Evidence supporting the use of: Ilex
For the health condition: Anemia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ilex, a genus that includes species such as Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate) and Ilex aquifolium (European holly), has a history of traditional use in various cultures, particularly in South America and Asia. In traditional medicine, some Ilex species have been used as general tonics and are believed to "invigorate the blood" or support overall vitality, which may indirectly relate to anemia. For instance, Yerba Mate is consumed for its stimulant properties and is sometimes believed to promote health and energy, which could be interpreted as supporting those with anemia-like symptoms. However, direct traditional claims specifically linking Ilex to the treatment of anemia are sparse and not well-documented in ethnobotanical literature. The belief often arises from the presence of trace minerals (such as iron) and vitamins in Ilex leaves, which could theoretically contribute to hematopoiesis. Scientifically, there is minimal direct evidence supporting the use of Ilex species for anemia. Some laboratory studies have identified small amounts of iron and other micronutrients in Yerba Mate, but these quantities are not substantial enough to have a therapeutic effect on iron-deficiency anemia. No robust clinical trials or controlled studies have established a direct benefit of Ilex for treating anemia in humans. Thus, while there is some traditional basis for using Ilex as a general health tonic, the evidence specifically for anemia is weak and largely anecdotal.
Other ingredients used for Anemia
Alfalfaamino acids
anchovies
apple
ashwagandha
astragalus
beet
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
bovine
bovine liver
bovine spleen
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
chlorella
coconut milk
collard
cordyceps
dog rose
dong quai root
fish protein
folate
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fu ling
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
Indian tinospora
iron
jujube
kale
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
Lactoferrin
lemon
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
maca
mackerel
Moringa
Nettle
oat
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
pumpkin
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sardines
shiitake mushroom
soybean
spinach
spirulina
tomato
Triphala
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
Watercress
wheat grass
Mulberry
Yeast
Zinc
suma
tangerine
shen-chu
Mugwort
nut grass
punarnava
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
Morus
root tuber
cistanche
dodder
ganoderma
hyacinth bean
lotus seed
Morinda
Trichosanthes
dulse leaf
royal jelly
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
aster root
shepherd's purse
wheat germ
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
Algae
kidney beans
chickpea protein
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
animal Tissue
Ardisia
Angelica
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Abrus
Alchornea
Autumn Olive
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteraceae
Algal protein
Abalone
Allium tuberosum
animal protein
bermuda grass
Bidens pilosa
breadnut
Blepharis
Beef Protein
Butea monosperma
beef
Beef liver
buffalo
bok choy
bone marrow
bovine protein
bael
bean
butternut
berry
black gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
broad bean
bee products
back nightshade
Bombax
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
Blue-Green Alage
banana
baobab
Buckwheat
Boerhavia diffusa
bird\'s nest
cumin
cowpea
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
capillary artemisia
Cyathula
cashew
Citrus
cereal grass
Chlorophytum
chard
chicken
Curcuma
C-phycocyanin
canihua
cuttlefish
chestnut
cytokines
cassava
Celosia
currant
duodenum
deer root
dehydroascorbic acid
dragon fruit
dong quai
Dolichos
date
dulse
Eupolyphaga sinensis
empresstree
egg
Eclipta
European five-finger grass
Embelia
fig
folinic acid
folic acid
fruit
ferritin
fo-ti
fish
ferric ammonium citrate
Fagopyrum
Foxtail millet
ferric citrate
ferric orthophosphate
Ginsenosides
Growth factors
garden cress
garbanzo bean
horse gram
Histidine
Hygrophila
Helicteres isora
hijiki
Huang hua
intrinsic factor
Ilex
Indian coraltree
jungli-bean
Kokilaksha
kiwi
Lycium
lucuma
Laver
Legume protein
longan
Lentil
Land Cress
Leptadenia
little ironweed
Loranthus
Labisia pumila
Molasses
Methylcobalamin
Mineral ascorbate
Mung bean
Marine protein
Millet
Metal salt
Momordica
Microcos
Nigella seed
Nori
Onosma bracteatum
Phycocyanin
Phyllanthus
Palmyra
Phaeophyceae
Plankton
Prunus
Phosphate ascorbate
pointed gourd
Portulaca
Polygonatum
Persimmon
Physalis angulata
Rubus
red currant
Rehmannia
Rubiaceae
Rubia yunnanensis
Rumex acetosa
Rosa roxburghii
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Shellfish
Solanum anguivi
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
Shilajit
Terminalia
Taxillus chinensis
Tayuya
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Tropical jewel hisbiscus
Vegetable Protein
Wakame
Wulinshen
Yellow Dock
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Ilex
AnemiaAnxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever