Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 6 of 7 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

David Winston's Metabolic Support Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalist & Alchemist

David Winston's Metabolic Support label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking David Winston's Metabolic Support 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: Moderate

David Winston's Metabolic Support is a dietary supplement by Herbalist & Alchemist with 7 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, indigestion and heartburn, constipation and bloating.Based on those ingredients, 930 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cinnamon bark extract, Fenugreek seed extract, Artichoke leaf 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 David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 23, 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 7 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (4 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

This seven-ingredient liquid contains a proprietary blend and extracts of artichoke leaf, holy basil herb, bitter melon fruit, cinnamon bark, fenugreek seed, and lycium fruit. These are the active ingredients meant to support metabolic health.

The liquid also contains ethyl alcohol, distilled water, and vegetable glycerin as inactive ingredients that preserve and deliver the extract.

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: supports healthy blood sugar levels in normal range.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipidemia, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Metabolic syndrome — and 2 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Fenugreek is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Artichoke is rated "Possibly Effective" for Hyperlipidemia.
  • Also on file: Olive is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Metabolic syndrome.

The facts we hold show mixed evidence for the active ingredients. Artichoke leaf extract is possibly effective for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and indigestion (dyspepsia).

Fenugreek seed is possibly effective for sexual function and diabetes; cinnamon bark extract's effectiveness for diabetes and other conditions is not established in our data — all six conditions listed show insufficient evidence. Holy basil, bitter melon, olive leaf, and lycium fruit all show insufficient evidence for the conditions we have on file, meaning clinical trials haven't yet made a clear case either way.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Artichoke Holy Basil Bitter Melon Cassia Cinnamon Fenugreek Olive

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 6 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 6 of 6.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 6 of 6.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Artichoke, holy basil, and bitter melon are generally well tolerated in the short term, though artichoke and bitter melon can cause stomach upset — abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence — in some people. Fenugreek is well tolerated orally but can rarely trigger severe allergic reactions like bronchospasm or angioedema.

Cinnamon and olive leaf extract are generally well tolerated; cinnamon at very high doses taken long-term raises a theoretical concern about liver damage from its coumarin content. Lycium fruit extract's safety profile is not on file.

Do not take artichoke or holy basil during pregnancy — safety data advise against it. Fenugreek is likely unsafe in pregnancy.

Bitter melon and cinnamon are traditionally avoided in pregnancy at medicinal doses. For breastfeeding, artichoke and holy basil are best avoided, fenugreek is possibly safe but discuss it with your provider first, and safety data for bitter melon, cinnamon, olive leaf, and lycium are not established — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Artichoke Holy Basil Bitter Melon Cassia Cinnamon Fenugreek Olive

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?
  • 5 of the 6 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Fenugreek, Bitter Melon, Artichoke, Cassia Cinnamon, Holy Basil.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 931 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your own doctor or pharmacist if you take diabetes medications (risk of low blood sugar), blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin (risk of increased bleeding), seizure medication phenytoin (Dilantin), heart or blood pressure drugs like metoprolol (Toprol), theophylline, sildenafil (Viagra), pazopanib (Votrient), or drugs metabolized by CYP2C19 or CYP2B6 liver enzymes. The severity of these interactions ranges from Moderate, meaning they require monitoring, but none are documented as Major.

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 product is a multi-ingredient herbal formula best suited for people interested in botanical metabolic support who don't take blood sugar medications, blood thinners, seizure drugs, or heart medications. If you're on any prescription, run it through the interaction checker below or discuss this product with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting — the ingredient list and interaction count mean there's a real possibility it could affect how your medications work.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use it without explicit guidance from their healthcare provider.

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

Assessment coverage: 6 of 7 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 22, 2019.

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 David Winston's Metabolic Support, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbalist & Alchemist
Barcode (UPC) 667056138684
Net contents 2 fl. Oz.; 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 22, 2019
DSLD ID 209274
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, 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 David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
3 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
4 mL
Servings per container
15
UPC/BARCODE
667056138684
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend4 mL--
Artichoke leaf extract0 NP--
Holy Basil herb extract0 NP--
Bitter Melon fruit extract0 NP--
Cinnamon bark extract0 NP--
Fenugreek seed extract0 NP--
Olive leaf extract0 NP--
Lycium fruit extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, distilled Water, Vegetable Glycerin

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Supports healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: 60-80 drops (3-4 mL) in juice or water. Take 3 times per day. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Contraindications: Monitor blood sugar levels carefully when using in combination with blood sugar lowering medications. Do not use during pregnancy unless otherwise directed by a qualified expert.

