Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 8 of 10 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Congest Free Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbs Etc.

Congest Free label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Congest Free 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

Congest Free is a dietary supplement by Herbs Etc. with 10 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for nasal congestion and sinus problems, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), headache.Based on those ingredients, 1,309 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cubeb Berry Extract, Xanthium fruit extract, Cassia Twig Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Congest Free by Herbs Etc.

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Congest Free by Herbs Etc. — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Congest Free by Herbs Etc.

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 11, 2026

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 10 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Extract Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (0.75 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

Congest Free contains 10 ingredients, most of them herbal extracts delivered in a liquid form. The active ingredients are xanthium fruit extract (Siberian cocklebur), eyebright herb extract, osha root extract, cayenne fruit extract, cassia twig extract, cubeb berry extract, grindelia flower extract, magnolia bud extract, and Chinese mint herb extract, plus a proprietary extract blend whose components are listed separately.

The product also contains alcohol and purified water as inactive ingredients.

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 sinus health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Common cold, Cough, Headache, Nonallergic rhinitis, Rhinosinusitis — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Capsicum is rated "Possibly Effective" for Cluster headache (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Capsicum is rated "Possibly Effective" for Nonallergic rhinitis.
  • Also on file: Eyebright is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), Common cold, Cough, Rhinosinusitis.

The evidence for how well Congest Free works is limited. Cayenne (capsicum) is rated Likely Effective for nerve pain after shingles (postherpetic neuralgia) and diabetic nerve damage, and Possibly Effective for cluster headaches, back pain, and nausea after surgery.

Magnolia bud extract is Possibly Effective for gum disease (gingivitis). For the other ingredients—eyebright, osha, cassia, cubeb, grindelia, and Chinese mint—the evidence is insufficient to rate their effectiveness, or no evidence is on file.

So while cayenne has some solid backing, we don't have enough data to say whether this combination will help with congestion.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Siberian Cocklebur Eyebright Osha Capsicum Cassia Cinnamon Cubebs Magnolia Japanese Mint

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 6 of the 8 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 8 of 8.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 8 of 8.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Several ingredients raise safety flags. Xanthium fruit extract (Siberian cocklebur) is considered unsafe for use; it contains toxic compounds and has caused serious poisoning, serious liver damage, and low blood sugar emergencies.

Eyebright is likely safe in small amounts as tea but not well studied overall; adverse effects reported include confusion, headache, nausea, constipation, cough, and shortness of breath. Cayenne is generally well tolerated at food amounts or doses up to 200 mg daily, though it commonly causes burning, bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea.

Cassia cinnamon at high doses over time may harm the liver due to its coumarin content. Chinese mint essential oil, if concentrated, can cause contact dermatitis and in rare cases trigger asthma-like or respiratory effects.

Magnolia seems well tolerated overall but human data is limited. Osha has limited safety data and wild osha can be confused with poisonous look-alikes.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Siberian Cocklebur Eyebright Osha Capsicum Cassia Cinnamon Cubebs Magnolia Japanese Mint

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?
  • 6 of the 8 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Eyebright, Magnolia, Cubebs, Capsicum, Cassia Cinnamon, among others.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,310 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 Congest Free, check with your pharmacist if you take diabetes medications (xanthium, eyebright, and cassia all lower blood sugar), blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin or aspirin (magnolia and cayenne increase bleeding risk), liver-damaging drugs (xanthium and cassia carry Major and Moderate risks), kidney-damaging drugs (xanthium carries Major risk), sedatives or sleep aids (magnolia may add to sedation), heart or blood-pressure drugs, or acid-reflux medications. No interactions are documented for osha root extract or Chinese mint in our data.

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

This product carries serious safety and interaction concerns, chiefly because of xanthium fruit extract, which has caused liver failure, kidney damage, and severe low blood sugar. If you take diabetes medications, blood thinners, heart or liver medications, or CNS depressants like sedatives, you need to check every medication you're on before considering this product.

Even then, xanthium's toxicity profile may be reason enough to look for alternatives. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before use.

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

Assessment coverage: 8 of 10 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 23, 2025.

