Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 3 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Family Immune Booster Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Mountain Meadow Herbs

Family Immune Booster label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Family Immune Booster 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

Family Immune Booster is a dietary supplement by Mountain Meadow Herbs with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for common cold, flu and respiratory infections, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 1,013 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Propolis, Echinacea purpurea, Elderberry. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs

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 4 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1.25 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

Family Immune Booster contains four active ingredients: echinacea purpurea, echinacea angustifolia, propolis, and elderberry. The first two are flowering plants traditionally used to support the immune system; propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees; and elderberry is derived from the fruit of the elder plant.

The product also contains vegetable glycerin and distilled water as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Immune support for all ages.
  • We looked for evidence on: Influenza, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Lower respiratory tract infections, Rhinosinusitis, Tonsillopharyngitis, Otitis media — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Propolis is rated "Possibly Effective" for Herpes labialis (cold sores) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Propolis is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Wound healing, Canker sores, Genital herpes.
  • Also on file: Elderberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Lower respiratory tract infections, Rhinosinusitis.

The data we hold on echinacea shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for anxiety, athletic performance, ADHD, burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headache. Propolis appears possibly effective for oral mucositis (mouth sores from cancer treatment) and cold sores (herpes labialis), and possibly effective for diabetes, though elderberry's effectiveness for hay fever, heart disease, chronic fatigue, COPD, cognitive function, and respiratory infections is listed as insufficient evidence.

In short, there isn't solid evidence we can point to for most of the conditions these ingredients are marketed to address.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Echinacea Propolis Elderberry

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 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Echinacea is generally well tolerated short-term orally, with most side effects being mild—abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, rashes, and stomach upset. Rare serious adverse effects include severe allergic reactions (especially in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants like chrysanthemums and daisies) and hepatitis.

Propolis is also generally well tolerated, with headache the most common side effect (reported by around 7% of people in one trial). Allergic reactions are possible, particularly in those sensitive to bee products.

Elderberry prepared from cooked ripe fruit is well tolerated; however, raw or unripe berries and plant parts contain cyanogenic glycosides and can cause nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, numbness, and stupor. For pregnancy, echinacea is rated possibly safe, but propolis and elderberry lack enough safety information—talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

For lactation, propolis is rated possibly safe, but echinacea and elderberry don't have enough data on file.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Echinacea Propolis Elderberry

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?
  • 3 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Propolis, Elderberry, Echinacea.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 1,014 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.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're on any of the following: cancer drugs (especially etoposide), blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (including warfarin), immunosuppressants, HIV medications (such as lopinavir/ritonavir), sedatives (like midazolam), antidepressants or antipsychotics processed by CYP1A2, statins or other drugs processed by CYP3A4, or any drug metabolized by CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, or CYP2E1 enzymes. If you regularly drink caffeine-containing beverages or take caffeine supplements, this product may increase caffeine levels by around 30%, potentially causing jitteriness or other effects.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product may appeal to people looking for an immune-system boost, but the evidence for most uses isn't well established in our data. Because it contains ingredients that interact with many medications—especially blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and drugs processed by your liver—you'll want to check your exact medications with the search tool here and talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss this product with your healthcare provider first.

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, 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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Family Immune Booster, straight from the product label.

Brand Mountain Meadow Herbs
Barcode (UPC) 813086010241
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 Milliliter(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 22, 2022
DSLD ID 259148
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Children (All), Gluten 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 Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs, 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:
0.12 Teaspoon(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.25 Teaspoon(s)
Servings per container
96
UPC/BARCODE
813086010241
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend1.25 mL--
Echinacea purpurea0 NP--
Echinacea angustifolia0 NP--
Propolis0 NP--
Elderberry0 NP--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Water, Distilled

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.
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.

Formulation

Immune support for all ages

Alcohol Free

Everyday health

GF (Gluten Free) Sugar Free

Vegan

Natural support for maintaining optimal health Year-round immune support

Great-tasting and alcohol free

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

96 servings

With elderberry and echinacea

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 1/8 tsp - 1/4 tsp. Take 1-3 times daily, or as needed.

Shake well.

Precautions

Caution: If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking a prescription, consult your health care provider before using this product.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place out of sunlight.

Seals/Symbols

Made in Montana USA

General Statements

Great-tasting and alcohol free

The MMH three-leaf promise: Our high-standards produce nothing less than pure, safe, and effective herbal products. You will always feel that we care-through our products, our service, and our understanding. We deliver on time.

