A mint-family leaf from India, used daily as powder or concentrated extract, or as a rinse for dental use. Strongest human evidence: lower fasting and after-meal blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, lower self-rated stress, and less dental plaque and gum bleeding. Reproductive and thyroid concerns come from animals only. No trial beyond three months. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting blood glucose | 75–86 mg/dL | Tracks the main documented benefit and the hypoglycaemia risk |
| HbA1c | 4.8–5.3% | Confirms whether the fasting change reflects a real shift in average glucose |
| Fasting insulin | 2–5 µIU/mL | Detects the insulin-resistance improvement seen in overweight adults |
| Triglycerides | Below 80 mg/dL | The lipid fraction that moved most in the metabolic trial |
| LDL cholesterol | 70–100 mg/dL | Second lipid endpoint from the metabolic trial |
| HDL cholesterol | Above 55 mg/dL (men), above 60 mg/dL (women) | The only lipid measure that separated between groups |
| TSH | 0.5–2.0 mIU/L | Covers the thyroxine suppression seen in mice |
| Free T4 | 1.0–1.5 ng/dL | Direct measure of the hormone the animal data lowered |
| Platelet count | 175–250 × 109/L | Covers the antiplatelet and bleeding signal |
| ALT | 10–26 U/L (men), 10–19 U/L (women) | Reference point for the theoretical eugenol liver question |
| Perceived stress score | No established target; track the change from the individual's own baseline | The primary endpoint in both positive stress trials |
Cadence: Baseline, four weeks, eight weeks, then every six months for as long as use continues, with fasting glucose self-measured three times weekly through the first month in anyone taking a glucose-lowering medication.