Keep out of children's reach

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Seals/Symbols

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Formula

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See for yourself

David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist label

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

David Winston's Metabolic Support 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 David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist

These are the 7 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size3 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container15 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

4 mL per serving

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

Interaction report

David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against David Winston's Metabolic Support?

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
930Drugs
930 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Cinnamon bark extract 442
Fenugreek seed extract 389
Artichoke leaf extract 363
Bitter Melon fruit extract 282
Holy Basil herb extract 212

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in David Winston's Metabolic Support interact with 930 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

5 of the 7 ingredients in David Winston's Metabolic Support interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Cinnamon bark extract Fenugreek seed extract Artichoke leaf extract Bitter Melon fruit extract Holy Basil herb extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in David Winston's Metabolic Support 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.

Cinnamon bark 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
Cinnamon bark extract full monograph & interactions

Fenugreek seed extract9 drug types · 389 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, fenugreek might have additive effects when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Some of the constituents in fenugreek have antiplatelet effects in animal and in vitro research. However, common fenugreek products might not contain sufficient concentrations of these constituents for clinical effects. A clinical study in patients with coronary artery disease or diabetes shows that taking fenugreek seed powder 2.5 grams twice daily for 3 months does not affect platelet aggregation, fibrinolytic activity, or fibrinogen levels .

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, fenugreek seed might have additive hypoglycemic effects when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Clinical research shows that fenugreek seed can reduce fasting blood glucose and 2-hour postprandial glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Theoretically, fenugreek seed might alter the clinical effects of clopidogrel by inhibiting its conversion to the active form.
Animal research shows that fenugreek seed 200 mg/kg daily for 14 days increases the maximum serum concentration of clopidogrel by 21%. It is unclear how this affects the pharmacokinetics of the active metabolite of clopidogrel; however, this study found that concomitant use of fenugreek seed and clopidogrel prolonged bleeding time by an additional 11%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metoprolol (Toprol)

Theoretically, fenugreek seed might have additive hypotensive effects when used with metoprolol.
Animal research shows that fenugreek seed 300 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks decreases systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 9% and 11%, respectively, when administered alone, and by 15% and 22%, respectively, when given with metoprolol 10 mg/kg.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Theoretically, fenugreek might decrease plasma levels of phenytoin.
Animal research shows that taking fenugreek seeds for 1 week decreases maximum concentrations and the area under the curve of a single dose of phenytoin by 44% and 72%, respectively. This seems to be related to increased clearance. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Sildenafil (Viagra)

Theoretically, concurrent use of sildenafil and fenugreek might reduce levels and therapeutic effects of sildenafil.
Animal research shows that taking fenugreek seeds for 1 week reduces maximum concentrations and the area under the curve of a single dose of sildenafil by 27% and 48%, respectively. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Theophylline

Theoretically, fenugreek may reduce the levels and clinical effects of theophylline.
Animal research shows that fenugreek 50 grams daily for 7 days reduces the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) of theophylline by 28% and the area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC) by 22%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, fenugreek might have additive effects with warfarin and increase the international normalized ratio (INR).
Some fenugreek constituents have antiplatelet effects, although these might not be present in concentrations that are clinically significant. In one case report, a patient taking warfarin experienced an increased INR when starting to take fenugreek in combination with boldo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Fenugreek may also have an additive effect on blood pressure-lowering medications. Studies on animals have shown that fenugreek seed can decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by up to 22% when combined with metoprolol. Therefore, it is essential to monitor your blood pressure regularly if you are taking fenugreek and metoprolol together or any other antihypertensive drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Fenugreek seed extract full monograph & interactions

