Garcinia kola: What It Is, Proven and Potential Benefits, How to Take It, and Risks
Garcinia kola—popularly called bitter kola—is a West and Central African tree whose seeds are chewed as a traditional masticatory and shared at social gatherings. The seeds have a strong, bitter taste and a reputation for “clearing the head,” supporting alertness, and soothing the throat. Modern laboratory research points to an abundance of notable phytochemicals: biflavonoids (a mixture known as...
Garcinia mangostana: Uses for Insulin Sensitivity, Inflammation, Oral Health, and Side Effects
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a Southeast Asian fruit celebrated for its sweet, floral flavor and a thick purple rind rich in biologically active xanthones such as α-mangostin. Beyond the culinary appeal, extracts from the fruit’s pericarp (rind) appear to influence pathways tied to inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolism, and even mood. Early clinical trials suggest potential benefits for insulin sensitivity...
Garcinol: What It Is, Proven and Potential Benefits, How to Take It, and Risks
Garcinol is a naturally occurring polyisoprenylated benzophenone concentrated in the rinds of Garcinia fruits—especially Garcinia indica (kokum). It is best known in laboratories as an epigenetic modulator that can inhibit histone acetyltransferases and selectively block HDAC11, two enzyme families that help regulate inflammatory and metabolic signaling. Outside the lab, garcinol-rich extracts are marketed for metabolic and liver support, healthy...
Garden cress extract: Lepidium sativum benefits, uses, dosage range, and safety precautions
Garden cress extract comes from the fast-growing herb Lepidium sativum, a peppery member of the Brassicaceae family enjoyed as sprouts, seeds, and seed oil. As a supplement, it’s valued for bioactive compounds such as glucosinolates (notably benzyl glucosinolate), their isothiocyanate breakdown products, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and a soothing seed mucilage. Early research suggests roles in metabolic health, inflammation control,...
Garlic extract: Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Support, How to Use It, Proper Dosage, and Side Effects
Garlic extract is one of the most widely studied botanical supplements for heart and metabolic health. Derived from Allium sativum, it concentrates organosulfur compounds such as allicin (formed when garlic is crushed) and S-allyl cysteine (SAC) in aged preparations. Across randomized trials and meta-analyses, standardized garlic extracts have shown modest but meaningful support for systolic and diastolic blood pressure,...
Garlic oil: Cardiovascular Support, Antioxidant Properties, Dosage, and Side Effects
Garlic oil is a concentrated form of the aromatic compounds that give garlic its pungent scent—and much of its biological activity. Extracted primarily by steam distillation or prepared as a macerate in a carrier oil, garlic oil captures fat-soluble organosulfur molecules such as diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide. People turn to it for heart and circulatory support, immune balance...
Gastrodin: Sleep, Stress, and Brain Health Benefits with Dosage and Risks
Gastrodin is a naturally occurring compound best known as the primary bioactive of Gastrodia elata (Tian Ma), a traditional East Asian herb used for headaches, dizziness, and neurological complaints. Modern research spotlights gastrodin for potential neuroprotective actions—supporting vascular health in the brain, calming over-excited neurons, and tempering inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. Small clinical studies and meta-analyses suggest benefits...
Gelatin: What It Is, How to Take It, Effective Doses, and Safety
Gelatin sits at the crossroads of nutrition and function. Derived from collagen in animal connective tissue, it supplies concentrated amounts of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline—amino acids your body uses to build skin, cartilage, bone, and tendons. Modern research on collagen-derived supplements shows measurable gains in skin hydration and elasticity, small-to-moderate reductions in joint pain, and support for bone density...
Gelidium amansii extract: Health Benefits, How to Use It, Proper Dosage, and Safety
Gelidium amansii is a red seaweed best known as a premium source of agar—the gel-forming fiber used in foods and microbiology. Its concentrated extracts contain soluble polysaccharides (agarose and agaro-oligosaccharides), minor polyphenols, and minerals. Early studies suggest potential support for cholesterol management, metabolic health, gut microbiota balance, and satiety. At the same time, evidence in humans is still limited,...
Gelidium elegans extract: Weight Management, Gut Health, Dosage Guidelines, and Side Effects
Gelidium elegans is a red seaweed long used in East Asian cuisine and now studied as a functional supplement. Its extract concentrates bioactive fibers (agarose-derived oligosaccharides), minerals, and polyphenols that may influence body weight, metabolic health, and gut comfort. Early human trials suggest standardized G. elegans extract can reduce fat mass and ease constipation-like symptoms when paired with sensible...
Gelsemium: Health Benefits, Mechanisms, Safe Use, Dosage Guidance, and Side Effects
Gelsemium is a flowering vine whose extracts contain potent indole alkaloids such as gelsemine and gelsenicine. These compounds act on inhibitory receptors in the nervous system and have been explored for potential calming (anxiolytic) effects in animal research. At the same time, Gelsemium species—especially Gelsemium elegans in Asia and Gelsemium sempervirens in the Americas—are highly toxic; accidental and intentional...
Genistein: Menopause Relief, Bone and Heart Health, Dosage, and Risks
Genistein is a naturally occurring isoflavone most abundant in soybeans and fermented soy foods. It is often promoted for easing menopausal hot flashes, supporting bone and heart health, and providing antioxidant protection. Unlike synthetic hormones, genistein acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator—meaning its effects vary by tissue and existing hormone levels. Quality matters: extracts can differ widely in...
Gentian root: Digestive Benefits, Proper Dosage, Uses, and Side Effects
Gentian root (from Gentiana lutea and related species) is one of the bitterest botanicals known. A few drops or sips trigger a noticeable “bitter reflex,” a nerve-mediated response that primes digestion—salivation increases, stomach acid and enzymes rise, and the gut gets ready to move. Herbalists have used gentian for loss of appetite and indigestion for generations, and modern formulas...
Geraniol: What It Is, Proven Benefits, How to Use It, Proper Dosage, and Side Effects
Geraniol is a rose-scented monoterpenoid alcohol found naturally in rose, palmarosa, citronella, lemongrass, and geranium oils. Beyond fragrance, it shows antimicrobial and antifungal activity in lab studies, helps repel mosquitoes and ticks at specific concentrations, and contributes to flavor and aroma in foods. In cosmetics and personal care, geraniol appears in perfumes, lotions, soaps, and home fragrances; in foods,...
Geranium extract: Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) Benefits, Dosing, and Risks Explained
Geranium extract is an umbrella term for two popular products from the Pelargonium genus: the aromatic rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) used mainly in skincare and aromatherapy, and the medicinal root extract of Pelargonium sidoides (often labeled EPs 7630) taken for acute coughs and common colds. Both are plant-derived, but they differ in chemistry, uses, and dosing. Rose geranium essential...
German chamomile: Calming Properties, Best Ways to Use It, Dosage Ranges, and Risks
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), also called Chamomilla recutita or Matricaria chamomilla, is one of the world’s most widely used calming herbs. People reach for it to ease digestive discomfort, quiet anxious tension, support sleep, soothe irritated skin and mouth tissues, and add a gentle floral note to teas and baths. Its essential oil contains azulene pigments formed from matricin...
