Remedies

Acetaminophen drug

An analgesic and antipyretic.

Acyclovir drug

An antiviral.

Albuterol drug

A short-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator.

Alendronate drug

A bisphosphonate.

Alginate chemical

A seaweed-derived "raft" antacid with good evidence for reflux symptoms.

Allopurinol drug

A xanthine oxidase inhibitor (urate-lowering drug).

Aloe vera (topical) herb

The leaf gel has trial support for speeding the healing of minor burns.

Alpha-lipoic acid supplement

An antioxidant supplement with trial support for easing diabetic nerve symptoms.

Alprazolam drug

A benzodiazepine.

Amitriptyline drug

A tricyclic antidepressant.

Amlodipine drug

A calcium channel blocker.

Amoxicillin drug

A penicillin-class antibiotic.

Andrographis herb

A bitter herb with reasonable trial support for easing common-cold symptoms.

Apixaban drug

A direct factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant.

Ashwagandha herb

An Ayurvedic adaptogen with reasonable evidence for stress and anxiety.

Asian ginseng herb

A classic tonic root whose memory and fatigue benefits are small and inconsistent in trials.

Aspirin drug

A salicylate NSAID and antiplatelet drug.

Astragalus herb

A root used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic.

Atenolol drug

A beta blocker.

Atorvastatin drug

A statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor).

Azithromycin drug

A macrolide antibiotic.

Bacopa monnieri herb

An Ayurvedic herb with a modest, real signal for memory and attention speed.

Beetroot juice supplement

A nitrate-rich juice that supports nitric-oxide-driven vasodilation.

Berberine supplement

A plant alkaloid that modestly lowers blood sugar and LDL cholesterol.

Beta-sitosterol supplement

A plant sterol with short-term evidence for benign prostate symptoms.

Bisoprolol drug

A beta blocker.

Black cohosh herb

A popular menopause herb that has not beaten placebo for hot flashes in the best trials.

Black pepper herb

The common spice, whose piperine can enhance absorption of other compounds.

Boswellia serrata herb

A resin extract whose boswellic acids inhibit an inflammatory pathway distinct from NSAIDs.

Bupropion drug

An atypical antidepressant (NDRI).

Butterbur herb

An effective migraine preventive whose raw form is liver-toxic — only PA-free extracts should ever be used.

Calcium nutrient

The main bone mineral — most useful for fractures alongside vitamin D in older or deficient people.

Candesartan drug

An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Capsaicin (topical) chemical

A chili-pepper extract rubbed on the skin to dull localized pain.

Carvedilol drug

A beta blocker.

Cat's claw herb

An Amazonian vine bark traditionally used for inflammation.

Celecoxib drug

A COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Cephalexin drug

A cephalosporin antibiotic.

Cetirizine drug

A second-generation (non-sedating) antihistamine.

Chamomile herb

A traditional calming herb with limited anxiety evidence.

Chasteberry herb

A herb with reasonably consistent trial support for premenstrual syndrome.

Chinese skullcap herb

A root used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Chondroitin sulfate supplement

A cartilage component often paired with glucosamine, with a small short-term effect on OA pain.

Chromium nutrient

A trace mineral marketed for blood sugar — with mixed, inconsistent trial results.

Cinnamon herb

A common spice studied for blood sugar — with a modest, inconsistent effect at best.

Ciprofloxacin drug

A fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Citalopram drug

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

Clarithromycin drug

A macrolide antibiotic.

Clopidogrel drug

An antiplatelet drug (P2Y12 inhibitor).

Clove herb

The dried flower buds of the clove tree, traditionally used for toothache.

Codeine drug

An opioid analgesic.

Coenzyme Q10 supplement

A mitochondrial antioxidant with moderate evidence for migraine prevention.

Colchicine drug

A prescription anti-inflammatory derived from autumn crocus — first-line for acute gout flares.

Collagen peptides supplement

A protein supplement with moderate recent evidence for knee OA symptoms.

Comfrey (topical) herb

A traditional "knitbone" applied to the skin for back pain and sprains — for topical use only.

Cranberry supplement

Cranberry products modestly cut the risk of recurrent UTIs in women.

Creatine supplement

One of the best-evidenced supplements — for building muscle and strength when paired with resistance training.

D-mannose supplement

A popular sugar supplement for UTI prevention that failed its largest, most rigorous trial.

Dabigatran drug

A direct thrombin inhibitor anticoagulant.

Dandelion herb

A common plant whose leaf and root are used traditionally as a diuretic and digestive.

Dapagliflozin drug

A SGLT2 inhibitor antidiabetic drug.

Devil's claw herb

A southern-African root with short-term evidence for low back pain.

DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) herb

A licorice extract with the BP-raising compound removed, used for reflux.

Diazepam drug

A benzodiazepine.

Diltiazem drug

A calcium channel blocker.

Diphenhydramine drug

A first-generation (sedating) antihistamine.

Doxycycline drug

A tetracycline antibiotic.

Duloxetine drug

A serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Echinacea herb

A popular cold remedy whose evidence is weak and inconsistent.

