Herb & supplement monograph

Mountain Ash Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Mountain Ash 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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Mountain Ash Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Mountain Ash drug interaction appears low for most people. While every listed interaction carries a moderate rating, all of them trace back to a single theoretical concern that has not been confirmed in human studies.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The one concern worth knowing about involves medications that can be hard on the kidneys, such as certain transplant and chemotherapy drugs. Fresh mountain ash berries contain a compound called parasorbic acid, and eating large amounts of the raw berries may stress the kidneys. In theory, combining them with a kidney-affecting medicine could add to that strain, so caution with fresh berries makes sense for anyone on these drugs. Beyond this, nothing in the profile stands out as well documented in people.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications can look worrying, but it reflects one theoretical kidney concern applied across many different drugs, not hundreds of separate proven problems. The evidence comes from what is known about the berry's chemistry rather than from reports of actual harm in people, and typical amounts of the supplement have not been shown to cause these effects.

Check your medications against Mountain Ash

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Mountain Ash interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Mountain Ash

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

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Mountain Ash using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Mountain Ash interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

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 Mountain Ash combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Mountain Ash affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Mountain Ash is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Mountain Ash interacts with

Nephrotoxic Drugs

Taking large amounts of fresh mountain ash berries may cause kidney damage due to its parasorbic acid constituent. Theoretically, taking mountain ash berries with nephrotoxic drugs might increase the risk for kidney damage. Until more is known, advise patients to avoid taking mountain ash berries if they are taking other potentially nephrotoxic drugs.
Some potentially nephrotoxic drugs include cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); aminoglycosides including amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin, Gentak, others), and tobramycin (Nebcin, others); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene); and numerous others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Mountain Ash: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Mountain ash (rowan) is a northern-hemisphere tree whose bright red berries are traditionally cooked into jams, syrups, and teas. There is very little reliable human research to support any medical use, and raw berries contain compounds that can cause stomach upset, so cooking is important. If you want to try it, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Scientific name: Sorbus aucuparia
Family: Rosaceae
Part used: Fruit (berries), and sometimes the flowers and bark
Common forms: Cooked berries, jam or jelly, juice, syrup, tea, tincture

People commonly use it for

Sore throat and hoarseness
Digestive upset and constipation
Cough and chest congestion
Mild urinary complaints
Source of vitamin C in folk medicine

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

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Cooked berries are generally well tolerated in food amounts, but raw berries can cause stomach upset and evidence for medicinal use is limited.

PregnancyPossibly Unsafe

When large amounts of fresh berries are ingested. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of dried or cooked berries; av...

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingPossibly Unsafe

When large amounts of fresh berries are ingested. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of dried or cooked berries; av...

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

Mountain ash, also called rowan, is a small to medium tree in the rose family. The most common European species is Sorbus aucuparia, while Sorbus americana is a related North American type. These trees grow across cooler parts of the northern hemisphere and are easy to spot because of their clusters of white flowers in spring and their bright red, orange, or yellow berries in fall.

People have long used the cooked berries to make jams, jellies, syrups, and country wines. In traditional folk medicine, the berries, flowers, and bark have been used as home remedies for sore throats, coughs, and digestive complaints. Today mountain ash is mostly of interest as a wild food and a folk remedy rather than a well-studied supplement.

Uses & effectiveness

Mountain ash is used in folk medicine for sore throats, coughs, mild digestive problems, and as a gentle laxative. The berries are tart and rich in vitamin C, which is one reason they were valued historically.

The scientific evidence for these uses is very limited. Most of what is known comes from tradition, laboratory tests, and small chemical studies rather than well-run human trials. There is not enough reliable research to say that mountain ash treats or prevents any health condition. If you are considering it for a specific problem, treat it as an unproven remedy and speak with a healthcare professional.

How it works

Mountain ash berries contain vitamin C, organic acids, tannins, and sorbitol (a sugar alcohol). Sorbitol can have a mild laxative effect, which may explain the traditional use for constipation. Tannins are astringent and may be behind its use for sore throats.

