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Dietary supplement

Breathe Free Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Source Naturals Wellness

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

Breathe Free is a dietary supplement by Source Naturals Wellness with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for acute bronchitis, common cold, sinusitis.Based on those ingredients, 241 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Pelargonium sidoides root extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Breathe Free by Source Naturals Wellness

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This liquid contains one active ingredient: pelargonium sidoides root extract, a traditional remedy for respiratory complaints. It's mixed with glycerin, purified water, grain alcohol, and natural cherry flavoring.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: upper respiratory wellness and immune defense.
  • We looked for evidence on: Acute Bronchitis, Rhinosinusitis, Tonsillopharyngitis, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Common cold, Sore throat — and 1 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Umckaloabo is rated "Possibly Effective" for Acute Bronchitis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Umckaloabo is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Rhinosinusitis, Tonsillopharyngitis.

Pelargonium sidoides is rated possibly effective for acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — meaning there's some evidence it may help, but the data isn't conclusive. For sore throat (tonsillopharyngitis), there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Umckaloabo

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 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Orally, pelargonium sidoides is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though quality and standardization vary between products. The most common side effects are allergic skin rash, diarrhea, and mild stomach upset.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, since there isn't enough information to know it's safe in those situations. One note on liver health: while pelargonium sidoides was occasionally linked to liver problems in case reports, careful review showed it was only possibly responsible in 4 out of 28 reported cases; in the other 24, other causes — like infection, existing liver disease, or other drugs — were found instead.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Umckaloabo

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?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Umckaloabo.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 241 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 Breathe Free, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any immunosuppressants (medications that dampen the immune system after transplant or for autoimmune conditions) — this product might reduce how well they work. Also flag it if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin or aspirin, though the real-world risk appears low.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Breathe Free may be worth trying if you have acute bronchitis or COPD and want to explore herbal options — the evidence is modest but real. If you take immunosuppressants or blood thinners, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure it won't interfere.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? The safety data isn't there yet, so check with your doctor before using it.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 20, 2017.

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 Breathe Free, straight from the product label.

Brand Source Naturals Wellness
Barcode (UPC) 021078021063
Net contents 8 fl. Oz.; 236.56 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 20, 2017
DSLD ID 80845
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Breathe Free by Source Naturals Wellness, 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:
1 tsp
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 tsp
Servings per container
47
UPC/BARCODE
021078021063
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories20 Calorie(s)--
Pelargonium sidoides root extract5 mL--

Other ingredients: Glycerin, purified Water, Grain Alcohol, natural Cherry flavor

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.
General Statements

Respiratory immune defense

Facilitate upper respiratory wellness with a unique herbal extract from the African geranium, Pelargonium sidoides.

It gives natural support for overall respiratory health.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: For best results, begin taking at the very first signs of imbalance. Take 5 mL (1 teaspoon) 4 to 5 times daily.

Brand IP Statement(s)

The Wellness Family of products is designed to support the immune system when under physical stress.

The herbal constituents of Wellness Breathe Free have been used for centuries in South Africa to decrease and shorten the temporary effects of common seasonal imbalances.

Precautions

Warning: Do not use if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you have any blood coagulation disorders, or if you are taking any prescription drug, consult your health care professional before using this product.

Do not use if tamper-evident seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Suitable for Vegetarians.

Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, salt, artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

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.

General

SN2106 REV H141

See for yourself

Breathe Free by Source Naturals Wellness label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Breathe Free by Source Naturals Wellness

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 tsp Dosage formLiquid Servings per container47 Amounts shown are per serving.

Pelargonium sidoides root extract

Interacts with
241 drugs
5 mL per serving

Umckaloabo is a root extract from a South African geranium that is most studied for short-term relief of acute bronchitis and other respiratory infect...

Pelargonium sidoides root extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Glycerin, Purified Water, Grain Alcohol, Natural Cherry flavor. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Breathe Free by Source Naturals Wellness Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Breathe Free?

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
241Drugs
121 Moderate 120 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

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

Pelargonium sidoides root extract2 drug types · 241 drugs

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, Pelargonium sidoides might decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant therapy.
In vitro research suggests that Pelargonium sidoides has immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, Pelargonium sidoides might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs.
Pelargonium sidoides contains coumarin, which may reduce platelet aggregation. However, in animal models, Pelargonium sidoides extract does not appear to inhibit coagulation or interact with warfarin. This interaction has not been documented in humans.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Breathe Free, from the product label.