Elderberry herb

A popular cold/flu remedy with small, mixed trial support — and raw berries that are toxic uncooked.

Empagliflozin drug

A SGLT2 inhibitor antidiabetic drug.

Enalapril drug

An ACE inhibitor.

Escitalopram drug

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

Esomeprazole drug

A proton pump inhibitor.

Eucalyptus herb

A tree whose leaf oil is traditionally inhaled for congestion.

Famotidine drug

A histamine H2-receptor antagonist.

Fennel herb

An anise-flavoured culinary herb traditionally used for digestion.

Fenugreek herb

A culinary seed with moderate evidence for lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes.

Feverfew herb

A traditional European headache herb with limited, mixed modern evidence for migraine prevention.

Fexofenadine drug

A second-generation (non-sedating) antihistamine.

Fish oil (omega-3) supplement

Marine omega-3 fatty acids with modest, well-studied anti-inflammatory effects in rheumatoid arthritis.

Fluconazole drug

An azole antifungal.

Fluoxetine drug

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

Furosemide drug

A loop diuretic.

Gabapentin drug

A gabapentinoid anticonvulsant and nerve-pain drug.

Garlic herb

A kitchen bulb with modest blood-pressure-lowering evidence.

Ginger herb

A common kitchen root with good evidence for nausea and modest evidence for osteoarthritis pain.

Ginkgo biloba herb

A popular memory supplement that large, rigorous trials have not shown to work — and that raises bleeding risk.

Gliclazide drug

A sulfonylurea antidiabetic drug.

Glimepiride drug

A sulfonylurea antidiabetic drug.

Glipizide drug

A sulfonylurea antidiabetic drug.

Glucosamine sulfate supplement

A cartilage building-block supplement whose benefit appears to depend heavily on the exact preparation.

Glycine supplement

An amino acid that may modestly improve sleep when taken before bed.

Gotu kola herb

A traditional herb with moderate evidence for improving leg-vein symptoms.

Green tea herb

The leaves of Camellia sinensis — catechin-rich, with a small but consistent cholesterol-lowering effect.

Hibiscus tea herb

A tart herbal tea with consistent modest BP-lowering data.

High fluid intake practice

The single best-evidenced step to prevent recurrent kidney stones.

HMB supplement

A leucine metabolite that modestly preserves muscle — but adds little once you exercise.

Holy basil herb

An Ayurvedic adaptogen (tulsi) with modest evidence for stress and for blood sugar.

Honey supplement

A simple, well-evidenced soother for children’s cough.

Horse chestnut herb

A seed extract with solid short-term evidence for leg-vein swelling and aching.

Hydrochlorothiazide drug

A thiazide diuretic.

Hydrocortisone drug

A corticosteroid.

Ibuprofen drug

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Indapamide drug

A thiazide-like diuretic.

Irbesartan drug

An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Iron nutrient

An essential mineral that improves restless legs — especially when iron stores are low.

Kava herb

A genuinely anxiolytic herb whose use is overshadowed by a real risk of severe liver injury.

L-theanine supplement

A green-tea amino acid studied for stress.

Lansoprazole drug

A proton pump inhibitor.

Lavender oil herb

A standardized oral lavender oil with good anxiety evidence.

Lemon balm herb

A calming mint-family herb with modest trial support for anxiety.

Levothyroxine drug

A thyroid hormone replacement.

Licorice herb

The sweet root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, long used in herbal medicine.

Lisinopril drug

An ACE inhibitor.

Loratadine drug

A second-generation (non-sedating) antihistamine.

Lorazepam drug

A benzodiazepine.

Losartan drug

An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Lutein + zeaxanthin supplement

The macular carotenoids — the evidence-based, safer carotenoid in the AREDS2 eye formula.

Lysine supplement

An amino acid taken for cold sores — with conflicting trial evidence.

Maca herb

An Andean root vegetable used as a traditional tonic.

Magnesium nutrient

An essential mineral widely recommended for cramps — though the best evidence is unconvincing.

Marshmallow root herb

A mucilage-rich root traditionally used to soothe throat and gut.

Melatonin supplement

The sleep-timing hormone, sold as a supplement for insomnia.

Menthol (topical) chemical

A cooling counter-irritant in many OTC muscle rubs.

Metformin drug

A biguanide antidiabetic drug.

Metoprolol drug

A beta blocker.

Metronidazole drug

A nitroimidazole antibiotic.

Milk thistle herb

A traditional liver herb with modest, uncertain modern evidence.

Mirtazapine drug

An atypical antidepressant.

Montelukast drug

A leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Morphine drug

An opioid analgesic.

Naproxen drug

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Niacinamide (topical) nutrient

A form of vitamin B3 that, applied as a gel, performs comparably to a topical antibiotic for inflammatory acne.

Nifedipine drug

A calcium channel blocker.

Nitrofurantoin drug

An urinary antibiotic.

Omeprazole drug

A proton pump inhibitor.

Ondansetron drug

A serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist antiemetic.

Oregano herb

A pungent culinary and medicinal mint-family herb.

