Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 3 of 5 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Calming Formula Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Energique

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

Calming Formula is a dietary supplement by Energique with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, sleep problems, digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 927 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Passionflower, Lemon Balm, Damiana. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Calming Formula by Energique

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 5 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1.50 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

Energique's Calming Formula is a liquid blend of 5 ingredients. The product contains lemon balm, passionflower, and damiana as active herbal components — plants traditionally used to support calm and relaxation.

Mulungu and tayuya are also listed as actives. The formula is prepared in purified water and ethanol (alcohol).

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: Calming and relaxation support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Stress, Insomnia, Pre-procedural anxiety, Adjustment disorders, Nervousness — and 1 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lemon Balm is rated "Possibly Effective" for Stress (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Passion Flower is rated "Possibly Effective" for Pre-procedural anxiety, Insomnia.
  • Also on file: Lemon Balm is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety, Insomnia.

Lemon balm is possibly effective for cold sores and possibly effective for stress and depression — though the evidence is still emerging. Passionflower is possibly effective for insomnia and possibly effective for pre-procedural anxiety; the evidence for alcohol use disorder and benzodiazepine withdrawal is insufficient to rate.

Damiana's effectiveness for sexual dysfunction, asthma, headache, cognitive function, constipation, and depression all lack reliable evidence. We hold no effectiveness data for mulungu and tayuya.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lemon Balm Passion Flower Damiana

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 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Lemon balm and passionflower are generally well tolerated in the short term, though both can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and sedation — though these effects don't appear to occur more often than with placebo in most studies. Lemon balm should be avoided during pregnancy and used cautiously while breastfeeding; passionflower is possibly unsafe in pregnancy and should be avoided, and is best avoided while breastfeeding as well.

Damiana has limited human safety data and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. High doses or long-term use of lemon balm haven't been well studied.

Rare serious events (heart rhythm changes, severe nausea and vomiting) have been reported in individual case reports, though it's often unclear whether the supplement or other factors were responsible.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lemon Balm Passion Flower Damiana

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?
  • 3 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Lemon Balm, Damiana, Passion Flower.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 928 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 formula, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on CNS depressants (sleeping pills, anxiety medications, opioids, or alcohol) — lemon balm and passionflower can add to their effects. If you take thyroid hormone replacement, check first, as lemon balm may interfere with it.

If you take diabetes medication, check, as damiana may lower your blood sugar further. Additionally, talk it over if you're on any drug metabolized by CYP3A4 enzymes (a broad category including some statins and blood pressure drugs) or those using OATP transporters, because passionflower may affect how well they work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This formula may appeal to someone looking for herbal support for stress, sleep, or mild anxiety — particularly lemon balm and passionflower, which have some evidence for these uses. However, you'll want to be cautious if you take sedatives, thyroid medication, diabetes drugs, or anything metabolized by your liver, because the interactions here are documented and potentially serious.

Don't start this product without checking your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist first.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 22, 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 Calming Formula, straight from the product label.

Brand Energique
Barcode (UPC) 363113500493
Net contents 30 mL; 1 Fluid Ounce
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 22, 2024
DSLD ID 318439
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Children 4 or More Years of Age, Adult (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 Calming Formula by Energique, 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:
0.5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1.5 mL
Servings per container
20
UPC/BARCODE
363113500493
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend1.5 mL--
Lemon Balm0 NP--
Mulungu0 NP--
Passionflower0 NP--
Damiana0 NP--
Tayuya0 NP--

Other ingredients: Water, Purified, Ethanol

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.
Precautions

Warnings: If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Consult a physician for use in children under 12 years of age. Keep out of reach of children.

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

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: 10 to 30 drops in water or juice 3 times daily or as otherwise directed. Shake well before use.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Energique Since 1987

Formulation

Rainforest Botanical

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

See for yourself

Calming Formula by Energique label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Calming Formula by Energique

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container20 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 Blend

1.5 mL per serving

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

Interaction report

Calming Formula by Energique Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Calming Formula?

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
927Drugs
350 Moderate 577 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Damiana 86

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Calming Formula 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.

Passionflower3 drug types · 836 drugs

Cns Depressants

Concomitant use of passion flower with sedative drugs might cause additive effects and side effects.
Research in animals and humans shows that passion flower has sedative effects which can be additive when used with sedative medications like lorazepam.