Source Naturals Wellness

See all Source Naturals Wellness products
Name
Source Naturals, Inc.
Street Address
P. O. Box 2118
City
Santa Cruz
State
CA
ZipCode
95062
Web Address
www.sourcenaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Breathe Free by Source Naturals Wellness: Common Questions

Does Breathe Free by Source Naturals Wellness interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Breathe Free has a known interaction with 241 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Breathe Free contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism 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.
Does this actually help with coughs or respiratory infections?
Pelargonium sidoides is rated possibly effective for acute bronchitis and COPD, which means there's some evidence it may help — but it's not a slam-dunk. For sore throat, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say either way. It's a reasonable option to discuss with your doctor if you're interested in herbal support.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it well. The most common side effects are allergic skin rash, diarrhea, and stomach upset. It doesn't appear to cause liver damage, despite occasional older case reports suggesting otherwise — further review showed other causes were responsible in nearly all of them.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it during pregnancy and breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your situation and whether it's the right choice for you.
What is pelargonium sidoides?
It's the root extract of a plant traditionally used in African herbal medicine for respiratory complaints. It's also known as umckaloabo.
Does this product have fillers or other ingredients besides the active extract?
Yes — it's a liquid, so it also contains glycerin, purified water, grain alcohol, and natural cherry flavor to make it taste better and preserve it.

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

Not sure if Breathe Free is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.

Breathe Free label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Breathe Free'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 16 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.

Umckaloabo 16 references
  1. Chuchalin AG, Berman B, Lehmacher W. Treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with a pelargonium sidoides preparation (EPs 7630): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Explore 2005;1:437-45. PubMed
  2. Kolodziej H, Kayser O, Radtke OA, et al. Pharmacological profile of extracts of Pelargonium sidoides and their constituents. Phytomedicine 2003;10 Suppl 4:18-24. PubMed
  3. Bereznoy VV, Riley DS, Wassmer G, Heger M. Efficacy of extract of Pelargonium sidoides in children with acute non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus tonsillopharyngitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9
  4. Kolodziej H, Kiderlen AF. In vitro evaluation of antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities of Pelargonium reniforme, Pelargonium sidoides and the related herbal drug preparation EPs 7630. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:18-26. PubMed
  5. Koch E, Biber A. Treatment of rats with the Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 has no effect on blood coagulation parameters or on the pharmacokinetics of warfarin. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:40-5. PubMed
  6. Conrad A, Hansmann C, Engels I, et al. Extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) improves phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and intracellular killing of human peripheral blood phagocytes in vitro. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:46-51. PubMed
  7. Matthys H, Kamin W, Funk P, Heger M. Pelargonium sidoides preparation (EPs 7630) in the treatment of acute bronchitis in adults and children. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:69-73. PubMed
  8. Conrad A, Jung I, Tioua D, et al. Extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) inhibits the interactions of group A-streptococci and host epithelia in vitro. Phytomedicine 2007;14 Suppl 6:52-9. PubMed
  9. Matthys, H., Eisebitt, R., Seith, B., and Heger, M. Efficacy and safety of an extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) in adults with acute bronchitis. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2003;10 Suppl 4:7-17. PubMed
  10. de Boer, H. J., Hagemann, U., Bate, J., and Meyboom, R. H. Allergic reactions to medicines derived from Pelargonium species. Drug Saf 2007;30(8):677-680. PubMed
  11. Teschke R, Frenzel C, Schulze J, Eickhoff A. Spontaneous reports of primarily suspected herbal hepatotoxicity by Pelargonium sidoides: was causality adequately ascertained? Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2012;63(1):1-9. PubMed
  12. Teschke R, Frenzel C, Wolff A, et al. Initially purported hepatotoxicity by Pelargonium sidoides: the dilemma of pharmacovigilance and proposals for improvement. Ann Hepatol 2012;11(4):500-12. DOI
  13. Riley DS, Lizogub VG, Zimmermann A, Funk P, Lehmacher W. Efficacy and tolerability of high-dose Pelargonium extract in patients with the common cold. Altern Ther Health Med 2018;24(2):16-26.
  14. Matthys H, Pliskevich DA, Bondarchuk OM, Malek FA, Tribanek M, Kieser M. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of EPs 7630 in adults with COPD. Respir Med 2013;107(5):691-701. PubMed
  15. Willcox M, Simpson C, Wilding S, et al. Pelargonium sidoides root extract for the treatment of acute cough due to lower respiratory tract infection in adults: a feasibility double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021;21 PubMed
  16. Kamin W, Behre U, Helm K, Reling B, Funk P, Malek FA. Safety of Pelargonium extract EPs 7630 in young children with acute bronchitis. Front Pediatr 2023;11:1107984. PubMed

See these in context on the Umckaloabo monograph →

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

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