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

Essiac Tea Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Organa

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

First and foremost: checking Essiac 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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Essiac Tea is a dietary supplement by Organa with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sore throat and cough, heartburn and acid reflux, digestive upset and ibs.Based on those ingredients, 2,232 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Slippery Elm, Cat's Claw, Turkey Rhubarb. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Essiac Tea by Organa

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Essiac Tea by Organa

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 30, 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 5 active ingredients.
  • “Essiac Tea Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (428 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Essiac Tea contains five active ingredients: slippery elm inner bark, turkey rhubarb root, burdock root, cat's claw bark, and sheep sorrel. Slippery elm is traditionally used for digestive complaints and cough, though reliable evidence is limited.

Rhubarb root acts as a stimulant laxative and is used for constipation and other conditions. Burdock, cat's claw, and sheep sorrel are used in herbal medicine for various purposes, but evidence for their specific benefits is insufficient in the data we hold.

The product also contains inactive ingredients: distilled water, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and phosphoric acid (preservatives and pH control).

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 system support and energy.
  • We looked for evidence on: Common cold, Bronchitis, Pharyngitis, Cough, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Infection prevention — and 2 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Burdock is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Common cold (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cat's Claw is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
  • Also on file: Sorrel is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Bronchitis.

The evidence for Essiac Tea's effectiveness is not established in the data we hold. Rhubarb is rated possibly effective for pancreatitis and menopausal symptoms, but the other four ingredients have insufficient reliable evidence to rate them for any condition.

Without established effectiveness data, it's difficult to say whether this blend works for the purposes people typically use it for.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Slippery Elm Rhubarb Burdock Cat's Claw 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 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Slippery elm is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though long-term safety data are limited. It may rarely cause contact dermatitis or allergic reactions to its pollen.

Rhubarb root should not be used long-term because it can cause cramping and, with chronic use, potassium depletion and kidney problems; the medicinal root is considered possibly unsafe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Burdock and cat's claw are likely safe for short-term use in healthy adults, but both should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data.

Cat's claw has been linked to kidney injury in case reports. Sheep sorrel contains high oxalates and should be avoided in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding; there is one case report of kidney damage in a child from wild sorrel consumption.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Slippery Elm Rhubarb Burdock Cat's Claw 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?
  • 5 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Burdock, Rhubarb, Cat's Claw, 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: 2,233 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 Essiac Tea, double-check whether you use any of these medications: blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (including warfarin and aspirin), drugs broken down by liver enzyme CYP3A4, immunosuppressants including cyclosporine, blood pressure medications (antihypertensives or calcium channel blockers), heart medications like digoxin, kidney- or liver-damaging drugs, diuretics (water pills), corticosteroids (steroids), stimulant laxatives, nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid), or fexofenadine (Allegra). Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you whether this product is safe to combine with what you're taking.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Essiac Tea is not established as effective for any condition in the data we hold, and it carries moderate interaction risks with numerous drug classes — especially blood thinners, heart medications, immunosuppressants, and blood pressure medications. If you take any regular medications, check them against the interaction tool on this page before starting, and talk it over with your 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: 5 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2023.

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 Organa
Barcode (UPC) X000P7T1WR
Net contents 32 Fluid Ounce(s); 1 Quart(s); 940 Milliliter(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2023
DSLD ID 295823
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic
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 Organa, 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:
1 Oz(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Oz(s)
Servings per container
32
UPC/BARCODE
X000P7T1WR
IngredientAmount% DV
Slippery Elm0 NP--
Turkey Rhubarb0 NP--
Burdock0 NP--
Cat's Claw0 NP--
Essiac Tea Blend428 mg--
Sheep Sorrel0 NP--

Other ingredients: distilled Water, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phosphoric Acid

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

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

Directions Take 1 ounce or 1 capfull daily.

Storage

Refrigerate after opening.

Formula

Why Organa Essiac Tea? Rich in vitamins and minerals Boosts the immune system Helps restore energy levels Burdock: Rich in protein and A, C, K, E and B vitamins and minerals. Sheep Sorrel: Contains minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. Support healthy organ function. Cat's Claw Bark: Supports a healthy immune system. Slippery Elm: Contains calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, potassium and vitamins C and D. Turkey Rhubarb: Contains vitamins A, B and C, and minerals: calcium, copper, and iodine.

Original Nurse Caisse Tea formula + Cat's Claw for added potency

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

All herbs used in this supplement are organic or wild-crafted (grown and processed without chemicals.)

Precautions

California warning: This product contains turkey rhubarb. Follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

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

See for yourself

Essiac Tea by Organa label

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

Essiac Tea 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 Essiac Tea by Organa

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Oz(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container32 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.