Artichoke leaf extract4 drug types · 363 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, artichoke leaf extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
A meta-analysis of small clinical studies shows that taking artichoke leaf extract for 8-12 weeks can modestly reduce fasting plasma glucose when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, artichoke leaf extract may increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
A meta-analysis of small clinical studies in patients with hypertension shows that taking artichoke can reduce systolic blood pressure by around 3 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by around 2 mmHg when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, artichoke might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.
In vitro research shows that artichoke leaf extract inhibits CYP2B6 activity. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, artichoke might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that artichoke leaf extract inhibits CYP2C19 activity. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Artichoke leaf extract full monograph & interactions

Bitter Melon fruit extract3 drug types · 282 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Bitter melon can lower blood glucose levels and might have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs. This might increase the risk of hypoglycemia in some patients. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Bitter melon might inhibit the p-glycoprotein (P-gp) intestinal pump and increase intracellular levels of P-gp substrates. In vitro research in intestinal cells shows that 1-monopalmitin, a constituent of bitter melon, increases levels of daunomycin, a P-gp substrate. Additionally, drinking bitter melon juice has been associated with a case of acute pancreatitis in a patient who had been taking pazopanib, a P-gp substrate, for 8 years. Researchers theorize that inhibition of P-gp led to increased levels of pazopanib, resulting in pazopanib-induced pancreatitis.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pazopanib (Votrient)

Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of pazopanib, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a 65-year-old patient taking pazopanib for 8 years for renal cell carcinoma experienced signs and symptoms consistent with acute pancreatitis 4 days after drinking bitter melon juice at a dose of 100-150 mL daily. The patient's symptoms, amylase levels, and lipase levels improved upon discontinuation of bitter melon and pazopanib. Pazopanib treatment was re-initiated with no further evidence of pancreatitis. Researchers theorize that inhibition of P-glycoprotein by bitter melon led to increased levels of pazopanib, a P-glycoprotein substrate, resulting in pazopanib-induced pancreatitis.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Bitter Melon fruit extract full monograph & interactions

Holy Basil herb extract3 drug types · 212 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, holy basil seed oil might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Animal research shows that holy basil seed oil can prolong bleeding time, possibly due to inhibition of platelet aggregation. However, it is not known if this occurs in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, holy basil might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Small clinical studies show that taking holy basil can decrease fasting blood glucose and other measures of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, holy basil seed oil might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.
Animal research shows that holy basil seed oil increases pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time. However, it is not known if this occurs in humans or if this applies to other barbiturates or sedatives.

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

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for David Winston's Metabolic Support, from the product label.

Herbalist & Alchemist

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

David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist: Common Questions

Does David Winston's Metabolic Support by Herbalist & Alchemist interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, David Winston's Metabolic Support has a known interaction with 930 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
David Winston's Metabolic Support contains 7 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 if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — artichoke and holy basil should be avoided in pregnancy, fenugreek is likely unsafe in pregnancy, and bitter melon is traditionally avoided at medicinal doses during pregnancy. For breastfeeding, artichoke and holy basil should be avoided, fenugreek may be possibly safe but discuss it with your doctor first, and safety data for the other ingredients are not established. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.
What does this product do?
It's formulated to support metabolic health using herbs like artichoke and fenugreek, which show some evidence for blood sugar and cholesterol management, though not all ingredients have established effectiveness in our data.
Will this lower my blood sugar?
Possibly — several ingredients, including artichoke, holy basil, bitter melon, and fenugreek, have shown the ability to lower blood glucose in small studies. If you take diabetes medication, this could increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), so check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
What are the most common side effects?
The most frequent side effects reported are gastrointestinal: abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, and indigestion, occurring in a small number of trial participants. Fenugreek can rarely trigger severe allergic reactions like bronchospasm.
What's in this liquid?
Seven active ingredients — artichoke leaf, holy basil herb, bitter melon fruit, cinnamon bark, fenugreek seed, olive leaf, and lycium fruit extracts — delivered in ethyl alcohol, water, and vegetable glycerin.
Is this safe to take long-term?
Most of the ingredients are generally well tolerated short-term, but high-quality long-term safety data are limited for several of them. Cinnamon at very high doses long-term raises a theoretical concern about liver damage. Discuss long-term use with your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

David Winston's Metabolic Support label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind David Winston's Metabolic Support’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Artichoke

Interacts with 363 drugs

Artichoke leaf extract is a generally well-tolerated supplement that may have a mild cholesterol-lowering effect and is often used for indigestion, though the evidence is modest. It is not a...

