E-Tea Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking E-Tea 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
E-Tea is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin conditions like acne and eczema, digestive support, diuretic ('detox') and blood purifier.Based on those ingredients, 2,130 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Slippery Elm inner bark extract, Turkey Rhubarb root extract, Sheep Sorrel aerial parts extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine
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.
What’s inside
Low disclosure
E-Tea contains 4 active ingredients in a proprietary blend: burdock root extract, slippery elm inner bark extract, sheep sorrel (aerial parts) extract, and turkey rhubarb root extract. The capsules also contain inactive ingredients—rice oligodextrin, silicon dioxide, and the capsule shell itself—which serve as fillers and flow agents.
Burdock root and rhubarb have a long history of use in herbal traditions, while slippery elm and sorrel are less commonly encountered in supplement form. The blend combines roots, barks, and aerial plant parts, each bringing different chemical compounds.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
The evidence for what this product actually does is limited across all its ingredients. Burdock root, slippery elm inner bark, and sheep sorrel all have insufficient reliable evidence for the conditions they're traditionally used for—ranging from acne and eczema to cough and inflammatory bowel disease.
Turkey rhubarb has possibly effective evidence for menopausal symptoms and pancreatitis, but for most other uses including constipation, the evidence is also insufficient. In short, we hold no established proof that E-Tea works for any specific condition.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Burdock root is generally well tolerated as a food and for short-term use in healthy adults, though human safety data are limited. Rare serious side effects include allergic reactions and one reported case of drug-induced liver disease (though other ingredients in that case may have been involved).
Contact dermatitis has occurred, especially with prolonged use of burdock root oil. Slippery elm is also generally well tolerated for short-term use but can cause contact dermatitis and allergic reactions to its pollen.
Sheep sorrel is generally safe in normal food amounts, though its high oxalate content can be a concern at larger or concentrated doses; a rare case of kidney inflammation has been reported. Turkey rhubarb root commonly causes cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and gastrointestinal discomfort, especially with long-term or high-dose use.
Chronic use or overuse can lead to electrolyte loss (particularly potassium), dehydration, and kidney damage. During pregnancy, avoid medicinal amounts of burdock root and turkey rhubarb root due to lack of safety data and possible effects on the uterus and bowels.
Sheep sorrel is possibly safe in pregnancy, but slippery elm lacks enough data. While breastfeeding, avoid medicinal use of burdock, slippery elm, and turkey rhubarb; sheep sorrel is also cautioned against in concentrated amounts.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about using this product if you're pregnant or nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking E-Tea, check with your own doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs) like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel; drugs that harm the kidneys or liver; water pills (diuretics); steroid hormones (corticosteroids); heart medications like digoxin; cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant); other laxatives; antihistamines like fexofenadine; or any oral medication you rely on for effectiveness. All of these carry documented Moderate interactions with one or more ingredients in this product.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
E-Tea is a four-ingredient herbal blend without established proof of effectiveness for any specific condition. Its main concern is a substantial number of interactions with prescription medications—especially blood thinners, kidney-harming drugs, heart medications, diuretics, and steroids.
If you take any regular medications, use the interaction checker below before starting it, then talk it over with your own doctor or pharmacist to make sure it's right for you.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 4 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.
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
General information
Key facts about E-Tea, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Nature's Sunshine |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 099904013605 |
| Net contents | 100 Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Oct 24, 2022 |
| DSLD ID | 278074 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher |
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 E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Blend | 258 mg | -- |
| Burdock root extract | 0 NP | -- |
| Slippery Elm inner bark extract | 0 NP | -- |
| Sheep Sorrel aerial parts extract | 0 NP | -- |
| Turkey Rhubarb root extract | 0 NP | -- |
Other ingredients: Rice Oligodextrin, Capsule, Silicon Dioxide
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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.
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.
General Statements
Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.
New look! Same great product
Formulation
E-Tea provides all the herbal essence of the original Native American formula which gained popularity in the mid-1900s as Essiac Tea. Traditional preparation requires a 10-hour brewing and steeping process. Components within Essiac Tea have been traditionally used to soothe the digestive tract.
Traditional immune support
Guaranteed pure
Precautions
Notice: This product contains Turkey rhubarb root. Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because turkey rhubarb root may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health.
Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea, or if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
Do not exceed recommended dose. Not for long-term use. Do not use if inner seal is missing or damaged.
