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

Mother's Cordial Elixir Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Wise Woman Herbals

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

Mother's Cordial Elixir is a dietary supplement by Wise Woman Herbals with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for inducing labor or starting menstruation, menstrual cramps and irregular periods, symptoms of menopause.Based on those ingredients, 949 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are False Unicorn, Blue Cohosh. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Mother's Cordial Elixir by Wise Woman Herbals

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

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 (5 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

Mother's Cordial Elixir is a liquid blend containing 4 active herbal ingredients. Blue cohosh, partridge berry, cramp bark, and false unicorn are traditionally used together in this combination formula.

The product also contains inactive ingredients — spring water, organic alcohol, honey, and glycerine — which serve as the liquid base and preservative.

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: Women's menstrual and reproductive health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dysmenorrhea, Muscle cramps, Menstrual irregularity, Menopausal symptoms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cramp Bark is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Muscle cramps (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cramp Bark is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Dysmenorrhea.

We don't have effectiveness data in our files for any of the active ingredients in this product. Cramp bark shows insufficient reliable evidence to support its use for muscle cramps, dysmenorrhea (period pain), pregnancy-related leg cramps, kidney stones, or diabetes.

No effectiveness ratings are on file for blue cohosh, partridge berry, or false unicorn.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Blue Cohosh Cramp Bark False Unicorn

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 2 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.

Blue cohosh carries serious safety concerns. It can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, cramping, chest pain, and high blood pressure.

Most critically, it's linked to severe harm to newborns, including heart attacks and heart failure when the mother uses it in the month before delivery — it is unsafe in pregnancy. There isn't enough safety data to recommend it while breastfeeding.

False unicorn may cause nausea and vomiting in large doses, and its safety data in humans is limited; it should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Cramp bark has limited human safety data and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Blue Cohosh Cramp Bark False Unicorn

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?
  • 2 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — False Unicorn, Blue Cohosh.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 950 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 Mother's Cordial Elixir, check with your pharmacist if you're on blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, nicotine products, antidepressants or pain relievers, heart medications, or lithium. The interactions here are Moderate-severity.

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.

This product carries documented interactions with blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, and several classes of prescription medications. Blue cohosh in particular has a history of serious adverse effects and is unsafe in pregnancy and lactation.

If you take any regular medications or are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your pharmacist before using this product.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 24, 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 Mother's Cordial Elixir, straight from the product label.

Brand Wise Woman Herbals
Barcode (UPC) 748840001602
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2023
DSLD ID 284869
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Mother's Cordial Elixir by Wise Woman Herbals, 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:
0.5 Teaspoon(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Teaspoon(s)
Servings per container
12
UPC/BARCODE
748840001602
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend5 mL--
Blue Cohosh0 NP--
Partridge Berry0 NP--
Cramp Bark0 NP--
False Unicorn0 NP--

Other ingredients: spring Water, organic Alcohol, Honey, Glycerine

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

Suggested use: Shake well. Take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, 3 times per day.

Formulation

The presence of particulate matter in this product is normal.

Precautions

Caution: This product contains honey, and should not be consumed by children under 1 y.o. or by immunocompromised individuals. Keep out of the reach of children.

General Statements

Botanical formula

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Storage

Store in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight with the lid tightly sealed.

See for yourself

Mother's Cordial Elixir by Wise Woman Herbals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Mother's Cordial Elixir by Wise Woman Herbals

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

Serving size0.5 Teaspoon(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container12 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

5 mL per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Spring Water, Organic Alcohol, Honey, Glycerine. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Mother's Cordial Elixir by Wise Woman Herbals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Mother's Cordial Elixir?

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
949Drugs
949 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Mother's Cordial Elixir 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.

False Unicorn3 drug types · 740 drugs

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

In vitro, false unicorn extract inhibits cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) activity. Theoretically, false unicorn might increase the levels of CYP2D6 substrates. Some of drugs that are CYP2D6 substrates include amitriptyline (Elavil), clozapine (Clozaril), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), donepezil (Aricept), fentanyl (Duragesic), flecainide (Tambocor), fluoxetine (Prozac), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), olanzapine (Zyprexa), ondansetron (Zofran), tramadol (Ultram), trazodone (Desyrel), and others.

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

In vitro, false unicorn extract inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity. Theoretically, false unicorn might increase the levels of CYP3A4 substrates. Drugs that might be affected include some calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil), chemotherapeutic agents (etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), glucocorticoids, cisapride (Propulsid), alfentanil (Alfenta), fentanyl (Sublimaze), losartan (Cozaar), fluoxetine (Prozac), midazolam (Versed), omeprazole (Prilosec), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), fexofenadine (Allegra), and numerous others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

False unicorn is thought to have diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to these potential diuretic effects, false unicorn might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Blue Cohosh3 drug types · 259 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

There is some concern that blue cohosh might increase blood glucose levels. Theoretically, it might decrease the effectiveness of medicines used for diabetes. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Constituents in blue cohosh might increase blood pressure by causing coronary vasoconstriction. Theoretically, concomitant use might decrease the effectiveness of drugs used for angina and high blood pressure; use with caution. Some antihypertensive drugs include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nicotine

Blue cohosh can increase the effects of nicotine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Mother's Cordial Elixir, from the product label.

