Herb & supplement monograph

Bistort Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

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

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Bistort 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

Check Bistort against your medication

Add one medication
Bistort
+
Start typing any prescription or over-the-counter drug name.
Reviewed by licensed pharmacists Sourced from Natural Medicines
On this page
Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Bistort

0 medications have a known interaction with Bistort, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Bistort. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

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 Bistort combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Bistort: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Bistort is a traditional herb whose root is rich in tannins and has long been used for diarrhea, sore throat, and minor wounds. Modern human studies are very limited, so its true effectiveness and long-term safety are not well established. If you want to try it, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific name
Bistorta officinalis
Family
Polygonaceae
Part used
Rhizome (root), and sometimes the leaves
Common forms
Dried root, tea (decoction), tincture, mouth rinse or gargle, powder
People commonly use it for
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth and throat irritation
  • Minor wounds and skin issues
  • Digestive upset
  • Sore throat and cough

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

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Limited human safety data; its high tannin content can irritate the stomach with heavy or long-term use.

PregnancyBest avoided

Not enough safety information, so it is best avoided during pregnancy.

BreastfeedingBest avoided

Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so avoid use.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Bistort is a perennial plant found in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. It often grows in damp meadows and grassy areas. The part used most often in herbal medicine is its twisted underground stem, called the rhizome or root.

People have used bistort for hundreds of years in folk medicine. The root is rich in natural compounds called tannins, which give it an astringent (tightening or drying) quality. Because of this, it has traditionally been used for stomach and bowel problems, sore throats, and minor skin issues.

Today bistort is most commonly found as a dried root, a tea, a tincture, or a gargle. It is not a mainstream, well-studied supplement, so it can be hard to find standardized products.

Uses & effectiveness

Most of what we know about bistort comes from traditional use, not from strong clinical research in people. The honest summary is that high-quality human evidence is lacking for all of its uses.

People have traditionally used bistort for:

  • Diarrhea and digestive upset — its tannins are thought to have an astringent, drying effect. This is a common traditional use, but it has not been confirmed by solid clinical trials.
  • Sore throat and mouth irritation — it is sometimes used as a gargle or rinse for inflamed gums, mouth sores, or a sore throat.
  • Minor wounds and skin problems — applied externally, it has been used to help with small cuts or irritation.
  • Coughs and upper respiratory complaints — used traditionally, with little supporting evidence.

Some laboratory and animal studies suggest the plant's compounds may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, or antioxidant activity. These findings are early and do not prove that bistort works or is safe for any condition in people.

How it works

The main active ingredients in bistort root are tannins, along with other plant compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, and starches. Tannins are astringent, meaning they can tighten and dry tissues. This is the traditional reason bistort was used for diarrhea and for soothing irritated mouth and throat tissue.

Laboratory research suggests some of bistort's compounds may fight certain bacteria and reduce inflammation, and that its flavonoids and phenolics may act as antioxidants. There has also been early interest in its compounds for anticancer activity.

It is important to understand that most of this work comes from test-tube or animal studies. These results do not always carry over to humans, and they do not tell us a safe or effective dose.

Safety & precautions

Bistort has not been carefully studied for safety in people, so its overall safety profile is not well known. Because the root contains a lot of tannins, taking large amounts or using it for a long time may irritate the stomach and could affect how well your body absorbs some nutrients.

People with stomach ulcers, ongoing digestive problems, or a sensitive stomach should be cautious. Anyone with a serious or lasting illness should check with a healthcare provider before using it.

Pregnancy: There is not enough information to consider bistort safe during pregnancy, so it should be avoided.

Breastfeeding: Safety while breastfeeding is unknown. To be safe, avoid using it while nursing.

Do not give bistort to children without medical advice. As with any herb, tell your pharmacist or doctor that you are taking it, especially before surgery or if you take other medicines.

Side effects

Because bistort has not been well studied, its full list of side effects is not known. Based on its high tannin content, possible effects include:

  • Stomach upset, nausea, or constipation
  • Mouth or throat irritation from concentrated rinses
  • Reduced absorption of some nutrients with heavy, long-term use

Allergic reactions are possible with any plant product. Stop using bistort and seek medical care if you notice a rash, swelling, trouble breathing, or other signs of a serious reaction.

Dosing

There is no well-established, standardized dose for bistort. Because human studies are limited, experts cannot recommend a specific safe and effective amount.

If you choose to use a bistort product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed them. It is best to use it for short periods rather than long-term, given its tannin content.

Talk with a pharmacist or doctor before starting bistort, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a health condition, or take other medicines. They can help you decide whether it is appropriate for you.

References & further reading

The 1 sources that drive our Bistort monograph — publicly available pages from reputable medical and government organizations. Every link was verified to work before publishing.

  1. Herbs at a Glance — NIH NCCIH Source
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.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Bistort

5 brands in our database make a supplement containing Bistort.

Product directory

Supplement products with Bistort

8 products in our database contain Bistort. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bistort: Common Questions

Does Bistort interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Bistort. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Bistort 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 Bistort 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 Bistort 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 Bistort used for?
Traditionally, Bistort root has been used for diarrhea, sore throats, mouth irritation, and minor wounds, mainly because of its astringent tannins. However, strong human studies are lacking, so these uses are not proven.
Is Bistort safe to take?
Bistort has not been well studied in people, so its safety is uncertain. Because it is high in tannins, large amounts or long-term use may irritate the stomach, so it is best used cautiously and only after checking with a healthcare provider.
Can I use Bistort while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There is not enough safety information for either situation, so Bistort should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
How is Bistort usually taken?
It is most often taken as a tea or decoction of the dried root, as a tincture, or used as a gargle or mouth rinse. Always follow the product label and avoid long-term use.

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

Keep exploring

Products that contain Bistort

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Bistort — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

Where next
Supplement interaction checkerCheck any supplement or product against your medications Drug–drug interactionsCheck two or more of your medications against each other Browse medications A–ZEvery drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements NDC & pricing lookupFind a drug’s NDCs, packaging and costs Ask a pharmacistFree, personal answer from our licensed team

Have a question about Bistort?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist