Herb & supplement monograph

Bear's Garlic Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated June 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Bear's Garlic interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Bear's Garlic is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Bear's Garlic is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Bear's Garlic Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Bear's Garlic drug interaction appears low for most people. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and every one of them traces back to a single theoretical concern that has only been shown in lab research, not in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The concern that deserves the most attention involves anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, often called blood thinners, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin, and heparin. Lab studies show bear's garlic and some of its components can reduce the clumping of platelets, the cells that help blood clot. In theory, that could add to the effect of these medicines and raise bleeding risk. Because blood thinners work within a narrow margin, this combination is worth discussing even though the effect has not been confirmed in humans.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications can look worrying, but it reflects one predicted effect applied across many drugs in the same class, not proof of harm with each medicine. All of the evidence comes from laboratory research, and no meaningful bleeding problems have been documented in people taking bear's garlic with these drugs.

Check your medications against Bear's Garlic

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Bear's Garlic interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Bear's Garlic

122 medications have a known interaction with Bear's Garlic, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

2,830 drugs
AbciximabReoPro› AbrocitinibCibinqo› AcenocoumarolSintrom› Acetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn› Acetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine› Acetaminophen, IbuprofenCombogesic› Acetylsalicylic AcidEntrophen› Alteplase, TpaActilyse, Activase› Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #2› Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin› Anacaulase-bcdbNexoBrid› AnagrelideAgrylin› AnisindioneMiradon› Antithrombin IiiThrombate III› ApixabanEliquis› ArgatrobanArgatroban› AspirinAngettes 75, ASA, Asaphen, Aspirin, Caprin, Cartia +8 more› Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #3› Aspirin, ButalbitalAxotal› Aspirin, Butalbital, CaffeineFiorinal› Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateFiorinal w/ Codeine› Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, PhenacetinMarnal› Aspirin, CaffeineAnacin› Aspirin, Caffeine, Codeine PhosphateAnacin w/ Codeine› Aspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine BitartrateSynalgos DC› Aspirin, Caffeine, Dover's PwdAcedoval, Dovacet› Aspirin, Caffeine, HydrocodoneDamason-P› Aspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, PhenacetinLanorinal› Aspirin, Caffeine, OrphenadrineInvagesic, Invagesic Forte, Norgesic, Norgesic Forte, Orphengesic, Orphengesic Forte› Aspirin, Caffeine, Phenacetin, PropoxypheneMargesic Comp. 65›
Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. 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.
  • Possible. 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
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Bear's Garlic combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
The big picture

The kinds of drugs Bear's Garlic affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Bear's Garlic is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Bear's Garlic interacts with
Anticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

In vitro research shows that bear's garlic and some of its constituents can inhibit platelet aggregation. Theoretically, bear's garlic might increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
Some anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monograph

Bear's Garlic: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Bear's garlic is a wild relative of garlic enjoyed mainly as a mild-tasting food. Some early laboratory studies hint at heart and blood vessel benefits, but solid human evidence is lacking, so it should be viewed as a flavorful food rather than a proven remedy. As food it is generally well tolerated, but supplements or large amounts have not been well studied for safety.

Bear's Garlic
Scientific name
Allium ursinum
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Part used
Leaves and bulb
Common forms
Fresh leaves, dried herb, tinctures, capsules, juice, teas, culinary pesto
People commonly use it for
  • Seasoning and culinary flavoring
  • Heart and blood vessel health
  • Blood pressure support
  • Digestive complaints
  • General 'cleansing' or detox traditions

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Generally safe as a food, but supplement-level safety is not well studied.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Bear's garlic (Allium ursinum) is a wild, leafy plant in the same family as garlic and onions. It grows in shady, damp woodlands across much of Europe and parts of Asia, and is named for the legend that bears eat it after waking from hibernation.

The broad green leaves have a mild garlic-like taste and smell. People most often use it as a fresh culinary herb in soups, pestos, salads, and spreads during its short spring season. It is also sold dried or as tinctures and capsules, though many of its delicate compounds break down when the plant is dried.

Uses & effectiveness

Bear's garlic is used in traditional European herbal medicine mainly for heart and blood vessel health, blood pressure, and general 'cleansing.' These uses overlap with the better-known reputation of common garlic.

