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Dietary supplement

Butternut Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Butternut is a dietary supplement by Herbalist & Alchemist with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation (laxative), digestive complaints, skin conditions.Based on those ingredients, 122 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are dried Butternut tree bark extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist

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.

Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist contains one active ingredient: dried butternut tree bark extract. Butternut works as a stimulant laxative—it prompts the bowel to move and produce a bowel movement.

The product is delivered as a liquid in a base of ethyl alcohol, distilled water, and vegetable glycerin.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports healthy bowel function.
  • We looked for evidence on: constipation, bowel regularity, digestive health.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

We have no effectiveness data on file for butternut in our records. That doesn't mean it doesn't work as a laxative—it has a long folk history of use for that purpose—only that formal effectiveness ratings aren't included in the information we hold.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Butternut

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.

Butternut is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though it commonly causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal cramping or irritation. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy because laxative herbs may pose a risk and the evidence is sparse.

There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe while breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you are pregnant or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Butternut

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 — Butternut.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 122 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 with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners like warfarin, diuretics (water pills) that can deplete potassium, corticosteroids, digoxin or other heart medications, or other laxative medications. Butternut's potassium-depleting laxative effect can compound the risk when combined with these drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Butternut is a straightforward laxative herbal extract, best suited for occasional bowel support in people without heart conditions, blood thinning medications, or potassium-sensitive conditions. If you take any prescription medications—especially blood thinners, diuretics, corticosteroids, digoxin, or other laxatives—check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Pregnant and nursing people should avoid 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 May 24, 2018.

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 Butternut, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbalist & Alchemist
Barcode (UPC) 667056104467
Net contents 2 fl. Oz.; 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2018
DSLD ID 173727
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
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 Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist, 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 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 mL
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
667056104467
IngredientAmount% DV
dried Butternut tree bark extract2 mL--

Other ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, distilled Water, Vegetable Glycerin

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.
Formula

Juglans cinerea

OK

General Statements

Supports healthy bowel function

Botanical preparation ratio 1:4

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 20-40 drops (1-2 mL) in juice or water. Take 3 times per day. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Keep out of children's reach

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

General

NO. BTT-2 1715FR

Seals/Symbols

OK

See for yourself

Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Dried Butternut tree bark extract

Interacts with
122 drugs
2 mL per serving

Butternut (Juglans cinerea) is a North American tree whose inner bark was traditionally used as a mild laxative and folk remedy. Modern scientific evi...

Dried Butternut tree bark extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, Distilled Water, Vegetable Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Butternut?

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.

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122Drugs
122 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Butternut 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.

dried Butternut tree bark extract5 drug types · 122 drugs

Corticosteroids

Butternut has stimulant laxative effects. Theoretically, concomitant use of corticosteroids with butternut can increase the risk of potassium depletion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Butternut has stimulant laxative effects. Theoretically, potassium depletion associated with butternut might increase the risk of digoxin toxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Butternut has stimulant laxative effects. Theoretically, overuse of butternut might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss. There is some concern that people receiving butternut along with potassium-depleting diuretics might be at an increased risk for hypokalemia.
Some diuretics that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Stimulant Laxatives

Butternut has stimulant laxative effects. Concomitant use with stimulant laxative medications might compound fluid and electrolyte loss.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Butternut has stimulant laxative effects. In some people butternut can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin, increase international normalized ratio (INR), and increase the risk of bleeding. Advise patients who take warfarin not to take excessive amounts of butternut.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Butternut, from the product label.

Herbalist & Alchemist

See all Herbalist & Alchemist products
Name
Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc.
City
Washington
State
NJ
ZipCode
07882
Phone Number
800-611-8235
Web Address
www.herbalist-alchemist.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist: Common Questions

Does Butternut by Herbalist & Alchemist interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Butternut has a known interaction with 122 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Butternut 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.
What does butternut do?
Butternut acts as a stimulant laxative—it triggers bowel movement by stimulating the intestines. It's used for occasional constipation support.
Can I take butternut while pregnant?
No. The safety data advises against butternut in pregnancy because laxative herbs may not be safe and the evidence is too limited. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are pregnant.
What side effects might I experience?
Butternut commonly causes diarrhea and can trigger gastrointestinal cramping or digestive upset. These are the main side effects reported.
Can I take butternut while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to know. Avoid it unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you it's okay for your situation.
Is this safe to combine with my water pill (diuretic)?
That depends on your specific diuretic and dose. Both butternut and diuretics can lower potassium, and combining them raises that risk. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding butternut.

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.

Butternut label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Butternut'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 3 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.

Butternut 3 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

See these in context on the Butternut 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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