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 Congest Free, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbs Etc.
Barcode (UPC) 765704119013
Net contents 1 Fluid Ounce(s); 30 Milliliter(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 23, 2025
DSLD ID 320830
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Congest Free by Herbs Etc., 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:
30 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
30 Drop(s)
Servings per container
40
UPC/BARCODE
765704119013
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Extract Blend0.75 mL--
Xanthium fruit extract0 NP--
Eyebright herb extract0 NP--
Osha root extract0 NP--
Cayenne fruit extract0 NP--
Cassia Twig Extract0 NP--
Cubeb Berry Extract0 NP--
Grindelia Flower Extract, Fresh0 NP--
Magnolia Bud Extract0 NP--
Chinese Mint Herb Extract0 NP--
Chinese Lovage Root Extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Purified

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 sinus health

Gluten free

Vegan

Manufactured in Santa Fe, NM.

No artificial preservatives.

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Formula

Congest Free is made with sinus health promoting herbs, including Xanthium, Cassia, and Grindelia.

General Statements

We apply our company philosophy to Congest Free, as we do to all of our herbal medicines. That philosophy is to do what's right, which extends to choosing the right herbs, using the right processes, and making the right formulations that support your health needs. We do all of this to bring you herbal medicines made right.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Take 30 drops in water up to four times a day.

Precautions

Caution: Do not use during pregnancy or while nursing.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

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

See for yourself

Congest Free by Herbs Etc. label

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

Congest Free 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 Congest Free by Herbs Etc.

These are the 10 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size30 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container40 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 Extract Blend

0.75 mL per serving

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

Interaction report

Congest Free by Herbs Etc. Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Congest 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
1,309Drugs
662 Major 632 Moderate 15 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Cubeb Berry Extract 665
Xanthium fruit extract 662
Cassia Twig Extract 442
Magnolia Bud Extract 351
Cayenne fruit extract 239

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Congest Free interact with 1,309 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

6 of the 10 ingredients in Congest Free interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Cubeb Berry Extract Xanthium fruit extract Cassia Twig Extract Magnolia Bud Extract Cayenne fruit extract Eyebright herb extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Congest Free 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.

Cubeb Berry Extract4 drug types · 665 drugs

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Several compounds isolated from cubebs can inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in vitro. So far, this effect has not been reported in humans. Theoretically, cubebs might increase the effects and side effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. These include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem), estrogens, indinavir (Crixivan), triazolam (Halcion), and numerous others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antacids

Theoretically, due to reports that cubebs increases stomach acid, cubebs might decrease the effectiveness of antacids.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
H2-Blockers

Theoretically, due to reports that cubebs increases stomach acid, cubebs might decrease the effectiveness of H2-blockers. The H2 blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Proton Pump Inhibitors (Ppis)

Theoretically, due to reports that cubebs increases stomach acid, cubebs might decrease the effectiveness of PPIs. PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cubeb Berry Extract full monograph & interactions

Xanthium fruit extract3 drug types · 662 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Siberian cocklebur seedlings and seeds have caused severe hypoglycemia in humans. Hypoglycemia occurs soon after consumption and worsens with time in most cases. Do not use Siberian cocklebur in people taking medications that also lower blood glucose.
Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Siberian cocklebur can adversely affect the liver. It has been linked to many cases of hepatotoxicity and some cases of liver failure. Theoretically, concomitant use with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage. Some of these drugs include acarbose (Precose, Prandase), amiodarone (Cordarone), atorvastatin (Lipitor), azathioprine (Imuran), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cerivastatin (Baycol), diclofenac (Voltaren), felbamate (Felbatol), fenofibrate (TriCor), fluvastatin (Lescol), gemfibrozil (Lopid), isoniazid, itraconazole, (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), leflunomide (Arava), lovastatin (Mevacor), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), nevirapine (Viramune), niacin, nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin), pioglitazone (Actos), pravastatin (Pravachol), pyrazinamide, rifampin (Rifadin), ritonavir (Norvir), rosiglitazone (Avandia), simvastatin (Zocor), tacrine (Cognex), tamoxifen, terbinafine (Lamisil), valproic acid, and zileuton (Zyflo).

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Nephrotoxic Drugs

Siberian cocklebur can adversely affect the kidney. Theoretically, combining Siberian cocklebur with potentially nephrotoxic drugs might have additive harmful effects on kidney function.
Some potentially nephrotoxic drugs include cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); aminoglycosides including amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin, Gentak, others), and tobramycin (Nebcin, others); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene); and numerous others.

