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Dietary supplement

Lemongrass Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Alvita

Other (e.g. Tea Bag) Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Lemongrass is a dietary supplement by Alvita with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive upset, anxiety and stress, antimicrobial/antifungal.Based on those ingredients, 708 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Lemongrass. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Lemongrass by Alvita

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Alvita Lemongrass is a single-ingredient tea containing just lemongrass leaf. There are no other active ingredients or fillers listed.

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 — see Lemongrass's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: soothe the digestive tract.
  • We looked for evidence on: Abdominal pain, Nausea and vomiting, dyspepsia, indigestion.
  • The closest evidence on file: Lemongrass is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Nausea and vomiting (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lemongrass is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Abdominal pain.

The evidence for lemongrass isn't established in our data. We hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for headache, common cold, cough, diabetes, epilepsy, or fatigue.

If you're considering it for one of these purposes, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current research supports.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Lemongrass

How safe is it?

Some data gaps
Safety Information · database check
Some gaps

Safety data exists for these ingredients, but with some important gaps.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 0 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Lemongrass from food amounts is generally well tolerated, but the safety data on concentrated extracts and essential oils is limited. The safety notes advise caution with medicinal or concentrated amounts due to limited information and traditional concerns — if you're using it beyond occasional food use, that's worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lemongrass is rated Likely Unsafe in pregnancy. There isn't enough data on file for its safety during breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Lemongrass

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?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Lemongrass.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 709 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 Alvita Lemongrass, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take pentobarbital (Nembutal) or any other barbiturate sedatives — lemongrass may increase their effects and side effects. Additionally, run any other medications you take through the search tool on this page, since lemongrass affects a large number of drugs that are processed through CYP3A4 metabolism and glucuronidation pathways.

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 some safety-information gaps remain.

Alvita Lemongrass is a single-ingredient tea that interacts with a very broad range of medications through its effects on drug metabolism. If you take any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, especially a barbiturate sedative, check your medications with the tool on this page before you start — or ask your doctor or pharmacist to review them.

It's not recommended in pregnancy, and there isn't enough safety data for breastfeeding.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 21, 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 Lemongrass, straight from the product label.

Brand Alvita
Net contents 24 Tea Bag(s); 1.69 Oz(s); 48 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 21, 2022
DSLD ID 268608
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Other (e.g. Tea Bag)
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Women (not pregnant or lactating), Organic, Gluten 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 Lemongrass by Alvita, 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 Tea Bag(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tea Bag(s)
Servings per container
24
IngredientAmount% DV
Lemongrass2 Gram(s)--

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.
Formulation

Organic

Traditionally used to soothe the digestive tract

Naturally caffeine free

Certified Organic by QAI.

Certified Gluten-Free by NSF.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Alvita Since 1922

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

NSF Certified Gluten-Free USDA Organic

Quality Assurance International Certified Organic Star-K (Kosher)

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Preparation Place one tea bag in a cup and add 8 oz of boiling water. Cover and steep for 4 minutes. Gently squeeze tea bag and remove. Directions for use: We recommend 1 cup daily. Add sweetener if desired

How to brew 1. Pour 8 oz 2. Temp 212 Degrees F 3. Steep 10 min

Formula

Star-K (Kosher)

Lemongrass Native to India and tropical Asia, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) has a wonderfully sweet, lemony aroma and zesty flavor that has made this herb a staple in Asian cuisine. Herbalists have also traditionally used tea brewed from lemongrass to soothe the digestive tract. Alvita Lemongrass Tea is made with premium-quality, organic lemongrass, and exudes a vibrant citrusy flavor and aroma.

General Statements

The Alvita Story… In 1922, a new era for tea consumption began in America. The herb alfalfa, long known for its beneficial nutrients, was packaged in tea bags and sold to an emerging health food market. This product became known as Alvita and set the standard for future herbal teas. Today, Alvita represents more than forty single-ingredient teas, each one uniquely distinct, just like the individuals who drink them. Alvita chooses only the highest quality organic, wildcrafted, or cultivated botanicals, perfectly prepared to provide you with the best Mother Nature has to offer. Historical and scientific literature is painstakingly studied to ensure that the correct traditional plant and most appropriate servings are used, delivering premium flavor and quality. Herbs are gifts from the earth. Alvita takes its stewardship seriously by offering carefully harvested teas in earth-friendly packaging. Our beautifully illustrated boxes are made using recycled paperboard and our English, pillow style tea bags are oxygen bleached, not chlorine treated. You won’t find a better product, with a cleaner package… anywhere. Alvita… brewed with confidence, steeped in tradition.

100% Recycled Paperboard Recyclable

Precautions

Warning: Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are taking any medication or have any medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

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.

See for yourself

Lemongrass by Alvita label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Lemongrass by Alvita

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tea Bag(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Servings per container24 Amounts shown are per serving.

Lemongrass

Interacts with
708 drugs
2 Gram(s) per serving

Lemongrass is a fragrant tropical grass widely used as a cooking herb, a tea, and an aromatherapy oil. It is generally considered safe in the small am...

Lemongrass monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Lemongrass by Alvita Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Lemongrass?

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
708Drugs
708 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Lemongrass with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Lemongrass3 drug types · 708 drugs

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, lemongrass might decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates.
Animal research shows that lemongrass and its constituent citral inhibit CYP3A4.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Glucuronidated Drugs

Theoretically, lemongrass might increase the clearance and decrease the levels of glucuronidated drugs.
Animal research shows that lemongrass and its constituent citral induce uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase (UGT), the major phase 2 enzyme that is responsible for glucuronidation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, lemongrass might increase the effects and adverse effects of pentobarbital.
Animal research shows that high doses of lemongrass essential oil increases sleep time and decreases time to fall asleep in animals administered pentobarbital.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Lemongrass, from the product label.

Alvita

See all Alvita products
Name
Twinlab Corporation
City
American Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84003
Phone Number
1-800-645-5626
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Lemongrass by Alvita: Common Questions

Does Lemongrass by Alvita interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Lemongrass has a known interaction with 708 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Lemongrass contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism 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 drink Alvita Lemongrass tea if I'm pregnant?
No — lemongrass is rated Likely Unsafe in pregnancy. Talk with your doctor before using it if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Is lemongrass tea safe to drink while I'm breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data on file to know whether lemongrass passes into breast milk or whether it's safe while nursing. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice based on your situation.
Does Alvita Lemongrass actually work for colds, headaches, or fatigue?
The evidence isn't established in our data for any of those uses — we hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate it. If you're interested in using it for a health purpose, ask your doctor or pharmacist what the current research shows.
What's the difference between lemongrass tea and lemongrass essential oil?
This product is a tea, which is a food-like amount. Essential oils and concentrated extracts have much less safety data, and the safety notes advise against medicinal or concentrated amounts. Stick to occasional food use unless your doctor or pharmacist advises otherwise.

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

Not sure if Lemongrass 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.

Lemongrass label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Lemongrass'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 2 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.

Lemongrass 2 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Li CC, Yu HF, Chang CH, Liu YT, Yao HT. Effects of lemongrass oil and citral on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes, oxidative stress, and acetaminophen toxicity in rats. J Food Drug Anal 2018;26(1):432-8. PubMed

See these in context on the Lemongrass monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

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

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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