Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Essiac Tea Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Mental Refreshment

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

Essiac Tea is a dietary supplement by Mental Refreshment with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sore throat and cough, heartburn and acid reflux, digestive upset and ibs.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, Turkey Rhubarb, Sheep Sorrel. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Essiac Tea by Mental Refreshment

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

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 4 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Mental Refreshment Essiac Tea is a 4-ingredient herbal capsule formula. The active ingredients are slippery elm (inner bark), turkey rhubarb (a traditional laxative herb), burdock root, and sheep sorrel.

The capsules also contain gelatin and rice powder as inactive ingredients (binders and capsule material).

Does it work?

Not established
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
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: immune support and natural toxin cleanse.
  • We looked for evidence on: Common cold, Bronchitis, Pharyngitis, Rhinosinusitis, Cough, detoxification — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Burdock is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Common cold (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Sorrel is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Bronchitis, Rhinosinusitis.
  • Also on file: Slippery Elm is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Cough, Pharyngitis.

The evidence supporting these herbs is limited. Slippery elm's effectiveness for cancer, constipation, cough, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel disease all have insufficient reliable evidence to rate.

Turkey rhubarb is rated possibly effective for pancreatitis and menopausal symptoms, but insufficient evidence supports its use for appendicitis, nasopharyngeal cancer, fatty liver disease, or constipation. Burdock root and sheep sorrel show insufficient reliable evidence for the conditions they're traditionally used for—acne, aging skin, breast cancer, common cold, eczema, bronchitis, and rhinosinusitis.

If you're considering this product for a specific health reason, the data we hold doesn't establish that it works for that purpose.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Slippery Elm Rhubarb Burdock Sorrel

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

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

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 4 of the 4 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 4 of 4.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 4 of 4.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Slippery elm is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but high-quality safety data are limited. Contact dermatitis and allergic reactions to slippery elm pollen have been reported.

Turkey rhubarb root (the medicinal part, not the food stalk) can cause cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting—and chronic use risks potassium depletion and kidney damage. The safety data advise against using medicinal rhubarb during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Burdock is likely safe as a food and for short-term use, though serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis are rare. One case of liver injury was reported in someone taking a burdock-containing herbal tea, though it's unclear whether burdock alone was responsible.

Burdock should be avoided in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Sheep sorrel is possibly safe during pregnancy in food amounts, but medicinal or concentrated amounts haven't been proven safe, and you should avoid it while breastfeeding.

Sorrel's high oxalate content can be problematic at large doses and has caused kidney injury in a reported case.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Slippery Elm Rhubarb Burdock Sorrel

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?
  • 4 of the 4 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Burdock, Rhubarb, Sorrel, Slippery Elm.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 2,131 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 doctor or pharmacist if you're on warfarin or other blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs (major bleeding risk with burdock, sheep sorrel, and rhubarb). Also double-check if you take cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant—rhubarb may reduce its effectiveness), digoxin (a heart medication—rhubarb may increase toxicity), diuretics or corticosteroids (rhubarb may worsen potassium loss), fexofenadine (allergy medication—sorrel may reduce its effect), or any nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic drugs.

Slippery elm may slow absorption of oral medications in general.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a traditional herbal formula with limited evidence for its effectiveness and multiple moderate interactions—especially with blood thinners, heart medications, immunosuppressants, and potassium-regulating drugs. If you're on any prescription medications, check them against the interaction tool on this page before taking this product.

Talk it over with your own doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take warfarin, digoxin, cyclosporine, diuretics, corticosteroids, or anticoagulants.

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 Jan 22, 2021.

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 Essiac Tea, straight from the product label.

Brand Mental Refreshment
Barcode (UPC) 713807375218
Net contents 180 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 22, 2021
DSLD ID 242523
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Essiac Tea by Mental Refreshment, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
713807375218
IngredientAmount% DV
Slippery Elm200 mg--
Turkey Rhubarb150 mg--
Burdock root300 mg--
Sheep Sorrel250 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Rice powder

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

Mental Refreshment Premium brand/Optimum results

100% satisfaction guaranteed

Formulation

Promotes natural PH Alkaline balance Promotes a strong immune system Natural toxin cleanse

Contains No: Artificial coloring, artificial flavor, preservatives, yeast, corn, milk or milk derivatives, lactose, salt, sodium, soy, sugar, gluten, starch or wheat.

We have assayed & fully guarantee the quality & potency of this product. Manufactured in a FDA Registered facility that conforms to GMP standards

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

As a reminder, discuss the supplements and medications you take with your health care providers.

Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Storage

Store in a dry place and avoid excessive heat.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice Consistent Quality Made in the USA Laboratory Tested Guaranteed Quality

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: For adults, take two (2) capsules daily before a meal. If necessary, three (3) capsules a day may be taken.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

See for yourself

Essiac Tea by Mental Refreshment label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Essiac Tea by Mental Refreshment

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule 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.

