A dried East Asian fruit with a two-thousand-year record, mostly used as a skin wash. Human evidence covers only multi-herb creams and washes for eczema and psoriasis, with modest improvement. Bone and erection claims rest on cells and rodents. Set against sun-sensitising compounds, a liver signal, slowed drug clearance, and undeclared prescription drugs in most sexual-performance products tested. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ALT | <25 U/L (men), <20 U/L (women) | Detects liver-cell injury, the main internal hazard |
| AST | <25 U/L | Confirms an ALT rise is hepatic rather than muscular |
| GGT | <20 U/L (men), <15 U/L (women) | Most sensitive early marker of drug-induced liver stress |
| INR | 2.0–3.0 if anticoagulated; otherwise 0.9–1.1 | Catches over-anticoagulation from CYP2C9 inhibition |
| 25-hydroxyvitamin D | 40–60 ng/mL | Any bone effect is contingent on adequate vitamin D |
| Serum CTX | 0.20–0.40 ng/mL | Tracks bone resorption, the process osthole suppresses in rodents |
| P1NP | 25–50 μg/L | Tracks bone formation, the other half of the bone claim |
| Seated blood pressure | 110–125 / 70–80 mmHg | Detects additive hypotension from the vasodilatory coumarins |
Cadence: Liver panel, seated blood pressure and, where the goal is bone, a bone turnover panel with vitamin D at baseline; liver enzymes and blood pressure at 6 weeks, then at 12 weeks; clotting time at 1 and 4 weeks for those anticoagulated; bone turnover markers no sooner than 6 months; every 6–12 months thereafter for continued use.