Herb & supplement monograph

Mezereon Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

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

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

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

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

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

Mezereon: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Mezereon is a poisonous European shrub whose bark and berries have been used in traditional and homeopathic medicine, but it is highly toxic and irritating. There is no reliable scientific evidence that it safely treats any condition, and swallowing any part of the plant can be dangerous. It should not be used as a home remedy.

Scientific name
Daphne mezereum
Family
Thymelaeaceae
Part used
Bark and berries (rarely the dried bark used in traditional preparations)
Common forms
Homeopathic preparations, traditional tinctures, and topical ointments
People commonly use it for
  • Skin conditions and ulcers (traditional)
  • Joint and rheumatic pain (traditional)
  • Counter-irritant on the skin
  • Homeopathic remedies for skin eruptions

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

Safety at a glance
OverallBest avoided

Mezereon is a poisonous plant that can cause severe irritation and serious poisoning.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally or topically; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingLikely Unsafe

When used orally or topically; 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

Mezereon (Daphne mezereum) is a small deciduous shrub in the Thymelaeaceae family. It grows in woodlands across parts of Europe and Asia, and it is also planted as an ornamental for its early, fragrant pink flowers and bright red berries.

All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, especially the bark and berries. Historically, the bark was used in folk medicine as a skin irritant (a "counter-irritant") and to treat sores, joint pain, and various skin problems. Today it is mostly found only in highly diluted homeopathic products.

Because the plant is toxic, it is not used as an ordinary herbal supplement, and most health authorities warn against taking it.

How it works

Mezereon contains irritant compounds, including daphnetoxin and mezerein, along with coumarin substances such as daphnin and daphnetin. These compounds are strong skin and mucous-membrane irritants.

The irritant action is the main reason it was historically used as a counter-irritant — the idea was to cause redness and inflammation on the skin to draw attention away from deeper pain. Laboratory studies have also looked at some of its compounds for biological activity, but this work is preliminary and does not prove the plant is safe or useful in people.

Most of what is known about how mezereon acts comes from laboratory and animal research rather than from controlled human studies.

Effectiveness

Does Mezereon 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 Mezereon, 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 Headache
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

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

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Joint pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there has been interest in using topical mezereon for joint pain, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mezereon for this purpose.

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

Although there has been interest in using oral mezereon for toothache, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mezereon 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

Mezereon is poisonous. Eating even a few berries can cause serious poisoning, and handling the bark or sap can burn and blister the skin. For this reason, it should not be used as a home remedy.

Swallowing the plant can cause intense burning of the mouth and throat, severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and in serious cases problems with the kidneys, nervous system, and heart. Children are at especially high risk because the colorful berries can look tempting.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Avoid mezereon completely. It is toxic and could harm both the parent and the baby.

If you have any of the plant in your garden, keep children and pets away from it. If anyone swallows part of it, contact a poison control center or seek emergency care right away.

Side effects

Contact with the bark, sap, or berries can cause burning, redness, blistering, and inflammation of the skin and eyes.

If swallowed, mezereon can cause burning of the mouth and throat, drooling, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Larger amounts may lead to dehydration, weakness, seizures, kidney damage, and dangerous effects on the heart. Severe poisoning can be life-threatening.

Mezereon: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Mezereon from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Orally, mezereon is generally regarded as unsafe for use. Any benefits of therapy may not outweigh the risk of toxicity. Topically, mezereon can cause significant irritation.

Most Common Adverse Effects:

Orally: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, reddening and swelling of the oral mucous membranes, salivation, thirst, vomiting.

Topically: Blistering, redness, swelling.

Reports by condition
Cluster headache Cardiovascular

Orally, mezereon can cause headache, dizziness, stupor, tachycardia, spasms, and death through circulatory collapse.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
Conjunctivitis Dermatologic

Topically, mezereon can cause red, painful swelling of the skin, blister formation, and shedding of the epidermis. Extended exposure can cause necrosis. Contact with the eyes can cause severe conjunctivitis.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
Diarrhea Gastrointestinal

Orally, mezereon can cause reddening and swelling of the oral mucous membranes, salivation, thirst, stomach pains, vomiting, and severe diarrhea.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
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.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no established safe dose of mezereon for any medical use. Because the plant is poisonous, pharmacists and doctors do not recommend taking it.

Highly diluted homeopathic products are sometimes sold, but these are not proven to work, and you should never use raw bark, berries, or homemade tinctures. If you are considering any product that contains mezereon (including homeopathic forms), talk with a pharmacist or doctor first and follow the product label exactly.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Mezereon & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally or topically; avoid using.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

Mezereon & Breastfeeding

Likely Unsafe

When used orally or topically; avoid using.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
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 references that drive our Mezereon 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. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
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

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Mezereon: Common Questions

What is Mezereon used for, and does it work?
People use Mezereon 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 Mezereon interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Mezereon. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Mezereon 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 Mezereon 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 Mezereon 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 Mezereon safe to take?
No. Mezereon is a poisonous plant, and swallowing the bark or berries can cause serious, even life-threatening poisoning. It should not be used as a home remedy.
What is Mezereon used for?
Traditionally it was used on the skin as an irritant and for sores, rashes, and joint pain, and in homeopathy for skin eruptions. None of these uses are backed by good scientific evidence.
Can I use Mezereon if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Because the plant is toxic, you should avoid it completely during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What should I do if my child eats Mezereon berries?
Seek medical help immediately and contact a poison control center. The berries are very poisonous, especially to children.

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

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