Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Blood Sugar Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Blood Sugar is a dietary supplement by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for immune support, antioxidant support, general wellness/tonic.Based on those ingredients, 1,265 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) leaf extract, Cinnamomum cassia Bark Extract, Reishi. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Blood Sugar by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals

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

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 6 of its 6 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains six active ingredients: chaga and maitake mushroom, gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) leaf extract, reishi mushroom, bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaf extract, and cassia cinnamon bark extract. These are paired with two inactive ingredients — pullulan and maltodextrin — which are fillers and binders that help form the capsule.

The blend combines mushroom species with plant extracts, all traditionally used in herbal practice for blood sugar support. Each brings different compounds: chaga and reishi contain beta-glucans and polysaccharides; maitake offers its own polysaccharide fraction; gymnema is known for a compound called gymnemic acid; bilberry provides anthocyanidins; and cinnamon contributes cinnamaldehyde and trace coumarin.

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: Blood sugar support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Dyslipidemia, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Metabolic syndrome — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Reishi Mushroom is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Hyperlipidemia (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bilberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Obesity, and more.

The evidence for most of these ingredients remains incomplete. Chaga, maitake, gymnema, and reishi are all rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for diabetes support in our data — meaning we don't yet have enough rigorous human studies to confirm they work for this purpose.

Bilberry is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for night vision, one of its better-known claimed uses. Reishi is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia).

Cassia cinnamon's effectiveness for diabetes is also "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate." Because this product is branded for blood sugar support, you should know that the evidence backing these ingredients for that specific goal is not yet established in the data we hold.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Chaga Maitake Mushroom Gymnema Reishi Mushroom Bilberry Cassia Cinnamon

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 6 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 6 of 6.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 6 of 6.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

These ingredients are generally well tolerated short-term, but safety data — especially long-term — are limited across the board. The main side effects reported are mild: maitake and reishi can cause gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, nausea, stomach discomfort); bilberry commonly causes dark-colored stools and flatulence; gymnema and cassia cinnamon are less commonly reported but can trigger rash.

Chaga carries a specific warning: two cases of kidney failure and one case of acute kidney inflammation (nephropathy) have been linked to heavy chaga consumption, which contains high concentrations of oxalate — a compound that can stress the kidneys. Gymnema has been linked to one case of drug-induced hepatitis (liver inflammation) in a patient who consumed gymnema tea three times daily for 10 days; that patient recovered after treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety are not well established. Chaga, maitake, gymnema, and reishi should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding because we don't have enough safety data.

Bilberry is rated "Likely Safe" during pregnancy, and cassia cinnamon is also "Likely Safe" at food amounts, though high-dose supplements are best avoided. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Chaga Maitake Mushroom Gymnema Reishi Mushroom Bilberry Cassia Cinnamon

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 6 of the 6 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Bilberry, Maitake Mushroom, Gymnema, Reishi Mushroom, Cassia Cinnamon, among others.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,266 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 taking this product, double-check it with your pharmacist if you take diabetes medications (antidiabetes drugs) — chaga, maitake, gymnema, reishi, bilberry, and cinnamon all theoretically increase low blood sugar risk. If you take blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs), be cautious: chaga, bilberry, and reishi may raise bleeding risk, and maitake has a documented case of increased warfarin effect.

If you take blood pressure medications (antihypertensive drugs), maitake and reishi theoretically increase the risk of low blood pressure. Gymnema can interfere with how your liver breaks down several classes of drugs (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 substrates), which includes many common medications.

Cassia cinnamon should be used carefully with any liver-damaging drugs, and bilberry may reduce erlotinib effectiveness. No interactions are documented for the inactive ingredients we could check.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is a blend of mushroom and plant extracts traditionally used for blood sugar, but the evidence that they work for this purpose isn't yet established. More importantly, if you take diabetes medications, blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, or any medication processed through your liver, you need to check this product against your exact medications before starting — the interaction potential is real and spans over 1,000 individual drugs.

Talk with your pharmacist; they can run your specific regimen through our interaction checker and advise whether it's safe for you.

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

Assessment coverage: 6 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2024.

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 Blood Sugar, straight from the product label.

Brand Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals
Barcode (UPC) 633422704746
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2024
DSLD ID 315628
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free, Dairy Free
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 Blood Sugar by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
633422704746
IngredientAmount% DV
Chaga100 mg--
Maitake300 mg--
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) leaf extract300 mg--
Reishi100 mg--
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaf extract100 mg--
Cinnamomum cassia Bark Extract100 mg--

Other ingredients: Pullulan, Maltodextrin

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: As a dietary supplement, take 2 capsules once per day. Can be taken with food or on an empty stomach or as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Precautions

Caution: If you have a medical condition, are taking medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Formulation

Blood Sugar made with Organic mushroom mycelium & herbs

Gluten free & Vegan Non GMO

Gluten free & Vegan

Supports healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range

Certified Organic Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program Certified Organic by the WSDA

Formula

Blood Sugar made with Organic mushroom mycelium & herbs Maitake Gymnema Reishi Chaga Cassia Bilberry

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Certified Organic Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program

See for yourself

Blood Sugar by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Blood Sugar by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals

These are the 6 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule 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.

