Drug & supplement interaction

Rooibos + Imipramine

Imipramine brand names: Tofranil, Tofranil PM.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Imipramine falls into 5 drug categories that Rooibos can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking rooibos with CYP2C19 substrates may increase the effects of CYP2C19 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions5
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Rooibos and Imipramine

These two interact in 5 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 5 Interactions?

Rooibos interacts with whole categories of medication. Imipramine falls into 5 of those categories, so it can interact with Rooibos in 5 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES

1 of 5

Why this applies to Imipramine

Imipramine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Rooibos interacts with.

Theoretically, taking rooibos with CYP2C19 substrates may increase the effects of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems strongly inhibits CYP2C19 enzyme activity.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for imipramine (Tofranil). Your liver uses an enzyme called CYP2C19 to help break this medication down. Lab studies suggest that concentrated rooibos extract may slow that enzyme. If it did, your body could clear imipramine a little more slowly, letting levels creep up. That might mean more of its usual side effects, like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, or dizziness when you stand.

I want to keep this in perspective, though. This signal comes only from test-tube research, not from people, so it's quite theoretical. A normal cup of rooibos tea is very unlikely to cause trouble. Concentrated rooibos supplements are the bigger question mark, so check with your pharmacist or doctor before using those.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

2 of 5

Imipramine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, taking rooibos with CYP1A2 substrates may increase the effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems inhibits CYP1A2 enzyme activity.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for imipramine: your liver uses an enzyme called CYP1A2 to help clear this antidepressant out of your body. Lab studies (in test tubes, not people) hint that rooibos may slow that enzyme down a little. If that happened in real life, imipramine could build up more than usual, which might mean stronger side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness when you stand, or a faster heartbeat.

Now, the honest part: this is only theoretical, based on lab work, not human studies. A normal cup or two of rooibos tea is very unlikely to cause trouble. I'd be more cautious with concentrated rooibos extracts. If you drink a lot of it or use extracts, just give your pharmacist or doctor a heads-up so they can keep an eye on you.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

3 of 5

Imipramine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, taking rooibos with CYP2D6 substrates may increase the effects of CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems inhibits CYP2D6 enzyme activity.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for imipramine (Tofranil): your liver uses an enzyme called CYP2D6 to help break it down and clear it out. Lab studies hint that concentrated rooibos extract may slow that enzyme a bit. If that happened in real life, imipramine could build up and its effects could feel stronger, meaning more of the usual side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness when standing, or a faster heartbeat.

I want to keep this in perspective, though. This is only test-tube evidence, not something proven in people, and a plain cup of rooibos tea is very unlikely to cause trouble. Concentrated rooibos supplements are the bigger question mark. Before adding any extract, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES

4 of 5

Imipramine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, taking rooibos with CYP2C9 substrates may increase the effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems inhibits CYP2C9 enzyme activity.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist with rooibos and your imipramine. In a test tube, rooibos extract slowed down an enzyme called CYP2C9, which is one of the liver enzymes that helps clear imipramine from your body. If that enzyme works slower, a bit more imipramine could linger, and that means the medication's effects (and its side effects) might be a touch stronger.

With a tricyclic like imipramine, that could show up as more drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, or lightheadedness when you stand. Now, the honest part: this is only lab data, not something proven in real people, and a normal cup or two of rooibos tea is very unlikely to cause trouble. Concentrated extracts are a bigger question mark. If you use those, check with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

5 of 5

Imipramine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, taking rooibos with CYP3A4 substrates may increase the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems strongly inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme activity.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist for imipramine (Tofranil). Your body uses a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to help clear this antidepressant. Some early lab work suggests that strong rooibos extracts may slow that enzyme down. If that happened in real life, imipramine could build up a bit more than expected, which might mean more of its usual side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness when standing, or a faster heartbeat.

The good news: this is only a theoretical concern from test-tube studies, not something proven in people. Drinking rooibos as a regular cup of tea is very unlikely to cause trouble. Concentrated extract supplements are the bigger question mark. If you plan to use those, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Rooibos Also Interacts With Other Medications

Rooibos has 878 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Imipramine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 878 No known interaction 1,952 (incl. Imipramine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Rooibos

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Rooibos or Imipramine

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Rooibos or Imipramine, 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 Imipramine

This page covers Rooibos only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Imipramine page lists 254 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Cesium (major) and Ephedra (major).

By severity: 11 major · 190 moderate · 53 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Imipramine page

“Imipramine (Tofranil) is an older tricyclic antidepressant, and the supplements on this page deserve real scrutiny before you add one. Most of the list acts on the liver enzymes that process the drug, so an ingredient can quietly raise or lower imipramine levels: grapefruit pushes them up, while St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Imipramine interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 142 real supplement products containing Rooibos, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Rooibos. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Imipramine too, on top of Rooibos — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Rooibos and Imipramine 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 Rooibos
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Imipramine
Steady interest

#2,120 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.

Supplement

About Rooibos

What is Rooibos?

Rooibos
  • Caffeine-free beverage
  • Antioxidant support
  • Heart health
  • Blood sugar support
  • Digestive upset
  • General wellness

Rooibos is a caffeine-free herbal tea from South Africa that is rich in antioxidants and generally considered safe as a beverage. While lab and early studies suggest possible benefits for heart health, blood sugar, and inflammation, strong human evidence is lacking for most medical uses. Enjoy it as a tea, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated extracts for health reasons.

Read the full Rooibos monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Imipramine

What Is Imipramine Used For?

Brand names: Tofranil, Tofranil PM

Imipramine is used to relieve symptoms of depression. Both Imipramine Hydrochloride tablets and Imipramine Pamoate capsules are approved for this use. Endogenous depression — the kind that seems to arise from within rather than a clear outside cause — tends to respond especially well. It may take one to three weeks before you notice the full benefit.

Imipramine Hydrochloride tablets are also approved as a short-term, add-on treatment to help reduce nighttime bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) in children aged 6 and older, after a doctor has ruled out physical causes.

See full Imipramine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Rooibos

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

0Major
878Moderate
0Minor
1,951No known interaction
878 Moderate 1,951 No interaction
Moderate

878 interactions

Showing 60 of 878 moderate interactions — see all 878 on the Rooibos page.

No interaction 1,951 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Rooibos against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,951 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Rooibos list.

See the full Rooibos interactions page
See every supplement checked against Imipramine, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Rooibos monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Imipramine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Imipramine, ranked by severity Imipramine drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Rooibos and Imipramine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Rooibos with Imipramine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 5 interactions listed for Rooibos and Imipramine?
Imipramine belongs to more than one drug category, and Rooibos interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Rooibos and Imipramine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

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

Still Have a Question About Imipramine and Rooibos?

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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.