf)—is a cold-natured herb used for “heat-clearing and detoxifying” patterns that map to modern symptoms like fever, sore throat, and inflamed mucous membranes. Modern laboratory research has identified indole alkaloids (e.g., tryptanthrin, indirubin), lignans, glucosinolates, and complex polysaccharides that may explain its antiviral, anti-inflammatory,...
Isatis tinctoria: Evidence-Based Benefits, Mechanisms, Best Forms, Dosage, and Side Effects
Isatis tinctoria (woad) is best known as the ancient blue dye of Europe, yet its roots and leaves also appear in traditional formulas for fever, sore throat, and “heat-toxin” patterns. Modern analyses show a rich profile of indole alkaloids (e.g., tryptanthrin, indirubin), glucosinolates (including goitrin), flavonoids, polysaccharides, and phenolic acids—compounds linked to anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral actions. Contemporary interest...
Iscador: Mistletoe Extract for Cancer Care, Uses, Dosage Strategies, and Side Effects
Iscador is a brand of European mistletoe (Viscum album) extract used primarily by integrative and anthroposophic clinicians as an adjunct in cancer care. It is not a chemotherapy drug and is not approved as an anticancer treatment in many countries, yet it is prescribed in parts of Europe to help with symptom burden and quality of life during or...
Ishige okamurae: Metabolic Health Benefits, How to Use, Dosage, and Safety
Ishige okamurae is a brown seaweed native to the Northwest Pacific and long used in coastal cuisines. In the last decade, interest has surged because this marine plant concentrates phlorotannins—seaweed-specific polyphenols—such as diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) and ishophloroglucin A (IPA). Early laboratory and animal research suggests extracts may help regulate post-meal blood sugar, support insulin signaling, and modulate inflammation and oxidative...
Isinglass: What It Is, Beverage Clarification, Collagen Benefits, and Side Effects
Isinglass is a fish-derived collagen historically taken from the dried swim bladders of sturgeon and other species. Today it serves two very different roles: a traditional fining agent that clarifies beer and wine, and a niche source of collagen protein used in supplements and foods. In the glass, isinglass helps haze-forming particles clump and settle, producing brighter beverages with...
