Drug & supplement interaction

Tree Turmeric + Aliskiren

Aliskiren brand name: Tekturna.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Aliskiren falls into 2 drug categories that Tree Turmeric can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking tree turmeric along with antihypertensive drugs might have additive effects and increase the risk of hypotension.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Tree Turmeric and Aliskiren

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Tree Turmeric interacts with whole categories of medication. Aliskiren falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Tree Turmeric in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

1 of 2

Why this applies to Aliskiren

Aliskiren falls under ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS — the group Tree Turmeric interacts with.

Theoretically, taking tree turmeric along with antihypertensive drugs might have additive effects and increase the risk of hypotension.
Animal research suggests that berberine, a constituent of tree turmeric, can have hypotensive effects. Also, a meta-analysis of clinical research suggests that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine (Norvasc) can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with taking amlodipine alone.
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 short version: tree turmeric (and its active compound berberine) may gently lower blood pressure on its own. Since aliskiren is already working to bring your numbers down, stacking the two could add up and push your blood pressure too low. That can leave you feeling dizzy, lightheaded, tired, or even faint, especially when you stand up quickly.

I want to be honest about the evidence though. This concern comes mostly from animal studies and a few trials with other blood pressure drugs, not aliskiren directly, so it's more of a theoretical caution than a proven problem. Aliskiren is not a prodrug, so this is simply an additive effect, not a metabolism issue. If you'd like to try tree turmeric, check with your pharmacist or doctor first and keep an eye on your readings.

References
  1. Sabir M and Bhide NK. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind J Physiol & Pharmac 1971;15(3):111-132.
  2. Chun YT, Yip TT, Lau KL, and et al. A biochemical study on the hypotensive effect of berberine in rats. Gen Pharmac 1979;10:177-182. PubMed
  3. Lan J, Zhao Y, Dong F, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;161:69-81. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 2

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

Theoretically, tree turmeric might increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP3A4.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that berberine, a constituent of tree turmeric, moderately inhibits CYP3A4.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence A

Interaction 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..

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

Here's the gist if you take Tekturna (aliskiren) and want to add a tree turmeric (berberine) supplement. Your body partly clears aliskiren using a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, and berberine appears to slow that enzyme down a bit. When the enzyme works slower, more aliskiren can hang around in your bloodstream than usual.

In plain terms, that could nudge aliskiren's effect up, so you might notice your blood pressure dropping lower than expected, along with dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling washed out. Most of this is theoretical and based on lab work, but it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before starting berberine. Everyday cooking amounts aren't the concern here; concentrated supplement doses are.

References
  1. Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. PubMed
  2. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  3. Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., and Zhou, H. H. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2012;68(2):213-217. PubMed
  4. Hermann, R. and von, Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med 2012;78(13):1458-1477. PubMed

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

Tree Turmeric Also Interacts With Other Medications

Tree Turmeric has 2 major, 1,157 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Aliskiren one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Tree Turmeric

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Aliskiren

This page covers Tree Turmeric only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Aliskiren page lists 227 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Grapefruit (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 6 major · 180 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Aliskiren page

“Aliskiren (Tekturna) has one job, keeping blood pressure down, and most of this list pulls on that same rope. Of the 227 supplements with an interaction on file, 119 have blood-pressure effects of their own, stacking with the drug until pressure drops too far (fish oil is a common one) or pushing back against it.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Aliskiren interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 51 real supplement products containing Tree Turmeric, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Tree Turmeric. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Aliskiren too, on top of Tree Turmeric — 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 Tree Turmeric and Aliskiren 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 Tree Turmeric
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Aliskiren
Top half

#747 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 Tree Turmeric

What is Tree Turmeric?

  • Blood sugar support
  • High cholesterol
  • Digestive complaints
  • Skin and eye conditions
  • Antimicrobial uses
  • Liver support

Tree turmeric (Berberis aristata) is a shrub used in traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine, valued mainly for its berberine content. Early research suggests possible benefits for blood sugar and cholesterol, but high-quality human evidence is limited. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Tree Turmeric monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Aliskiren

What Is Aliskiren Used For?

Brand name: Tekturna

Aliskiren and Tekturna tablets are both approved to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and in children who are at least 6 years old and weigh 50 kg (about 110 lbs) or more. Lowering high blood pressure reduces the risk of serious events like strokes and heart attacks.

Managing blood pressure is usually part of a broader plan that may also include diet changes, exercise, cholesterol control, and other medications. Many people need more than one blood pressure drug to reach their goal.

See full Aliskiren drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Tree Turmeric

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

2Major
1,157Moderate
0Minor
1,670No known interaction
Major

2 interactions

Moderate

1,157 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,157 moderate interactions — see all 1,157 on the Tree Turmeric page.

No interaction 1,670 drugs checked — show the list
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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Tree Turmeric and Aliskiren Together: Common Questions

Can you take Tree Turmeric with Aliskiren?
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 2 interactions listed for Tree Turmeric and Aliskiren?
Aliskiren belongs to more than one drug category, and Tree Turmeric 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 Tree Turmeric and Aliskiren 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

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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.