Oseltamivir drug

An antiviral (neuraminidase inhibitor).

Oxycodone drug

An opioid analgesic.

Pantoprazole drug

A proton pump inhibitor.

Paroxetine drug

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

Passionflower herb

A calming plant with small-trial support for anxiety and, more weakly, sleep.

Peppermint oil (enteric-coated) herb

Enteric-coated peppermint oil — among the best-evidenced IBS remedies.

Peppermint oil (topical) herb

A topical menthol-rich oil with good evidence for acute tension-headache relief.

Perindopril drug

An ACE inhibitor.

Pioglitazone drug

A thiazolidinedione antidiabetic drug.

Plant sterols & stanols supplement

Plant compounds that block cholesterol absorption — among the best-evidenced LDL-lowering supplements.

Potassium citrate drug

A prescription alkali salt that prevents recurrent calcium kidney stones.

Pravastatin drug

A statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor).

Prednisone drug

A corticosteroid.

Probiotics supplement

Live microorganisms whose benefit in IBS is strain-specific.

Propranolol drug

A beta blocker.

Protein supplement (whey) supplement

Supplemental protein that amplifies the muscle gains from resistance training.

Psyllium (soluble fiber) supplement

A viscous fiber that lowers cholesterol and normalizes bowel habits.

Pumpkin seed oil supplement

A seed oil with one positive trial for hair loss.

Pygeum herb

An African tree-bark extract with modest evidence for benign prostate symptoms.

Rabeprazole drug

A proton pump inhibitor.

Ramipril drug

An ACE inhibitor.

Red clover herb

An isoflavone-rich herb with mixed evidence for hot flashes.

Red yeast rice supplement

A fermented rice that lowers LDL because it naturally contains a statin.

Reishi herb

A medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Rhodiola herb

An adaptogenic root with modest, low-certainty evidence for mild depression and fatigue.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) nutrient

A B-vitamin with reasonable evidence for preventing migraines at high doses, and an excellent safety profile.

Rivaroxaban drug

A direct factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant.

Rosemary herb

A culinary herb whose oil has one trial matching minoxidil for hair loss.

Rosuvastatin drug

A statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor).

Saffron herb

The cooking spice has surprisingly consistent trial support for mild-to-moderate depression.

SAM-e supplement

A naturally occurring molecule sold as a supplement for joint pain and mood, with inconclusive OA evidence.

Saw palmetto herb

The classic prostate herb — but high-quality trials show it doesn't beat placebo for BPH.

Schisandra herb

A berry used in traditional Chinese medicine as an adaptogen.

Selenium nutrient

A trace mineral that lowers thyroid antibodies, with unproven clinical benefit.

Senna herb

A traditional stimulant laxative with strong evidence.

Sertraline drug

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

Sildenafil drug

A PDE5 inhibitor.

Simvastatin drug

A statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor).

Sitagliptin drug

A DPP-4 inhibitor antidiabetic drug.

Soy isoflavones supplement

Soy-derived phytoestrogens that modestly reduce menopausal hot flashes.

Spironolactone drug

A potassium-sparing diuretic.

Spirulina supplement

An algae supplement with one solid trial for hay-fever symptoms.

St John's wort herb

A well-studied herb that rivals antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression — but interacts with a dangerous number of drugs.

Stinging nettle herb

A traditional hay-fever remedy whose main trial could not beat placebo.

Sumatriptan drug

A triptan (serotonin 5-HT1 agonist).

Tadalafil drug

A PDE5 inhibitor.

Tart cherry supplement

A polyphenol-rich juice studied for exercise recovery.

Tea tree oil (topical) herb

An essential oil with trial support for mild-to-moderate acne when applied to the skin.

Telmisartan drug

An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Terbinafine drug

An antifungal.

Thyme herb

An aromatic culinary herb traditionally used for coughs.

Ticagrelor drug

An antiplatelet drug (P2Y12 inhibitor).

Tramadol drug

An opioid analgesic.

Trimethoprim drug

An antibiotic.

Turmeric (curcumin extract) herb

A culinary spice whose curcuminoids are among the best-studied natural anti-inflammatories for joint pain.

Valerian herb

A traditional sleep herb with weak, mixed modern evidence.

Valsartan drug

An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Venlafaxine drug

A serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Verapamil drug

A calcium channel blocker.

Vitamin B6 nutrient

A vitamin that is a guideline-backed first option for pregnancy nausea.

Vitamin C nutrient

Popular for gout, but it does not meaningfully treat an established flare.

Vitamin D nutrient

An essential vitamin often blamed for aches — but supplementing it rarely fixes non-specific pain.

Vitamin E nutrient

An antioxidant vitamin with evidence in a specific liver condition.

Vitamin K2 nutrient

A vitamin needed to activate bone proteins — with mixed evidence for bone density.

Warfarin drug

A vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant.

White willow bark herb

The botanical origin of aspirin, with moderate-quality evidence for short-term back pain.

Zinc nutrient

An essential mineral: lozenges can shorten colds, and oral zinc is a modest add-on for acne.

Zolpidem drug

A non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic.