Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 5 of 6 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Colon Helper Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

Colon Helper label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Colon Helper against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Colon Helper is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for loss of appetite, indigestion and bloating, digestive bitter tonic.Based on those ingredients, 2,158 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Slippery Elm, Goldenseal, Aloe. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Colon Helper by Swanson

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Colon Helper by Swanson — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Colon Helper by Swanson

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

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.

Colon Helper contains six active ingredients: gentian, slippery elm, aloe, white oak, blue vervain, and goldenseal. Gentian is traditionally used for digestive support, slippery elm for its mucilage (a soothing substance), aloe for potential laxative and skin effects, white oak for its tannin content, blue vervain for digestive purposes, and goldenseal for its alkaloid compounds.

The product also contains inactive ingredients—rice bran, gelatin, silica, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid—that serve as fillers and binders in the capsule.

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: promotes healthy digestive function and colon health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Constipation, Diarrhea, Flatulence, Gastritis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Aloe is rated "Possibly Effective" for Constipation (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Aloe is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Peptic ulcers.
  • Also on file: Gentian is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diarrhea, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Flatulence.

The evidence for these ingredients is limited. Aloe has possibly effective ratings for acne, obesity, diabetes, psoriasis, burns, and constipation.

Gentian, slippery elm, white oak, and goldenseal lack sufficient reliable evidence to rate their effectiveness for the conditions typically associated with them—gentian for wound healing, obesity, and gastritis; slippery elm for cancer, constipation, cough, inflammatory bowel disease, and diarrhea; white oak for its traditional uses; and goldenseal for acne, hay fever, chronic fatigue, and other conditions. We hold no effectiveness data for blue vervain.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Gentian Slippery Elm Aloe White Oak Goldenseal

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 4 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Gentian is generally tolerated in small amounts but can upset the stomach and is not well studied at high doses. Slippery elm is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though high-quality safety data are limited.

Aloe gel is generally well tolerated topically, but oral aloe latex carries greater risk—especially at high doses or with long-term use—and may cause abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea. White oak contains high tannins that can irritate the digestive tract.

Goldenseal is generally used short-term by healthy adults, but human safety data are limited. During pregnancy, gentian, slippery elm, white oak, and goldenseal are best avoided; aloe latex is rated possibly unsafe.

While breastfeeding, gentian and aloe are best avoided; slippery elm and goldenseal require caution due to insufficient safety data, and white oak's safety is unknown.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Gentian Slippery Elm Aloe White Oak Goldenseal

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

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

Why this rating?
  • 4 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Aloe, Gentian, Goldenseal, Slippery Elm.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 2,159 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 Colon Helper, double-check with your pharmacist if you take digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart rhythm, blood thinners (warfarin, anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs), blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, sedatives, diuretics, stimulant laxatives, or medications metabolized by liver enzymes (CYP2D6, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, or P-glycoprotein substrates). The interaction severity ranges from Major (digoxin) to Moderate (most others) to Minor (certain enzyme-metabolized drugs).

No interactions are documented for the ingredients we could check only if one exists with no known data—but we hold no interaction data for blue vervain.

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. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Colon Helper is a multi-ingredient digestive support product, but its active ingredients—especially aloe and goldenseal—interact with a broad range of medications. If you take any prescription drugs, blood pressure or heart medications, or blood thinners, check this product with your pharmacist or use the interaction tool on this page before starting.

It's not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

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

Assessment coverage: 5 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 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 Colon Helper, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614117614
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 22, 2024
DSLD ID 308503
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Colon Helper by Swanson, 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
087614117614
IngredientAmount% DV
Gentian72 mg--
Slippery Elm292 mg--
Aloe290 mg--
White Oak144 mg--
Blue Vervain72 mg--
Goldenseal30 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Bran, Gelatin, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid

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.
Formulation

Promotes healthy digestive function and elimination Carefully developed and tested formula for optimal results Traditional formula for colon lining health

Colon cleansing formula Colon health Herbal formula

General Statements

Science-backed quality since 1969

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take two capsules per day with water.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

Do not take this product if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are nursing.

