Ginseng is one of the eleven species of slow-growing perennial plants, it is found only in Northern Hemisphere.

• Main effects: It is mostly used as stabilizer, energizer, stress reducer and strong antioxidant, but it can also prevent some health problems.
• Side effects reported: Can cause agitation, diarrhea, headache and some more serious allergic reactions, such as rash, itching, difficulty breathing.
• Contraindications: Patients who take medications for lower blood pressure or diabetes should consult a doctor before using ginseng. It should also be avoided prior surgical procedures since it can worsen bleeding.

Black Cohosh Root

Black Cohosh Root is a plant of the buttercup family found in North America in small wood openings.

• Main effects: Mostly used for symptoms of menopause, PMS, acne, osteoporosis, and it is also applied to skin since it has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Side effects reported: It can cause an upset stomach, headaches, breast tenderness, dizziness and weight gain.
• Contraindications: It should be avoided by pregnant and breast feeding women, and people with hormone-sensitive conditions, liver disease, kidney transplant and protein S deficiency should be extra cautious.

Ginger Root

Ginger root is a herb used in medicine and as a spice, and it was originally cultivated in China.

• Main effects: Used for nausea, motion sickness, pregnancy, chronic pain, blood pressure, arthritis, and it can also prevent life-threatening health conditions.
• Side effects reported: There are no serious side effects, it can only cause stomach discomformt if taken in large quantities.
• Contraindications: There are no contraindications, only the pregnant women should use the small dosage.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a vitamin found in eggs, meat, fortified milk, cheese, liver and halibut fish oil.

• Main effects: Promotes good vision and helps in treating eye disorders, maintains healthy skin, teeth and skeletal tissue.
• Side effects reported: Deficiency of vitamin A can cause infection diseases and vision problems, and too much of it irritability, vomiting, headache and peeling skin.
• Contraindications: Too much of vitamin A during pregnancy can cause birth defects, and drinking alcohol may increase side effects of this vitamin on liver.

B-complex vitamins

B-complex vitamins are a group of water soluble vitamins that play a part in cell metabolism.  They include  Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Biotin (B7), Folic Acid (B9), Cyanocobalamin (B12).

• Main effects: It can help in energy production, it promotes healthy nervous system, alleviates stress and anxiety and improves overall mental abilities.
• Side effects reported: Deficiency of B complex can cause nerve transmission issues and it can increase the risk of health diseases. Too much of it can cause constipation, dark or green stools, nausea and allergic reactions.
• Contraindications: Since it consists of different B vitamins, they all may have different effects on human’s body, but the major problem may be hypersensitivity.

Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a supplement used to increase the calcium levels in the body.

• Main effects: It can maintain the healthy bones, muscles, nervous system, heart, and it can relieve a stomach upset. It is also included in treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
• Side effects reported: The most common are constipation, headaches, allergies, loss of appetite and vomiting.
• Contraindications: It can decrease the effectiveness of other medications, and pregnant women, people with kidney disease and stomach conditions should consult the doctor before using it. 

Theobromine

Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid found in cocoa, chocolate, tea plant and kola nut.

• Main effects: Primarily to treat degenerative angina, vascular disease and hypertension, and today it can be used as a cardiovascular stimulant and a diuretic.
• Side effects reported: The most common problem may be anxiety, restlessness, tremors, nausea and loss of appetite.
• Contraindications: It doesn’t provoke serious problems, but higher dosage can cause hypersensitivity.

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a plant used in medicine for thousands of years, and today is one of the best selling herbs around the world.

• Main effects: Used in treatments of Alzheimer’s disease, fatigue, headaches, depression, symptoms of PMS and menstrual symptoms.
• Side effects reported: Can cause diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, allergies, unusual bleeding and weakness.
• Contraindications: It can be potentially harmful if taken with particular antidepressants, anticoagulants, and it should be taken in lower doses during pregnancy.

Red raspberry

Red raspberrry is a plant mostly used because of its nutritional content, but it has many health protective benefits, as well.

• Main effects: They are used it common cold problems, sore throats, as a heart, eye and diabetes protection, but it is highly beneficial in female problems.
• Side effects reported: The use of this herb is safe in most cases, but it can cause mild loosening of stools and nausea.
• Contraindications: They have not yet been reported.

Valerian Root

Valerian root is derived from a plant Valerian, and it has been used for thousand years for various health problems.