Seals/Symbols
Ko Pareve (Kosher)
Formula
Ko Pareve (Kosher)
With herbal extracts
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Brand IP Statement(s)
Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Recommended Use: Take 2 capsules three times daily. Two capsules equal 2 oz. of the traditional tea.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine
These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 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
Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Oligodextrin, Capsule, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Nature's Sunshine E-Tea contains four active ingredients, and three of them—burdock root extract, slippery elm inner bark extract, sheep sorrel aerial parts extract, and turkey rhubarb root extract—have documented interactions with medications.
The most serious concern is turkey rhubarb's potential interaction with nephrotoxic drugs (drugs that can harm the kidneys); theoretically, long-term use of rhubarb might increase kidney damage risk when combined with these medications.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Burdock and sheep sorrel both interact with blood thinners (anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs) at Moderate severity. Burdock's lignans may reduce platelet clumping, potentially raising bleeding risk; sorrel has similar platelet effects.
Slippery elm may slow how your body absorbs oral medications generally, potentially reducing their effectiveness. Sheep sorrel also specifically affects how your body transports and absorbs certain drugs, including fexofenadine (Allegra).
Turkey rhubarb carries additional Moderate interactions: it may increase liver damage risk with hepatotoxic drugs, raise potassium loss when combined with water pills (diuretics) or steroid hormones (corticosteroids), compound fluid loss with other laxatives, raise bleeding risk with warfarin, increase digoxin toxicity through potassium depletion, and reduce cyclosporine levels. Altogether, these interactions span 2,131 individual medications.
Before you start this product, run your exact medications—especially blood thinners, diuretics, steroids, heart medications, antihistamines, or any drug that affects the liver or kidneys—through the interaction checker on this page, then confirm with your own doctor or pharmacist.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against E-Tea?
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in E-Tea interact with 2,130 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
4 of the 4 ingredients in E-Tea interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Slippery Elm inner bark extract Turkey Rhubarb root extract Sheep Sorrel aerial parts extract Burdock root extract
Adalimumab-bwwdHadlima
How Adalimumab-bwwd interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Adalimumab-bwwd interactionAdefovirHepsera
How Adefovir interacts with E-Tea — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Turkey Rhubarb Root ExtractNephrotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, long-term use of anthraquinones from rhubarb might increase the risk of nephrotoxicity when used with nephrotoxic drugs.
Read the full Turkey Rhubarb Root Extract + Adefovir interactionSlippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Adefovir interactionAdenosineATP Tablets
How Adenosine interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Adenosine interactionAfatinib DimaleateGilotrif
How Afatinib Dimaleate interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Afatinib Dimaleate interactionAgomelatineValdoxan
How Agomelatine interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Agomelatine interactionAlbendazoleAlbenza
How Albendazole interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Albendazole interactionAlbuterolProAir HFA, Proventil, Ventolin (U.S.), Volmax
How Albuterol interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Albuterol interactionAlcuroniumAlcuronium
How Alcuronium interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alcuronium interactionAldesleukinProleukin
How Aldesleukin interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Turkey Rhubarb Root ExtractNephrotoxic Drugs, Hepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, long-term use of anthraquinones from rhubarb might increase the risk of nephrotoxicity when used with nephrotoxic drugs.
Read the full Turkey Rhubarb Root Extract + Aldesleukin interactionAlectinib HydrochlorideAlecensa
How Alectinib Hydrochloride interacts with E-Tea — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Turkey Rhubarb Root ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use of rhubarb with potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage.
Read the full Turkey Rhubarb Root Extract + Alectinib Hydrochloride interactionSlippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alectinib Hydrochloride interactionAlemtuzumabCampath
How Alemtuzumab interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alemtuzumab interactionAlendronateBinosto, Fosamax
How Alendronate interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alendronate interactionAlendronate Sodium
How Alendronate Sodium interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alendronate Sodium interactionAlendronate Sodium, CholecalciferolFosamax Plus D
How Alendronate Sodium, Cholecalciferol interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alendronate Sodium, Cholecalciferol interactionAlfentanilAlfenta
How Alfentanil interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alfentanil interactionAlfuzosinUroxatral
How Alfuzosin interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alfuzosin interactionAlginic Acid, Aluminum HydroxideRafton
How Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide interactionAliskirenTekturna
How Aliskiren interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Aliskiren interactionAlitretinoinPanretin
How Alitretinoin interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alitretinoin interactionAllopurinolCaplenal, Cosuric, Rimapurinol, Zyloprim, Zyloric
How Allopurinol interacts with E-Tea — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Allopurinol interactionTurkey Rhubarb Root ExtractNephrotoxic Drugs, Hepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, long-term use of anthraquinones from rhubarb might increase the risk of nephrotoxicity when used with nephrotoxic drugs.
