Herb & supplement monograph

Zedoary Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

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

What is this page for?

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Zedoary 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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Zedoary 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 Zedoary drug interaction appears low for most people. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and every one traces back to a single theoretical concern supported only by lab research, not human studies.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The whole profile rests on one finding: in lab studies, a zedoary extract blocked an enzyme the body uses to clear many medications, which could theoretically raise drug levels. This was most pronounced with the cancer medications lapatinib and sorafenib, and to a lesser degree gefitinib, so people taking these narrow-margin treatments have the strongest reason for caution. This effect has not been confirmed in people, but with cancer therapy the stakes are high enough that it deserves attention.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of moderate interactions may look worrying, but it simply reflects how many common medications rely on that one enzyme. Every entry is theoretical, drawn from the same lab finding, and no human evidence shows zedoary actually changes medication levels. A listed interaction here means a possibility worth knowing about, not a proven harm.

Check your medications against Zedoary

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

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Zedoary

645 medications have a known interaction with Zedoary, 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 Zedoary using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Zedoary 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 Zedoary 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 Zedoary affects

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

All 1 drug category Zedoary interacts with

Cytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, zedoary might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In-vitro research shows that a methanol extract of zedoary strongly inhibits the CYP3A4 metabolism of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors lapatinib and sorafenib, and to a lesser extent, gefitinib.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Zedoary: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

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

The bottom line

Zedoary is a ginger-family root used in traditional Asian and Indian medicine, mostly for digestion and as a spice. Scientific evidence in humans is very limited, so its benefits are not well proven. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy.

Scientific name: Curcuma zedoaria
Family: Zingiberaceae
Part used: Rhizome (root) and essential oil
Common forms: Dried powder, capsules, tinctures, essential oil, tea

People commonly use it for

Digestive upset and bloating
Loss of appetite
Menstrual discomfort
Inflammation and pain
Traditional flavoring and tonic

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

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally used in food amounts, but human safety data for supplement doses is limited.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally. Zedoary is thought to have abortifacient effects; 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

Zedoary is the root (rhizome) of a plant in the ginger family called Curcuma zedoaria. It is closely related to turmeric and ginger and has a warm, slightly bitter, camphor-like flavor. The plant is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, including India and Indonesia, where it grows in warm, humid climates.

For centuries, zedoary has been used in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese and Indonesian medicine. It is also used as a spice and flavoring agent. Today it is sold as a dried powder, in capsules, as a tincture, and as an essential oil.

How it works

Zedoary contains essential oils and plant compounds such as curcumenol, curcumin-related curcuminoids, and various terpenes. In laboratory studies, some of these compounds appear to reduce inflammation, fight certain bacteria and fungi, and act as antioxidants.

Researchers have also looked at zedoary extracts in test tubes and animals for possible effects on tumor cells and the digestive system. These findings are early-stage and have not been confirmed in humans, so they should be viewed as preliminary ideas about how zedoary might work, not proof of benefit.

Effectiveness

Does Zedoary work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

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 Zedoary, 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 Hypercholesterolemia

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Taking 200 mL of tea prepared with 0.5 gram, 1 gram, or 1.5 grams of zedoary root powder twice daily between meals for 2 months reduces total cholesterol by 9%, 14% and 17% respectively in non-obese men aged 25-40 years with mild hypercholesterolemia. The highest dose also seems to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 6.8%.

Sources Ref 99637

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Rotaviral diarrhea

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A meta-analysis of 5 Chinese studies in children with rotaviral diarrhea shows that giving zedoary turmeric oil injection (route unclear) 10 mg/kg daily for 3-7 days, in addition to standard rehydration therapy, has a higher clinical effectiveness rate than ribavirin combined with standard rehydration therapy. However, the times to defervescence are not significantly different. There is insufficient data to compare rates of disappearance of diarrhea and vomiting between the groups.

Sources Ref 112080

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

Zedoary has a long history of use as a spice, and small food amounts are generally considered safe for most people. However, there is little reliable information about the safety of larger supplement or medicinal doses, and product quality can vary.

