Herb & supplement monograph

Turkey Corn Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

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

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Turkey Corn 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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Turkey Corn 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 Turkey Corn drug interaction appears low for most people. Only one interaction is on record, it is rated moderate rather than major, and it has not actually been reported in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The one combination that deserves attention is lithium. Turkey Corn is thought to act as a mild diuretic, and anything that changes how much water and salt the kidneys remove could, in theory, slow the body's clearance of lithium and raise its levels. Because lithium is a narrow-margin medicine where even small level changes matter, people taking it should treat this pairing with extra care, even though no human cases have been documented.

What the rest of the list means

Turkey Corn's interaction profile is unusually short, which reflects how little this plant has been studied with medications rather than proof that it mixes safely with everything. The single concern on record is based on a predicted effect, not on observed harm in people, so the true clinical impact remains uncertain.

Check your medications against Turkey Corn

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Turkey Corn interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Turkey Corn

1 medication has a known interaction with Turkey Corn, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

2,830 drugs
Lithium Carbonate (prescription Drug)Eskalith, Lithium Carbonate› "phentolamineOraVerse, Rogitine, Ryzumvi› 6-mercaptopurinePurinethol› Ado-trastuzumab EmtansineKadcyla› AbacavirZiagen› Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq› Abacavir, LamivudineEpzicom› AbaloparatideTymlos› AbametapirXeglyze› AbarelixPlenaxis› AbciximabReoPro› AbemaciclibVerzenio› Abiraterone› Abiraterone AcetateYonsa, Zytiga› AbrocitinibCibinqo› AcalabrutinibCalquence› AcamprosateCampral› AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose› AcebutololRhotral, Sectral› AcenocoumarolSintrom› AcepromazineAtravet› AcetaminophenChildren's Tylenol, Children's Tylenol Meltaways, Tylenol, Tylenol Ex Strength› Acetaminophen, AspirinGemnisyn› Acetaminophen, Aspirin, CaffeineExcedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine› Acetaminophen, Brompheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineDimetapp Cold and Flu› Acetaminophen, ButalbitalAxocet, Bancap, Bucet, Butex Forte, Esgic CF, Orbivan CF +5 more› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, CaffeineEsgic, Esgic Plus, Fiogesic, Fioricet, Repan, Tecnal +1 more› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, CodeineEsgic with Codeine, Fioricet w/ Codeine› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, CodeineBancap w/ Codeine› Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Codeine PhosphatePhrenilin #3›
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 Turkey Corn 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 Turkey Corn affects

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

All 1 drug category Turkey Corn interacts with
Lithium
Lithium

Theoretically, turkey corn might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium due to potential diuretic effects.
Turkey corn is thought to have diuretic properties. However, this has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Monograph

Turkey Corn: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Turkey Corn is a traditional North American plant remedy that was once used by herbalists for skin problems and as a so-called blood purifier. There is very little modern scientific evidence supporting any of these uses, and its safety has not been well studied, so caution is advised.

Scientific name
Dicentra canadensis
Family
Papaveraceae
Part used
Dried tuber (root)
Common forms
Tincture, dried root, capsules, tea
People commonly use it for
  • Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
  • Blood purifying or 'detox' tonic
  • Chronic syphilis (historical/traditional)
  • Digestive support
  • General tonic

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

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Little modern safety data exists, and it contains alkaloids that may be harmful in larger amounts.

PregnancyPossibly Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingPossibly Unsafe

When used orally; 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

Turkey Corn is the common name for a small woodland plant native to eastern North America. It is sometimes called squirrel corn or wild turkey pea, and it is related to other plants in the poppy family. The part used in traditional herbal medicine is the dried tuber or root.

This plant has a long history in older American herbal traditions, where it was listed in 19th-century herbal texts. Folk practitioners used it mainly for skin conditions and as a general 'blood purifier' or tonic. Today it is rarely found and is not a mainstream supplement.

Uses & effectiveness

People have traditionally used Turkey Corn for skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, as a so-called blood-cleansing tonic, and historically as a treatment for chronic syphilis before modern medicines existed.

The scientific evidence for these uses is very weak. There are essentially no good-quality human studies showing that Turkey Corn works for any health condition. Most of what is known comes from old herbal writings rather than modern clinical research. Because of this, we cannot say it is effective for any of its traditional uses.

How it works

Turkey Corn contains plant compounds called isoquinoline alkaloids, which are also found in related poppy-family plants. These types of compounds can have biological activity in the body.

Any proposed effects are based largely on the chemistry of these alkaloids and on traditional use, not on solid laboratory or human studies of Turkey Corn itself. In plain terms, we do not have a clear, proven explanation of how it might work for the conditions it has been used for.

Safety & precautions

The safety of Turkey Corn has not been well studied in modern times. Because it contains alkaloids, taking large amounts could potentially be harmful. People with existing health conditions, the elderly, and children should be especially careful and should not use it without professional guidance.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is no reliable safety information, so it is best to avoid Turkey Corn entirely if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Always talk with a pharmacist or doctor before trying Turkey Corn, especially if you take other medications or have a chronic illness.

Side effects

Because Turkey Corn is rarely used and poorly studied, its full side effect profile is unknown. Plants containing similar alkaloids can sometimes cause stomach upset, nausea, or other reactions, especially in higher doses.

Stop using it and seek medical care if you notice any unusual symptoms such as a rash, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or signs of an allergic reaction.

Dosing

There is no established or standardized dose for Turkey Corn. Because it has not been studied in modern clinical trials, safe and effective amounts are not known.

If you choose to use a product that contains it, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed them. It is best to check with a pharmacist or doctor first, since reliable dosing information is simply not available.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Turkey Corn & Pregnancy

Possibly Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

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

Turkey Corn & Breastfeeding

Possibly Unsafe

When used orally; 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 Turkey Corn 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

Turkey Corn: Common Questions

Does Turkey Corn interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 1 medication with a known interaction with Turkey Corn. Use the checker above to see how Turkey Corn interacts with a specific drug.
How are Turkey Corn 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 Turkey Corn 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 Turkey Corn 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 Turkey Corn used for?
Traditionally it was used for skin conditions, as a 'blood purifier' or tonic, and historically for chronic infections. There is little modern evidence that it works for any of these.
Is Turkey Corn safe to take?
Its safety has not been well studied, and it contains plant alkaloids that could be harmful in larger amounts, so caution is advised and a healthcare professional should be consulted first.
Can I use Turkey Corn during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No reliable safety data is available, so it is best to avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Is Turkey Corn the same as the corn we eat?
No. Despite the name, Turkey Corn is a woodland flowering plant in the poppy family and is not related to the corn (maize) you eat.

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

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