TABLE 1.
Usage and dose information for selected botanicals
| Botanical | Scientific name | Popular use | Active components | Typical dose (day−1)a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echinacea | Genus Echinacea (9 known species) | Immunostimulant | Chicoric acid, alkylamids | 900–1000 mg (124) |
| Garlic | Allium sativum | Antioxidant; anti-hypertension | Allicin, adenocine | 4000 mg fresh; 600–900 mg powder (124) |
| Ginkgo biloba | Ginkgo biloba | Memory improvement; lowering blood pressure | Terpenoids (ginkolides) | 120–600 mg (125) |
| Ginseng | Panax ginseng | Overall health; anti-stress | Ginsenosides | 150–200 mg (124) |
| Green tea extract | Camellia sinensis | Anti-proliferative; antioxidant | Catechins (ECGC, ECC) | 1300 mg (catechols) (126) |
| Saw Palmetto | Serenoa repens | Treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy | Various phytosterols | 100–900 mg (127) |
| St. John’s Wort | Hypericum perforatum | Anti-depressant | Hyperforin, hypericin | 900–1800 mg (128) |
| Milk Thistle | Silybum marianum | DILI; high cholesterol | Silymarin | 160–800 mg (129) |
| Kava kava | Piper methysticum | Reducing anxiety | Kavalactones | 45–1200 mg (108) |
| Black cohosh | Cimicifuga racemosa, Actaea racemosa | Alleviating postmenopausal symptoms | Triterpene glycosides | 6.5–160 mg (130) |
| Valerian | Valeriana officinalis | Reducing anxiety | Valepotriates (terpine alcohols) | 1500 mg (131) |
| Yohimbe | Pausinystalia johimbe | Stimulant; erectile dysfunction treatment | Yohimbine | 30–50 mg (132) |
| Goldenseal | Hydrastis canadensis | Treatment of cold/respiratory infection; alleviate menstrual complications | Hydrastine, berberine | 750–6000 mg (124) |
a
Example doses listed are from clinical studies or medical information websites (where noted), as recommended for indicated use. Doses may vary depending on usage.