Chaga

Interacts with
327 drugs
100 mg per serving

Chaga is a fungus that grows mostly on birch trees and is used as a tea or supplement, mainly for immune and antioxidant support. Human evidence for i...

Chaga monograph & interactions

Maitake

Interacts with
260 drugs
300 mg per serving

Maitake is an edible mushroom long used as food and in traditional Japanese medicine, and it is being studied for possible immune, blood sugar, and bl...

Maitake monograph & interactions
300 mg per serving

Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb best known for possibly helping lower blood sugar and reducing the taste of sweetness on the tongue. Some early human stu...

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) leaf extract monograph & interactions

Reishi

Interacts with
375 drugs
100 mg per serving

Reishi is a traditional Asian mushroom widely used to support the immune system and overall wellness. Human evidence for most of its claimed benefits...

Reishi monograph & interactions
100 mg per serving

Bilberry is a blueberry-like fruit rich in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and it has a long history of traditional use for eye healt...

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaf extract monograph & interactions

Cinnamomum cassia Bark Extract

Interacts with
442 drugs
100 mg per serving

Cassia cinnamon is the common, inexpensive cinnamon used in cooking, and it is also taken as a supplement, most often for blood sugar support. The evi...

Cinnamomum cassia Bark Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Pullulan, Maltodextrin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Blood Sugar by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Blood Sugar?

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
1,265Drugs
901 Moderate 364 Minor

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Blood Sugar 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.

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) leaf extract6 drug types · 851 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking gymnema with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Gymnema reduces blood glucose levels in some human and animal research. In human studies, it has been shown to enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of hypoglycemic drugs. However, other research in adults with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome suggests that gymnema does not reduce fasting levels of blood glucose. Until more is known, monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Animal and in vitro research shows that gymnema can inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme. In one animal study, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days increased the plasma concentrations of phenacetin, a CYP1A2 substrate, by about 1.4-fold and reduced the clearance of phenacetin by about 29%.

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

Theoretically, gymnema might increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Animal research shows that gymnema can induce the CYP2C9 enzyme. In one animal study, gymnema caused a 2.4-fold increase in the clearance of tolbutamide, a CYP2C9 substrate, in rats. In vitro research also shows that gymnema can inhibit CYP2C9.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenacetin

Theoretically, taking gymnema with phenacetin might increase the levels of phenacetin.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, decreases the clearance of phenacetin in a dose-dependent manner by about 21% to 29% and increases plasma levels about 1.3- to 1.4-fold when compared to control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tolbutamide (Orinase)

Theoretically, taking gymnema with tolbutamide might the decrease levels of tolbutamide.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, increases the clearance of tolbutamide by 2.4-fold when compared to control.

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

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
One in vitro study using rat liver microsomes shows that gymnema can modestly inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme. However, other in vitro research using human liver microsomes shows that gymnema does not affect CYP3A4 activity. Animal research also shows that gymnema does not alter the function of CYP3A4. In one study in rats, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days did not alter the clearance of amlodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D

Cinnamomum cassia Bark Extract2 drug types · 442 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, cassia cinnamon may have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Cassia cinnamon may lower blood glucose levels, and have additive effects in patients treated with antidiabetic agents. Dose adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, large doses of cassia cinnamon might cause additive effects when used with hepatotoxic drugs.
There is some concern that ingesting large amounts of cassia cinnamon for an extended duration might cause hepatotoxicity in some people. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which can cause hepatotoxicity in animal models. In humans, very high doses of coumarin from 50-7000 mg/day can result in hepatotoxicity that resolves when coumarin use is discontinued. Lower amounts might also cause liver problems in sensitive people, such as those with liver disease or those taking potentially hepatotoxic agents.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Reishi3 drug types · 375 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, high doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding.
A dose of 1.5 grams daily of reishi mushroom does not seem to decrease platelet aggregation, but a higher dose of 3 grams daily does.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, reishi mushroom might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that reishi mushroom decreases blood sugar. However, in patients with type 2 diabetes, taking reishi mushroom does not reduce fasting glucose levels, and its effects on glycated hemoglobin are inconsistent.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use of reishi mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Reishi mushroom has shown hypotensive activity in animal research. Clinical evidence suggests that reishi mushroom reduces blood pressure in some, but not all, patients with hypertension.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Chaga3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, chaga may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal research suggests that chaga extract can inhibit platelet aggregation. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking chaga with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that chaga might decrease blood glucose levels and increase insulin levels. This has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, chaga might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In vitro research suggests that certain constituents of chaga stimulate immune function. This has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaf extract4 drug types · 275 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, animal, and clinical research suggest that anthocyanidin extracts from bilberry can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry leaf or fruit extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that bilberry leaf extract might have blood glucose-lowering activity. Also, one small clinical trial in patients with type 2 diabetes shows that taking bilberry fruit extract 470 mg as a single dose prior to an oral glucose tolerance test lowers plasma glucose levels when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
Animal research shows that exposure to small concentrations of bilberry extract in drinking water for around one month increased CYP2E1 activity by 31%. However, exposure over a 2-month period did not increase CYP2E1 activity. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Erlotinib (Tarceva)