The honest picture is that good human studies are very limited. Most of what we know comes from laboratory (test-tube) experiments rather than well-designed clinical trials in people. These early studies suggest possible effects on blood vessels, blood pressure-related enzymes, and platelets, but they do not prove that eating or supplementing bear's garlic improves health outcomes.

At this time there is insufficient evidence to say bear's garlic effectively treats or prevents any disease. It is best thought of as a nutritious, flavorful food rather than a proven medicine.

How it works

Bear's garlic contains sulfur compounds similar to those in regular garlic (such as alliin), though usually in lower amounts. It also contains flavonoids, kaempferol, plant sterols, and certain fat-related (non-sulfur) molecules.

In laboratory studies, extracts have been shown to modestly block an enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), which is involved in blood pressure control, and to reduce platelet clumping, which is part of blood clotting. Researchers have identified specific plant compounds, including certain glycolipids and a sterol glucoside, as possible active ingredients.

It is important to remember these effects were seen mostly in test tubes or cells. Whether they translate into meaningful benefits when a person eats or takes bear's garlic is not yet established.

Safety & precautions

Bear's garlic is widely eaten as a food and is generally considered safe in the amounts used in cooking. Concentrated supplements, tinctures, or large medicinal doses have not been well studied, so their safety is less certain.

One real-world danger is misidentification when foraging. The leaves can be confused with poisonous plants such as lily of the valley, autumn crocus, and the leaves of some toxic lilies, which can cause serious or even fatal poisoning. Only consume bear's garlic if you are certain of correct identification, ideally from a trusted source.

People taking blood pressure or blood-thinning medicines, those with bleeding disorders, or anyone scheduled for surgery should be cautious and check with a healthcare professional. For pregnancy and breastfeeding, normal food amounts are likely fine, but concentrated supplements should be avoided because their safety has not been studied.

Side effects

When eaten as a food, bear's garlic is usually well tolerated. Like other garlic and onion relatives, it may cause garlic breath or body odor, heartburn, gas, or mild stomach upset, especially in larger amounts.

Allergic reactions are possible in people sensitive to plants in the onion and garlic family. The most serious risk is not from the plant itself but from accidentally eating a toxic look-alike plant, which can cause dangerous poisoning.

Dosing

There is no established standardized dose for bear's garlic. As a food, people use the fresh leaves in cooking to taste during its spring season.

For supplement forms such as capsules or tinctures, there is no proven medicinal dose. If you choose to use a product, follow the directions on the label and check with your pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you take regular medications or have a health condition.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Bear's Garlic & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Bear's Garlic & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 3 references that drive our Bear's Garlic 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. Carotenuto A, De Feo V, Fattorusso E, et al. The flavonoids of Allium ursinum. Phytochem 1996;41:531-6. PubMed
  2. Bobak M, Skodova Z, Marmot M. Beer and obesity: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:1250-53. PubMed
  3. Koh-Banerjee P, Chu N, Spiegelman D, et al. Prospective study of the association of changes in dietary intake, physicial activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking with 9-y gain in waist circumference among 16 587 US men. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:719-27..
Keep reading

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.

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

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bear's Garlic: Common Questions

Does Bear's Garlic interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 122 medications with a known interaction with Bear's Garlic. Use the checker above to see how Bear's Garlic interacts with a specific drug.
How are Bear's Garlic interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Bear's Garlic with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Bear's Garlic interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Bear's Garlic used for?
It is mostly used as a mild-tasting culinary herb. Traditionally it is also used for heart, blood vessel, and blood pressure support, but strong human evidence for these uses is lacking.
Is Bear's Garlic the same as regular garlic?
They are close relatives in the same plant family and share some compounds, but Bear's Garlic is a leafy wild plant with a milder flavor and generally lower levels of garlic's signature sulfur compounds.
Is it safe to forage Bear's Garlic myself?
Only if you can identify it with certainty. Its leaves can be confused with poisonous plants like lily of the valley and autumn crocus, which can cause serious or fatal poisoning.
Can I take Bear's Garlic if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Eating it in normal food amounts is likely fine, but concentrated supplements have not been studied for safety, so it's best to avoid them and ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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

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