Extract
A concentrated preparation made by drawing a plant's compounds out with a liquid such as water or alcohol.
81 herbs
How each herb is prepared this way. Open an herb for its sources and safety information.
AloeAloe veraThis covers the dried juice (latex) of the leaf, not aloe gel. A standardized water extract of the dried juice is taken by mouth as a laxative in tablets, capsules or liquids.
American GinsengPanax quinquefoliusThe root is used as the crude drug or as extracts.
Artichoke LeafCynara cardunculusWater or alcohol extracts of the leaves are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids to take by mouth.
AshwagandhaWithania somniferaSupplements usually contain extracts of the root, the leaf, or both.
AstragalusAstragalus membranaceusThe dried root is used as crude plant material or as extracts.
BerberineBerberis vulgarisBarberry bark is used as the crude drug or as dried and liquid extracts.
Bermuda GrassCynodon dactylonIn India, a juice made from the grass (durva swaras) is used as an herbal medicine.
Bitter MelonMomordica charantiaThe most common traditional preparation is karela juice, made by crushing and straining the unripe fruits.
Black CohoshActaea racemosaDry extracts of the root are usually taken by mouth as tablets or capsules.
BoswelliaBoswellia serrataThe gum resin is used as the crude drug or as extracts.
BurdockArctium lappaLiquid and soft extracts of the root are taken by mouth.
ButterburPetasites hybridusStudies used a root extract for migraine and a leaf extract for hay fever, taken by mouth. Use only PA-free products.
Cascara SagradaRhamnus purshianaStandardized bark preparations are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids to take by mouth.
Cat's ClawUncaria tomentosaExtracts of the bark are also used.
ChamomileMatricaria chamomillaLiquid extracts of the flowers are taken by mouth, or diluted for rinses, skin washes, steam inhalation or bath water.
ChasteberryVitex agnus-castusDry extracts of the fruit are sold in solid or liquid forms to take by mouth.
CinnamonCinnamomum verumLiquid extracts of the bark are taken by mouth.
CranberryVaccinium macrocarponThe European Medicines Agency's monograph covers juice pressed from the fruit, taken by mouth.
Crepe GingerHellenia speciosaNose drops made from a water extract of the rhizome were tested in a small sore-throat study.
Da HuangRheum palmatumStandardized root preparations are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids to take by mouth.
DandelionTaraxacum officinaleDry and liquid extracts, and juice pressed from the fresh plant, are taken by mouth.
Devil's ClawHarpagophytum procumbensDry, soft and liquid extracts of the root are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids.
Dong QuaiAngelica sinensisFluid extracts of the root are also used.
Drynaria RhizomeDrynaria fortuneiIn Chinese medicine it's usually taken as a water extract in herbal prescriptions.
EchinaceaEchinacea purpureaJuice pressed from the fresh flowering plant, or the dried juice, is taken by mouth in liquids or tablets.
ElderberrySambucus nigraLiquid extracts of elder flowers are taken by mouth.
FenugreekTrigonella foenum-graecumDry and soft extracts of the seeds are taken in solid forms such as tablets.
GarlicAllium sativumAn oil extract of fresh garlic (made with rapeseed oil) and an alcohol-based dry extract are taken by mouth in tablets or capsules.
GinkgoGinkgo bilobaA specific dry extract of the leaf, made with acetone, is sold in solid and liquid forms to take by mouth.
GinsengPanax ginsengDry, soft and liquid extracts of the root, some standardized to ginsenosides, are taken by mouth in tablets, capsules or liquids.
Goji BerryLycium barbarumIn one trial, healthy people drank a standardized juice made from the fresh ripe berries (GoChi).
GoldenrodSolidago virgaureaPreparations of the plant are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids to take by mouth.
GoldensealHydrastis canadensisDried and liquid extracts are also used.
Grape LeafVitis viniferaA dry extract of grapevine leaves is taken by mouth in tablets or capsules.
Grape SeedVitis viniferaGrape seed extract, made from the seeds of wine grapes, is sold as a dietary supplement and added to products for the skin.
Green TeaCamellia sinensisGreen tea extracts are sold as dietary supplements.
GrindeliaGrindelia robustaLiquid extracts of the plant are taken by mouth.
GugguluCommiphora wightiiA guggul extract was taken at 1.5 g a day in a blood pressure trial.
HaritakiTerminalia chebulaExtracts of the fruit are also used.
HawthornCrataegus monogynaDry and liquid extracts, and juice pressed from the fresh leaves and flowers, are taken by mouth.
HopsHumulus lupulusDry and liquid extracts of hop cones are taken by mouth.
