Herb & supplement monograph

Bugle Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

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

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Bugle 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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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Bugle

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

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Bugle. 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 Bugle combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Bugle: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Bugle (Ajuga reptans) is a traditional European herb once used to help wounds, bruises, and mouth or throat irritation. There is very little modern scientific research to confirm any of these uses, so its benefits remain unproven. If you want to try it, talk to a pharmacist or doctor first, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding because safety data are lacking.

Scientific name
Ajuga reptans
Family
Lamiaceae
Part used
Aerial parts (leaves and flowering tops)
Common forms
Dried herb, tea, tincture, topical preparations
People commonly use it for
  • Minor wounds and bruises
  • Sore throat and mouth irritation
  • Mild cough
  • Digestive complaints
  • Bleeding (traditional use)

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

Safety at a glance
OverallLimited data

There is limited modern safety data on bugle in humans.

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.

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Overview

Bugle (Ajuga reptans) is a low-growing flowering plant in the mint family. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia and is common in gardens, meadows, and shady woodland edges. It produces small blue or purple flowers and spreads along the ground by runners.

Historically, bugle was a folk remedy in Europe. People used the leaves and flowering tops as a tea, tincture, or as a crushed plant applied to the skin. Traditional herbalists valued it mostly for wounds, bruises, and irritation of the mouth and throat.

Today bugle is not a widely sold or well-studied supplement. Most of what is said about it comes from old herbal traditions rather than modern science.

How it works

Bugle and other plants in the Ajuga group contain compounds such as iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, and phytoecdysteroids. In laboratory settings, some of these compounds have shown antioxidant or astringent effects, which is one reason the plant was traditionally used on wounds and inflamed tissue.

It is important to understand that these mechanisms come mostly from test-tube and animal research, not from human trials. Finding an active compound in a plant does not mean it produces a meaningful or safe effect when a person takes it.

Effectiveness

Does Bugle work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 3 uses evaluated
3 Insufficient evidence
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For Bugle, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 3 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Gallbladder disease
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

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

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

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

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Wound healing
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there has been interest in using topical bugle for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of bugle for this purpose.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

The safety of bugle in humans has not been well studied. Because so little is known, it is best to treat it with caution. People with allergies to plants in the mint family may be more likely to react to it.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is no reliable safety information, so bugle should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions or who take prescription medicines should not use bugle without first speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Never use bugle to delay proper medical care.

Side effects

Because bugle has not been carefully studied, its full side-effect profile is unknown. As with many herbs, possible effects could include stomach upset, nausea, or allergic skin reactions when used on the skin.

Stop using bugle and seek medical help if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Dosing

There is no established or standardized dose for bugle. Traditional use varied, and modern products are not common or well regulated.

If you choose to use a bugle product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed them. Because quality and strength can vary widely between products, check with a pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Bugle & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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

  1. Using Dietary Supplements Wisely — 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.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bugle: Common Questions

What is Bugle used for, and does it work?
People use Bugle for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.
Does Bugle interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Bugle. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Bugle 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 Bugle 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 Bugle 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 Bugle used for?
Traditionally, Bugle was used for minor wounds, bruises, sore throat, mouth irritation, and mild coughs. These are folk uses, and modern science has not confirmed that it works for any of them.
Is Bugle safe to take?
Its safety has not been well studied in people. Use caution, follow product labels, and talk to a pharmacist or doctor before trying it.
Can I use Bugle during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. There is not enough safety information, so it is best to avoid Bugle during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Is Bugle the same as the mint or other garden herbs?
Bugle belongs to the mint family but is its own plant (Ajuga reptans). It is grown mainly as a ground-cover ornamental and has a separate history as a folk medicine.

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

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