Slippery Elm

Interacts with
2,022 drugs
200 mg per serving

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

Slippery Elm monograph & interactions

Turkey Rhubarb

Interacts with
658 drugs
150 mg per serving

Rhubarb 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 clai...

Turkey Rhubarb monograph & interactions

Burdock root

Interacts with
122 drugs
300 mg per serving

Burdock 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 mo...

Burdock root monograph & interactions

Sheep Sorrel

Interacts with
169 drugs
250 mg per serving

Sorrel is a tangy, leafy herb used in cooking and traditional medicine, often for congestion, digestion, and inflammation. Solid human evidence for an...

Sheep Sorrel monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Rice powder. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Essiac Tea by Mental Refreshment Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Essiac 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 checker
2,130Drugs
2,130 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Slippery Elm 2,022

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Essiac 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 Elm1 drug type · 2,022 drugs

Oral Drugs

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

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Turkey Rhubarb8 drug types · 658 drugs

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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Sheep Sorrel3 drug types · 169 drugs

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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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).

Likelihood Likely Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Burdock root1 drug type · 122 drugs

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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Essiac Tea, from the product label.

Mental Refreshment

See all Mental Refreshment products
Name
Mental Refreshment Nutrition
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Essiac Tea by Mental Refreshment: Common Questions

Does Essiac Tea by Mental Refreshment interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Essiac Tea has a known interaction with 2,130 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Essiac Tea contains 4 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 on warfarin or another blood thinner?
No—not without talking to your doctor first. Turkey rhubarb's laxative effects can increase warfarin's action and bleeding risk, and both burdock and sheep sorrel also theoretically increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners. Your doctor or pharmacist needs to know you're considering this before you start.
What does slippery elm actually do in this formula?
Slippery elm is a demulcent herb—it contains mucilage (a gummy substance) that traditionally soothes irritated tissues. However, we don't have strong evidence it works for cancer, constipation, cough, diarrhea, or inflammatory bowel disease. The same mucilage can also slow how your body absorbs other medications.
Is turkey rhubarb the same as the rhubarb in my garden?
Not quite. The rhubarb stalks you eat are safe as food. The medicinal rhubarb root used in supplements is much stronger and has laxative effects—it can cause cramping and diarrhea, and long-term use risks potassium loss and kidney damage. That's why it should never be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Can I take this while pregnant or nursing?
Turkey rhubarb and burdock should be avoided in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding—the safety data advise against it. Sheep sorrel is rated possibly safe in food amounts during pregnancy, but medicinal amounts haven't been proven safe, and you should avoid it while nursing. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding.
What are the most common side effects?
Turkey rhubarb commonly causes cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Allergic reactions to any of the herbs—contact dermatitis, rash, or in rare cases anaphylaxis—have been reported. Sheep sorrel's high oxalate content can be a concern at large doses and has caused kidney problems in reported cases.
Does this product have any proven health benefits?
Turkey rhubarb is rated possibly effective for pancreatitis and menopausal symptoms, but the evidence is limited. The other three ingredients—slippery elm, burdock, and sheep sorrel—have insufficient reliable evidence for the conditions they're traditionally used for. If you're considering this product for a specific reason, the data don't establish that it works.

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

Not sure if Essiac Tea is safe with your meds?

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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.

Essiac Tea label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Essiac 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.

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.

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

See these in context on the Slippery Elm monograph →

Rhubarb 20 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  4. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. Fairbairn JW. The anthraquinone laxatives. Biological assay and its relation to chemical structure. Pharmacology 1976;14:48-61. PubMed
  8. 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
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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

See these in context on the Rhubarb monograph →

Burdock 11 references
  1. 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
  2. Sasaki Y, Kimura Y, Tsunoda T, Tagami H. Anaphylaxis due to burdock. Int J Dermatol 2003;42:472-3. PubMed
  3. 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
  4. Rodriguez P, Blanco J, Juste S, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis due to burdock (Arctium lappa). Contact Dermatitis 1995;33:134-5.
  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
  6. 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
  7. Breed, F. B. and Kuwabara, T. Burdock ophthalmia. Arch Ophthalmol 1966;75(1):16-20.
  8. 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
  9. <p>Fletcher GF<span>, </span>Cantwell JD. Burdock root tea poisoning. JAMA <span>1978 Oct 6;240(15):1586.</span></p> DOI
  10. 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
  11. 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

See these in context on the Burdock monograph →

Sorrel 8 references
  1. Neubauer N, Marz RW. Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, clincal trial with Sinupret sugar coated tablets on the basis of a therapy with antibiotics and decongestant nasal drops in acute sinusitis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:177-81.
  2. Marz RW, Ismail C, Popp MA. Action profile and efficacy of a herbal combination preparation for the treatment of sinusitis. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149:202-8.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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

See these in context on the Sorrel 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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