Herb & supplement monograph

Cotton Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

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

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

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

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

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

Cotton: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Cotton is best known as a fiber and food-oil crop, but its root bark and seed have a long history in folk medicine for menstrual and reproductive complaints. Its seed pigment, gossypol, was studied as a male contraceptive but proved too toxic, and there is no good evidence that cotton supplements are safe or effective for any health condition. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using any cotton-derived product medicinally.

Scientific name
Gossypium hirsutum
Family
Malvaceae
Part used
Root bark, seed, and seed oil (cottonseed oil)
Common forms
Cottonseed oil, root bark extract/tincture, capsules
People commonly use it for
  • Menstrual cramps and bringing on menses
  • Cooking oil (cottonseed oil)
  • Traditional use as a contraceptive (gossypol)
  • Breast milk flow (traditional)
  • Skin and wound care (folk use)

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

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Cottonseed and root contain gossypol, which can be toxic in higher amounts; medicinal use is not well studied.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally because it is a possible abortifacient and uterine stimulant.

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

Cotton comes from plants in the Gossypium genus, grown around the world mainly for the soft white fiber that surrounds its seeds. The same plant gives us cottonseed oil, a common cooking oil, and the seeds are also pressed for animal feed.

In traditional and folk medicine, people have used the root bark and seeds of cotton for menstrual and reproductive concerns. A yellow pigment in the seed called gossypol drew scientific attention as a possible male birth control, but it caused too many side effects to be used as a drug.

Today, cotton is rarely used as a mainstream supplement, and any medicinal use should be approached with care.

How it works

The most studied compound in cotton is gossypol, a yellow pigment found mainly in the seed. In laboratory and animal studies, gossypol can interfere with sperm production and has also shown effects on certain cells and enzymes.

Cotton root bark contains other plant compounds that some believe may stimulate the uterus, which is the basis for its traditional use in menstruation and pregnancy. Most of what we know comes from lab or animal research, not from well-designed human studies, so these mechanisms are not fully proven.

Effectiveness

Does Cotton work?

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

Evidence overview · 1 use evaluated
1 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 Cotton, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 1 condition — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Malaria
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 125 mL of a specific preparation (AM-1) containing cotton, winter cherry, Jatropha curcas, and Delonix regia orally six times daily for two days, then three times daily for 5 days, eliminates malaria parasites in patients with malaria. The validity of these findings is limited by the lack of a control group. Also, it is not clear if this effect is due to cotton, the other ingredients, or the combination.

Sources Ref 46308

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

Refined cottonseed oil used in food is generally considered safe because the gossypol is removed during processing. Crude cotton products, root bark, and unprocessed seed are a different story and may contain gossypol, which can be harmful in higher amounts.

Gossypol toxicity can include dangerously low potassium levels, weakness, and effects on fertility. People with kidney problems, heart rhythm problems, or low potassium should be especially cautious.

Pregnancy: Avoid. Cotton root bark has traditionally been used to bring on menstruation and end pregnancy, so it could be harmful to a pregnancy. Breastfeeding: Avoid, because safety has not been established. Always talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using any cotton-derived product for health reasons.

Side effects

With food-grade refined cottonseed oil, side effects are uncommon. With medicinal cotton products that contain gossypol, reported problems include:

  • Low potassium levels, which can cause muscle weakness and tiredness
  • Digestive upset such as nausea
  • Changes in fertility, including possible long-lasting effects on sperm
  • Heart rhythm concerns linked to low potassium

Serious gossypol toxicity is rare with normal food use but is a real concern with crude or high-dose products. Stop use and seek medical care if you feel unusually weak or unwell.

Dosing

There is no established safe or effective dose for cotton as a dietary supplement. Because of the toxicity risk from gossypol, cotton root bark and seed are not recommended as home remedies.

If you are considering any cotton-derived product, follow the product label and, more importantly, check with a pharmacist or doctor first. Do not try to make your own preparations from cotton plant material.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Cotton & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally because it is a possible abortifacient and uterine stimulant.

  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.

Cotton & 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 2 references that drive our Cotton 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. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Ankrah, N. A., Nyarko, A. K., Addo, P. G., Ofosuhene, M., Dzokoto, C., Marley, E., Addae, M. M., and Ekuban, F. A. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of a herbal medicine used for the treatment of malaria. Phytother.Res 2003;17(6):697-701. PubMed
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

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Cotton

1 brand in our database make a supplement containing Cotton.

Product directory

Supplement products with Cotton

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

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cotton: Common Questions

What is Cotton used for, and does it work?
People use Cotton 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 Cotton interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Cotton. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Cotton 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 Cotton 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 Cotton 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.
Is Cotton safe to take as a supplement?
Refined Cottonseed oil used in food is generally considered safe, but medicinal Cotton products made from root bark or raw seed can contain gossypol, a compound that may be toxic. There is little reliable safety information, so it is best to avoid these products unless a healthcare provider advises otherwise.
What is gossypol and why does it matter?
Gossypol is a yellow pigment in Cottonseed that was studied as a possible male birth control. It can lower sperm counts but also caused side effects like low potassium and lasting infertility, which is why it was never approved as a drug.
Can I use Cotton root bark for menstrual cramps?
It has been used traditionally for menstrual complaints, but there is no solid human evidence that it is safe or effective. Because it may stimulate the uterus and contains potentially toxic compounds, it is not recommended without medical guidance.
Is Cottonseed oil the same as a Cotton supplement?
Not really. Refined Cottonseed oil is a processed cooking oil with the gossypol removed, while medicinal Cotton products often come from root bark or raw seed and may carry more risk.

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

Keep exploring

Products that contain Cotton

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

See all 8 products with Cotton →
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