Active compounds

Allantoin

comfrey constituent

A tissue-repair compound in comfrey; the extract also contains anti-inflammatory rosmarinic acid.

Allicin

organosulfur compound

The pungent sulfur compound formed when garlic is crushed.

Alpha-lipoic acid

organosulfur antioxidant

A sulfur-containing antioxidant the body makes in small amounts, also taken as a supplement for nerve symptoms.

Anethole

phenylpropene

The sweet aromatic of fennel and anise.

Anthocyanins

flavonoid (polyphenol)

The red-purple pigments of tart cherries and berries.

Apigenin

flavone

A flavone found in chamomile and parsley.

Bacosides

dammarane triterpenoid saponins

The saponins thought to carry Bacopa monnieri's effects on memory.

Baicalin

flavone glycoside

A flavonoid from Scutellaria (skullcap).

Berberine

isoquinoline alkaloid

A yellow alkaloid from goldenseal, barberry, and Coptis.

Bisabolol

sesquiterpene alcohol

A soothing constituent of chamomile.

Boswellic acids

triterpenoid (boswellic acid)

The active resins of Boswellia serrata, notably AKBA.

Capsaicin

capsaicinoid (alkaloid)

The pungent compound in chili peppers, used topically for pain.

Carnosic acid

diterpene

An antioxidant diterpene from rosemary and sage.

Carvacrol

monoterpene phenol

An antimicrobial aromatic compound from oregano.

Catechin

flavan-3-ol

A flavan-3-ol found in tea, cocoa, and many fruits.

Chlorogenic acid

hydroxycinnamic acid ester

A polyphenol abundant in coffee.

Cinnamaldehyde

phenylpropanoid aldehyde

The compound that gives cinnamon its smell and most of its studied metabolic activity.

Colchicine (alkaloid)

alkaloid (from Colchicum autumnale)

The anti-inflammatory alkaloid of the autumn crocus, used for gout since antiquity.

Crocin

carotenoid glycoside

A carotenoid pigment from saffron studied for mood, alongside the aroma compound safranal.

Curcuminoids

polyphenol (curcuminoid)

The yellow pigments of turmeric, chiefly curcumin, studied for anti-inflammatory effects.

Dietary nitrate

inorganic nitrate

The nitrate in beetroot and leafy greens, a precursor to nitric oxide.

Ellagic acid

polyphenol

A polyphenol found in berries and pomegranate.

Epigallocatechin gallate

catechin (flavan-3-ol)

The main catechin of green tea.

Eucalyptol

monoterpenoid ether

The main component of eucalyptus oil.

Eugenol

phenylpropanoid

The aromatic compound of clove oil.

Ferulic acid

hydroxycinnamic acid

A plant cell-wall antioxidant phenolic.

Genistein

isoflavone

A soy isoflavone with weak estrogen-like activity.

Gingerols & shogaols

phenolic compounds

The pungent phenolics of ginger root.

Glycyrrhizin

triterpenoid saponin

The sweet saponin of licorice root.

Harpagoside

iridoid glycoside

The marker anti-inflammatory constituent of devil's claw.

Hesperidin

flavanone glycoside

A citrus-peel flavonoid.

Hyperforin

phloroglucinol derivative

The main mood-active constituent of St John's wort — and the reason it interacts with so many drugs.

Hypericin

naphthodianthrone

A red pigment of St John’s wort.

Kaempferol

flavonol

A flavonol found across many edible plants.

Kavalactones

styryl lactones (kavapyrones)

The active lactones in kava that produce its calming effect — and are implicated in its liver risk.

Linalool

monoterpene alcohol

A calming aroma compound of lavender (with linalyl acetate).

Lutein

xanthophyll carotenoid

A carotenoid pigment concentrated in the macula of the eye.

Luteolin

flavone

A flavone found in many culinary herbs.

Lycopene

carotenoid

The red carotenoid pigment of tomatoes.

Menthol

monoterpene alcohol

The cooling compound of mint, used in topical analgesics.

Monacolin K

statin (naturally occurring)

The active compound in red yeast rice — chemically identical to the drug lovastatin.

Naringenin

flavanone

A citrus flavanone (notably grapefruit).

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)

long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Marine fatty acids that shift the body toward less-inflammatory signaling.

Parthenolide

sesquiterpene lactone

The principal active compound of feverfew.

Petasin

sesquiterpene

An active constituent of butterbur (with isopetasin).

Piperine

alkaloid

The pungent alkaloid of black pepper, studied for boosting absorption of other compounds.

Proanthocyanidins (PACs)

condensed tannins (flavan-3-ol polymers)

The cranberry compounds thought to stop bacteria sticking to the bladder wall.

Quercetin

flavonol (polyphenol)

A flavonol antioxidant abundant in onions, apples, and tea.

Resveratrol

stilbenoid polyphenol

A polyphenol from grapes and red wine studied for metabolic and cardiovascular effects.

Rosmarinic acid

polyphenol (caffeic acid ester)

A calming polyphenol found in lemon balm and other mints.

Rutin

flavonol glycoside

A glycoside of quercetin found in buckwheat and citrus.

Salicin

salicylate glycoside

The willow-bark compound metabolized to salicylic acid — the lead behind aspirin.

Sennosides

anthraquinone glycosides

The stimulant laxative compounds of senna.

Silymarin

flavonolignan complex

The active extract of milk thistle seeds (incl. silybin).

Soluble fiber

viscous dietary fiber

Gel-forming fiber such as psyllium and oat beta-glucan.

Sulforaphane

isothiocyanate

An isothiocyanate from broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables.

Theaflavin

polyphenol

A polyphenol formed when black tea is oxidized.

Thymol

monoterpene phenol

An antiseptic aromatic compound from thyme.

Valerenic acid

sesquiterpenoid

A sedative constituent of valerian root.

Withanolides

steroidal lactones

The active steroidal lactones of ashwagandha (incl. withaferin A).