Black Pepper or Piper Nigrum, which is a common spice, has medicinal properties. It is a tropical plant and India is the largest producer of Piper Nigrum. It possesses anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It acts as an antioxidant agent also. Black Pepper contains essential oil, which acts against intestinal flatulence and also stimulates sweating and urination. The essential oil found in Piper Nigrum stimulates stomach cells to produce HCl acid, which helps in digestion. Piper Nigrum also helps in absorption of certain essential micronutrients like coenzyme Q-10, beta-carotene and EGCG. Pepper has its contribution in Ayurvedic medicines also. Pepper seeds are used to prepare sinusitis relieving medicines. It also used for sore throat and dry cough.

Clary Sage Powder, also known as Salvia sclarea, is basically a biennial herb. It is a herb native throughout Europe and central and east Asia. Though, it was historically found in France, Switzerland, Italy and Syria. It reaches a height of one meter at the time of maturity. It has wooly texture leaves. The flowers on this herb appear in clusters on its stem and are often of the color pink, white or pale purple. Salvia sclarea is known to have an odor that appeals to some while at the same time are very unpleasant for the others. Majority of the salvia sclarea cultivation is done for the perfume industry in England, France and southern Russia. A lot specialty stores and scent shops sell the distilled essential oil obtained from salvia sclarea.

Cortistrate II is used as an Anti-Cortisol Complex. It is increasingly being used in preparation of supplements for bodybuilders. Research shows that continuous use of CORTISTRATE II over an 8 week period reduced serum cortisol levels by an average of 26%, which helps in achieving optimal testosterone levels. High testosterone levels are known to help in gaining lean muscle mass. Some studies also show that use of CORTISTRATE II naturally triggers production of DHEA hormone, which increases natural testosterone production. It is preferred over other testosterone supplements because naturally produced testosterone is far superior to external synthetic chemicals.

Eurycoma Longfolia Jack Extract is extracted from the roots of a plant commonly known as tongkat Ali. The plant is native to rainforests of Southeast Asia. Eurycoma Longifolia Jack extracts are becoming popular as a dietary supplement because research has confirmed its sexual enhancement properties. Other studies also claim that it can have good mental effects. Some manufacturers claim that extracts of tongkat ali plants in Indonesia are preferable to the ones from Malaysia but research shows no significant difference in the extracts from different countries. High doses of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack extracts may have side effects; it can cause irritability, restlessness, increased body temperature and insomnia or early morning awakening.

Giant Knotweed is among the best active-oxygen scavengers for preventing skin aging caused by UV-irradiation and free radicals. It can be used for anti-lipid oxidation and can also help prevent heart disease. It also has anti-carcinogen and anti-platelet aggregation properties. It helps soothe blood vessels and reduce blood lipid. Giant knotweed is a great source of antioxidant phenol resveratrol that is produced by plant in response to fungi. It has been used since long in different herbal medicines in China and Japan, where it is taken as a tonic and life prolonging plant. Giant knotweed has showed anti-tussive, anti-histaminic, vasodilating, cytotoxic, hypotensive, and antioxidant properties.

Glycosidal Saponins or simply saponins are compounds in which a sugar framework is bonded to groups containing steroid or triterpene framework. One of the natural sources of these substances is liquorice, which is the root of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra. They have been used in traditional ayurvedic medicine and in tooth care products. Their main quality which makes them useful in medicine is that they are expectorants; this means that they have the ability to dissolve thick mucus and relieve respiratory troubles. They do so by reacting chemically with the mucus and thinning it. It is thus not a surprising fact that they are included in cough syrups.

Myo-Inosito is a compound also known as Inositol or cyclohexane-1, 2, 3, 4,5,6-hexol. Its chemical formula is C6H12O6 and Mol. Mass is 180.16 g mol-1. It is used in the clinical treatment of patients suffering from clinical depression and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Some preliminary research also shows it to be an effective treatment of bulimia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, and unipolar and bipolar depression. Myo-inositol is used in hair care products because it is believed to strengthen hair and help them to retain moisture. These hair care products are available as shampoos and also for oral administration.

