Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 7 of 12 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Absent Period Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Merry Women Clinic

Tablet Or Pill Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Absent Period is a dietary supplement by Merry Women Clinic with 12 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for menopause symptoms, menstrual cramps and irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome (pms).Based on those ingredients, 1,134 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Lycium fruit extract, Epimedium extract, Chinese Peony extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Absent Period by Merry Women Clinic

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 12 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Herbal Extract Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (2,500 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Absent Period contains 12 ingredients, of which we can identify the active herbal components. The product includes Dong Quai root extract, Rehmannia cured root tuber extract, Chinese Peony extract, Chinese Dodder seed extract, Lycium fruit extract (goji), Epimedium extract (horny goat weed), and Safflower Flower Extract, along with a proprietary herbal blend and several other botanical extracts (Sichuan lovage rhizome, Spatholobus stem, shiny bugleweed aerial parts, Cyathula root, and Asiatic dogwood fruit without seed).

The inactive ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support menstrual cycle regularity.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Menopausal symptoms, Amenorrhea, Irregular menstruation — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Peony is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Peony is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea.
  • Also on file: Dong Quai is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Menopausal symptoms, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea.

The evidence for most of these ingredients is not established in the data we hold. Rehmannia carries a 'possibly effective' rating for chronic kidney disease, but the other ingredients—including Dong Quai, Peony, Dodder, goji, horny goat weed, and safflower—lack sufficient reliable evidence to rate their effectiveness for the conditions they are traditionally used for.

Because this product is marketed for absent periods, and we have no effectiveness data specifically for that use from any of these ingredients, we cannot say whether the product will work for that purpose.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Dong Quai Rehmannia Peony Dodder Goji Horny Goat Weed Safflower

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 6 of the 7 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 7 of 7.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 7 of 7.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Most of the individual herbal extracts are generally well tolerated when used short-term, though high-quality safety data are limited for several ingredients. Common mild side effects from Peony include abdominal distension, nausea, and diarrhea; high doses of Dodder may cause intestinal cramping and diarrhea.

Dong Quai can cause skin sensitivity to sunlight and may increase bleeding. Goji is generally safe as food but carries rare case reports of allergic reactions and liver injury with concentrated supplements.

Horny goat weed may cause dizziness, dry mouth, and nosebleeds. Safflower oil, at high doses, has been linked to liver failure in case reports, though the doses involved are unclear.

For pregnancy and breastfeeding: Dong Quai, Peony, horny goat weed, Safflower, and goji all advise against use during pregnancy—either due to possibly unsafe ratings or traditional reports of uterine effects. Dodder, Rehmannia, and Safflower similarly advise against breastfeeding.

For Safflower specifically, food amounts are considered likely safe in pregnancy, but medicinal amounts are likely unsafe. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Dong Quai Rehmannia Peony Dodder Goji Horny Goat Weed Safflower

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 6 of the 7 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Peony, Safflower, Horny Goat Weed, Dong Quai, Goji, among others.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,135 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before starting, check with your pharmacist if you take any of these: blood thinners like warfarin (Major risk with Dong Quai and goji), other anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate risk from multiple ingredients), blood-pressure medications, diabetes medications, antiarrhythmics like flecainide, psychiatric medications including clozapine, phenytoin (Dilantin), or estrogen-based birth control or hormone therapy. These interactions are Moderate to Major severity.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is not suitable if you take warfarin or other blood thinners—the bleeding risk is significant. If you take medications metabolized by your liver (especially antiarrhythmics, psychiatric drugs, or diabetes and blood-pressure medications), check with your pharmacist first.

Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. For anyone else considering it, the evidence that these herbs actually work for absent periods is not established, and this is a complex, multi-ingredient formula with real safety trade-offs.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 7 of 12 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2023.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Absent Period, straight from the product label.

Brand Merry Women Clinic
Net contents 150 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2023
DSLD ID 288619
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Women (not pregnant or lactating), Adult Female (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Absent Period by Merry Women Clinic, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
5 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
5 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
30
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Herbal Extract Blend2500 mg--
Dong Quai root extract0 NP--
Sichuan lovage rhizome extract0 NP--
Rehmannia cured root tuber extract0 NP--
Chinese Peony extract0 NP--
Spatholobus Stem Extract0 NP--
Shiny Bugleweed Aerial Parts Extract0 NP--
Cyathula Root Extract0 NP--
Chinese Dodder seed extract0 NP--
Lycium fruit extract0 NP--
Asiatic Dogwood fruit without seed extract0 NP--
Epimedium extract0 NP--
Safflower Flower Extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Magnesium Stearate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions for use For adults, take 5 tablets each time, twice daily, preferably after meals.

