Usnea Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Herbal Terra
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 Herbal Terra 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 Herbal Terra
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 (Usnea barbata) dried thallus liquid extract. Usnea is a lichen traditionally used to address cough, pain, wound healing, and skin conditions like tinea pedis (athlete's foot).
The product also contains menstruum, an inactive carrier liquid used to extract and preserve the herb.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence for Usnea's effectiveness is thin across the board. For cough, obesity, acute pain, wound healing, and tinea pedis, we don't have enough reliable data to rate how well it works.
If you're considering it for any of these purposes, talk with us about whether the evidence supports a trial, or whether something else with better data might be a better first choice.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Here's what you need to know: oral Usnea may be unsafe because its active component, usnic acid, has been linked to liver damage. Topical use is generally better tolerated, though usnic acid can cause contact dermatitis, local irritation, and in rare cases, conjunctivitis or allergic reactions with respiratory symptoms.
Do not use this product during pregnancy or while breastfeeding—there isn't enough safety data to know either way, and the caution around usnic acid and liver health means it's best to avoid it.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented for Usnea in our data. That doesn't mean interactions can't happen, so check your exact medications with the tool on this page before you begin—especially if you have liver disease or take any hepatotoxic (liver-affecting) drugs.
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 is traditionally used for cough and skin conditions, but the evidence to support those uses isn't established in our data. More importantly, oral forms carry a real safety concern: usnic acid can damage your liver.
If you're pregnant, nursing, or have liver disease, skip this product. Talk with us before you start.
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 Sep 25, 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 | Herbal Terra |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 0606595854839 |
| Net contents | 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Sep 25, 2020 |
| DSLD ID | 234259 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Sugar 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 Herbal Terra, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| wildcrafted Usnea (Usnea barbata) dried thallus liquid extract | 970 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Menstruum
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.
Formulation
Origin of plant material: USA.
Manufactured in the USA in an FDA registered facility
Sugar free
Dried herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3 Expertly extracted Laboratory tested 330 mg/1 mL Premium product Super concentrated liquid herbal extract
Non GMO
No artificial ingredients, GMO, gluten, color additives, fillers, preservatives or binders. Natural Gluten Free
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Direction Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz of juice or water up to 4 times a day. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking this or any other herbal supplements.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
Notice This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Precautions
Caution May have contraindications.
Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.
Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, dark place.
Formula
Usnea barbata
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Seals/Symbols
Made in USA Made in an FDA registered facility Natural Gluten Free
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Usnea by Herbal Terra 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 Herbal Terra
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 container120 Amounts shown are per serving.
Wildcrafted Usnea (Usnea barbata) dried thallus liquid 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 (Usnea barbata) dried thallus liquid extract monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Menstruum. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Usnea by Herbal Terra 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.
Usnea by Herbal Terra: Common Questions
Does Usnea by Herbal Terra interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is Usnea safe to take by mouth?
Can I use Usnea if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What does Usnea do, and does it actually work?
What side effects can Usnea cause?
What's in this liquid extract besides Usnea?
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