The berries also contain natural plant pigments and other antioxidant compounds. Most of these effects come from laboratory or test-tube research, not human studies, so it is not clear whether eating mountain ash produces meaningful health benefits in people.

Safety & precautions

Raw mountain ash berries contain parasorbic acid, which can irritate the stomach and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking changes parasorbic acid into sorbic acid, which is considered harmless, so the berries are traditionally cooked before eating. Some species, such as American mountain ash, may also contain compounds that release small amounts of cyanide, so large amounts of raw berries or seeds are not recommended.

People with sensitive stomachs, children, and anyone prone to allergies should be especially careful. Because there is so little safety data, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid medicinal amounts of mountain ash. Always cook the berries, avoid eating the seeds, and check with a pharmacist or doctor before using mountain ash as a remedy.

Side effects

The most common side effects are digestive: nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, especially from raw or unripe berries or from eating large amounts. The sorbitol in the berries can also cause loose stools.

Allergic reactions are possible, particularly in people allergic to other fruits in the rose family. Eating very large quantities of raw berries or seeds carries a theoretical risk from cyanide-releasing compounds, which is another reason to stick to cooked berries in modest amounts.

Mountain Ash: Reported Adverse Effects

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

Orally, consuming large amounts of fresh mountain ash berries can cause serious adverse effects due to its parasorbic acid constituent. These adverse effects include gastroenteritis, vomiting, queasiness, gastric pain, diarrhea, kidney damage, and polymorphic xanthomas.

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

Reports by condition

Albuminuria Renal

Orally, large amounts of fresh mountain ash berries may cause kidney damage, including albuminuria and glycosuria, due to its parasorbic acid constituent.

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

Diarrhea Gastrointestinal

Orally, large amounts of fresh mountain ash berries may cause gastroenteritis, vomiting, queasiness, gastric pain, and diarrhea due to its parasorbic acid constituent.

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 or standardized medicinal dose for mountain ash. It is most often consumed as cooked berries, jam, syrup, or tea rather than as a measured supplement.

If you use a commercial product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed the suggested amount. Because the right and safe dose is unknown, it is best to check with a pharmacist or doctor before using mountain ash regularly, and always make sure the berries are cooked.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Mountain Ash & Pregnancy

Possibly Unsafe

When large amounts of fresh berries are ingested. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of dried or cooked berries; avoid using.

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

Mountain Ash & Breastfeeding

Possibly Unsafe

When large amounts of fresh berries are ingested. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of dried or cooked berries; avoid using.

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

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 1 references that drive our Mountain Ash 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.

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.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Mountain Ash

2 brands in our database make a supplement containing Mountain Ash.

LifeMiracle USA 1 product Vaxa 8 products

Product directory

Supplement products with Mountain Ash

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

Adapt Adaptogen Extract by VAXA Liquid 60 mL View ingredients & interactions LiquiVive Comprehensive Wellness Formula by LifeMiracle USA Liquid 30 fl. Oz. · 886 mL View ingredients & interactions

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Mountain Ash: Common Questions

Does Mountain Ash interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 355 medications with a known interaction with Mountain Ash. Use the checker above to see how Mountain Ash interacts with a specific drug.

How are Mountain Ash 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 Mountain Ash 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 Mountain Ash 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.

Are Mountain Ash (rowan) berries safe to eat?

Cooked berries are generally safe in food amounts and are widely used in jams and syrups. Raw berries can cause stomach upset because of parasorbic acid, so they should be cooked before eating, and the seeds should be avoided.

What do people use Mountain Ash for?

Traditionally it has been used for sore throats, coughs, mild constipation, and as a vitamin C source. There is little scientific evidence that it works for any of these, so it should be considered an unproven folk remedy.

Can I take Mountain Ash during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

There is not enough safety information, so medicinal amounts should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor before using it.

Why do the berries need to be cooked?

Raw berries contain parasorbic acid, which can irritate the stomach. Cooking converts it into sorbic acid, which is thought to be harmless, making the berries gentler on the digestive system.

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

Keep exploring

Products that contain Mountain Ash

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

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