Precautions

Warning: Do not use while pregnant or provide it to a child without consulting a physician.

Warning: Do not use while pregnant or provide it to a child without consulting a physician. Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Storage Keep cap tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Order on the web www.merryclinic.com

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Chinese Herbal Extracts Formula for absent period

Made in the U.S.A.

See for yourself

Absent Period by Merry Women Clinic label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Absent Period by Merry Women Clinic

These are the 12 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size5 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Proprietary Herbal Extract Blend

2500 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Absent Period by Merry Women Clinic Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Absent Period?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
1,134Drugs
2 Major 1,132 Moderate

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Absent Period with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Lycium fruit extract8 drug types · 1,000 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Goji can increase the effects of warfarin and possibly increase the risk of bleeding.
There are at least 5 case reports of increased international normalized ratio (INR) in patients stabilized on warfarin who began drinking goji juice, concentrated goji tea, or goji wine. Goji may inhibit the metabolism of warfarin by cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9).

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of goji root bark, but not goji fruit, with antihypertensive drugs might have additive effects.
Animal and in vitro research suggest that goji root bark has hypotensive effects. However, goji fruit juice does not appear to reduce systolic or diastolic blood pressure in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2C19 and reduce metabolism of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry tincture and juice inhibit CYP2C19 enzymes. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP2C19 substrates. However, this has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2C9 and reduce metabolism of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry tincture and juice inhibit CYP2C9 enzymes. Additionally, multiple case reports suggest that goji berry concentrated tea and juice inhibit the metabolism of warfarin, a CYP2C9 substrate. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP2C9 substrates.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2D6 and reduce metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry juice inhibits CYP2D6 enzymes. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP2D6 substrates. However, this has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP3A4 and reduce metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry juice inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP3A4 substrates. However, this has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Flecainide (Tambocor)

Theoretically, goji berry might increase the levels and clinical effects of flecainide.
In one case report, a 75-year-old patient stable on flecainide and warfarin presented to the emergency room with fainting and pleomorphic arrhythmia caused by flecainide toxicity. Flecainide toxicity was attributed to drinking 1-2 glasses of concentrated goji tea daily for 2 weeks. Theoretically, goji may have inhibited the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) metabolism of flecainide.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of goji fruit polysaccharides or goji root bark with antidiabetes drugs might have additive effects.
Animal and in vitro research show that goji root bark and fruit polysaccharides might have hypoglycemic effects. However, clinical research has only shown that taking goji fruit polysaccharides with or without antidiabetes drugs modestly reduces postprandial glucose when compared with control, with no reports of hypoglycemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Epimedium extract6 drug types · 963 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the risk of bleeding.
In vitro research and animal research shows that horny goat weed can inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the risk of hypotension.
Laboratory research suggests that horny goat weed might have hypotensive effects. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro, horny goat weed leaf extract inhibits CYP1A2. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP2B6 substrates.
In vitro, horny goat weed leaf extract inhibits CYP2B6. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, horny goat weed might increase the effects and side effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro, horny goat weed extract inhibits CYP3A4 and suppresses CYP3A4 mRNA expression. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, concomitant use of horny goat weed with estrogens might increase their therapeutic and adverse effects.
In vitro evidence suggests that horny goat weed has estrogenic activity. In clinical research, horny goat weed has been shown to increase blood levels of estrogen in some females.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Chinese Peony extract7 drug types · 811 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, combining peony with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding.
In vitro research suggests that peony might have antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and antithrombotic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Clozapine (Clozaril)

Theoretically, peony might increase the levels and clinical effects of clozapine.
In vitro research shows that peony suppresses the metabolism of clozapine via weak-to-moderate inhibitory effects on cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A2 and CYP3A4. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Contraceptive Drugs