Consult your healthcare provider before use if you have a medical condition, especially ulcers or an autoimmune condition. Discontinue use if you experience gastrointestinal discomfort or nausea. Not recommended for long-term use. Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Colon Helper by Swanson label

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

Colon Helper label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Colon Helper by Swanson

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.

Gentian

Interacts with
172 drugs
72 mg per serving Form: Gentiana lutea

Gentian is a very bitter root traditionally used to stimulate appetite and ease mild digestive complaints, often as part of "bitters" before meals. Th...

Gentian monograph & interactions

Slippery Elm

Interacts with
2,022 drugs
292 mg per serving Form: Ulmus rubra

Slippery elm is a traditional herbal remedy made from the inner bark of a North American elm tree, used mainly to soothe sore throats and irritated di...

Slippery Elm monograph & interactions

Aloe

Interacts with
461 drugs
290 mg per serving Form: Aloe ferox

Aloe vera gel is widely used on the skin for minor burns and irritation, and some research suggests it may help. Aloe latex (the yellow part) is a str...

Aloe monograph & interactions

White Oak

No known
interactions
144 mg per serving Form: Quercus alba

White oak bark is a traditional herbal remedy rich in tannins, used mostly as a tea or skin wash for diarrhea, sore throat, and minor skin problems. S...

White Oak monograph & interactions

Blue Vervain

72 mg per serving

Goldenseal

Interacts with
1,237 drugs
30 mg per serving

Goldenseal is a popular North American herb that contains berberine, a compound studied for antimicrobial effects. However, strong human evidence for...

Goldenseal monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Bran, Gelatin, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Colon Helper by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Colon Helper?

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
2,158Drugs
1 Major 2,154 Moderate 3 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Slippery Elm 2,022
Goldenseal 1,237
Aloe 461
Gentian 172

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Colon Helper interact with 2,158 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

4 of the 6 ingredients in Colon Helper interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Slippery Elm Goldenseal Aloe Gentian

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Colon Helper 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.

Slippery Elm1 drug type · 2,022 drugs

Oral Drugs

Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Slippery elm inner bark contains mucilage, which may interfere with the absorption of orally administered drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Slippery Elm full monograph & interactions

Goldenseal16 drug types · 1,237 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. In vitro and animal research shows that berberine can inhibit platelet aggregation. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Clinical research shows that berberine can lower blood glucose levels. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Animal research shows that berberine can have hypotensive effects. Also, an analysis of clinical research shows that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with amlodipine alone. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Animal research shows that berberine can have sedative effects. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal root extract can modestly inhibit CYP2C9. This effect may be due to its alkaloid constituents, hydrastine and berberine. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Clinical and in vitro research shows that goldenseal can significantly inhibit CYP2D6 enzymes, potentially increasing levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal root extract can inhibit the activity of CYP2E1. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Most clinical and in vitro research shows that goldenseal inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme activity and increases serum levels of CYP3A4 substrates, such as midazolam. However, in one small clinical study, goldenseal did not affect the levels of indinavir, a CYP3A4 substrate, in healthy volunteers. This is likely due to the fact that indinavir has a high oral bioavailability, making it an inadequate probe for CYP3A4 interactions and/or that it is primarily metabolized by hepatic CYP3A, while goldenseal has more potential to inhibit intestinal CYP3A enzyme activity. Both goldenseal extract and its isolated constituents berberine and hydrastine inhibit CYP3A, with hydrastine possibly having more inhibitory potential than berberine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin Dm, Others)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of dextromethorphan.
Goldenseal contains berberine. A small clinical study shows that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) activity and reduce the metabolism of dextromethorphan.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of digoxin, although this effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Clinical research shows that goldenseal modestly increases digoxin peak levels by about 14% in healthy volunteers. However, goldenseal does not seem to affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC). This suggests that goldenseal does not cause a clinically significant interaction with digoxin. Digoxin is a P-glycoprotein substrate. Some evidence suggests that goldenseal constituents might affect P-glycoprotein; however, it is unclear whether these constituents inhibit or induce P-glycoprotein.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Losartan (Cozaar)