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Xanthium fruit extract full monograph & interactions

Cassia Twig Extract2 drug types · 442 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

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

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Hepatotoxic Drugs

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

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cassia Twig Extract full monograph & interactions

Magnolia Bud Extract2 drug types · 351 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, magnolia might have additive effects and increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that the chemicals magnolol and honokiol, isolated from magnolia bark, inhibit platelet aggregation that is experimentally induced by collagen and arachidonic acid. However, they do not inhibit platelet aggregation that is induced by adenosine diphosphate, platelet-activating factor, or thrombin. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, concomitant use of large doses of magnolia bark and CNS depressants might have additive effects.
In vitro and animal research shows that constituents extracted from magnolia bark, especially honokiol and magnolol, have sedative effects. These effects may be due to the inhibition of catecholamine release and modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) receptors.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Magnolia Bud Extract full monograph & interactions

Cayenne fruit extract6 drug types · 239 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, capsicum may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that capsicum might increase the effects of antiplatelet drugs. Also, population research shows that capsicum is associated with an increased risk of self-reported bleeding in patients taking warfarin. However, clinical research shows that taking a single dose of capsaicin (Asian Herbex Ltd.), the active ingredient in capsicum, 400-800 mcg orally in combination with aspirin 500 mg does not decrease platelet aggregation when compared with taking aspirin 500 mg alone. Also, there was no notable effect on measures of platelet aggregation with capsaicin. It is unclear whether capsaicin must be used in more than a single dose to affect platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking capsicum with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Preliminary clinical research shows that consuming capsicum 5 grams along with a glucose drink attenuates the rise in plasma glucose after 30 minutes by 21%, decreases the 2-hour postprandial area under the curve of plasma glucose by 11%, and increases the 2-hour postprandial area under the curve of plasma insulin by 58% in healthy individuals when compared with placebo. Other clinical research shows that taking capsicum 5 mg daily for 28 days significantly reduces postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels, but not fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, in patients with gestational diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Aspirin

Theoretically, taking capsicum with aspirin might reduce the bioavailability of aspirin.
Animal research shows that acute or chronic intake of capsicum pepper reduces oral aspirin bioavailability. This has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Theophylline

Theoretically, taking capsicum with theophylline might increase the levels and adverse effects of theophylline.
In animal research, oral administration of capsicum reduced excretion of theophylline. However, capsicum does not seem to affect the pharmacokinetics of theophylline when administered intravenously.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Ace Inhibitors (Aceis)

Theoretically, using topical capsaicin may increase the risk of ACE inhibitor-induced cough.
There is one case report of a topically applied capsaicin cream contributing to the cough reflex in a patient using an ACEI. However, it is unclear if this interaction is clinically significant.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Theoretically, taking capsicum with ciprofloxacin might increase levels and adverse effects of ciprofloxacin.
Animal research shows that concomitant use of capsaicin, the active constituent of capsicum, and ciprofloxacin increases the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin by up to 70%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cayenne fruit extract full monograph & interactions

Eyebright herb extract1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, eyebright might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that eyebright lowers blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Eyebright herb extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Herbs Etc.

Name
Herbs, Etc., Inc.
Street Address
1340 Rufina Circle
City
Santa Fe
State
NM
ZipCode
87507
Web Address
www.herbsetc.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Congest Free by Herbs Etc.: Common Questions

Does Congest Free by Herbs Etc. interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Congest Free has a known interaction with 1,309 medications, including 662 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Congest Free contains 10 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.
Is Congest Free safe to use if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Xanthium fruit extract and eyebright are unsafe during pregnancy due to toxicity risk and lack of safety data; you should avoid them. Osha, cassia, cubeb, magnolia, and Chinese mint are best avoided too because safety data are limited or insufficient. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal product while pregnant or nursing.
What is xanthium fruit extract, and why is it in this product?
Xanthium fruit extract comes from Siberian cocklebur. It's included as a traditional herbal ingredient for congestion, but the facts show it's considered unsafe for use—it contains toxic compounds and has caused serious liver and kidney damage and severe low blood sugar. The safety data advises against it.
Does cayenne in this product really work for pain or cold symptoms?
Cayenne (capsicum) is Likely Effective for nerve pain after shingles and diabetic nerve pain, and Possibly Effective for cluster headaches and back pain. But there's no effectiveness rating on file for congestion or cold symptoms, so we can't say whether it helps with that.
Can I use this product if I take blood thinners like warfarin?
No, not without checking with your pharmacist first. Both magnolia and cayenne in this product carry Moderate interactions with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs—they may increase bleeding risk. Your exact medication matters, so use the search tool on this page to check.
What are the most common side effects I might feel?
Cayenne commonly causes belching, bloating, gas, nausea, diarrhea, and burning sensations. Eyebright may cause headache, nausea, or constipation. Chinese mint oil can cause contact dermatitis. The alcohol content in this liquid product may also be a factor if you're sensitive to it.
Why does this product have so many herbal ingredients?
Each ingredient is included traditionally to support respiratory or sinus health. The proprietary blend means some of the exact amounts or combinations aren't listed separately. However, the number of ingredients also means more chances for interactions with your other medications—that's why checking with your pharmacist is important.