Theoretically, peony might interfere with contraceptive drugs due to competition for estrogen receptors.
In vitro and animal research shows that peony extract has estrogenic activity. Concomitant use might also increase the risk for estrogen-related adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, use of peony may increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research shows that peony suppresses the metabolism of clozapine via weak-to-moderate inhibitory effects on CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, use of peony may increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that peony suppresses the metabolism of clozapine via weak-to-moderate inhibitory effects on CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, concomitant use of large amounts of peony might interfere with hormone replacement therapy and/or increase the risk for estrogen-related adverse effects.
In vitro and animal research shows that peony extract has estrogenic activity. Theoretically, peony might compete for estrogen receptors and/or cause additive estrogenic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Theoretically, peony might reduce the levels and clinical effects of phenytoin.
Animal research shows that taking peony root reduces levels of phenytoin. Some researchers suggest that peony root might affect cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9, which metabolizes phenytoin. However, preliminary research in humans shows that peony root does not alter levels of losartan (Cozaar), which is also metabolized by CYP2C9.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Rehmannia cured root tuber extract2 drug types · 258 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, rehmannia might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research shows that rehmannia may have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, rehmannia might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research shows that rehmannia may have hypotensive effects. Laboratory research shows that formulations of dried and processed rehmannia root inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Safflower Flower Extract3 drug types · 208 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

High doses of safflower oil might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Small clinical studies show that taking safflower oil, approximately 55 grams daily for 2-3 weeks, decreases platelet aggregation. However, taking lower doses of safflower oil, such as 5 grams daily for 4 weeks, does not seem to affect platelet function. In one case report, a 74-year-old male stabilized on warfarin developed urinary tract bleeding and an elevated INR after taking a safflower extract 20 grams daily for 14 days.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, safflower oil might alter the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Some clinical research shows that taking safflower oil 10 grams daily for 3 weeks can increase fasting blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, clinical research in patients with metabolic syndrome with or without impaired glucose tolerance shows that taking safflower oil 8 grams daily for 12 weeks reduces fasting glucose levels by around 8 mg/dL. Some clinical research also shows that taking safflower oil 8 grams daily for 16 weeks does not affect fasting glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Warfarin

Theoretically, safflower oil might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
In one case report, a 74-year-old male stabilized on warfarin developed urinary tract bleeding and an elevated INR after taking a safflower extract 20 grams daily for 14 days.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Dong Quai root extract3 drug types · 163 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Dong quai may increase the risk of bleeding when used with warfarin.
Case reports suggest that concomitant use of dong quai with warfarin can increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. In one case, after 4 weeks of taking dong quai 565 mg once or twice daily, the international normalized ratio (INR) increased to 4.9. The INR normalized 4 weeks after discontinuation of dong quai.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, dong quai may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs; however, research is conflicting.
Animal studies suggest that dong quai has antithrombin activity and inhibits platelet aggregation due to its coumarin components. Additionally, some case reports in humans suggest that dong quai can increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. However, clinical research in healthy adults shows that taking 1 gram of dong quai root daily for 3 weeks does not significantly inhibit platelet aggregation or cause bleeding. Until more is known, use dong quai with caution in patients taking antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, dong quai may reduce the effects of estrogens.
Dong quai has estrogenic effects. Theoretically, concomitant use of large amounts of dong quai might interfere with hormone replacement therapy due to competition for estrogen receptors.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Absent Period, from the product label.

Merry Women Clinic

See all Merry Women Clinic products
Name
Merry Clinic
City
San Bruno
State
CA
ZipCode
94066
Web Address
www.merryclinic.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Absent Period by Merry Women Clinic: Common Questions

Does Absent Period by Merry Women Clinic interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Absent Period has a known interaction with 1,134 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Absent Period contains 12 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this help bring back a missing period?
We don't have effectiveness data for this product specifically for absent periods. The individual herbs are traditional remedies, but the evidence isn't strong enough to say whether they work for this purpose. Talk to your doctor about what's causing the absence and what your best options are.
Is it safe to use while I'm on birth control?
No—Dong Quai, Peony, and horny goat weed all interact with estrogen-based contraceptives at Moderate severity, potentially reducing how well they work or increasing side effects. Skip this product if you're on hormonal birth control, and talk to your pharmacist about alternatives.
Can I take it if I'm on warfarin?
No. Both Dong Quai and goji (Lycium fruit) in this product can significantly increase warfarin's blood-thinning effects and raise your bleeding risk—these are Major-severity interactions backed by case reports. Do not combine them.
What are the most common side effects?
Peony may cause nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Horny goat weed may cause dizziness, dry mouth, or nosebleed. Most of the other herbs are generally well tolerated, though full safety data are limited.
Is it safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
No. Multiple ingredients—Dong Quai, Peony, horny goat weed, goji, and Safflower—advise against use during pregnancy, and several should be avoided while breastfeeding. If you're pregnant or planning to be, talk to your doctor before taking this.
Does this product have any fillers?
Yes. Besides the active herbal extracts, it contains microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients to help form and bind the tablet.