Oligosaccharides are formed from carbohydrates linked with simple sugars. They can be found in plants such as chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes. Onions, leeks, garlic and legumes also contains oligosaccharides. The human digestive system have a hard time digesting oligosaccharides, those that escapes the digestion in the small intestines reaches the colon where it becomes a prebiotic. It helps promote the absorption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It also protects the colon from free radical damages that may cause colon cancer and ulcerative colitis. Oligosaccharides also helps lower the blood cholesterol level. It benefits diabetic patients because it regulates the glucose metabolism and improves insulin sensitivity, thus, helping in controlling blood sugar level. It also improves the immune system function.

Pygeum Africanum is an herb that is often mixed with other herbal medicines used to treat prostate disorders. It is helpful in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is specifically beneficial in improving urinary function, usually limited due to enlarged prostate. It can also prevent, combat and reduce symptoms of prostate cancer and chronic prostatis. In studies on animals, pygeum exhibited a rise in volume and viability of sperm in semen, indicating its possible use for treating male infertility. It can heal genito-urinary complaints. Other health benefits of pygeum include its use as an aphrodisiac, for treatment of impotence, fever, kidney disease, hair loss, malaria, and partial bladder outlet obstruction, for improving sexual performance, and healing urinary tract infections.

Saw Palmetto , also known as Serenoa repens, which is the only species from the genus Serenoa in the Arecaceae family. Arecaceae are actually all palm trees and Saw Palmetto is no exception. It is a smaller version of a palm tree with heights that do not surpass four meters. It is believed to be native to southeast of the United States, the oldest plants found in Florida with almost 700 years of age. The berry-like fruits are rich in fatty acids and plant sterols and Saw Palmetto extract has been often used for treatment of urinary tract problems, mainly infections. Some other applications related to cholesterol have been evaluated, but no indications were proven. Treatment against benign prostatic hyperplasia is currently under evaluation, whereby initial data was encouraging, but methodological research data contradictory.

Tribulus Terrestris, commonly known as Puncture Vine, has been frequently used in India and China for its medicinal properties. The plant is used mainly in overcoming problems with infertility, erectile dysfunction and to improve libido. In recent times, however, it is being used by athletes to enhance performance. Research carried out on samples suggests that the levels of testosterone and estrogen are increased by its use. The fruit of the plant has also been used as a diuretic and a urinary antiseptic. Other than this, it is also used to treat headaches and problems of the eyes, such as conjunctivitis and weak eyesight. It has been used traditionally to treat people with gout problems. The use of Tribulus Terrestris has shown no adverse side effects.

Trigonella Foenum-Graecum- Among the spices, being used to boost color and flavor of the food, (Trigonella foenum-graecum) fenugreek is an important one. This seed spice is also used for therapeutic purpose in many conventional systems as gastric stimulant, antibacterial, anti diabetic agent against anorexia, and as a galactogogue. Trigonella foenum graecum seed powder has been strongly recommended to possess latent ant diabetic effects. The remedial role of Trigonella seed powder in diabetes of type1 as illustrated in many studies can be ascribed to the change of lipid metabolizing enzyme activities and glucose to normal values, thus soothing glucose homeostasis in the kidney and lever. These biochemical effects shown by Trigonella seeds make it a potential new curative in type1 diabetes.

Vitex agnus-castus is commonly called vitex. It is also known by its other names such as chaste tree, chasteberry or monk’s pepper. It is plant which is native to the Mediterranean region. Since it has aromatic foliage and flowers, it is cultivated in warm and subtropical regions. In Africa, vitex is a traditional but little known plant. It boosts of food security and also has the potential of improving nutrition. It is also used for foster rural development and it also supports sustainable land care. During pregnancy, the usage of vitex agnus-castus might increase the chance of complications. Therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy. As it have effects on the testosterone levels, male body builder’s use vitex agnus-castus as a supplement but only as a secondary component.

Vitex agnus-castus is commonly called vitex. It is also known by its other names such as chaste tree, chasteberry or monk’s pepper. It is plant which is native to the Mediterranean region. Since it has aromatic foliage and flowers, it is cultivated in warm and subtropical regions. In Africa, vitex is a traditional but little known plant. It boosts of food security and also has the potential of improving nutrition. It is also used for foster rural development and it also supports sustainable land care. During pregnancy, the usage of vitex agnus-castus might increase the chance of complications. Therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy. As it have effects on the testosterone levels, male body builder’s use vitex agnus-castus as a supplement but only as a secondary component.