Herb & supplement monograph

Sweet Gale Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

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

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

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

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

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

Sweet Gale: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Sweet gale is an aromatic shrub long used as an insect repellent and a flavoring herb, but there is very little solid human research supporting any health benefit. Its essential oil is considered potentially toxic, so internal use should be approached with great caution and avoided in pregnancy. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Scientific name
Myrica gale
Family
Myricaceae
Part used
Leaves, branches, fruit (catkins), and wax/essential oil
Common forms
Tea, dried leaves, essential oil, flavoring agent
People commonly use it for
  • Insect repellent
  • Digestive complaints
  • Flavoring for food and beverages
  • Skin and itch relief (traditional)
  • Aromatic and fragrance use

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

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Limited safety data and a volatile oil that may be toxic in higher amounts.

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

Sweet gale (Myrica gale) is a small, aromatic shrub that grows in wet areas such as bogs, marshes, and the edges of lakes and streams. It is found across parts of northern Europe, Asia, and North America. The plant is known for the pleasant, spicy scent of its leaves and the waxy coating on its fruit.

People have used sweet gale for a long time, mostly as a natural insect repellent and as a flavoring herb. In some regions it was added to beer or used to season food before hops became common. Its leaves are sometimes brewed into a tea or used to make a fragrant essential oil.

How it works

Sweet gale contains a fragrant volatile (essential) oil with compounds such as terpenes, along with waxes and flavonoid-type plant chemicals. These give the plant its strong scent and are thought to be behind its insect-repelling and possible antimicrobial effects.

Most of what is known comes from laboratory and test-tube studies rather than research in people. These studies suggest some of its compounds may discourage insects or slow the growth of certain microbes, but this does not prove the same effects happen in the human body.

Effectiveness

Does Sweet Gale work?

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

Evidence overview · 2 uses evaluated
2 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 Sweet Gale, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 2 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Intestinal parasite infection
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there has been interest in using oral sweet gale for intestinal parasite infection, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sweet gale for this purpose.

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

Although there has been interest in using oral sweet gale for pruritus, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sweet gale 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

Sweet gale has not been well studied for safety, so it should be used cautiously. Its essential oil is considered potentially toxic and should not be swallowed unless directed by a knowledgeable professional. Concentrated oils can be especially risky.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid sweet gale. It has traditionally been linked to uterine effects and there is not enough safety information to consider it safe during these times. Children, and people with liver or kidney problems, should also avoid it.

If you have allergies to plants in the same family or to aromatic herbs, use caution. When in doubt, check with your pharmacist or doctor before using any sweet gale product.

Side effects

Because sweet gale has not been studied much, its full side effect profile is not well known. Possible effects include stomach upset, nausea, or skin irritation, especially when the essential oil is applied directly to skin.

Taking the essential oil internally may be toxic and could cause more serious problems. Stop using it and seek medical care if you have a rash, trouble breathing, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms.

Dosing

There is no established or standardized dose for sweet gale. Because reliable human research is lacking, no safe and effective amount has been defined for any health condition.

If you choose to use a sweet gale product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed them. Avoid swallowing the essential oil. It is best to talk with a pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Sweet Gale & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Sweet Gale & 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

Sweet Gale: Common Questions

What is Sweet Gale used for, and does it work?
People use Sweet Gale 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 Sweet Gale interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Sweet Gale. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Sweet Gale 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 Sweet Gale 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 Sweet Gale 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 Sweet Gale used for?
It is most often used as a natural insect repellent and as a flavoring herb, and traditionally for digestion and skin complaints. There is little strong human evidence that it works for any health condition.
Is Sweet Gale safe to take?
Its safety is not well studied, and its essential oil is considered potentially toxic if swallowed. Use it cautiously, avoid internal use of the oil, and check with a pharmacist or doctor first.
Can I use Sweet Gale during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. Sweet Gale is traditionally avoided in pregnancy and there is not enough safety data for pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is best to avoid it during these times.
Can I drink Sweet Gale tea?
Sweet Gale leaves have been used to make tea and to flavor drinks, but there is little safety data, and strong or concentrated preparations may be risky. Use only small amounts cautiously and ask a health professional if unsure.

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

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