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

Not sure if Absent Period is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Absent Period label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Absent Period’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Dong Quai

Interacts with 163 drugs

Dong Quai is a traditional Chinese herb often called "female ginseng" and is mostly used for menstrual and menopausal complaints. High-quality scientific evidence that it works for these use...

Read the full Dong Quai monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Rehmannia

Interacts with 258 drugs

Rehmannia is a root used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine, often to 'tonify' the kidneys and support energy or blood health. Human evidence for most modern uses is limited, so i...

Read the full Rehmannia monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Peony

Interacts with 811 drugs

Peony root is a traditional Chinese medicine herb often used for menstrual problems, cramps, and inflammation, frequently as part of combination formulas. Human evidence for most uses is lim...

Read the full Peony monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Dodder

Dodder (Cuscuta) is a parasitic plant whose seeds are used in traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern medicine, mainly for sexual, kidney, and energy-related complaints. Human evidence for an...

Read the full Dodder monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Goji

Interacts with 1,000 drugs

Goji berries are a nutritious fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and plant polysaccharides, and they are safe for most people as a food. While they are popular for eye health, immune supp...

Read the full Goji monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Horny Goat Weed

Interacts with 963 drugs

Horny goat weed (Epimedium) is a traditional Chinese herb most often marketed for low libido and erectile problems, but solid human evidence for these uses is lacking. While short-term use s...

Read the full Horny Goat Weed monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Safflower

Interacts with 208 drugs

Safflower is a thistle-like plant used mainly for its seed oil (a common cooking oil) and its colorful flowers. Safflower oil is a reasonable source of unsaturated fats, but strong proof tha...

Read the full Safflower monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Absent Period's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 79 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Dong Quai 19 references
  1. Hirata JD, Swiersz LM, Zell B, et al. Does dong quai have estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women? A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril 1997;68:981-6. PubMed
  2. Page RL II, Lawrence JD. Potentiation of warfarin by dong quai. Pharmacotherapy 1999;19:870-6. PubMed
  3. Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000;57:1221-7. DOI
  4. Eagon PK, Elm MS, Hunter DS, et al. Medicinal herbs: modulation of estrogen action. Era of Hope Mtg, Dept Defense; Breast Cancer Res Prog, Atlanta, GA 2000;Jun 8-11.
  5. Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Available at: http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/.
  6. Amato P, Christophe S, Mellon PL. Estrogenic activity of herbs commonly used as remedies for menopausal symptoms. Menopause 2002;9:145-50. PubMed
  7. Shi M, Chang L, He G. [Stimulating action of Carthamus tinctorius L., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Leonurus sibiricus L. on the uterus]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 1995;20:173-5, 192.
  8. Hoult JR, Paya M. Pharmacological and biochemical actions of simple coumarins: natural products with therapeutic potential. Gen Pharmacol 1996;27:713-22.. PubMed
  9. Cheong JL, Bucknall R. Retinal vein thrombosis associated with a herbal phytoestrogen preparation in a susceptible patient. Postgrad Med J 2005;81:266-7.. PubMed
  10. Chang CJ, Chiu JH, Tseng LM, et al. Modulation of HER2 expression by ferulic acid on human breast cancer MCF7 cells. Eur J Clin Invest 2006;36:588-96. PubMed
  11. Chuang CH, Doyle P, Wang JD, et al. Herbal medicines used during the first trimester and major congenital malformations: an analysis of data from a pregnancy cohort study. Drug Saf 2006;29:537-48. PubMed
  12. Lau CBS, Ho TCY, Chan TWL, Kim SCF. Use of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) to treat peri- and postmenopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer: is it appropriate? Menopause 2005;12:734-40.
  13. Ellis GR, Stephens MR. Untitled (photograph and a brief case report). BMJ 1999;319:650.
  14. Nambiar, S., Schwartz, R. H., and Constantino, A. Hypertension in mother and baby linked to ingestion of Chinese herbal medicine. West J Med 1999;171(3):152.
  15. Lee, S. K., Cho, H. K., Cho, S. H., Kim, S. S., Nahm, D. H., and Park, H. S. Occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by multiple herbal agents in a pharmacist. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2001;86(4):469-474. PubMed
  16. Xu, J. and Li, G. [Observation on short-term effects of Angelica injection on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with pulmonary hypertension]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2000;20(3):187-189.
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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.

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