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might reduce the efficacy of erlotinib.
In vitro research suggests that bilberry fruit extract and its constituents, delphinidin and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, inhibit the activity of erlotinib. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Maitake3 drug types · 260 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical research shows that taking maitake mushroom polysaccharide (MMP) can lower blood glucose levels in patients with types 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, combining maitake mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Animal research shows that maitake mushroom can lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

There is limited evidence that maitake mushroom may increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
In a case report, a patient previously stabilized on warfarin developed an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) of 5.1 after taking maitake mushroom (Grifron-Pro Maitake D-Fraction) 1 drop/kg daily in three divided doses for one week. The elevated INR resolved after holding warfarin for two days, then reducing the dose by 11%. It is thought that the beta-glucan constituent of maitake mushroom might cause warfarin dissociation from proteins, resulting in increased free warfarin levels and increased warfarin effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Blood Sugar, from the product label.

Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals

See all Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals products
Name
Fungi Perfecti, LLC
Street Address
PO Box 7634
City
Olympia
State
WA
ZipCode
98507
Phone Number
877-504-6926
Web Address
Hostdefense.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Blood Sugar by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals: Common Questions

Does Blood Sugar by Host Defense Mushrooms MycoBotanicals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Blood Sugar has a known interaction with 1,265 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Blood Sugar contains 6 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 lower my blood sugar too much if I'm on diabetes medication?
It's possible. Chaga, maitake, gymnema, reishi, bilberry, and cinnamon all theoretically increase the risk of low blood sugar when combined with diabetes drugs, though most of these effects haven't been confirmed in humans. This is exactly why you need to check with your pharmacist before starting — your doctor may need to monitor your blood sugar more closely or adjust your medication dose.
Can I take this if I'm on a blood thinner?
That depends on which one. Chaga, bilberry, and reishi may increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Maitake has a documented case where it boosted warfarin's effect and raised INR. Run your exact blood thinner through our interaction checker, and ask your pharmacist — some blood thinners may be safer with this product than others.
Does this product actually work for blood sugar support?
The evidence isn't established yet. Chaga, maitake, gymnema, and reishi are all rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for diabetes in our data, meaning we don't have enough rigorous human studies to confirm they work for this purpose. Cassia cinnamon is in the same boat. You're buying on traditional use and promise, not proven effectiveness.
What are the most common side effects?
Mostly mild gastrointestinal effects: maitake and reishi can cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach upset; bilberry commonly produces dark-colored stools and gas. Rash is rare but has been reported with gymnema and cinnamon. The bigger concern is chaga — heavy consumption has been linked to kidney problems because it's high in oxalate.
Is this safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Most of these ingredients don't have enough safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding to say yes. Chaga, maitake, gymnema, and reishi should be avoided. Bilberry and cassia cinnamon at food amounts are likely safe, but concentrated supplement doses haven't been well studied. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're pregnant or nursing.
Can this interfere with other medications I'm taking?
Yes — substantially. Gymnema, in particular, can interfere with how your liver metabolizes several common drug types. Additionally, if you take any medication processed through your liver, this product could affect its levels. That's why running your exact medications through our checker is essential before you start.

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

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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.

Blood Sugar label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Blood Sugar’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Chaga

Interacts with 327 drugs

Chaga is a fungus that grows mostly on birch trees and is used as a tea or supplement, mainly for immune and antioxidant support. Human evidence for its benefits is very limited, and it may...

Read the full Chaga monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Maitake Mushroom

Interacts with 260 drugs

Maitake is an edible mushroom long used as food and in traditional Japanese medicine, and it is being studied for possible immune, blood sugar, and blood pressure effects. The human evidence...

Read the full Maitake Mushroom monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Gymnema

Interacts with 851 drugs

Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb best known for possibly helping lower blood sugar and reducing the taste of sweetness on the tongue. Some early human studies are encouraging for blood sugar sup...

