Usnea Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Hawaii Pharm
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
Usnea is a dietary supplement by Hawaii Pharm 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.
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Usnea by Hawaii 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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains one active ingredient: wildcrafted Usnea extract. Usnea is a lichen (a organism that combines algae and fungus) traditionally used in folk medicine.
The extract is suspended in vegetable glycerin and pharmaceutical-grade alcohol as a liquid.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence for usnea isn't established in the data we hold. Its effectiveness for cough, obesity, acute pain, wound healing, and tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is rated as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate.
That means either the research is sparse or the studies done weren't robust enough to draw firm conclusions — not that it doesn't work, but that we can't say from the data.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Oral usnea carries a real safety concern: its active compound, usnic acid, has been linked to liver damage. If you take this by mouth, that's the main thing to watch.
Topically, usnea is generally well tolerated, though usnic acid can occasionally cause contact dermatitis, local irritation, conjunctivitis (pink eye), or allergic reactions with respiratory symptoms in sensitive people. The safety data during pregnancy advises against use; the data for breastfeeding is not on file.
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver problems, talk with your pharmacist before using this product.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for this ingredient. Even so, if you have liver problems or take medications that affect your liver, mention this product to your pharmacist.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
Usnea by Hawaii Pharm has no documented drug interactions, but oral use carries a liver-safety concern tied to usnic acid. Topical use is better tolerated.
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, the safety data advises against it. If you have liver problems or are considering this for a specific condition, check in with your pharmacist first.
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, 2020.
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
General information
Key facts about Usnea, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Hawaii Pharm |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 650905470158 |
| Net contents | 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Nov 21, 2020 |
| DSLD ID | 237752 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free |
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 Hawaii Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| wildcrafted Usnea extract | 970 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Vegetable Palm Glycerin, pharmaceutical grade Alcohol
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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.
General Statements
Hawaii Pharm Herbal Extract Highest quality since 2008
Made with Aloha!
Formulation
Contains no GMO, gluten, artificial colors, heavy metals, preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers.
Super concentrated liquid herbal extract. Dry herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3.
Manufactured in an FDA registered facility.
Non GMO Gluten free
Made in USA, Hawaii
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions for use: Shake well before using. Take about 20-30 drops (0.7-1 ml, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) to 2-4 oz of juice or water up to 4 times per day.
Precautions
Warning: Keep out of the reach of children.
May have contraindications. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking.
Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.
Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing or taking any medications.
Do not use if seal is broken or missing.
Storage
Store in a cool dry place.
Formula
(Usnea barbata)
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Dietary Supplement
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.
Seals/Symbols
FDA Registered Facility Made in United States of America USA
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Usnea by Hawaii Pharm label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in Usnea by Hawaii 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 container120 Amounts shown are per serving.
Wildcrafted Usnea extract
No knowninteractions
Usnea is a lichen used in traditional herbal medicine, mainly for sore throats, skin infections, and as a general antimicrobial. Laboratory studies su...
Wildcrafted Usnea extract monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Palm Glycerin, Pharmaceutical grade Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Usnea by Hawaii Pharm 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.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Usnea, from the product label.
Hawaii Pharm
See all Hawaii Pharm products- Name
- Hawaii Pharm LLC
- City
- Honolulu
- State
- HI
- ZipCode
- 96815
- Web Address
- www.hawaiipharm.com
Usnea by Hawaii Pharm: Common Questions
Does Usnea by Hawaii Pharm interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is this safe to take by mouth?
Can I use this while pregnant?
Can I use this while breastfeeding?
Will this actually help with cough or pain?
What are the most common side effects?
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.
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.
The Full Monographs Behind Usnea’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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
- Favreau JT, Ryu Ml, Braunstein G, et al. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the dietary supplement LipoKinetix. Ann Intern Med 2002;136:590-5. PubMed
- Ingolfsdottir K. Usnic acid. Phytochemistry 2002;61:729-36.
- 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
- Mitchell, J. C. Allergy to lichens. Allergic contact dermatitis from usnic acid produced by lichenized fungi. Arch Dermatol 1965;92(2):142-146.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
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