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Dietary supplement

Myrtle Seng Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Health Concerns

Tablet Or Pill Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Myrtle Seng is a dietary supplement by Health Concerns with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for stress and energy support, immune support and colds, blood sugar management.Based on those ingredients, 430 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Queen's crepe myrtle, American Ginseng. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Myrtle Seng by Health Concerns

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 2 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (550 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Myrtle Seng contains two active ingredients: American Ginseng and Queen's crepe myrtle (also known as banaba). The product also includes inactive ingredients — vegetable gum, silicon dioxide, stearic acid, and cellulose — which are binders, thickeners, and fillers that help form and preserve the tablet.

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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded its ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports its ingredients for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) — rated "Possibly Effective" (American Ginseng) (Natural Medicines).

American Ginseng is possibly effective for upper respiratory tract infections (the common cold and similar bugs), based on available evidence. For anemia of chronic disease and breast cancer, the evidence we hold is too limited to rate it.

Queen's crepe myrtle's effectiveness for diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome is insufficient to establish — the research isn't yet solid enough to say whether it works for these uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient American Ginseng Banaba

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 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

American Ginseng is generally well tolerated in the short term for healthy adults, though quality and strength vary widely and long-term safety hasn't been well studied. Headache has been reported.

It is possibly unsafe in pregnancy and should be avoided while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data. Queen's crepe myrtle is also generally well tolerated in short-term studies, but long-term safety is not established.

It should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough safety information.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient American Ginseng Banaba

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — American Ginseng, Banaba.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 430 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 Myrtle Seng, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take warfarin or other blood thinners, blood pressure medications, antidiabetes drugs, immunosuppressants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (older antidepressants like phenelzine). These are the medication types with documented interactions.

Use the medication search tool on this page to verify your exact drugs.

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 behind its ingredients' uses. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take warfarin, antidiabetes drugs, blood pressure medications, or immunosuppressants, this product requires a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist before you start — the interactions could affect how well your medications work or how low your blood sugar or blood pressure drops. Even if you don't take those drugs, check your full medication list with the tool on this page.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to decide whether Myrtle Seng fits your health plan.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2013.

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 Myrtle Seng, straight from the product label.

Brand Health Concerns
Net contents 90 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2013
DSLD ID 25669
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
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 Myrtle Seng by Health Concerns, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
6 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
90
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend550 mg--
American Ginseng0 Not Present--
Queen's crepe myrtle0 Not Present--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Gum, Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Cellulose

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: One to six tablets daily between meals as directed by your health professional.

Precautions

Notice: This product is not intended for use by pregnant women.

General Statements

Made in the U.S.A.

Pin Yin/Latin: Xi Yang Shen, L. Speciosa.

Brand IP Statement(s)

CHINESE TRADITIONAL FORMULAS(TM)

COMBINING MODERN RESEARCH AND ANCIENT WISDOM(R)

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

See for yourself

Myrtle Seng by Health Concerns label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Myrtle Seng by Health Concerns

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container90 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

550 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Gum, Silicon Dioxide, Stearic Acid, Cellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Myrtle Seng by Health Concerns Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Myrtle Seng?

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
430Drugs
2 Major 428 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Myrtle Seng 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.

Queen's crepe myrtle3 drug types · 299 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba and hypoglycemic drugs might have additive effects.
Human and animal research suggests that banaba can lower blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba and antihypertensive drugs might cause additive effects.
Human and animal research suggests that banaba can lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba with substrates of OATP might reduce the bioavailability of the OATP substrate.
In vitro research shows that banaba inhibits OATP, particularly OATP2B1. OATPs are expressed in the small intestine and liver and are responsible for the absorption of drugs and other compounds.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

American Ginseng4 drug types · 217 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

American ginseng seems to decrease the effectiveness of warfarin therapy.
Healthy patients receiving warfarin 5 mg daily, who also take American ginseng 1 gram twice daily, seem to have a significantly reduced international normalized ratio (INR).

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
American ginseng seems to lower postprandial blood glucose. Theoretically, concomitant use with antidiabetes drugs might enhance blood glucose lowering effects and possibly cause hypoglycemia.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
American ginseng seems to stimulate immune function. Theoretically, American ginseng might decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, American ginseng can interfere with MAOI therapy.
There is one case report of insomnia, headache, and tremors when an unspecified ginseng product was used with phenelzine (Nardil), an MAOI. There is also one case report of hypomania when an unspecified ginseng product was used with phenelzine. Theoretically, American ginseng may interfere with MAOI therapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Myrtle Seng, from the product label.