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

Theoretically, passion flower might decrease the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research suggests that passion flower can induce CYP3A4 enzymes, albeit to a much lower degree than rifampin, a known CYP3A4 inducer.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Theoretically, passion flower might reduce the bioavailability of OATP2B1 and OATP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that the passion flower constituents apigenin and vitexin inhibit OATP2B1 and OATP1A2. This inhibition may be dose-dependent. One specific high-flavonoid passion flower extract (Valverde) seems to inhibit OATP2B1 and OATP1A2, while another extract with a lower flavonoid concentration (Arkocaps) shows less potent inhibition. OATPs are responsible for the uptake of drugs and other compounds into the body; however, the specific activities of OATP2B1 and OATP1A2 are not well characterized.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Lemon Balm2 drug types · 264 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of lemon balm might have additive effects with CNS depressant drugs.
Lemon balm seems to have CNS depressant activity in animals and in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, lemon balm might interfere with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
In vitro, constituents of lemon balm extract bind to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), preventing TSH receptor-binding and leading to the inhibition of TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. In animals, lemon balm extract has been shown to decrease levels of circulating TSH and inhibit thyroid secretion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Damiana1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking damiana with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research shows that taking damiana lowers blood glucose level.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Calming Formula, from the product label.

Energique

See all Energique products
Name
Energique Inc
Street Address
201 Apple Blvd
City
Woodbine
State
IA
ZipCode
51579
Phone Number
800.869.8078
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Calming Formula by Energique: Common Questions

Does Calming Formula by Energique interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Calming Formula has a known interaction with 927 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Calming Formula contains 5 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.
Can I take this while pregnant?
The safety data advises against it. Lemon balm, passionflower, and damiana all lack enough reliable safety information in pregnancy, and passionflower is rated possibly unsafe. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough data to know either way for lemon balm and damiana, and passionflower is best avoided. It's a conversation to have with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, so they can weigh what's right for you and your baby.
Will this make me drowsy?
Drowsiness is a reported side effect of both lemon balm and passionflower, though in clinical trials it didn't occur more often than with placebo. If you do feel drowsy, don't drive or operate machinery, and don't mix it with alcohol or other sedating drugs.
Is this safe for long-term use?
Long-term safety hasn't been well studied for lemon balm, and passionflower is considered well tolerated only for the short term. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how long you plan to take it and whether it's appropriate for your situation.
What is lemon balm used for in this formula?
Lemon balm is included for its possibly effective properties in supporting calm and managing stress and mood. It's also possibly effective for cold sores.
What is passionflower used for?
Passionflower is in this formula for its possibly effective use in supporting sleep and easing pre-procedural anxiety. It's a traditional herbal relaxant.

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

Not sure if Calming Formula 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.

Calming Formula label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Calming Formula'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 33 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.

Lemon Balm 12 references
  1. Wolbling RH, Leonhardt K. Local therapy of herpes simplex with dried extract from Melissa officinalis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:25-31.
  2. Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, et al. Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003;74:863-6. PubMed
  3. Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Tildesley NT, et al. Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm). Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002;72:953-64. PubMed
  4. Albrecht M, Berger W, Laux P, Schmidt U, et al. Psychopharmaka und Verkehrssicherheit. Der Einfluß von Euvegal® - Dragees forte auf die Fahrtüchtigkeit und Kombinationswirkungen mit Alkohol Z Allg Med 1995;71:1215-25.
  5. Herberg, KW. Nebenwirkungen pflanzlicher Beruhigungsmittel/ Leistung und Befinden nach Einnahme einer Baldrian-Hopfen-Kombination. Z.Allg Med 1996;72:234-240.
  6. Soulimani R, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, et al. Neurotropic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis in the mouse. Planta Med. 1991 Apr;57:105-9.
  7. Sourgens H, Winterhoff H, Gumbinger HG, et al. Antihormonal effects of plant extracts. TSH- and prolactin-suppressing properties of Lithospermum officinale and other plants. Planta Med. 1982 Jun;45:78-86. DOI
  8. Auf'mkolk M, Ingbar JC, Amir SM, et al. Inhibition by certain plant extracts of the binding and adenylate cyclase stimulatory effect of bovine thyrotropin in human thyroid membranes. Endocrinology. 1984 Aug;115:527-34. PubMed
  9. Santini F, Vitti P, Ceccarini G, et al. In vitro assay of thyroid disruptors affecting TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. J Endocrinol Invest. 2003 Oct;26:950-5. PubMed
  10. Alijaniha F, et al. Heart palpitation relief with Melissa officinalis leaf extract: double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial of efficacy and safety. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;164:378-384. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.02.007. Epub 2015 Feb 11. PubMed
  11. Araj-Khodaei M, Noorbala AA, Yarani R, et al. A double-blind, randomized pilot study for comparison of Melissa officinalis L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. with Fluoxetine for the treatment of depression. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):207. PubMed
  12. Kucuk U, Pham M, Raza Raja MH, Saad Shaukat MH, Clark R. Transient complete atrioventricular block associated with herbal supplement use. S D Med 2023;76(7):311-313.