Read the full Artichoke monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Holy Basil

Interacts with 212 drugs

Holy basil (tulsi) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb most often used today for stress and general wellness, but the human evidence is mostly small and preliminary. It is generally well tolerat...

Read the full Holy Basil monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Bitter Melon

Interacts with 282 drugs

Bitter melon is a tropical fruit eaten as food and used in traditional medicine, most often for blood sugar control. While some small studies hint it may modestly lower blood sugar, the evid...

Read the full Bitter Melon 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

Fenugreek

Interacts with 389 drugs

Fenugreek is a common kitchen spice that is also taken as a supplement, mainly for blood sugar, cholesterol, and to support breast milk production. Some early research is encouraging for blo...

Read the full Fenugreek monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Olive

Olive comes from the same tree that gives us olives and olive oil, and its leaf and fruit contain antioxidant compounds like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Olive oil as part of a Mediterrane...

Read the full Olive monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

David Winston's Metabolic Support'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 94 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.

Artichoke 16 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.
  2. Walker AF, Middleton RW, Petrowicz O. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytother Res 2001;15:58-61. PubMed
  3. Pittler MH, White AR, Stevinson C, Ernst E. Effectiveness of artichoke extract in preventing alcohol-induced hangovers: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2003;169:1269-73.
  4. Romano, C., Ferrara, A., and Falagiani, P. A case of allergy to globe artichoke and other clinical cases of rare food allergy. J Investig.Allergol.Clin Immunol. 2000;10(2):102-104.
  5. Miralles, J. C., Garcia-Sells, J., Bartolome, B., and Negro, J. M. Occupational rhinitis and bronchial asthma due to artichoke (Cynara scolymus). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;91(1):92-95. PubMed
  6. Franck, P., Moneret-Vautrin, D. A., Morisset, M., Kanny, G., Megret-Gabeaux, M. L., and Olivier, J. L. Anaphylactic reaction to inulin: first identification of specific IgEs to an inulin protein compound. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2005;136(2):155-158. PubMed
  7. Meding, B. Allergic contact dermatitis from artichoke, Cynara scolymus. Contact Dermatitis 1983;9(4):314.
  8. Quirce, S., Tabar, A. I., Olaguibel, J. M., and Cuevas, M. Occupational contact urticaria syndrome caused by globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996;97(2):710-711. PubMed
  9. Held C. Von der 1. Deutsche-Ungarischen Phytopharmakon-Konferenz, Budapest, 20. November 1991. Z Klin Med 1992;47:92-93.
  10. Barrat E, Zaïr Y, Ogier N, et al. A combined natural supplement lowers LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate untreated hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(7):882-9. PubMed
  11. Huber R, Müller M, Naumann J, Schenk T, Lüdtke R. Artichoke leave extract for chronic hepatitis C - a pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2009 Sep;16(9):801-4. PubMed
  12. Caputo F, Barranco R, Bonsignore A, Fraternali Orcioni G, Ventura F. A rare case of fatal bowel obstruction secondary to a colonic bezoar. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2018;39(1):38-40. PubMed
  13. Elsebai MF, Abass K, Hakkola J, Atawia AR, Farag MA. The wild Egyptian artichoke as a promising functional food for the treatment of hepatitis C virus as revealed via UPLC-MS and clinical trials. Food Funct. 2016;7(7):3006-16. PubMed
  14. Moradi M, Sohrabi G, Golbidi M, et al. Effects of artichoke on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med 2021;57:102668. PubMed
  15. Jalili C, Moradi S, Babaei A, et al. Effects of Cynara scolymus L. on glycemic indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med 2020;52:102496. PubMed
  16. Gallo R, Oddenino G, Trave I, Gasparini G, Guadagno A, Parodi A. Contact sensitivity to sesquiterpene lactone mix and artichoke in a patient with severe recurrent dermatitis: A puzzling case. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(2):156-158. PubMed

