Herb & supplement monograph

Cat's Foot Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

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Reviewed by licensed pharmacists Sourced from Natural Medicines
Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Cat's Foot

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

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

Cat's Foot: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

The bottom line

Cat's Foot (Antennaria dioica) is a small flowering plant from the daisy family used in traditional European herbal medicine, mostly as a tea for coughs and digestive complaints. There is very little modern scientific research on its safety or effectiveness, so its benefits remain unproven. Talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Scientific name
Antennaria dioica
Family
Asteraceae
Part used
Flowers and aerial (above-ground) parts
Common forms
Tea (infusion), dried herb, tincture, sometimes capsules
People commonly use it for
  • Cough and sore throat
  • Digestive upset
  • Gallbladder and liver complaints
  • Mild inflammation
  • Diarrhea

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

Safety at a glance
OverallLimited data

Very little human safety data exists, so caution is advised.

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

Cat's Foot (Antennaria dioica) is a small, low-growing flowering plant in the daisy family (Asteraceae). Its soft, fuzzy flower clusters look a bit like a cat's paw, which is how it got its common name. It is also sometimes called mountain everlasting or pussytoes.

The plant grows in dry, sunny meadows, heaths, and mountain areas across Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. The flowers and the leafy parts above the ground are the parts used in herbal traditions.

In folk medicine, people have brewed Cat's Foot as a tea for coughs, sore throats, and stomach or gallbladder complaints. Today it is a fairly uncommon herb and is not widely studied or sold compared with more popular supplements.

Uses & effectiveness

Cat's Foot has been used in traditional medicine, but there is very little modern clinical research to confirm any of its uses. The evidence behind it is mostly historical and based on tradition rather than well-designed human studies.

People have traditionally used it for:

  • Coughs, sore throat, and chest congestion
  • Stomach and digestive upset
  • Supporting the gallbladder and liver, and bile flow
  • Mild inflammation
  • Diarrhea

To be clear: listing these uses does not mean Cat's Foot is proven to work for them. For most of these purposes, the scientific evidence is limited or absent. Do not rely on Cat's Foot in place of treatments your doctor or pharmacist recommends.

How it works

Cat's Foot contains plant compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and small amounts of essential oils. In laboratory studies, flavonoids and tannins can have antioxidant and astringent effects, which is one reason the herb has traditionally been used for things like diarrhea and sore throats.

Some of its traditional use for digestive and gallbladder complaints is based on the idea that it may help bile flow, but this has not been proven in people. The astringent tannins may also explain its folk use for coughs and minor irritation.

It is important to know that most of these ideas come from traditional use, test-tube studies, or general knowledge of similar plant compounds — not from solid human research on Cat's Foot itself.

Safety & precautions

There is very little reliable safety information on Cat's Foot. Because of this, it should be used with caution, and it is hard to say what dose or duration is safe.

Cat's Foot belongs to the daisy (Asteraceae) family. People who are allergic to plants like ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or chrysanthemums may be more likely to have an allergic reaction.

Children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions (such as liver, gallbladder, or kidney problems) should be especially careful and talk to a healthcare provider first.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Because there is no good safety data, it is best to avoid Cat's Foot during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Side effects

Because Cat's Foot is not well studied, its full side effect profile is unknown. Based on similar herbs, possible effects could include stomach upset or mild digestive symptoms.

The most important concern is an allergic reaction, especially in people sensitive to other plants in the daisy family. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling of the face or throat, and trouble breathing. If these occur, stop using it and seek medical care right away.

If you notice any unexpected or bothersome symptoms while taking Cat's Foot, stop using it and check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Dosing

There is no established standard dose for Cat's Foot. It has not been studied enough to know what amount is safe or effective.

If you choose to use a product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed the recommended amount. Because product strength varies, it is wise to start low and watch for any reaction.

Always check with a pharmacist or doctor before starting Cat's Foot, especially if you take other medicines, have a health condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Cat's Foot & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Cat's Foot & 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 sources that drive our Cat's Foot 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
  2. Herbs at a Glance — NIH NCCIH Source
  3. Herbal Supplements — MedlinePlus 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

Cat's Foot: Common Questions

Does Cat's Foot interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Cat's Foot. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Cat's Foot 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 Cat's Foot 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 Cat's Foot 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 Cat's Foot used for?
Traditionally it has been used as a tea for coughs, sore throats, digestive upset, and gallbladder complaints. These uses come from folk medicine and are not proven by strong scientific studies.
Is Cat's Foot safe to take?
There is very little safety research on Cat's Foot, so its safety is unknown. People allergic to ragweed, daisies, or other Asteraceae plants should be especially cautious, and it is best to talk to a pharmacist or doctor first.
Can I use Cat's Foot if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No reliable safety data exists for these situations, so it is best to avoid Cat's Foot during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
How is Cat's Foot usually taken?
It is most often used as a tea made from the dried flowers and aerial parts, and sometimes as a tincture. Because there is no standard dose, follow the product label and check with a healthcare professional.

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

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