Read the full Gymnema monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Reishi Mushroom

Interacts with 375 drugs

Reishi is a traditional Asian mushroom widely used to support the immune system and overall wellness. Human evidence for most of its claimed benefits is limited or low-quality, so it should...

Read the full Reishi Mushroom monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Bilberry

Interacts with 275 drugs

Bilberry is a blueberry-like fruit rich in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and it has a long history of traditional use for eye health, circulation, and mild diarrhea. While...

Read the full Bilberry monograph →
Herb & supplement monograph

Cassia Cinnamon

Interacts with 442 drugs

Cassia cinnamon is the common, inexpensive cinnamon used in cooking, and it is also taken as a supplement, most often for blood sugar support. The evidence for its health benefits is mixed a...

Read the full Cassia Cinnamon monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Blood Sugar'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 80 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.

Chaga 9 references
  1. Sun JE, Ao ZH, Lu ZM, et al. Antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of dry matter of culture broth of Inonotus obliquus in submerged culture on normal and alloxan-diabetes mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;118(1):7-13. PubMed
  2. Hyun KW, Jeong SC, Lee DH, et al. Isolation and characterization of a novel platelet aggregation inhibitory peptide from the medicinal mushroom, Inonotus obliquus. Peptides 2006;27(6):1173-8. PubMed
  3. Kim YO, Han SB, Lee HW, et al. Immuno-stimulating effect of the endo-polysaccharide produced by submerged culture of Inonotus obliquus. Life Sci 2005;77(19):2438-56. PubMed
  4. Kikuchi Y, Seta K, Ogawa Y, et al. Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy. Clin Nephrol 2014;81(6):440-4. PubMed
  5. Lee S, Lee HY, Park Y, et al. Development of end stage renal disease after long-term ingestion of chaga mushroom: case report and review of literature. J Korean Med Sci. 2020;35(19):e122.
  6. Kwon O, Kim Y, Paek JH, et al. Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy that clinically manifested as nephrotic syndrome: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022;101(10):e28997. PubMed
  7. Su L, Xin C, Yang J, et al. A polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus ameliorates intestinal barrier dysfunction in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Biol Macromol 2022;214:312-323. PubMed
  8. Chen S, Ma Y, Li H, et al. Anti-diabetic e?ects of Inonotus obliquus extract in high fat diet combined streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mice. Nutr Hosp 2022;39(6):1256-1263. PubMed
  9. Ye X, Wu K, Xu L, et al. Methanol extract of Inonotus obliquus improves type 2 diabetes mellitus through modifying intestinal flora. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;13:1103972. PubMed

See these in context on the Chaga monograph →

Maitake Mushroom 8 references
  1. Kabir Y, Kimura S. Dietary mushrooms reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1989;35:91-4. PubMed
  2. Kabir Y, Yamaguchi M, Kimura S. Effect of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1987;33:341-6. PubMed
  3. Konno S, Tortorelis DG, Fullerton SA, et al. A possible hypoglycaemic effect of maitake mushroom on Type 2 diabetic patients. Diabet Med 2001;18:1010. PubMed
  4. Chen JT, Tominaga K, Sato Y, et al. Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) extract induces ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible monotherapy and a combination therapy after failure with first-line clomiphene citrate. J Altern Compl
  5. Hanselin MR, Vande Griend JP, Linnebur SA. INR elevation with maitake extract in combination with warfarin. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:223-4. PubMed
  6. Talpur, N. A., Echard, B. W., Fan, A. Y., Jaffari, O., Bagchi, D., and Preuss, H. G. Antihypertensive and metabolic effects of whole Maitake mushroom powder and its fractions in two rat strains. Mol.Cell Biochem. 2002;237(1-2):129-136. PubMed
  7. Deng, G., Lin, H., Seidman, A., Fornier, M., D'Andrea, G., Wesa, K., Yeung, S., Cunningham-Rundles, S., Vickers, A. J., and Cassileth, B. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: i
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Gymnema 12 references
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Reishi Mushroom 17 references
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Bilberry 14 references
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Cassia Cinnamon 20 references
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  18. Shekarchizadeh-Esfahani P, Heydarpour F, Izadi F, Jalili C. The effect of cinnamon supplementation on liver enzymes in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med 2021;58:102699. PubMed
  19. Bernaola J, Valverde-Monge M, Otal-Buesa M, Cullen D, Heras-Mendaza F. Cinnamon allergic contact cheilitis. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(5):418-419. PubMed
  20. Patel K, Howard M, Tate B. Cheilitis caused by allergic contact dermatitis to cinnamon in chai tea: A case report. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(3):239-240. PubMed

See these in context on the Cassia Cinnamon monograph →

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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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