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

Thuja Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herb Pharm

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

Thuja is a dietary supplement by Herb Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for warts and skin growths, respiratory and immune support, cold and upper respiratory symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 576 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Thuja branchlet (Thuja occidentalis) extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Thuja by Herb Pharm

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: a thuja branchlet extract made from Thuja occidentalis (eastern arborvitae). The extract is prepared in certified organic cane alcohol as the liquid base.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Thuja product and its label doesn't state a use — see Thuja's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for thuja in treating the common cold is insufficient to establish that it works. We don't have reliable data showing it's effective for that purpose.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Thuja

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 1 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.

Thuja contains thujone, which is toxic in large doses. Taking significant amounts has been reported to cause headache, nervous agitation, seizures, stomach upset, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in rare cases liver damage, kidney damage, and death.

Contact with thuja plants can also cause an allergic skin rash in some people. Thuja should not be used in pregnancy — it's traditionally been used to stimulate the uterus and menstruation, and the safety data advises against it.

For the same reason, safety is not established while breastfeeding, so you should avoid it then as well.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Thuja

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 — Thuja.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: seizure medications; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 576 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.

Do not take this product if you use seizure threshold lowering drugs (including certain anesthetics) — thujone can interfere with seizure control. Double-check with your pharmacist if you take immunosuppressant medications or anticonvulsants before starting, since thuja may reduce their effectiveness.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product carries real risks, especially if you take medications that affect seizure threshold or suppress your immune system. Even if you don't take those medications, thuja's thujone content can be unpredictable and toxic at higher doses.

Talk with your pharmacist about whether this makes sense for you, and don't use it in pregnancy or while nursing.

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 Feb 25, 2015.

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 Thuja, straight from the product label.

Brand Herb Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 090800000348
Net contents 1 fl. Oz.; 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2015
DSLD ID 42963
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Thuja by Herb Pharm, 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:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Servings per container
42
UPC/BARCODE
090800000348
IngredientAmount% DV
Thuja branchlet (Thuja occidentalis) extract612 mg--

Other ingredients: certified organic Cane Alcohol

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.
Precautions

Caution: Seek expert medical advice before taking during pregnancy.

Keep Out of the Reach of Children

Not for long-term use.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

SUGGESTED USE Shake Well Before Using Add one full squeeze of the dropper bulb to 2 oz. of water or juice, two to four times per day. Best taken between meals.

Storage

Store away from heat & light

General

007

General Statements

branchlet OPTIMAL WELL-BEING

Fresh herb / menstruum ratio: 1 : 2

We prepare our Thuja Extract from the fresh (undried) branchlet of Thuja occidentalis trees which are Sustainably Wildcrafted in their natural habitat.

FDA Statement of Identity

HERBAL SUPPLEMENT

Formula

Thuja Liquid Extract

Formulation

GLUTEN-FREE

See for yourself

Thuja by Herb Pharm label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Thuja by Herb Pharm

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

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container42 Amounts shown are per serving.

612 mg per serving

Thuja, also called northern white cedar or arborvitae, is a tree whose leaf and oil have a long history in folk and homeopathic medicine, especially f...

Thuja branchlet (Thuja occidentalis) extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Certified organic Cane Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Thuja by Herb Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Thuja?

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
576Drugs
576 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Thuja 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.

Thuja branchlet (Thuja occidentalis) extract3 drug types · 576 drugs

Anticonvulsants

Thuja products can contain thujone, which might lower the seizure threshold. Theoretically, this could decrease the effectiveness of anticonvulsants drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Thuja might stimulate immune function. Theoretically, taking thuja might decrease the effects of immunosuppressive therapy. Immunosuppressant drugs include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), and other corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Seizure Threshold Lowering Drugs

Thuja products can contains significant amounts of thujone, a neurotoxin. Theoretically, patients taking drugs that lower the seizure threshold might be at greater risk of seizure if they also take thuja. Advise patients taking these drugs to avoid thuja products. Some drugs that lower the seizure threshold include anesthetics (propofol, others), antiarrhythmics (mexiletine), antibiotics (amphotericin, penicillin, cephalosporins, imipenem), antidepressants (bupropion, others), antihistamines (cyproheptadine, others), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), narcotics (fentanyl, others), stimulants (methylphenidate), theophylline, and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Herb Pharm

See all Herb Pharm products
Name
Herb Pharm
City
Williams
State
OR
ZipCode
97544
Phone Number
800-348-4372
Web Address
www.herb-pharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Thuja by Herb Pharm: Common Questions

Does Thuja by Herb Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Thuja has a known interaction with 576 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Thuja 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 take Thuja while pregnant?
No. Thuja has been traditionally used to stimulate the uterus and menstruation, and the safety data advises against use in pregnancy. Talk with your doctor before considering it.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking thuja?
No. Safety while breastfeeding is not established, so you should avoid thuja if you're nursing. Chat with your pharmacist or doctor about alternatives.
What side effects can thuja cause?
Large doses have been reported to cause headache, nervous agitation, seizures, stomach irritation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In rare cases, liver damage, kidney damage, and death have been reported. Contact with thuja plants can also trigger an itchy rash on the skin.
Does thuja actually work for colds?
The evidence isn't reliable enough to say whether it works. We don't have data supporting its use for that purpose.
Why does thuja interact with so many medications?
Thuja contains thujone, a compound that can affect how your nervous system works and how your immune system functions. That's why it can interfere with seizure medications, immune-suppressing drugs, and anesthetics — the number of drugs affected reflects thujone's broad effect on these systems, not that every one has a direct interaction.

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

Not sure if Thuja is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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.

Thuja label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Thuja'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 10 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.

Thuja 10 references
  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 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. Millet Y, Jouglard J, Steinmetz MD, et al. Toxicity of some essential plant oils. Clinical and experimental study. Clin Toxicol 1981;18:1485-98. PubMed
  4. Gohla SH, Haubeck HD, Neth RD. Mitogenic activity of high molecular polysaccharide fractions isolated from the Cupressaceae Thuja occidentale L. I. Macrophage-dependent induction of CD-4-positive T-helper (Th+) lymphocytes. Leukemia 1988;2:528-33.
  5. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
  6. Henneicke-von Zepelin H, Hentschel C, Schnitker J, et al. Efficacy and safety of a fixed combination phytomedicine in the treatment of the common cold (acute viral respiratory tract infection): results of a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, m
  7. Naser, B., Bodinet, C., Tegtmeier, M., and Lindequist, U. Thuja occidentalis (Arbor vitae): A Review of its Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Clinical Properties. Evid.Based Complement Alternat.Med 2005;2(1):69-78.
  8. Patel R, Alavi F, Ortega S, Matela A. Herb-Induced Liver Injury by Cimicifuga racemosa and Thuja occidentalis Herbal Medications for Fertility. Case Rep Gastrointest Med 2021;2021:8858310. PubMed
  9. Ambooken B, Thomas M, Jisha KT. Papillary Eccrine Adenoma in a 5-year-old Girl Altered by Application of Thuja Ointment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2020;13(4):370-371. PubMed
  10. Badaoui A, Fougerousse AC. Contact dermatitis to linalool and limonene: Unusual sources of exposure. Ann Dermatol Venereol 2023;150(2):167-168. PubMed

See these in context on the Thuja 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

Keep exploring