See these in context on the Lemon Balm monograph →

Passion Flower 19 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Fisher AA, Purcell P, Le Couteur DG. Toxicity of Passiflora incarnata L. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2000;38:63-6.
  4. Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Shayeganpour A, et al. Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. J Clin Pharm Ther 2001;26:363-7. PubMed
  5. Farnsworth N, Bingel A, Cordell G, et al. Potential value of plants as sources of new antifertility agents I. J Pharm Sci 1975;64:535-98. DOI
  6. Mori A, Hasegawa K, Murasaki M, et al. Clinical evaluation of Passiflamin (passiflora extract) on neurosis - multicenter double blind study in comparison with mexazolam. Rinsho Hyoka (Clinical Evaluation) 1993;21:383-440.
  7. Miyasaka LS, Atallah AN, Soares BG. Passiflora for anxiety disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;(1):CD004518. DOI
  8. Speroni E., Minghetti A. Neuropharmacological activity of extracts from Passiflora incarnata. Planta Med. 1988;54:488-91.
  9. Capasso A., Sorrentino L. Pharmacological studies on the sedative and hypnotic effect of Kava kava and Passiflora extracts combination. Phytomedicine. 2005;12:39-45. PubMed
  10. Carrasco MC, Vallejo JR, Pardo-de-Santayana M, et al. Interactions of Valeriana officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L. in a patient treated with lorazepam. Phytother Res. 2009 Dec;23:1795-6.
  11. Smith, G. W., Chalmers, T. M., and Nuki, G. Vasculitis associated with herbal preparation containing Passiflora extract. Br J Rheumatol. 1993;32(1):87-88.
  12. Soulimani, R., Younos, C., Jarmouni, S., Bousta, D., Misslin, R., and Mortier, F. Behavioural effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and its indole alkaloid and flavonoid derivatives and maltol in the mouse. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997;57(1):11-20. PubMed
  13. Nojoumi M, Ghaeli P, Salimi S, Sharifi A, Raisi F. Effects of Passion Flower Extract, as an Add-On Treatment to Sertraline, on Reaction Time in Patients ?with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Iran J Psychiatry. 2016;1
  14. Rokhtabnak F, Ghodraty MR, Kholdebarin A, et al. Comparing the Effect of Preoperative Administration of Melatonin and Passiflora incarnata on Postoperative Cognitive Disorders in Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery. Anesth Pain Med. 2016;7(1):e4123 PubMed
  15. Dantas LP, de Oliveira-Ribeiro A, de Almeida-Souza LM, Groppo FC. Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017;22(1):e95-e101. PubMed
  16. Ozturk Z, Kalayci CC. Pregnancy outcomes in psychiatric patients treated with passiflora incarnata. Complement Ther Med. 2018 Feb;36:30-32. PubMed
  17. da Cunha RS, Amorim KS, Gercina AC, et al. Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Oral Investig. 2020. PubMed
  18. Schäfer AM, Gilgen PM, Spirgi C, et al. Constituents of Passiflora incarnata, but Not of Valeriana officinalis, Interact with the Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptides (OATP)2B1 and OATP1A2. Planta Med. 2021. PubMed
  19. Mazzari ALDA, Lacerda MG, Milton FA, et al. In vitro effects of European and Latin-American medicinal plants in CYP3A4 gene expression, glutathione levels, and P-glycoprotein activity. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:826395. PubMed

See these in context on the Passion Flower monograph →

Damiana 2 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. Alarcon-Aquilar FJ, Roman-Ramos R, Perez-Gutierrez S, et al. Study of the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants used as antidiabetics. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;61:101-10. PubMed

See these in context on the Damiana 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

Keep exploring