Essiac Tea Blend

428 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Distilled Water, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phosphoric Acid. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Essiac Tea by Organa 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
2,232Drugs
2,232 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Slippery Elm 2,022
Cat's Claw 962
Turkey Rhubarb 658
Sheep Sorrel 169
Burdock 122

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Essiac Tea interact with 2,232 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

5 of the 5 ingredients in Essiac Tea interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Slippery Elm Cat's Claw Turkey Rhubarb Sheep Sorrel Burdock

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
Slippery Elm full monograph & interactions

Cat's Claw6 drug types · 962 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, cat's claw may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. Animal research suggests that these alkaloids can inhibit platelet aggregation. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking cat's claw with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline. In vitro and animal research suggests that rhynchophylline can lower blood pressure. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Calcium Channel Blockers

Theoretically, taking cat's claw with calcium channel blockers might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cat's claw contains various alkaloids, including rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, and isocorynoxiene. Animal research suggests that these alkaloids can lower blood pressure by acting as calcium channel blockers. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, cat's claw might increase or decrease the levels and effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Cat's claw may affect the clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. In vitro research shows that cat's claw can inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes. In one case report, a patient taking cat's claw (at an unspecified dose) experienced increased serum levels of atazanavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir, all of which are CYP3A4 substrates. Levels returned to normal 15 days after discontinuation of the cat's claw supplement, suggesting inhibition of CYP3A4 by cat's claw. In contrast, animal research suggests that rhynchophylline, an alkaloid contained in cat's claw, induces CYP3A expression and accelerates the metabolism of nirmatrelvir, the active component in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir combination product.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, cat's claw might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
In human and laboratory research, cat's claw has been shown to have immunostimulating activity. It stimulates phagocytosis and increases respiratory cellular activity and the mobility of leukocytes. Theoretically, this could interfere with the activity of immunosuppressant medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid)

Theoretically, cat's claw may decrease the levels of nirmatrelvir.
Cat's claw contains rhynchophylline. Animal research suggests that this alkaloid induces CYP3A expression, thereby accelerating the metabolism of nirmatrelvir, the active component in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir combination product. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cat's Claw full monograph & interactions

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
Turkey Rhubarb full monograph & interactions

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
Sheep Sorrel full monograph & interactions

Burdock1 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
Burdock full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Organa

See all Organa products
Name
Organa International
Street Address
533 N 1650 W
City
Springville
State
UT
ZipCode
84663
Phone Number
801-491-9334
Web Address
www.organa.net
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Essiac Tea by Organa: Common Questions

Does Essiac Tea by Organa interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Essiac Tea has a known interaction with 2,232 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 5 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 Essiac Tea while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The data is mixed. Rhubarb, burdock, and cat's claw are rated possibly unsafe during pregnancy because of traditional uses affecting the uterus and lack of safety data. Rhubarb and burdock are rated unsafe while breastfeeding because medicinal compounds may pass into milk. Sheep sorrel is rated possibly safe during pregnancy and lactation, but medicinal amounts haven't been well studied. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're pregnant or nursing.
What are the side effects I might experience?
The most common side effects are from rhubarb: cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Slippery elm may rarely cause contact dermatitis or allergic reactions. Cat's claw has been linked to headache, fatigue, insomnia, and in rare cases, anemia or kidney injury. Burdock and sheep sorrel can cause allergic reactions including contact dermatitis. If you develop signs of kidney or liver problems, stop and contact your doctor.
Does Essiac Tea actually work for cancer or any specific condition?
The evidence we have does not establish that it works for any condition. Rhubarb is possibly effective for pancreatitis and menopausal symptoms, but the other four ingredients have insufficient reliable evidence. If you're considering this for a health condition, talk with your doctor about treatments with proven benefit.
Why does rhubarb in this tea interact with so many medications?
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects that can deplete potassium and cause diarrhea. Potassium loss can make heart and kidney medications more risky, and diarrhea can boost the effect of blood thinners like warfarin. Its active compounds can also stress the liver and kidneys when combined with certain drugs.
Is the oxalate content in sheep sorrel a concern?
Sheep sorrel contains high oxalates, which can cause kidney damage if consumed in medicinal or concentrated amounts. Normal food amounts are generally fine, but this product is a concentrated liquid supplement. If you have a history of kidney stones or kidney disease, check with your doctor before using it.
How long is it safe to take Essiac Tea?
Long-term safety is not well studied for most of these ingredients. Slippery elm and burdock are supported for short-term use only, and rhubarb should not be used long-term because chronic use can deplete potassium and damage the kidneys. Talk with your doctor about how long you plan to use it.

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.

Essiac Tea label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Essiac Tea’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Slippery Elm

Interacts with 2,022 drugs

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

Read the full Slippery Elm monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Rhubarb

Interacts with 658 drugs

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 claims are backed by limited or low-quality...

Read the full Rhubarb monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Burdock

Interacts with 122 drugs

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 most claims are not well proven. It is wid...

Read the full Burdock monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Cat's Claw

Interacts with 962 drugs

Cat's claw is a South American vine traditionally used for inflammation, joint pain, and immune support. Some small studies hint it may help with arthritis symptoms, but the overall evidence...

Read the full Cat's Claw monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Sorrel

Interacts with 169 drugs

Sorrel 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 →
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 58 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.
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Cat's Claw 16 references
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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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