Wise Woman Herbals

See all Wise Woman Herbals products
Name
Wise Woman Herbals
City
Creswell
State
OR
ZipCode
97426
Phone Number
541.895.5152
Web Address
wisewomanherbals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Mother's Cordial Elixir by Wise Woman Herbals: Common Questions

Does Mother's Cordial Elixir by Wise Woman Herbals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Mother's Cordial Elixir has a known interaction with 949 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Mother's Cordial Elixir 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 during pregnancy?
No. Blue cohosh is unsafe in pregnancy and has been linked to serious harm to newborns, including heart attacks. False unicorn and cramp bark should also be avoided — safety data are inadequate. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal product while pregnant.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
The safety data for all three checked ingredients — blue cohosh, false unicorn, and cramp bark — are insufficient to recommend use while breastfeeding. It's best to avoid this product and speak with your pharmacist or doctor for alternatives.
What does blue cohosh do?
Blue cohosh is a traditional herb used in maternity blends, but we don't have effectiveness data on file for it. It does have documented risks: it can raise blood pressure, increase blood sugar, and interact with several medications.
What are the most common side effects?
Blue cohosh can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, cramping, and chest pain. False unicorn may cause nausea and vomiting at larger doses. Cramp bark's adverse effects aren't well documented in the data we hold.
I'm on blood pressure medication — is this safe for me?
Blue cohosh in this product may raise your blood pressure and reduce how well your blood pressure medicine works. Check with your pharmacist before starting, and use the medication interaction checker on this page with your exact drugs.
What's partridge berry for in this formula?
Partridge berry is traditionally used in maternity blends, but we hold no interaction or effectiveness data for it. If you're concerned about why it's included, ask your pharmacist about this product's intended use.

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

Not sure if Mother's Cordial Elixir is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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.

Mother's Cordial Elixir label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Mother's Cordial Elixir'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 20 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.

Blue Cohosh 16 references
  1. Jones TK, Lawson BM. Profound neonatal congestive heart failure caused by maternal consumption of blue cohosh herbal medication. J Pediatr 1998;132:550-2. PubMed
  2. McFarlin BL, Gibson MH, O'Rear J, Harman P. A national survey of herbal preparation use by nurse-midwives for labor stimulation. Review of the literature and recommendations for practice. J Nurse Midwifery 1999;44:205-16. PubMed
  3. Wright IM. Neonatal effects of maternal consumption of blue cohosh. J Pediatr 1999;134:384-5. DOI
  4. Edmunds J. Blue cohosh and newborn myocardial infarction? Midwifery Today Int Midwife 1999;52:34-5.
  5. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
  6. Irikura B, Kennelly E. American Health Consultants. Blue Cohosh: a word of caution. 1999. Available at: http://www.ahcmedia.com/articles/50424-blue-cohosh-a-word-of-caution.
  7. Gunn TR, Wright IM. The use of black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1996;109:410-1.
  8. Baillie N, Rasmussen P. Black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1997;110:20-1.
  9. Finkel RS, Zarlengo KM. Blue cohosh and perinatal stroke. N Engl J Med 2004;351:302-3. PubMed
  10. Kennelly, E. J., Flynn, T. J., Mazzola, E. P., Roach, J. A., McCloud, T. G., Danford, D. E., and Betz, J. M. Detecting potential teratogenic alkaloids from blue cohosh rhizomes using an in vitro rat embryo culture. J.Nat.Prod. 1999;62(10):1385-1389. PubMed
  11. Rao, R. B. and Hoffman, R. S. Nicotinic toxicity from tincture of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) used as an abortifacient. Vet.Hum.Toxicol. 2002;44(4):221-222.
  12. Gunn, T. R. and Wright, I. M. The use of black and blue cohosh in labour. N.Z Med J 10-25-1996;109(1032):410-411.
  13. Scott, C. C. and Chen, K. K. The pharmacological action of N-methylcytisine. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapuetics 1943;79:334-339. DOI
  14. Low, D. T. Blue cohosh and neonatal myocardial toxicity. Journal of the American Herbalists Guild 2001;2(2):9-10.
  15. Dugoua JJ, Perri D, Seely D, et al. Safety and efficacy of blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;15(1):e66-73.
  16. Sirtori CR, Triolo M, Bosisio R, et al. Hypocholesterolaemic effects of lupin protein and pea protein/fibre combinations in moderately hypercholesterolaemic individuals. Br J Nutr 2012;107:1176-83. PubMed

See these in context on the Blue Cohosh monograph →

False Unicorn 4 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  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. Ho SH, Singh M, Holloway AC, Crankshaw DJ. The effects of commercial preparations of herbal supplements commonly used by women on the biotransformation of fluorogenic substrates by human cytochromes P450. Phytother Res. 2011;25(7):983-9. PubMed

See these in context on the False Unicorn 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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