Read the full Turkey Rhubarb Root Extract + Allopurinol interactionAlmotriptanAlmogran, Axert
How Almotriptan interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Almotriptan interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with E-Tea — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alogliptin interactionTurkey Rhubarb Root ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use of rhubarb with potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage.
Read the full Turkey Rhubarb Root Extract + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with E-Tea — through 2 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionTurkey Rhubarb Root ExtractHepatotoxic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concomitant use of rhubarb with potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage.
Read the full Turkey Rhubarb Root Extract + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAlosetronLotronex
How Alosetron interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alosetron interactionAlpelisibPiqray
How Alpelisib interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alpelisib interactionAlpha 1-proteinaseZemaira
How Alpha 1-proteinase interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alpha 1-proteinase interactionAlprazolamNiravam, Xanax
How Alprazolam interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alprazolam interactionAlteplase, TpaActilyse, Activase
How Alteplase, Tpa interacts with E-Tea — through 3 ingredients. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Alteplase, Tpa interactionBurdock Root ExtractAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking burdock with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding.
Read the full Burdock Root Extract + Alteplase, Tpa interactionSheep Sorrel Aerial Parts ExtractAnticoagulant/antiplatelet Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, sorrel might cause additive effects and side effects when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Read the full Sheep Sorrel Aerial Parts Extract + Alteplase, Tpa interactionAltretamineHexalen
How Altretamine interacts with E-Tea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Slippery Elm Inner Bark ExtractOral Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, slippery elm may slow the absorption and reduce serum levels of oral drugs.
Read the full Slippery Elm Inner Bark Extract + Altretamine interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in E-Tea 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 Elm inner bark extract
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.
Turkey Rhubarb root extract
Corticosteroids
Theoretically, frequent and high doses of rhubarb might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with corticosteroids.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Overuse of rhubarb might compound corticosteroid-induced potassium loss.
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Theoretically, taking rhubarb with cyclosporine might reduce cyclosporine levels.
Animal research shows that co-administration of rhubarb decoction 0.25 or 1 gram/kg with cyclosporine 2.5 mg/kg, decreases cyclosporine maximum plasma concentration and overall exposure levels when compared with taking cyclosporine alone. The authors theorize that rhubarb might reduce cyclosporine bioavailability by inducing of P-glycoprotein and/or cytochrome P450 3A4. However, since rhubarb was administered as a single oral dose and enzyme induction usually occurs after multiple doses, it is possible that cyclosporine absorption was actually reduced via rhubarb's stimulant laxative effects. Also, the composition of the rhubarb decoction was not described.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Theoretically, overuse of rhubarb might increase the risk of adverse effects when taken with digoxin.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Overuse of rhubarb might cause potassium depletion, increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Diuretic Drugs
Theoretically, frequent and high doses of rhubarb might increase the risk of hypokalemia.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Overuse of rhubarb might cause potassium depletion and compound diuretic-induced potassium loss.
Hepatotoxic Drugs
Theoretically, concomitant use of rhubarb with potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage.
Some animal research suggests that anthraquinones in rhubarb might have hepatotoxic effects. Also, rhubarb use has been linked to at least 24 cases of liver injury, although details on the dose of rhubarb and duration of use in these cases is unclear.
Nephrotoxic Drugs
Theoretically, long-term use of anthraquinones from rhubarb might increase the risk of nephrotoxicity when used with nephrotoxic drugs.
The anthraquinone constituents of rhubarb have been shown to induce nephrotoxicity in animal research. Additionally, in a case report, a 23-year old female presented with kidney failure after taking 6 tablets of a proprietary slimming agent (found to contain the anthraquinones emodin and aloe-emodin from rhubarb) daily for 6 weeks and then adding diclofenac 25 mg 4 times daily for 2 days. The authors postulate that the anthraquinone constituents of rhubarb contributed to the renal dysfunction, and the addition of diclofenac, a nephrotoxic drug, led to renal failure. Until more is known, advise patients to avoid taking rhubarb if they are taking other potentially nephrotoxic drugs.
Stimulant Laxatives
Theoretically, rhubarb might increase the risk for fluid and electrolyte loss when taken with other stimulant laxatives.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Concomitant use with stimulant laxatives might compound fluid and electrolyte loss.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Theoretically, excessive use of rhubarb might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects and 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 rhubarb.
Sheep Sorrel aerial parts extract
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs
Theoretically, sorrel might cause additive effects and side effects when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, sorrel has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Sorrel might reduce the effectiveness of fexofenadine by reducing its absorption from the gut.
