No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Usnea Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BIOVEA

Usnea label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
No known interaction
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Usnea 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 No known interaction

Usnea is a dietary supplement by BIOVEA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for sore throat, skin and wound care, respiratory infections.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

Jump to a section

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Usnea by BIOVEA

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 11, 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 1 active ingredient.

This product contains one active ingredient: ethically wild harvested usnea, a lichen used traditionally for cough and other purposes. The liquid form also includes grain alcohol and deionized water as inactive ingredients.

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 Usnea product and its label doesn't state a use — see Usnea'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 usnea isn't established in the data we hold. We have insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for cough, pain, wound healing, tinea pedis (athlete's foot), or obesity.

If you're considering it for any of these uses, talk with us about whether the evidence supports it or if there's a better-studied option.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Usnea

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.

Oral usnea carries a real safety concern — usnic acid, one of its active compounds, has been associated with liver damage. Topical use is generally much better tolerated, though usnic acid can cause local irritation, contact dermatitis, and conjunctivitis (pink eye) with skin contact.

The safety data is not adequate for pregnancy or breastfeeding — avoid use during both.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Usnea

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented for the ingredients we could check. That said, because usnic acid carries a liver-safety caution, you should let your pharmacist know if you take any medications that affect your liver function or if you have liver disease.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no assessable stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a traditional remedy with no documented drug interactions, but if you're taking it by mouth, liver safety is the issue to watch. Topical use appears safer overall.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are off-limits until we have better safety data. Talk to your pharmacist before starting, especially if you have liver concerns.

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 Nov 21, 2016.

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 Usnea, straight from the product label.

Brand BIOVEA
Barcode (UPC) 689076074230
Net contents 30 mL; 1 fl. Oz.
Market status Off market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 21, 2016
DSLD ID 66258
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
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 Usnea by BIOVEA, 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 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
689076074230
IngredientAmount% DV
ethically wild harvested Usnea0 NP--

Other ingredients: Grain Alcohol, deionized Water

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.
Seals/Symbols

Made in the USA

GMP Compliant

K-Parave K-1604

Formulation

Vegan product

General

G 15

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take 30 drops, 1-3 times per day, or as needed in juice or water.

Shake well before using.

General Statements

Guaranteed premium quality

Liquid extract

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Precautions

Warning: Keep out of reach of children.

Formula

K-Parave K-1604

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

See for yourself

Usnea by BIOVEA label

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

Usnea 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 Usnea by BIOVEA

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

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Ethically wild harvested Usnea

No known
interactions
0 NP per serving

Usnea is a lichen used in traditional herbal medicine, mainly for sore throats, skin infections, and as a general antimicrobial. Laboratory studies su...

Ethically wild harvested Usnea monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Grain Alcohol, Deionized Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Usnea by BIOVEA Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Usnea. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

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

BIOVEA

See all BIOVEA products
Name
BIOVEA
Phone Number
1-800-961-4750
Web Address
www.biovea.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Usnea by BIOVEA: Common Questions

Does Usnea by BIOVEA interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Usnea. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Usnea 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.
Is usnea safe to take by mouth?
There's a real concern with oral usnea — the compound usnic acid in it has been linked to liver damage. Topical use (on skin) is much better tolerated. If you're thinking about taking it by mouth, talk to your pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you have any liver issues.
Can I use this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — the safety data isn't there. Usnea should be avoided during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need a remedy for cough or pain during these times.
What's usnea supposed to treat?
Usnea has been used traditionally for cough, pain, wound healing, and fungal skin infections like athlete's foot. However, we don't have reliable evidence yet that it works for any of these — the studies just aren't solid enough to say. Ask us if there's better-studied alternatives.
Can this cause side effects on my skin?
Yes. If you use it topically, usnic acid can cause contact dermatitis (a rash), irritation, and conjunctivitis if it gets near your eyes. Most people tolerate topical use reasonably well, but patch-test first if you have sensitive skin.

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

Not sure if Usnea 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.

Usnea label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Usnea’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Usnea

Usnea is a lichen used in traditional herbal medicine, mainly for sore throats, skin infections, and as a general antimicrobial. Laboratory studies suggest its main compound, usnic acid, can...

Read the full Usnea monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Usnea'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.

Usnea 10 references
  1. Favreau JT, Ryu Ml, Braunstein G, et al. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the dietary supplement LipoKinetix. Ann Intern Med 2002;136:590-5. PubMed
  2. Ingolfsdottir K. Usnic acid. Phytochemistry 2002;61:729-36.
  3. Scirpa, P., Scambia, G., Masciullo, V., Battaglia, F., Foti, E., Lopez, R., Villa, P., Malecore, M., and Mancuso, S. [A zinc sulfate and usnic acid preparation used as post-surgical adjuvant therapy in genital lesions by Human Papillomavirus]. Minerva Gin
  4. Mitchell, J. C. Allergy to lichens. Allergic contact dermatitis from usnic acid produced by lichenized fungi. Arch Dermatol 1965;92(2):142-146.
  5. Durazo, F. A., Lassman, C., Han, S. H., Saab, S., Lee, N. P., Kawano, M., Saggi, B., Gordon, S., Farmer, D. G., Yersiz, H., Goldstein, R. L., Ghobrial, M., and Busuttil, R. W. Fulminant liver failure due to usnic acid for weight loss. Am.J Gastroenterol. PubMed
  6. Neff, G. W., Reddy, K. R., Durazo, F. A., Meyer, D., Marrero, R., and Kaplowitz, N. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the use of weight loss diet supplements containing ma huang or usnic acid. J Hepatol. 2004;41(6):1062-1064. PubMed
  7. Hsu, L. M., Huang, Y. S., Chang, F. Y., and Lee, S. D. 'Fat burner' herb, usnic Acid, induced acute hepatitis in a family. J Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 2005;20(7):1138-1139. PubMed
  8. Arneborn, P., Jansson, A., and Bottiger, Y. [Acute hepatitis in a woman after intake of slimming pills bought via Internet]. Lakartidningen 7-11-2005;102(28-29):2071-2072.
  9. Sanchez, W., Maple, J. T., Burgart, L. J., and Kamath, P. S. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with use of a dietary supplement containing usnic acid. Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81(4):541-544. PubMed
  10. Rafanelli, S., Bacchilega, R., Stanganelli, I., and Rafanelli, A. Contact dermatitis from usnic acid in vaginal ovules. Contact Dermatitis 1995;33(4):271-272. PubMed

See these in context on the Usnea 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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