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.

Congest Free label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Congest Free’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Siberian Cocklebur

Interacts with 662 drugs

Siberian cocklebur is a fruit used in traditional Chinese and other Asian herbal medicine, mainly for nasal congestion, sinus issues, and allergies. Human evidence is very limited, and the p...

Read the full Siberian Cocklebur monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Eyebright

Interacts with 86 drugs

Eyebright is a traditional herb long used for minor eye irritation, redness, and allergy symptoms, but high-quality human studies are very limited. There is not enough reliable evidence to c...

Read the full Eyebright monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Osha

Osha is a root from a wild mountain plant native to the western United States and Mexico, traditionally used by Native American and Hispanic communities for coughs, colds, and sore throats....

Read the full Osha monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Capsicum

Interacts with 239 drugs

Capsicum (chili pepper) contains capsaicin, which is best known and best studied as a topical treatment for certain types of pain. Topical capsaicin products are supported by reasonable evid...

Read the full Capsicum monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Cassia Cinnamon

Interacts with 442 drugs

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

Read the full Cassia Cinnamon monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Cubebs

Interacts with 665 drugs

Cubebs are spicy, peppery berries from a vine in the pepper family that have long been used in traditional medicine for coughs, digestion, and urinary problems. Modern human studies are very...

Read the full Cubebs monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Magnolia

Interacts with 351 drugs

Magnolia bark and flower buds have a long history in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, often for stress, sleep, and digestion. Modern human research is still limited, so we can't be...

Read the full Magnolia monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Japanese Mint

Japanese mint is a menthol-rich plant used mainly for its essential oil in topical rubs, inhalants, and digestive remedies. There is some support for menthol's soothing and cooling effects,...

Read the full Japanese Mint monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Congest 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 132 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.

Siberian Cocklebur 4 references
  1. Wu, M. L., Wang, C. P., and Deng, J. F. Fatal hepatic failure due to fructus xanthii in a child. Abstracts of the 2005 North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology Annual Meeting. Clin Toxicol 2005;43:639. DOI
  2. Gurley ES, Rahman M, Hossain MJ, et al. Fatal outbreak from consuming Xanthium strumarium seedlings during time of food scarcity in northeastern Bangladesh. PLoS One 2010 Mar 18;5(3):e9756. PubMed
  3. Turgut M, Alhan CC, Gurgoze M, et al. Carboxyatractyloside poisoning in humans. Ann Trop Paediatr 2005;25(2):125-34. PubMed
  4. Karabiber H, Almis H, Selimoglu MA, Yakinci C, Yilmaz S. Xanthium strumarium poisoning requiring liver transplantation. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2014;58(1):e6-9.

See these in context on the Siberian Cocklebur monograph →

Eyebright 4 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. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Porchezhian, E., Ansari, S. H., and Shreedharan, N. K. Antihyperglycemic activity of Euphrasia officinale leaves. Fitoterapia 2000;71(5):522-526. PubMed

See these in context on the Eyebright monograph →

Osha 2 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

See these in context on the Osha monograph →

Capsicum 89 references
  1. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
  2. Cooper RL, Cooper MM. Red pepper-induced dermatitis in breast-fed infants. Dermatol 1996;93:61-2. PubMed
  3. Millqvist E. Cough provocation with capsaicin is an objective way to test sensory hyperreactivity in patients with asthma-like symptoms. Allergy 2000;55:546-50. DOI
  4. Locock RA. Capsicum. Can Pharm J 1985;118:517-9.
  5. Mason L, Moore RA, Derry S, et al. Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain. BMJ 2004;328:991. PubMed
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Cassia Cinnamon 20 references
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Cubebs 2 references
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See these in context on the Cubebs monograph →

Magnolia 9 references
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See these in context on the Magnolia monograph →

Japanese Mint 2 references
  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
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See these in context on the Japanese Mint monograph →

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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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