See these in context on the Artichoke monograph →

Holy Basil 8 references
  1. Agrawal P, Rai V, Singh RB. Randomized placebo-controlled, single blind trial of holy basil leaves in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996;34:406-9.
  2. Sakina MR, Dandiya PC, Hamdard ME, Hameed A. Preliminary psychopharmacological evaluation of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;28:143-50. PubMed
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See these in context on the Holy Basil monograph →

Bitter Melon 18 references
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  7. Basch E, Gabardi S, Ulbricht C. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a review of efficacy and safety. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2003;60:356-9. PubMed
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See these in context on the Bitter Melon monograph →

Cassia Cinnamon 20 references
  1. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
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  17. Brancheau D, Patel B, Zughaib M. Do cinnamon supplements cause acute hepatitis? Am J Case Rep 2015;16:250-4. PubMed
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  19. Bernaola J, Valverde-Monge M, Otal-Buesa M, Cullen D, Heras-Mendaza F. Cinnamon allergic contact cheilitis. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(5):418-419. PubMed
  20. Patel K, Howard M, Tate B. Cheilitis caused by allergic contact dermatitis to cinnamon in chai tea: A case report. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(3):239-240. PubMed

See these in context on the Cassia Cinnamon monograph →

Fenugreek 30 references
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  2. Sharma RD, Raghuram TC, Rao NS. Effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and serum lipids in type I diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr 1990;44:301-6.
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  10. Gabay MP. Galactogogues: medications that induce lactation. J Hum Lact 2002;18:274-9. PubMed
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  12. Turkyilmaz C, Onal E, Hirfanoglu IM, et al. The effect of galactagogue herbal tea on breast milk production and short-term catch-up of birth weight in the first week of life. J Altern Complement Med 2011;17(2):139-42. PubMed
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  14. Abdel-Barry, J. A., Abdel-Hassan, I. A., Jawad, A. M., and al Hakiem, M. H. Hypoglycaemic effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum in healthy volunteers. East Mediterr.Health J 2000;6(1):83-88. DOI
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  21. Al-Jenoobi FI, Ahad A, Mahrous GM, Al-Mohizea AM, AlKharfy KM, Al-Suwayeh SA. Effects of fenugreek, garden cress, and black seed on theophylline pharmacokinetics in beagle dogs. Pharm Biol 2015;53(2):296-300. PubMed
  22. Rao A, Steels E, Inder WJ, Abraham S, Vitetta L. Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a doubl
  23. Steels E, Rao A, Vitetta L. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Phytother Res. 2011 Sep;25(9):1294-300.
  24. Gong J, Fang K, Dong H, Wang D, Hu M, Lu F. Effect of fenugreek on hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidemia in diabetes and prediabetes: A meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24;194:260-268. PubMed
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  27. Alkharfy K, Jan B, Alotaibi K, et al. Clopidogrel-herb Interactions: A Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Assessment in a Rat Model. Curr Drug Metab 2021;22(12):969-977. PubMed
  28. Bin Jardan YA, Ahad A, Raish M, Alam MA, Al-Mohizea AM, Al-Jenoobi FI. Effects of garden cress, fenugreek and black seed on the pharmacodynamics of metoprolol: an herb-drug interaction study in rats with hypertension. Pharm Biol 2021;59(1):1088-1097. PubMed
  29. Al-Mohizea AM, Ahad A, El-Maghraby GM, et al. Effects of Nigella sativa, Lepidium sativum and Trigonella foenum-graecum on sildenafil disposition in beagle dogs. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2015;40(2):219-24. PubMed
  30. Alkharfy KM, Al-Jenoobi FI, Al-Mohizea AM, et al. Effects of Lepidium sativum, Nigella sativa and Trigonella foenum-graceum on phenytoin pharmacokinetics in beagle dogs. Phytother Res. 2013;27(12):1800-4.

See these in context on the Fenugreek monograph →

Olive 2 references
  1. Liccardi G, D'Amato M, D'Amato G. Oleaceae pollinosis: a review. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1996;111:210-7. PubMed
  2. Somerville V, Moore R, Braakhuis A. The effect of olive leaf extract on upper respiratory illness in high school athletes: A randomised control trial. Nutrients. 2019;11(2). pii: E358. PubMed

See these in context on the Olive 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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