Drug & supplement interaction

Motherwort + Prednisolone

Prednisolone brand names: Prednisolone, Sterane, Delta Cortef, Cortalone, Pred Forte, and others.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Motherwort and Prednisolone in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Motherwort and Prednisolone

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Prednisolone and Motherwort in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Motherwort safety at a glance

Motherwort overall Use caution May be tolerated short-term by healthy adults, but human safety data are limited.
Pregnancy Likely Unsafe When used orally or by injection. Alkaloids present in motherwort have uterine stimulant effects. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Avoid Not enough safety information is available, so it is best avoided.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Prednisolone and Motherwort? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Prednisolone

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Prednisolone is filed under 6 classifications — including corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, p-glycoprotein substrates. Motherwort has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being cns depressants (moderate) — and none of Prednisolone’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Motherwort Does Interact With Other Medications

Motherwort has 248 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Prednisolone isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Motherwort

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Motherwort. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Motherwort and Prednisolone May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 2 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Bleeding or bruising Worth acting on Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Orally, use of motherwort in amounts greater than 3 grams can cause uterine bleeding (12).”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in bleeding.

    1 source cited
    1. 12. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.

    Prednisolone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Prednisolone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Motherwort can also cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (4). Intramuscularly and via intrauterine injection, transient fever and chills lasting less than 24 hours have been reported.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in fever.

    2 sources cited
    1. 4. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
    2. 104855. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

    Prednisolone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Prednisolone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Swelling Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Intramuscularly and via intrauterine injection, transient eyelid edema lasting less than 24 hours has been reported.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pregnancy-related edema.

    1 source cited
    1. 104855. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

    Prednisolone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Prednisolone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • A skin rash Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Motherwort leaves can cause contact dermatitis, and the oil may cause photosensitivity reactions (4). Intramuscularly and via intrauterine injection, mild erythema, rash, and pruritus have been reported.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    3 sources cited
    1. 4. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
    2. 101892. Xia WT, Zhou H, Wang Y, et al. Motherwort injection in preventing post-abortion hemorrhage after induced abortion: A multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2019. pii: S1550-8307(19)30447-1. PubMed
    3. 104855. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

    Prednisolone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Prednisolone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Nausea Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Orally, use of motherwort in amounts greater than 3 grams can cause diarrhea and stomach irritation (12). Intramuscularly and via intrauterine injection, abdominal pain and nausea have been reported.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    2 sources cited
    1. 12. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
    2. 104855. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

    Prednisolone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Prednisolone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Motherwort but not commonly for Prednisolone: stomach upset, sun sensitivity, stomach pain and diarrhea.

Effects for Prednisolone come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Motherwort come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Motherwort in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Likely Unsafe

When used orally or by injection. Alkaloids present in motherwort have uterine stimulant effects.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Overlapping uses

What Prednisolone Is Prescribed For, and What Motherwort Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Prednisolone is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Motherwort is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Prednisolone is prescribed for: Prednisolone is prescribed for many different conditions where inflammation or an overactive immune system is causing harm. These range from severe allergic reactions and asthma to certain skin diseases, blood disorders, eye problems, and some cancers. It is also used to support the body when the adrenal glands aren't making enough of their own steroids, and to manage flares of conditions like ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, and nephrotic syndrome (a kidney condition causing protein loss in the urine).

Motherwort has been studied for:

  • Cancer studied, not established Motherwort has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Motherwort for cancer

    Although there has been interest in using oral motherwort for cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of motherwort for this purpose.

  • Asthma studied, not established Motherwort has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Motherwort for asthma

    Although there has been interest in using oral motherwort for asthma, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of motherwort for this purpose.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Prednisolone on your own; if you are taking Motherwort for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

From our Q&A

Questions About Motherwort or Prednisolone

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Motherwort or Prednisolone, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Prednisolone

This page covers Motherwort only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Prednisolone page lists 202 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), Lily-of-the-valley (major), St. John's Wort (major) and Acacia Rigidula (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 162 moderate · 36 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Prednisolone page

“Prednisolone quiets inflammation and dampens the immune system, and its list of 202 interacting supplement and herbal ingredients, four of them rated major, deserves a careful read rather than a shrug. Grapefruit can push prednisolone levels up by blocking its breakdown, St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Prednisolone interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Motherwort as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 400 real supplement products containing Motherwort, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Motherwort. Even though Motherwort itself has no known interaction with Prednisolone, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Motherwort and Prednisolone Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Motherwort
Top half

#420 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Prednisolone
Top 25%

#416 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Motherwort reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Motherwort and Prednisolone records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Motherwort

What is Motherwort?

Motherwort
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Heart palpitations
  • Menstrual discomfort
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Insomnia

Motherwort is a traditional herb in the mint family long used for anxiety, heart palpitations, and women's reproductive complaints, but solid human evidence is very limited. It should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and anyone with a heart condition or taking heart or blood-thinning medicines should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Leonurus cardiaca · Lamiaceae · Aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowering tops) · Tea, tincture, liquid extract, capsules, dried herb

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Motherwort is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Motherwort record says about it on its own.

Motherwort: dosing

There is no well-established standard dose for motherwort. Traditional preparations include teas made from the dried herb and liquid tinctures or extracts, and products vary widely in strength.Because doses are not standardized and product quality differs, the safest approach is to follow the directions on the specific product label and not exceed the suggested amount.

From our Motherwort monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Motherwort monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Prednisolone

What Is Prednisolone Used For?

Brand names: Prednisolone, Sterane, Delta Cortef, Cortalone, Pred Forte, Solupred

Prednisolone is prescribed for many different conditions where inflammation or an overactive immune system is causing harm. These range from severe allergic reactions and asthma to certain skin diseases, blood disorders, eye problems, and some cancers.

It is also used to support the body when the adrenal glands aren't making enough of their own steroids, and to manage flares of conditions like ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, and nephrotic syndrome (a kidney condition causing protein loss in the urine).

Most-Reported Side Effects for Prednisolone

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (191,421 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Fever 8,823 reports
Dyspnea 7,428 reports
Pneumonia 7,314 reports
Diarrhea 7,103 reports
Nausea 5,892 reports
See full Prednisolone drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Motherwort

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Motherwort — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
248Moderate
0Minor
2,581No known interaction
Moderate

248 interactions

Showing 60 of 248 moderate interactions — see all 248 on the Motherwort page.

No interaction 2,581 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Motherwort References

The 6 references that drive our Motherwort monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Wojtyniak K, Szymanski M, Matlawska I. Leonurus cardiaca L. (motherwort): a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology. Phytother Res 2013;27(8):1115-20.
  5. Xia WT, Zhou H, Wang Y, et al. Motherwort injection in preventing post-abortion hemorrhage after induced abortion: A multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2019. pii: S1550-8307(19)30447-1. PubMed
  6. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Motherwort and Prednisolone Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Motherwort with Prednisolone?
We do not list a known interaction between Motherwort and Prednisolone. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Motherwort and Prednisolone have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 5 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Are Motherwort and Prednisolone used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Motherwort in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Prednisolone is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Motherwort and Prednisolone combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Prednisolone is filed under 6 classifications, and Motherwort has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Prednisolone's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Motherwort interact with any other medications?
Yes. Motherwort has 248 documented drug interactions in our database — Prednisolone is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Prednisolone interact with any supplements?
Yes. Prednisolone has documented interactions with 202 supplements in our database — Motherwort is not one of them. The Prednisolone interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Prednisolone and Motherwort?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.