Health Concerns

See all Health Concerns products
Name
Health Concerns
Street Address
8001 Capwell Drive
City
Oakland
State
CA
ZipCode
94621
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Myrtle Seng by Health Concerns: Common Questions

Does Myrtle Seng by Health Concerns interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Myrtle Seng has a known interaction with 430 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Myrtle Seng contains 2 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 Myrtle Seng if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — both ingredients should be avoided. American Ginseng is possibly unsafe in pregnancy, and Queen's crepe myrtle has insufficient safety data for pregnancy. While breastfeeding, neither ingredient has enough safety information to recommend use. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance tailored to your situation.
What does American Ginseng in this product actually do?
American Ginseng is possibly effective for upper respiratory tract infections — colds and similar illnesses. For other uses listed (anemia, breast cancer), we don't have enough solid evidence to say whether it works.
What is Queen's crepe myrtle and what does it do?
Queen's crepe myrtle is also called banaba. The evidence for its use in diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome is too limited for us to rate whether it works. It appears in traditional medicine for blood sugar, but more research is needed.
What side effects might I notice?
Headache is the most commonly reported side effect with American Ginseng. Queen's crepe myrtle has been reported to cause dizziness, headache, tremor, and weakness in one study, though it's unclear whether those came from the banaba extract alone or from another ingredient in that product. Most people tolerate both ingredients without problems.
Is this product safe long-term?
The long-term safety of both American Ginseng and Queen's crepe myrtle is not well studied. Both are generally well tolerated in short-term use, but if you're thinking of taking this for months or years, discuss that with your doctor or pharmacist — they can help you weigh what we do and don't know.

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.

Myrtle Seng label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Myrtle Seng'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 19 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.

American Ginseng 12 references
  1. Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Phenelzine and the dream machine-ramblings and reflections. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1985;5:65. PubMed
  2. Jones BD, Runikis AM. Interaction of ginseng with phenelzine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:201-2. PubMed
  3. Janetzky K, Morreale AP. Probable interaction between warfarin and ginseng. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1997;54:692-3. PubMed
  4. Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Koo VY, et al. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1009-13. PubMed
  5. Vuksan V, Stavro MP, Sievenpiper JL, et al. Similar postprandial glycemic reductions with escalation of dose and administration time of American ginseng in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1221-6. PubMed
  6. Chan LY, Chiu PY, Lau TK. An in-vitro study of ginsenoside Rb(1)-induced teratogenicity using a whole rat embryo culture model. Hum Reprod 2003;18:2166-8..
  7. McElhaney JE, Gravenstein S, Cole SK, et al. A Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Proprietary Extract of North American Ginseng (CVT-E002) to Prevent Acute Respiratory Illness in Institutionalized Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004;52:13-9. PubMed
  8. Yuan CS, Wei G, Dey L, et al. American ginseng reduces warfarin's effect in healthy patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2004;141:23-7.
  9. Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin R, et al. Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2005;173:1043-8.. PubMed
  10. McElhaney JE, Goel V, Toane B, et al. Efficacy of COLD-fX in the prevention of respiratory symptoms in community-dwelling adults: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 2006;12:153-7. PubMed
  11. Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin RE, et al. Immune modulating effects of daily supplementation of COLD-fX (a proprietary extract of North American ginseng) in healthy adults. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2006;39:162-167. DOI
  12. Stavro PM, Woo M, Leiter LA, et al. Long-term intake of North American ginseng has no effect on 24-hour blood pressure and renal function. Hypertension 2006;47(4):791-6. PubMed

See these in context on the American Ginseng monograph →

Banaba 7 references
  1. Judy WV, Hari SP, Stogsdill WW, et al. Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (Glucosol) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics. A dose-dependence study. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;87:115-7. PubMed
  2. Kakuda T, Sakane I, Takihara T, et al. Hypoglycemic effect of extracts from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaves in genetically diabetic KK-AY mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1996;60:204-8.
  3. Fukushima, M., Matsuyama, F., Ueda, N., Egawa, K., Takemoto, J., Kajimoto, Y., Yonaha, N., Miura, T., Kaneko, T., Nishi, Y., Mitsui, R., Fujita, Y., Yamada, Y., and Seino, Y. Effect of corosolic acid on postchallenge plasma glucose levels. Diabetes Res C PubMed
  4. Yamaguchi, Y., Yamada, K., Yoshikawa, N., Nakamura, K., Haginaka, J., and Kunitomo, M. Corosolic acid prevents oxidative stress, inflammation and hypertension in SHR/NDmcr-cp rats, a model of metabolic syndrome. Life Sci 11-25-2006;79(26):2474-2479. PubMed
  5. Fuchikami H, Satoh H, Tsujimoto M, Ohdo S, Ohtani H, Sawada Y. Effects of herbal extracts on the function of human organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP-B. Drug Metab Dispos 2006;34:577-82. PubMed
  6. Manaf A, Tjandrawinata RR, Malinda D. Insulin sensitizer in prediabetes: a clinical study with DLBS3233, a combined bioactive fraction of Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016;10:1279-89. PubMed
  7. Tjokroprawiro A, Murtiwi S, Tjandrawinata RR. DLBS3233, a combined bioactive fraction of Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa, in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients inadequately controlled by metformin and other oral antidiabetic agents. J Comple

See these in context on the Banaba 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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