Herb & supplement monograph

Wallflower Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

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Wallflower Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of clinically significant Wallflower drug interactions is moderate, and people taking heart medications should be especially careful. Every listed interaction is rated moderate, and all of them share the same underlying concern about effects on the heart.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The combination that matters most is with digoxin, because Wallflower appears to act in a similar way, and doubling up could raise the risk of heart-rhythm toxicity; the data treats this pairing as one to avoid. Heart-rhythm drugs such as quinidine, and quinine, raise a similar concern. Also notable are potassium-depleting diuretics, corticosteroids, and overused stimulant laxatives, since low potassium can make this type of heart toxicity more likely.

What the rest of the list means

Although the list of interacting medications is long, nearly all of it traces back to one shared mechanism rather than many separate problems. The evidence is largely theoretical, based on how Wallflower is expected to behave in the body rather than on well-controlled human studies. Still, because the potential effect involves the heart, the consistent pattern deserves respect rather than dismissal.

Check your medications against Wallflower

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

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Wallflower

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

2,830 drugs
Acetaminophen, Caffeine, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength Menstrual› Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength PMS, Pamprin, Pamprin ES› AcetazolamideAk-Zol, Diamox› Amiloride, HydrochlorothiazideAmil-Co, Amilzide, Moduret 25, Moduretic› Ammonium ChlorideAmmonium Chloride› ArmodafinilNuvigil› Atenolol, ChlortalidoneAtenixCo, Tenoret 50, Totaretic› Atenolol, ChlorthalidoneTenoretic› Azelastine Hydrochloride, Fluticasone PropionateDymista› Azilsartan, ChlorthalidoneEdarbyclor› Beclometasone DipropionateBecotide› BeclomethasoneBeclovent, Vanceril› Beclomethasone DipropionateQNASL, Qvar› Benazepril, HydrochlorothiazideLotensin HCT› BendroflumethiazideAprinox, Naturetin, Neo-NaClex› Bendroflumethiazide, NadololCorzide› Bendroflumethiazide, PotassiumCentyl K, Neo-NaClex-K› Bendroflumethiazide, Rauwolfia SerpentinaRauzide› BenzthiazideExna› BetamethasoneCelestone, Diprolene AF, Diprosone› Betamethasone DipropionateSernivo› Betamethasone Dipropionate, CalcipotrieneEnstilar, Wynzora› Betamethasone ValerateLuxiq› BisacodylDulcolax, Gentlax› Bisacodyl, DocusateDulcolax Laxative Tabs› Bisoprolol, HydrochlorothiazideZiac› BudesonideEntocort EC, Eohilia, Pulmicort, Tarpeyo, Uceris› BumetanideBurinex› Bumetanide, PotassiumBurinex K› Caffeine, Potassium Salicylate, SalicylamideTrim-Elim›
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 Wallflower 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 Wallflower affects

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

All 6 drug categories Wallflower interacts with
CorticosteroidsDigoxin (lanoxin)Diuretic DrugsQuinidineQuinineStimulant Laxatives
Corticosteroids

Use of corticosteroids may cause electrolyte depletion and increase risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Contraindicated; therapeutic duplication increases risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of potassium-depleting diuretics and wallflower can increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity due to potassium depletion. Some diuretics that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Quinidine

Cardiac medications, including quinidine may increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity; contraindicated.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Quinine

Taking quinine with wallflower may increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Stimulant Laxatives

Overuse or misuse of stimulant laxatives may cause electrolyte depletion and increase the risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monograph

Wallflower: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

The bottom line

Wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) is a fragrant garden plant with a long history in traditional medicine, but there is very little modern human research to support any health use. It contains cardiac glycoside-type compounds that can be toxic, so it should not be taken internally without professional guidance, and it should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific name
Erysimum cheiri
Family
Brassicaceae
Part used
Flowers, leaves, seeds, and aerial parts
Common forms
Dried herb, tincture, infusion (tea), and topical preparations
People commonly use it for
  • Heart-related folk tonic
  • Nervous tension
  • Joint and muscle aches (topical)
  • Menstrual complaints
  • As an ornamental and fragrance plant

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

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

The plant contains heart-active glycosides that can be toxic, and human safety data are very limited.