Theoretically, goldenseal might decrease the conversion of losartan to its active form.
Goldenseal contains berberine. A small clinical study shows that berberine inhibits cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) activity and reduces the metabolism of losartan. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Theoretically, goldenseal might reduce blood levels of metformin.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal extract decreases the bioavailability of metformin, likely by interfering with transport, intestinal permeability, or other processes involved in metformin absorption. It is unclear which, if any, of metformin's transporters are inhibited by goldenseal. Goldenseal does not appear to alter the clearance or half-life of metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase or decrease serum levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.
There is conflicting evidence about the effect of goldenseal on P-gp. In vitro research suggests that berberine, a constituent of goldenseal, modestly inhibits P-gp efflux. Other evidence suggests that berberine induces P-gp. In healthy volunteers, goldenseal modestly increases peak levels of the P-gp substrate digoxin by about 14%. However, it does not seem to affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC). This suggests that goldenseal is not a potent inhibitor of P-gp-mediated drug efflux. Until more is known, goldenseal should be used cautiously with P-gp substrates.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.
Animal research shows that berberine, a constituent of goldenseal, can prolong pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of tacrolimus.
Goldenseal contains berberine. In a 16-year-old patient with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who was being treated with tacrolimus 6.5 mg twice daily, intake of berberine 200 mg three times daily increased the blood concentration of tacrolimus from 8 to 22 ng/mL. Following a reduction of tacrolimus dosing to 3 mg daily, blood levels of tacrolimus decreased to 12 ng/mL.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Theoretically, goldenseal might reduce the therapeutic effects of oseltamivir by decreasing its conversion to its active form.
In vitro evidence suggests that goldenseal reduces the formation of the active compound from the prodrug oseltamivir. The mechanism of action and clinical relevance is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Goldenseal full monograph & interactions

Aloe7 drug types · 461 drugs

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, aloe latex might increase the risk of adverse effects when taken with cardiac glycosides.
Overuse of aloe latex can increase the risk of adverse effects from cardiac glycoside drugs, such as digoxin, due to potassium depletion. Overuse of aloe, along with cardiac glycoside drugs, can increase the risk of toxicity.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, aloe gel might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that aloe gel can inhibit platelet aggregation. This inhibition was greater than that seen with celecoxib, but less than that seen with aspirin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Aloe might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Preliminary clinical research suggests aloe gel might lower blood glucose levels and have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, aloe latex might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with diuretic drugs.
Overuse of aloe latex might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss, increasing the risk of hypokalemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Stimulant Laxatives

Theoretically, aloe latex might increase the risk for fluid and electrolyte loss when taken with stimulant laxatives.
Due to cathartic laxative effects of aloe latex, concomitant use with other stimulant laxatives might compound fluid and electrolyte loss.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, aloe latex might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Aloe latex has stimulant laxative effects. In some people aloe latex 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 aloe vera.

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

Theoretically, aloe might decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that aloe extract induces CYP1A2 enzymes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Aloe full monograph & interactions