HorehoundMarrubium vulgareLiquid extracts, and juice pressed from the fresh plant, are taken by mouth.
Horse ChestnutAesculus hippocastanumStandardized seed extracts are taken by mouth in tablets, capsules or liquids, some designed to release slowly.
HorsetailEquisetum arvenseDry and liquid extracts, and juice pressed from the fresh plant, are taken by mouth.
Iceland MossCetraria islandicaSoft extracts are used in products to take by mouth or to use in the mouth.
KavaPiper methysticumThe chopped dried root and its extracts are taken by mouth.
Leaf of LifeBryophyllum pinnatumJuice pressed from the fresh leaves is made into chewable tablets (Bryophyllum 50%).
Lemon BalmMelissa officinalisLiquid and dried extracts of the leaves are taken by mouth.
LicoriceGlycyrrhiza glabraSoft extracts of the root are used in liquids to take by mouth.
LindenTilia cordataLiquid extracts of the flowers are taken by mouth.
Magnolia BarkMagnolia officinalisMagnolia bark extract is used in dietary supplements.
Malabar NutJusticia adhatodaIn Ayurveda, a concentrated extract (vasa ghana) is one of several vasa preparations used for asthma.
Maritime Pine BarkPinus pinasterIt's sold as a standardized bark extract (Pycnogenol) in dietary supplements.
Marshmallow RootAlthaea officinalisDry and liquid extracts of the root are taken by mouth or used in the mouth. The root can also be soaked in cold water to make a liquid for the mouth and throat.
Milk ThistleSilybum marianumSoft and dry extracts of the fruit are sold in liquid or solid forms to take by mouth.
Milky OatsAvena sativaPreparations of the plant are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids to take by mouth.
MistletoeViscum albumIn Europe, mistletoe extracts given by injection are sold as prescription drugs. Most studies have used injections given by a health care provider.
MitragynaMitragyna speciosaKratom leaf products are sold as liquid extracts.
MotherwortLeonurus cardiacaLiquid extracts of the plant are taken by mouth.
NettleUrtica dioicaDry and liquid extracts of the leaves are sold as tablets, capsules or liquids to take by mouth.
Passion FlowerPassiflora incarnataDry and liquid extracts of the plant are taken by mouth.
PomegranatePunica granatumPomegranate extracts are sold as dietary supplements. It has also been used on the skin and as a gargle or mouthwash.
Raspberry LeafRubus idaeusDry extracts of the leaves are taken by mouth in solid forms such as tablets.
Red CloverTrifolium pratenseExtracts of the flowers, standardized for isoflavones, are taken by mouth, for example as tablets.
Rhodiola RoseaRhodiola roseaA dry extract of the root is taken by mouth in tablets or capsules.
RosehipsRosa caninaIn one trial, a rosehip extract was taken as a 100 mg tablet once a day.
SageSalvia officinalisLiquid and dry extracts of the leaves are taken by mouth, or used in mouth rinses.
Saw PalmettoSerenoa repensSoft extracts of the berries, made with hexane or alcohol, are taken by mouth in capsules or tablets.
SennaSenna alexandrinaStandardized leaf preparations are taken by mouth as tablets or liquids, usually once at night.
SkullcapScutellaria laterifloraThe dried leaves and stems are also taken as an extract.
Southern MagnoliaMagnolia grandifloraA mouthwash made with a 0.3% bark extract was tested in a small trial.
St. John's WortHypericum perforatumDry extracts of the flowering tops are taken by mouth in tablets or capsules. Liquid extracts and juice pressed from the fresh plant are also used.
ThymeThymus vulgarisLiquid, soft and dry extracts, and juice pressed from the fresh plant, are taken by mouth.
TurmericCurcuma longaDry alcohol extracts of the root are taken by mouth in tablets or capsules.
Uva UrsiArctostaphylos uva-ursiDry and liquid extracts of the leaves, standardized for arbutin, are taken by mouth.
ValerianValeriana officinalisDry extracts of the root are taken by mouth in tablets or capsules. Liquid extracts and juice pressed from the fresh root are also used.
VanillaVanilla planifoliaIn the US, vanilla extract is legally defined as the flavor compounds of vanilla beans dissolved in alcohol and water, with at least 35% alcohol.
White Mulberry LeafMorus albaIn trials, people took mulberry leaf or mulberry leaf extract.
White WillowSalix albaDry extracts of the bark, standardized to a set amount of salicin, are taken by mouth in tablets or capsules.
YarrowAchillea millefoliumDry and liquid extracts, and juice pressed from the fresh plant, are taken by mouth.
Yucca RootYucca schidigeraMohave yucca is on the US list of natural flavoring substances allowed in food.