In vitro research shows that an ethanol extract of sorrel inhibits organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1A2 (OATP1A2), which transports fexofenadine from the intestine into cells. In rats, concomitant administration of sorrel extract with fexofenadine reduces oral absorption of fexofenadine and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC).
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)
Sorrel might reduce the effectiveness of OATP substrates by reducing their absorption from the gut.
In vitro research shows that sorrel inhibits OATP1A2. Theoretically it may inhibit other OATPs. The OATPs are expressed in the small intestine and liver and transport drugs into cells. Inhibition of OATP may reduce the bioavailability of oral drugs that are substrates of OATP.
Burdock root extract
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs
Theoretically, taking burdock with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding.
In vitro research shows that lignans from burdock reduce rabbit platelet aggregation by inhibiting platelet activating factor. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for E-Tea, from the product label.
Nature's Sunshine
See all Nature's Sunshine products- Name
- Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
- City
- Spanish Fork
- State
- UT
- ZipCode
- 84660
- Phone Number
- 1-800-223-8225
- Web Address
- www.naturessunshine.com
E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions
Does E-Tea by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take E-Tea if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What does turkey rhubarb root do in this blend?
Are there any common side effects I should expect?
Will E-Tea interact with my antacid or other over-the-counter medications?
Does this product have a lot of fillers?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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The Full Monographs Behind E-Tea’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Burdock
Interacts with 122 drugsBurdock is a traditional herb most often used for skin problems and as a so-called 'blood purifier,' but high-quality human studies are lacking and most claims are not well proven. It is wid...
Read the full Burdock monograph → Herb & supplement monographSlippery Elm
Interacts with 2,022 drugsSlippery 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 monographSorrel
Interacts with 169 drugsSorrel is a tangy, leafy herb used in cooking and traditional medicine, often for congestion, digestion, and inflammation. Solid human evidence for any health benefit is limited, and its hig...
Read the full Sorrel monograph → Herb & supplement monographRhubarb
Interacts with 658 drugsRhubarb root has a long history of use as a laxative and in traditional Chinese medicine, and its edible stalks are a common food. Most medicinal claims are backed by limited or low-quality...
Read the full Rhubarb monograph →Sources & How We Checked
E-Tea'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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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 42 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.
Burdock 11 references
- Iwakami S, Wu JB, Ebizuka Y, Sankawa U. Platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists contained in medicinal plants: lignans and sesquiterpenes. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1992;40:1196-8. PubMed
- Sasaki Y, Kimura Y, Tsunoda T, Tagami H. Anaphylaxis due to burdock. Int J Dermatol 2003;42:472-3. PubMed
- Rhoads PM, Tong TG, Banner W Jr, Anderson R. Anticholinergic poisonings associated with commercial burdock root tea. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1984-85;22:581-4. PubMed
- Rodriguez P, Blanco J, Juste S, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis due to burdock (Arctium lappa). Contact Dermatitis 1995;33:134-5.
- Kassler, W. J., Blanc, P., and Greenblatt, R. The use of medicinal herbs by human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Arch Intern Med 1991;151(11):2281-2288. DOI
- Chan, Y. S., Cheng, L. N., Wu, J. H., Chan, E., Kwan, Y. W., Lee, S. M., Leung, G. P., Yu, P. H., and Chan, S. W. A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). Inflammopharmacology. 2011;19(5):245-254. PubMed
- Breed, F. B. and Kuwabara, T. Burdock ophthalmia. Arch Ophthalmol 1966;75(1):16-20.
- Bryson, P. D., Watanabe, A. S., Rumack, B. H., and Murphy, R. C. Burdock root tea poisoning. Case report involving a commercial preparation. JAMA 5-19-1978;239(20):2157. DOI
- <p>Fletcher GF<span>, </span>Cantwell JD. Burdock root tea poisoning. JAMA <span>1978 Oct 6;240(15):1586.</span></p> DOI
- Latif A, Fichadiya H, Abid F, Capo G. Herbal Teas and Thrombocytopenia: A Curious Case of Yellow Dock and Burdock-Induced Thrombocytopenia. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2022;9(3):003247. PubMed
- Niazi B, Ahmed K, Ahmed M, Ali S, Song K, Elias S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury from Herbal Liver Detoxification Tea. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2022;16(3):612-617. PubMed
Slippery Elm 3 references
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Czarnecki D, Nixon R, Bekhor P, and et al. Delayed prolonged contact urticaria from the elm tree. Contact Dermatitis 1993;28:196-197. PubMed
Sorrel 8 references
- 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.
- 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.