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

See for yourself

Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs label

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

Family Immune Booster 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 Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs

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

Serving size0.12 Teaspoon(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container96 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

1.25 mL per serving

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

Interaction report

Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Family Immune Booster?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
1,013Drugs
1,012 Moderate 1 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Propolis 921
Echinacea purpurea 816
Elderberry 121

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Family Immune Booster interact with 1,013 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

3 of the 4 ingredients in Family Immune Booster interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Propolis Echinacea purpurea Elderberry

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Family Immune Booster 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.

Propolis8 drug types · 921 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, propolis might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
In vitro research shows that propolis water extract and the propolis constituent, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, can inhibit platelet aggregation. Additionally, evidence from an animal model shows that taking propolis in addition to warfarin decreases INR, suggesting that propolis can decrease the effectiveness of warfarin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP1A2. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP1A2 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP1A2 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C19. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2C19 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2C19 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C9. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2C9 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2C9 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2D6. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2D6 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2D6 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, propolis might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
In vitro research shows that propolis can inhibit CYP2E1. This effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Some in vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP3A4; however, other in vitro research shows that propolis has no effect on CYP3A4 activity. Furthermore, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP3A4 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that might in inhibit CYP3A4 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, propolis might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin.
Animal research shows that taking propolis in addition to warfarin decreases the international normalized ratio (INR). This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Propolis full monograph & interactions

Echinacea purpurea12 drug types · 816 drugs

Caffeine

Echinacea can increase plasma levels of caffeine by inhibiting its metabolism.
Echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine by around 30%. This is likely due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) by echinacea.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Echinacea appears to inhibit CYP1A2 enzymes in humans. Additionally, echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine, a CYP1A2 substrate, by around 30%. Theoretically, echinacea might increase levels of other drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. This may increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Several clinical trials have shown that taking echinacea for up to one month does not significantly affect the metabolism of various CYP3A4 substrates, including midazolam, docetaxel, etravirine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and darunavir-ritonavir. However, other clinical research shows that echinacea may increase the clearance of midazolam, suggesting that echinacea might induce CYP3A4. The discrepancy is thought to be due to differing effects of echinacea on intestinal versus hepatic CYP3A4 enzymes. Echinacea appears to induce hepatic CYP3A4 but inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. In some cases, these effects might cancel each other out, but in others, drug levels may be increased or decreased depending on the level of effect at hepatic and intestinal sites. The effect of echinacea on CYP3A4 activity may differ depending on the CYP3A4 substrate.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Etoposide (Vepesid)

Echinacea may increase levels of etoposide.
In one report, concomitant use of etoposide and echinacea was associated with more severe thrombocytopenia than the use of etoposide alone, suggesting inhibition of etoposide metabolism. Etoposide is a cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrate. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but some studies have reported inhibition of the enzyme.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Darunavir (Prezista)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of darunavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Darunavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but administration of an E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg four times daily for 14 days did not affect darunavir/ritonavir pharmacokinetics in 15 HIV-infected patients.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Dayquil Severe

Echinacea is reported to have varying effects on a number of Cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes in the liver, including CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, which play a role in acetaminophen and dextromethorphan metabolism (both contained in DayQuil Severe), respectively. Studies have reported both enzyme inhibition and induction, making it difficult to predict clinically significant drug interactions with reliability. Specific drug interaction studies reporting definitive results are rare, and potential drug interactions involving echinacea should likely be taken on a case-by-case basis. Based on what we know about how acetaminophen and dextromethorphan are metabolized, the risk of a clinically significant interaction between echinacea and DayQuil Severe is low.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence A
Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of docetaxel; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Docetaxel is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea whole plant extract (Echinaforce, A. Vogel Biopharma AG) 20 drops three times daily for 2 weeks did not alter the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in one clinical study.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Etravirine (Intelence)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of etravirine; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Etravirine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of etravirine in HIV-infected patients.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)

Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of lopinavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Lopinavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea (Echinamide, Natural Factors Nutritional Products, Inc.) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir/ritonavir in healthy volunteers.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Midazolam (Versed)

Theoretically, echinacea may increase the metabolism of intravenous midazolam.
Echinacea induces hepatic CYP3A4 and might decrease plasma levels of midazolam by about 20%, reducing the effectiveness of intravenous midazolam. Echinacea also appears to inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, which could theoretically increase the bioavailability of oral midazolam. This may cancel out the decrease in availability caused by induction of hepatic CYP3A4, such that overall plasma levels after oral administration of midazolam are not affected by echinacea.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Echinacea seems to increase the clearance of warfarin, although the effect may not be clinically significant.
Preliminary clinical research in healthy male volunteers suggests that taking echinacea increases the clearance of the active S-isomer of warfarin after a single dose of warfarin, but there was not a clinically significant effect on the INR.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Echinacea purpurea full monograph & interactions