Pregnancy: Avoid zedoary during pregnancy. It has traditionally been used to bring on menstruation and may affect the uterus, which could be harmful.

Breastfeeding: Avoid use while breastfeeding because there is no good safety data.

People with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, or who are scheduled for surgery should be cautious and check with a healthcare provider first. As with any supplement, choose products from reputable manufacturers and tell your pharmacist or doctor everything you take.

Side effects

Reported side effects are not well documented because human studies are limited. Like other ginger-family plants, zedoary may sometimes cause mild stomach upset, nausea, or heartburn.

Allergic reactions are possible, especially in people sensitive to ginger or turmeric. The concentrated essential oil is potent and should not be swallowed undiluted. Stop using zedoary and seek medical care if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Dosing

There is no standardized, well-established dose for zedoary. The right amount depends on the form (powder, capsule, tincture, or oil) and the product's strength.

The safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed them. Because evidence is limited, start low and check with your pharmacist or doctor before using zedoary, especially if you have a health condition or take other medicines.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Zedoary & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally. Zedoary is thought to have abortifacient effects; avoid using.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

Zedoary & 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

References & further reading

The 5 references that drive our Zedoary 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.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
Tariq S, Imran M, Mushtaq Z, Asghar N. Phytopreventive antihypercholesterolemic and antilipidemic perspectives of zedoary (Curcuma Zedoaria Roscoe) herbal tea. Lipids Health Dis 2016;15:39. doi: 10.1186/s12944-016-0210-y.
Rodseeda C, Yamanont P, Pinthong D, Korprasertthaworn P. Inhibitory effects of Thai herbal extracts on the cytochrome P450 3A-mediated the metabolism of gefitinib, lapatinib and sorafenib. Toxicol Rep 2022;9:1846-1852. PubMed
Niu LQ, Xiao L, Cai QH, et al. Comparative effectiveness of Chinese herbal injections treating for rotavirus enteritis in children: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis. Integr Med Res 2023;12(2):100944. PubMed

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 Zedoary

27 brands in our database make a supplement containing Zedoary.

AN American Nutriceuticals 85 products Banyan Botanicals 697 products Chi 1 product Country Farms 76 products Daily Nutrition 14 products Designed by Dean 10 products DrVita.com 1 product Flora 215 products Guang Ci Tang 121 products Hawaii Pharm 4,726 products Health Concerns 444 products Health Ranger Select 111 products Herbal Hills 425 products Herbal Terra 3,138 products Kowa 2 products Lotus Blooming Herbs 3 products MSquare 1 product Nature's Lab 54 products NatureWorks 16 products Okinawa Food of Life 3 products Pacific BioLogic 95 products Ron Teeguarden's Dragon Herbs 300 products Samsara Herbs 268 products Swanson 1,121 products

Product directory

Supplement products with Zedoary

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

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Zedoary: Common Questions

What is Zedoary used for, and does it work?

People use Zedoary 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 Zedoary interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 645 medications with a known interaction with Zedoary. Use the checker above to see how Zedoary interacts with a specific drug.

How are Zedoary 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 Zedoary 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 Zedoary 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 Zedoary used for?

It is most commonly used in traditional medicine and cooking for digestive problems like bloating and poor appetite, as well as for pain and inflammation. Strong human evidence is lacking for these uses.

Is Zedoary the same as turmeric?

No, but they are close relatives in the ginger family. Zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria) has a more bitter, camphor-like taste, while turmeric is Curcuma longa.

Is Zedoary safe to take during pregnancy?

No. It is best avoided during pregnancy because it may affect the uterus and there is not enough safety information.

Can Zedoary cause side effects?

It may cause mild stomach upset or nausea, and allergic reactions are possible, especially in people sensitive to ginger or turmeric. The essential oil is strong and should never be swallowed undiluted.

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

Keep exploring

Products that contain Zedoary

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

See all 85 products with Zedoary →

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