ProductOther namesEfficacyMechanism of actionFormulationDosage/intervalSide effectsDrug interactions
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Q10UbiquinoneModest, at bestAntioxidant; positive ionotropeLiquid, capsules100 to 200 mg per dayNone recordedNone recorded
HawthornCrataegus species, haw, may, whitethornIncomplete, but highly promising data; approved for use in Germany and Asia for mild cases of CHFVasodilatory effects; increased coronary flow; decreased peripheral resistance; ACE–inhibitor-like effectDry extracts or liquidAverage daily dosage: 5 g or 160 to 900 mg extract for a minimum a minimum of 6 weeksNone recordedMay interfere with digoxin or digoxin monitoring
Hypercholesterolemia
GarlicAllium sativum, poor man's treacleNot efficaciousNoneFresh, oil, aqueous, fermented or driedLarge quantities can cause stomach stomach complaintsNone recorded
SoyGlycine sojaProved efficacy; will decrease total cholesterol 5 to 9%, LDL 13%Estrogen-like properties; alters hepatic cholesterol metabolismExtractAverage daily dosage: 25 g soy proteinPossible occasional stomach pain loose stool and diarrheaNone recorded
CholestinWent yeast, Monascus purpureus, fermented on riceAs efficacious as commercial StatinsHMG CoA reductase inhibitorCapsules1,200 mg twice dailyPossible liver enzyme elevation and myositis; none, however, recordedSame as commercially available statins
Gugulipid/guggal gumCommiphora molmol, Arabian myrrh, Somalian myrrhPreliminary data promising; needs larger controlled studies; widely used in IndiaIncreased hepatic LDL binding sites*Extract powdered resin; concentrated tablets75 mg per dayNone recorded†None recorded