Elderberry2 drug types · 121 drugs

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, elderberry might interfere with immunosuppressant therapy due to its immunostimulant activity.
Elderberry has immunostimulant activity, increasing the production of cytokines, including interleukin and tumor necrosis factor.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Pazopanib (Votrient)

Theoretically, elderberry might interact with pazopanib, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a 65-year-old patient taking pazopanib for 4 weeks for soft-tissue sarcoma developed severe nausea, loose stools, and elevated alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels and was diagnosed with grade 3 liver injury. The patient reported taking elderberry supplements for 2 years, dose unspecified, and was also taking a multivitamin and a calcium supplement. The patient's symptoms and liver enzyme levels improved upon discontinuation of pazopanib and all supplements. Pazopanib treatment was re-initiated, at a lower dose, with no further evidence of liver injury. It was unclear in this case report if the elderberry supplements were derived from the berry, the flower, or the combination.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Elderberry full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Family Immune Booster, from the product label.

Mountain Meadow Herbs

See all Mountain Meadow Herbs products
Name
Mountain Meadow Herbs, Inc.
Street Address
1019 Hard Rock Rd
City
Somers
State
MT
ZipCode
59932
Phone Number
888.528.8615
Web Address
www.mmherbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs: Common Questions

Does Family Immune Booster by Mountain Meadow Herbs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Family Immune Booster has a known interaction with 1,013 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Family Immune Booster 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.
Is this safe to take while I'm pregnant?
Echinacea in this product is rated possibly safe during pregnancy, but propolis and elderberry don't have enough safety information available. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're pregnant—they can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
Propolis is rated possibly safe while breastfeeding, but echinacea and elderberry lack enough data. Discuss this product with your doctor or pharmacist if you're nursing to determine if it's appropriate for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Echinacea may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, rashes, or stomach upset. Propolis most commonly causes headache. Rare serious reactions, including severe allergies and liver problems, have been reported with both—especially in people sensitive to ragweed or bee products.
Does this actually work to boost the immune system?
The data we hold doesn't establish reliable evidence for echinacea or elderberry for immune support or most conditions they're marketed for. Propolis shows possibly effective evidence for cold sores and mouth sores, but overall, solid proof of immune benefits isn't well documented in our facts.
What's propolis, and why is it in here?
Propolis is a resinous substance bees collect and use to build their hives. It's included in this blend for its traditionally attributed immune-supporting properties, though be aware that people sensitive to bee products may have allergic reactions to it.
Why should I check my medications before taking this?
This product's ingredients interact with over 1,000 individual medications by affecting how your liver breaks them down or by interfering with their action—especially blood thinners, cancer drugs, and immunosuppressants. Your doctor or pharmacist can confirm whether it's safe to combine with your specific drugs.

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.

Family Immune Booster label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Family Immune Booster’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Echinacea

Interacts with 816 drugs

Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at best. It is generally well tolerated for sh...

Read the full Echinacea monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Propolis

Interacts with 921 drugs

Propolis is a natural, resin-like substance made by bees that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies. Early research suggests it may help with cold sores, mouth so...

Read the full Propolis monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Elderberry

Interacts with 121 drugs

Elderberry is a popular herbal supplement, mainly taken to help with colds and flu. Some small studies suggest it may modestly shorten cold or flu symptoms, but the evidence is limited and n...

Read the full Elderberry monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Family Immune Booster'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 78 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.

Echinacea 51 references
  1. Mullins RJ. Echinacea-associated anaphylaxis. Med J Aust 1998;168:170-1. PubMed
  2. Mullins RJ. Allergic reactions to Echinacea. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;104:S340-341 (Abstract 1003).
  3. Chavez ML, Chavez PI. Echinacea. Hosp Pharm 1998;33:180-8.
  4. Grimm W, Muller HH. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on the incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections. Am J Med 1999;106:138-43. PubMed
  5. Taylor JA, Weber W, Standish L, et al. Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003;290:2824-30.. PubMed
  6. Luettig B, Steinmuller C, Gifford GE, et al. Macrophage activation by the polysaccharide arabinogalactan isolated from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea. J Natl Cancer Inst 1989;81:669-75. PubMed
  7. Stimpel M, Proksch A, Wagner H, et al. Macrophage activation and induction of macrophage cytotoxicity by purified polysaccharide fractions from the plant Echinacea purpurea. Infect Immun 1984;46:845-9. PubMed
  8. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  9. Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W, et al. Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: A prospective controlled study. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:3141-3. PubMed
  10. Soon SL, Crawford RI. Recurrent erythema nodosum associated with echinacea herbal therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;44:298-9. PubMed
  11. Mullins RJ, Heddle R. Adverse reactions associated with echinacea: the Australian experience. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:42-51. PubMed
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Propolis 21 references
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See these in context on the Propolis monograph →

Elderberry 6 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.

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