PregnancyPossibly Unsafe

When used orally due to its cardiac glycoside content and possible toxic effects; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingPossibly Unsafe

When used orally due to its cardiac glycoside content and possible toxic effects; 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

Wallflower is a flowering plant in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family, best known for its bright, sweet-smelling spring blooms. It is grown widely in gardens across Europe and many temperate regions, and it often grows wild on old walls and rocky ground, which is how it got its common name.

In traditional European herbal practice, different parts of the plant have been used in folk remedies. Today it is mostly valued as an ornamental and fragrance plant rather than a medicine. Modern clinical use is uncommon, and you are unlikely to find well-studied supplement products made from it.

Uses & effectiveness

People have traditionally used wallflower as a heart tonic, a calming herb for nervous tension, and a topical preparation for aches and pains. It has also appeared in old remedies for menstrual problems.

The evidence for these uses is very weak. Most claims come from historical herbal texts and a small amount of laboratory research, not from quality human studies. We do not have strong clinical trials showing that wallflower is effective or safe for any specific health condition. Because of this, it should be considered an unproven remedy.

How it works

Wallflower contains compounds called cardiac glycosides, which are similar in type to those found in some other heart-active plants. In laboratory settings, these substances can affect how the heart muscle contracts. The plant also contains glucosinolates and other plant chemicals common to the mustard family.

It is important to understand that most of what is known about these compounds comes from laboratory and animal research, not from carefully designed human studies. The presence of heart-active glycosides is also the main reason the plant can be dangerous if taken in the wrong amount.

Safety & precautions

Wallflower should be treated with caution because it contains naturally occurring cardiac glycosides. In high amounts, these can affect heart rhythm and may be toxic. There is no established safe dose for internal use, and the plant is not a standardized, well-regulated supplement.

People with heart conditions, kidney problems, or those who take any heart or blood pressure medicine should not use it without medical supervision. Pregnant people should avoid wallflower, as it has traditionally been thought to stimulate the uterus. Breastfeeding people should also avoid it because there is no reliable safety information. Keep the plant away from children and pets.

Side effects

Because human data are so limited, the full range of side effects is not well documented. Based on its chemistry, possible problems include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and—more seriously—effects on heart rhythm if too much is taken.

Handling the fresh plant or applying it to skin may cause irritation in some people. If you take any amount and feel an irregular heartbeat, dizziness, confusion, or persistent vomiting, seek medical help right away.

Dosing

There is no established or standardized dose for wallflower. It is not a mainstream supplement, and reliable dosing information from clinical research does not exist.

If you come across a product that contains wallflower, follow the label exactly and do not exceed the suggested amount. Because of the plant's heart-active compounds, it is safest to speak with a pharmacist or doctor before using it in any form.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Wallflower & Pregnancy

Possibly Unsafe

When used orally due to its cardiac glycoside content and possible toxic effects; avoid using.

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

Wallflower & Breastfeeding

Possibly Unsafe

When used orally due to its cardiac glycoside content and possible toxic effects; 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 4 references that drive our Wallflower 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. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Burnham TH, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons, Updated Monthly. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO.
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

Wallflower: Common Questions

Does Wallflower interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 123 medications with a known interaction with Wallflower. Use the checker above to see how Wallflower interacts with a specific drug.
How are Wallflower 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 Wallflower 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 Wallflower 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 Wallflower used for?
Traditionally it has been used as a heart tonic, a calming herb, and a topical remedy for aches, but there is very little modern evidence that it works for any of these uses.
Is Wallflower safe to take?
It contains heart-active glycosides that can be toxic in the wrong amount, so it is not considered reliably safe to take internally without professional guidance.
Can I use Wallflower during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. It is best avoided during pregnancy because of traditional reports of uterus-stimulating effects, and avoided during breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.
Is the Wallflower in my garden the same as a medicinal herb?
The common garden Wallflower is the same type of plant referenced in old herbal texts, but garden plants are not a safe source of medicine and should not be eaten or brewed.

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

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