Herb & supplement monograph

Cheken Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

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

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

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

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

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

Cheken: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Cheken is a leaf from a Chilean evergreen shrub traditionally used for coughs and respiratory complaints. There is very little modern human research to confirm it works or to define a safe dose, so use it cautiously and talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Scientific name
Myrceugenia chequen
Family
Myrtaceae
Part used
Leaves and essential oil
Common forms
Tea, tincture, liquid extract, dried leaf
People commonly use it for
  • Cough and chest congestion
  • Bronchitis and respiratory complaints
  • Digestive upset
  • Mild urinary complaints

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

Safety at a glance
OverallLimited data

Little modern safety data exists, so use with caution and seek professional advice.

PregnancyBest avoided

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

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

Cheken (also spelled chequen) comes from Myrceugenia chequen, an evergreen shrub in the myrtle family that is native to Chile and parts of South America. The plant grows in moist areas and has small, aromatic leaves.

Traditionally, the leaves have been brewed into teas or made into extracts and used as a folk remedy, mainly for coughs and other respiratory complaints. It was once listed in some older pharmacy references, but it is not a widely studied or commonly used supplement today.

Uses & effectiveness

People have traditionally used Cheken for coughs, bronchitis, and other chest and breathing problems. It has also been used for mild digestive and urinary complaints.

It is important to be honest here: there is very little modern scientific evidence showing that Cheken treats any of these conditions. Most information comes from traditional use and older herbal texts rather than well-designed human studies. There is not enough reliable research to say whether it works or how well it compares to standard treatments.

How it works

Cheken leaves contain aromatic compounds, including essential oils, tannins, and plant chemicals that may have astringent and mild antimicrobial properties. The essential oil and tannins are thought to be behind its traditional use for coughs and digestion.

These ideas are based mostly on the plant's chemistry and on laboratory observations, not on strong studies in people. The exact way Cheken might affect the body in humans is not well understood.

Safety & precautions

Because Cheken has not been carefully studied in modern times, its safety is largely unknown. There are no clear standards for purity, strength, or proper dosing.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid Cheken, since there is no reliable safety information for these situations. Children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions should also be cautious and check with a healthcare professional before using it.

As with any herbal product, quality can vary between brands, and products may be contaminated or mislabeled. Always tell your pharmacist or doctor about any supplement you are taking.

Side effects

Specific side effects of Cheken have not been well documented. Herbs that contain tannins and essential oils can sometimes cause stomach upset, nausea, or allergic reactions in sensitive people.

If you notice a rash, trouble breathing, swelling, or any other unusual symptoms after taking Cheken, stop using it and seek medical care.

Dosing

There is no established standard dose for Cheken. Because it is not well studied, safe and effective amounts have not been defined.

If you choose to use a Cheken product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed them. It is best to check with a pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you take medications or have health conditions.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Cheken & 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

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

Cheken: Common Questions

Does Cheken interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Cheken. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Cheken 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 Cheken 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 Cheken 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 Cheken used for?
Cheken is a leaf from a Chilean shrub that has traditionally been used as a folk remedy for coughs, bronchitis, and other chest or breathing complaints, as well as occasional digestive issues. There is little modern evidence that it works for these uses.
Is Cheken safe to take?
Its safety is not well known because there is very little modern research. Use it cautiously, follow the product label, and check with your pharmacist or doctor first.
Can I use Cheken while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There is not enough safety information, so it is best to avoid Cheken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How is Cheken taken?
It is usually taken as a tea made from the dried leaves, or as a tincture or liquid extract. Because no standard dose exists, follow the label and ask a healthcare professional for guidance.

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

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