Gentian1 drug type · 172 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking gentian with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
In vitro research shows that gentian can cause vasodilation and lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Gentian full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Colon Helper, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Colon Helper by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Colon Helper by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Colon Helper has a known interaction with 2,158 medications, including 1 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Colon Helper 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.
What is this product supposed to do?
Colon Helper is a digestive support supplement. The ingredients—gentian, slippery elm, aloe, white oak, blue vervain, and goldenseal—are traditionally used to support colon and digestive health, though the scientific evidence for most of them is limited.
Is aloe in this product safe?
Aloe gel is generally well tolerated, but oral aloe latex can cause side effects, especially at high doses or with long-term use. This product may contain aloe latex, which can cause abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea. It carries serious interactions with heart and blood-thinning medications.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Several ingredients—gentian, slippery elm, white oak, and goldenseal—are best avoided during pregnancy due to insufficient safety data or potential harm. Aloe latex is rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy. While breastfeeding, gentian and aloe should be avoided, and slippery elm and goldenseal require caution. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before use.
Will this interact with my blood pressure or heart medication?
Yes. Gentian and goldenseal both interact with blood pressure drugs (antihypertensive medications) at Moderate severity, and aloe interacts with digoxin (a heart medication) at Major severity—the most serious level. Check your specific medications with the interaction tool before starting.
What are the most common side effects?
Gentian can upset the stomach. Slippery elm is generally well tolerated but has limited safety data. Aloe may cause abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea. Goldenseal (via its berberine content) may cause abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. A small number of trial participants taking gentian with turmeric and ginger experienced nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating.
Does this product contain fillers?
Yes. The inactive ingredients are rice bran, gelatin, silica, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. These are standard excipients used as fillers and binders in capsules.

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.

Colon Helper label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Colon Helper’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Gentian

Interacts with 172 drugs

Gentian is a very bitter root traditionally used to stimulate appetite and ease mild digestive complaints, often as part of "bitters" before meals. The evidence is mostly traditional and pre...

Read the full Gentian monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Slippery Elm

Interacts with 2,022 drugs

Slippery elm is a traditional herbal remedy made from the inner bark of a North American elm tree, used mainly to soothe sore throats and irritated digestive tracts. Its mucilage can coat an...

Read the full Slippery Elm monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Aloe

Interacts with 461 drugs

Aloe vera gel is widely used on the skin for minor burns and irritation, and some research suggests it may help. Aloe latex (the yellow part) is a strong laxative that can cause cramping and...

Read the full Aloe monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

White Oak

White oak bark is a traditional herbal remedy rich in tannins, used mostly as a tea or skin wash for diarrhea, sore throat, and minor skin problems. Solid human evidence is very limited, and...

Read the full White Oak monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Goldenseal

Interacts with 1,237 drugs

Goldenseal is a popular North American herb that contains berberine, a compound studied for antimicrobial effects. However, strong human evidence for its many traditional uses is largely lac...

Read the full Goldenseal monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Colon Helper'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 85 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.

Gentian 5 references
  1. Neubauer N, Marz RW. Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, clincal trial with Sinupret sugar coated tablets on the basis of a therapy with antibiotics and decongestant nasal drops in acute sinusitis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:177-81.
  2. Marz RW, Ismail C, Popp MA. Action profile and efficacy of a herbal combination preparation for the treatment of sinusitis. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149:202-8.
  3. Uncini Manganelli RE, Chericoni S, Baragatti B. Ethnopharmacobotany in Tuscany: plants used as antihypertensives. Fitoterapia 2000;71:S95-100. PubMed
  4. Baragatti B, Calderone V, Testai L, et al. Vasodilator activity of crude methanolic extract of Gentiana kokiana Perr. et Song. (Gentianaceae). J Ethnopharmacol 2002;79:369-72. PubMed
  5. Sanatani M, Younus J, Stitt L, et al. Tolerability of the combination of ginger (Zingiber officinalis), gentian (Gentiana lutea) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in patients with cancer-associated anorexia. J Complement Integr Med. 2015;12(1):57-60.

See these in context on the Gentian monograph →

Slippery Elm 3 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  3. Czarnecki D, Nixon R, Bekhor P, and et al. Delayed prolonged contact urticaria from the elm tree. Contact Dermatitis 1993;28:196-197. PubMed

See these in context on the Slippery Elm monograph →

Aloe 41 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. Wichtl MW. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Ed. N.M. Bisset. Stuttgart: Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers, 1994.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
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See these in context on the Aloe monograph →

White Oak 2 references
  1. Herbs at a Glance — NIH NCCIH Source
  2. Herbs and Supplements — MedlinePlus Source

See these in context on the White Oak 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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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