- Zick, S. M., Sen, A., Feng, Y., Green, J., Olatunde, S., and Boon, H. Trial of Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer (TEA-BC). J Altern Complement Med 2006;12(10):971-980. PubMed
- Sanz, P. and Reig, R. Clinical and pathological findings in fatal plant oxalosis. A review. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1992;13(4):342-345. PubMed
- Gniazdowska, B., Doroszewska, G., and Doroszewski, W. [Hypersensitivity to weed pollen allergens in the region of Bygdoszcz]. Pneumonol.Alergol.Pol. 1993;61(7-8):367-372.
- Selçuk SN, Gülhan B, Düzova A, Teksam Ö. Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis due to large amount of sorrel (Rumex acetosa) intake. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2015;53(5):497. PubMed
- Ahn JH, Kim J, Rehman NU, Kim HJ, Ahn MJ, Chung HJ. Effect of Rumex Acetosa Extract, a Herbal Drug, on the Absorption of Fexofenadine. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(6):E547. PubMed
- Jeong D, Irfan M, Lee DH, Hong SB, Oh JW, Rhee MH. Rumex acetosa modulates platelet function and inhibits thrombus formation in rats. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):98. PubMed
Rhubarb 20 references
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Nusko G, Schneider B, Schneider I, et al. Anthranoid laxative use is not a risk factor for colorectal neoplasia: results of a prospective case control study. Gut 2000;46:651-5. PubMed
- Kwan TH, Tong MK, Leung KT, et al. Acute renal failure associated with prolonged intake of slimming pills containing anthraquinones. Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:394-7.
- Fairbairn JW. The anthraquinone laxatives. Biological assay and its relation to chemical structure. Pharmacology 1976;14:48-61. PubMed
- Siegers, C. P., Hertzberg-Lottin, E., Otte, M., and Schneider, B. Anthranoid laxative abuse--a risk for colorectal cancer? Gut 1993;34(8):1099-1101. PubMed
- Fan, J. G. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Danning Pian in the short-term treatment of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a multicenter clinical trial. Hepatobiliary.Pancreat.Dis.Int 2004;3(3):375-380.
- Yan, M., Zhang, L. Y., Sun, L. X., Jiang, Z. Z., and Xiao, X. H. Nephrotoxicity study of total rhubarb anthraquinones on Sprague Dawley rats using DNA microarrays. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-15-2006; PubMed
- Zhang, J. H., Li, L. S., and Zhang, M. Clinical effects of rheum and captopril on preventing progression of chronic renal failure. Chin Med J (Engl.) 1990;103(10):788-793.
- Mitsuma, T., Yokozawa, T., Oura, H., and Terasawa, K. [Rhubarb therapy in patients with chronic renal failure (Part 2)]. Nippon Jinzo Gakkai Shi 1987;29(2):195-207.
- Wu, C. X. [A preliminary study on the effect of a single Rheum officinale in heavy doses in the treatment of acute icteric hepatitis]. Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za Zhi.(Chinese Journal of Modern Developments in Traditional Medicine) 1984;4(2):88-89.
- Jiao, D. H. [Clinical research on the hemostatic effect of rhubarb on peptic ulcer with acute bleeding]. Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za Zhi.(Chinese Journal of Modern Developments in Traditional Medicine) 1984;4(10):597-600, 579.
- Jiao, D. H., Ma, Y. H., Chen, S. J., Liu, C. T., Shu, H. N., and Chu, C. M. Resume of 400 cases of acute upper digestive tract bleeding treated by rhubarb alone. Pharmacology 1980;20 Suppl 1:128-130.
- Zhang, JH, Yao, XD, Song, Y, and et al. [Long-term treating effects of rhubarb and captopril in delaying the progression of renal failure]. Chinese Kidney Disease Journal 1993;9(4):197-201.
- Rehman H, Begum W, Anjum F, Tabasum H, Zahid S. Effect of rhubarb (Rheum emodi) in primary dysmenorrhoea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2015 Mar;12(1):61-9.
- Yu CP, Lin HJ, Lin SP, Shia CS, Chang PH, Hou YC, Hsieh YW. Rhubarb decreased the systemic exposure of cyclosporine, a probe substrate of P-glycoprotein and CYP 3A. Xenobiotica. 2016 Aug;46(8):677-82. PubMed
- Byeon JH, Kil JH, Ahn YC, Son CG. Systematic review of published data on herb induced liver injury. J Ethnopharmacol 2019;233:190-6. PubMed
- Zhao D, Feng SX, Zhang HJ, et al. Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of five rhubarb anthraquinones in rats after oral administration of effective fraction of anthraquinones from rheum officinale. Xenobiotica. 2021;51(8):916-925. PubMed
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC