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

Usnea Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Red Moon Herbs

Usnea label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
No known interaction
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 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 Red Moon Herbs 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.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Usnea by Red Moon Herbs

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 a single active ingredient: Usnea Lichen Extract. The liquid also holds water and alcohol as inactive ingredients (the carrier for the extract).

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, acute pain, wound healing, obesity, or tinea pedis (a fungal foot infection).

That doesn't mean it won't work for you — just that the studies aren't there yet to say either way.

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.

Usnea taken by mouth may be unsafe. The usnic acid in it has been linked to liver damage, which is a serious concern if you're taking this as an oral supplement.

Topical use — applied to your skin — is generally better tolerated, though usnic acid can cause contact dermatitis, local irritation, eye inflammation (conjunctivitis), and in some cases 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 safety information advises against it.

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 in our data for the ingredients we could check. However, because oral usnea carries a liver safety risk, it's still worth mentioning to your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take anything that affects your liver.

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.

If you're considering usnea for cough, pain, or wound healing, keep in mind the evidence isn't established for any of those uses. More importantly, if you're thinking of taking this by mouth, the liver safety concerns are real — talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Topical use is gentler, but even then watch for skin or eye irritation.

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 22, 2024.

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 Red Moon Herbs
Barcode (UPC) 857999002412
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 59 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 22, 2024
DSLD ID 319331
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Children (All), Infants/Baby (0 - 1 Year), Seniors/Mature (>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 Usnea by Red Moon Herbs, 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:
25 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
50 Drop(s)
UPC/BARCODE
857999002412
IngredientAmount% DV
Usnea Lichen Extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Water, 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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Shake well. Take 25-50 drops 1-4 times daily in a little water.

General Statements

Red Moon Herbs Est. 1994

Still made the wise woman way

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Fresh Appalachian Extracts for the whole family

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

See for yourself

Usnea by Red Moon Herbs 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 Red Moon Herbs

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

Serving size25 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Amounts shown are per serving.

Usnea Lichen Extract

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...

Usnea Lichen Extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Usnea by Red Moon Herbs 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.

Red Moon Herbs

See all Red Moon Herbs products
Name
Red Moon Herbs
City
Asheville
State
NC
Phone Number
888-929-0777
Web Address
redmoonherbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Usnea by Red Moon Herbs: Common Questions

Does Usnea by Red Moon Herbs 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 this safe to take by mouth?
Usnea taken orally may be unsafe. The usnic acid it contains has been linked to liver damage. Topical use is generally better tolerated. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before taking this by mouth.
Can I use this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety data, and the safety information advises against using usnea during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.
What is usnea used for?
Usnea has been used traditionally for cough, acute pain, and wound healing, among other things. However, we don't have reliable evidence to say whether it actually works for any of those uses.
Can usnea cause side effects if I apply it to my skin?
Topical usnea is generally well tolerated, but the usnic acid in it can cause contact dermatitis, local irritation, eye inflammation if it touches your eyes, and in some cases allergic reactions with breathing symptoms. Watch for any rash, redness, or irritation.

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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