National Institutes of Health • National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

NCCAM: 5 Most Searched-For Herbs of 2012

January 2013

In 2012, over 3 million visitors came to NCCAM’s Web site seeking information on complementary health approaches. Though many people were looking for information on particular health topics or specific modalities like acupuncture, yoga, and meditation, the majority was seeking information on specific herbs and botanicals.

This issue of the Digest highlights the top 5 searched-for herbs that led visitors to our site:

These herbs and botanicals are widely marketed and readily available, often sold as dietary supplements. However, the scientific evidence available to assess safety or efficacy of each of these products is quite variable. In some cases, there is limited evidence to support a product’s use, while in others, evidence identifies significant safety concerns, fails to suggest efficacy, or is insufficient. Because of this variability, consumers and health care providers should carefully review the available information before deciding to use a specific product.

Time to Talk Tips: What You Should Know About 5 Popular Herbs

Clinical Guidelines

Clinical Use of Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals (Endocrine Practice) [945KB PDF]

Scientific Literature

Research Spotlights

Information for Your Patients

Aloe Vera: At a Glance
Find Active Medical Research Studies on Echinacea (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Find Active Medical Research Studies on Evening Primrose Oil (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Fenugreek: At a Glance
St. John's Wort: At a Glance
Message From the Director: St. John's Wort and Depression

(10/17/12)
Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

NCCAM Clinical Digest is a service of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NIH, DHHS. NCCAM Clinical Digest, a monthly e-newsletter, offers evidence-based information on CAM, including scientific literature searches, summaries of NCCAM-funded research, fact sheets for patients, and more.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training CAM researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCAM’s Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-888-644-6226, or visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov. NCCAM is 1 of 27 institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health, the Federal focal point for medical research in the United States.

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