• Main effect: Used to treat insomnia, sleeping disorders, anxiety, and as a stress relief.
• Side effects reported: They are rare, but can include headache, upset stomach and dizziness.
• Contraindications: It shouldn’t be taken by pregnant and nursing women and people with liver disease. People who take allergy, cholesterol and antifungal medications should also be cautious.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most essential vitamins for the human body, and it can be found in parsley, broccoli, strawberries, lemon juice, papaya, etc.

• Main effects: It promotes wound healing, prevents cold, helps with high cholesterol, allergies, asthma, diabetes, and it is a powerful antioxidant.
• Side effects reported: They are not serious, but higher dosage can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, flushing, headache and diarrhea.
• Contraindications: People with diabetes and genetic iron disorders should take it only under the supervision.

Folic Acid

It is water-soluble B vitamin and it can be found in spinach, broccoli, lettuce, bananas, lemons, melons, etc.

• Main effects: Used in treatment of anemia, ulcerative colitis, liver disease, memory loss, and pregnant women take it in order to prevent miscarriage.
• Side effects reported: High doses can cause abdominal cramps, irritability, stomach upset and skin reactions.
• Contraindications: Some problems may occur if taken in combination with other vitamins and medications such as phenytoin.

Iron

Very useful mineral found in red meats, some fish, beans, dried fruit, and spinach.

• Main effects: It transports and storages the oxygen, help in energy production, and helps the immune system.
• Side effects reported: Too much of iron can cause Haemochromatosis, and too little of it can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
• Contraindications: It should be avoid in cases of type 2 diabetes, stomach ulcers and hemoglobin disease.

Indole 3 Carbinol

Can be found in vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, kale and brussels sprouts, and it is formed after crushing or during cooking.

• Main effects: It works as strong antioxidant, has chemo preventive activity and can improve the heart health.
• Side effects reported: In high doses can cause skin rashes, nausea, tremor and increases in liver enzymes.
• Contraindications: Pregnant women should not take higher doses, and in other cases, I3C can increase how quickly the lever breaks down some medicines.

Damiana Leaf

Damiana is a shrub and its leaves are mostly used as a stress relief by native people in America.

• Main effects: It is used as aphrodisiac, for impotence problems, as well as a mood enhancer especially in menopausal period.
• Side effects reported: In higher doses, it can cause convulsions, have an effect on blood sugar, and can interfere with body’s absorption of iron.
• Contraindications: It can affect blood glucose levels, so it shouldn’t be used before any surgery.

Licorice Root

Licorice plant is a lagume, and its root can be used to help in many health conditions.

• Main effects: Used in asthma treatment and bronchitis, has anti-inflammatory effects, promotes adrenaline functions and boosts immune system.
• Side effects reported: It can cause allergic reactions, high blood pressure, electrolyte disturbances and vision problems.
• Contraindications: The breast-feeding women, people with diabetes and kidney disease should be cautious when taking Licorice Root.

Kudzu

A plant native to southern Japan and southeast China.

• Main effects: It can reduce alcohol intake, reduce cluster headache, but it is mostly helpful for postmenopausal women.
• Side effects reported: Sometimes, it can cause allergic reactions, itching and nausea.
• Contraindications: It may slow blood clotting, interfere with cardiovascular treatments, and should be avoided in some hormone-sensitive conditions.

Vitamin E

It is a fat-soluble vitamin with strong antioxidant characteristics, and can be found in vegetable oils, cereals, eggs, fruits and poultry.

• Main effects: it can prevent chest pain, high blood pressure, can be used in diabetes treatment, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia treatment, as well as treatment of menopausal symptoms.
• Side effects reported: High doses can cause hemorrhagic stroke, nausea, fatigue, blurred vision and rash.
• Contraindications: It should be avoided prior to angioplasty and during bleeding disorders.

Biotin

A vitamin found in small amounts in carrots, nuts, chicken eggs, berries, milk and vegetables.

• Main effects: It can prevent biotin deficiency during pregnancy, can be used for hair loss, skin rash, brittle nails and mild depression.
• Side effects reported: Deficiency of Biotin can lead to skin problems, face rashes, and even some neurological symptoms.
• Contraindications: It can only cause the hypersensitivity, and pregnant women should stick to lower doses.

Zinc

A metal also called “essential trace element”, since only small doses are required for human health. It can be found in sesame seeds, veal liver, roast beef, dark chocolate, etc.

• Main effects: It boosts immune system, can treat cold and ear infections, asthma, high blood pressure and skin conditions.
• Side effects reported: High amounts can cause fever, stomach pain, fatigue, and metallic taste.
• Contraindications: High doses can depress immune system and become toxic, which can lead to copper-deficiency anemia and small HDL levels.