Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 7 of 10 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Xuan Bi Teapills Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Plum Flower

Xuan Bi Teapills label
See full label image
Tablet Or Pill Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Xuan Bi Teapills 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 Most serious interaction: Moderate

Xuan Bi Teapills is a dietary supplement by Plum Flower with 10 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for liver and digestive complaints, fever and inflammation, anxiety, restlessness, and trouble sleeping.Based on those ingredients, 1,222 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Phellodendron chinense Bark Extract, Atractylodes lancea Rhizome Extract, Pinellia ternata Rhizome Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower

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 10 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Extract Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1,360 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Xuan Bi Teapills contains 10 ingredients listed as a proprietary extract blend plus individual extracts: gardenia fruit, pinellia rhizome, atractylodes rhizome, phellodendron bark, akebia stem, stephania root, achyranthes root, forsythia fruit, apricot seed, and Job's tears seed. Most are traditional Asian botanical extracts; the product also contains inactive ingredients — maltose, magnesium silicate, activated charcoal, and china wax — which serve as binders and fillers.

The active ingredients work together in the traditional formula, though our data shows insufficient evidence to establish effectiveness for the conditions these herbs have been used for (anxiety, depression, diabetes, and other conditions). The dose and potency depend on the extraction method and concentration in the final tablet.

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

The label doesn't state a purpose we can grade — see each ingredient's own graded uses on its monograph instead.

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

The evidence we hold rates all the measured effectiveness claims for these ingredients as insufficient — meaning we don't have reliable data proving they work for anxiety, depression, diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, flu, appetite, cold, diarrhea, high cholesterol, or bronchiolitis. That doesn't mean the formula doesn't help, only that scientific evidence for these uses hasn't been established in our data.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Gardenia Pinellia Ternata Atractylodes Phellodendron Forsythia Apricot Job's Tears

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 4 of the 7 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 6 of 7.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 7 of 7.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Safety data for most ingredients in this blend are limited. Pinellia, the sedating ingredient, contains ephedrine alkaloids that may raise blood pressure, speed your heart, and in rare cases cause heart attack or stroke — it's also toxic if raw and not properly processed.

Phellodendron and several other herbs should be avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding; the data advises against use due to lack of safety information or potential harm to the baby. Gardenia has rare case reports of blue-gray skin discoloration after very long-term use (7 years in one case).

Atractylodes may cause allergic reaction, nausea, or dry mouth. Forsythia safety data are limited.

Apricot seed is generally well tolerated from the fruit itself, but supplements and kernels are concerning.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Gardenia Pinellia Ternata Atractylodes Phellodendron Forsythia Apricot Job's Tears

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?
  • 6 of the 7 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Pinellia Ternata, Phellodendron, Atractylodes, Forsythia, Job's Tears, among others.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,223 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.

Check before taking if you use sedating medications (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antihistamines, other CNS depressants), blood pressure drugs, blood thinners or antiplatelet agents, diabetes medications, theophylline, dextromethorphan, chlorzoxazone, diltiazem, medications processed by CYP2D6, CYP2C9, or CYP3A4 pathways in your liver, metformin, or azithromycin. We could not check three ingredients — akebia, stephania, and achyranthes — so interaction data for those are not available.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a traditional multi-ingredient formula — talk with your pharmacist before starting, especially if you take sedatives, blood pressure meds, blood thinners, diabetes drugs, or anything your liver metabolizes. It's not for pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If you have a bleeding disorder or upcoming surgery, flag it first.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 7 of 10 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2025.

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 Xuan Bi Teapills, straight from the product label.

Brand Plum Flower
Barcode (UPC) 739934820186
Net contents 1.2 Ounce(s); 34 Gram(s); 200 Pill(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2025
DSLD ID 336525
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower, 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:
8 Pill(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
8 Pill(s)
Servings per container
25
UPC/BARCODE
739934820186
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Extract Blend1360 mg--
Gardenia jasminoides Fruit Extract0 NP--
Pinellia ternata Rhizome Extract0 NP--
Atractylodes lancea Rhizome Extract0 NP--
Phellodendron chinense Bark Extract0 NP--
Akebia trifoliata Stem Extract0 NP--
Stephania tetrandra Root Extract0 NP--
Achyranthes bidentata Root Extract0 NP--
Forsythia suspensa Fruit Extract0 NP--
Prunus armeniaca Seed Extract0 NP--
Coix lachryma jobi Seed Extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Maltose, Magnesium Silicate, Hydrated, Carbon, Activated, China Wax

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.
General Statements

Xuan Bi Wan

Foci Pharmaceutical 1929

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Precautions

Wheat (Processed with wheat bran).

Not for use during pregnancy.

Keep out of reach of children.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Take 8 pills 3 times daily or as directed by your health care practitioner.

Seals/Symbols

Plum Flower Guarantee Sourced Sustainably FDA Registered cGMP Compliant Made at a cGMP certified facility Lab tested Quality Verified Species Verified

Formulation

US owned & operated since 1969. Made in China in partnership with the award winning Lanzhou Foci Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

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

See for yourself

Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower label

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

Xuan Bi Teapills 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 Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower

These are the 10 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size8 Pill(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container25 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Proprietary Extract Blend

1360 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Maltose, Magnesium Silicate, Hydrated, Carbon, Activated, China Wax. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Xuan Bi Teapills?

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
1,222Drugs
1,193 Moderate 29 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Phellodendron chinense Bark Extract 1,160
Atractylodes lancea Rhizome Extract 801
Pinellia ternata Rhizome Extract 256
Coix lachryma jobi Seed Extract 128
Forsythia suspensa Fruit Extract 123

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Xuan Bi Teapills interact with 1,222 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

6 of the 10 ingredients in Xuan Bi Teapills interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Phellodendron chinense Bark Extract Atractylodes lancea Rhizome Extract Pinellia ternata Rhizome Extract Coix lachryma jobi Seed Extract Forsythia suspensa Fruit Extract Gardenia jasminoides Fruit Extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Xuan Bi Teapills with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Phellodendron chinense Bark Extract14 drug types · 1,160 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Phellodendron contains berberine. In vitro and in vivo research suggest that berberine can inhibit platelet aggregation. Theoretically, phellodendron might also inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, phellodendron may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Clinical research shows that berberine may lower blood glucose levels. Theoretically, phellodendron might also lower blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, phellodendron might have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Animal research suggests that berberine can have hypotensive effects. Also, a clinical study suggests that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with amlodipine alone. Theoretically, phellodendron might also reduce blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Animal research suggests that berberine may have sedative effects. Theoretically, phellodendron might also have CNS depressants effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase blood levels of cyclosporine.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Preliminary clinical research shows that berberine can reduce metabolism of cyclosporine and increase serum levels, likely through inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes cyclosporine. Theoretically, phellodendron might also reduce the metabolism of cyclosporine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Preliminary clinical research shows that berberine can inhibit CYP2C9. Theoretically, phellodendron might also inhibit CYP2C9.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Phellodendron contains berberine. In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence show that berberine can inhibit CYP2D6. Theoretically, phellodendron might also inhibit CYP2D6.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Phellodendron contains berberine. In vitro research and preliminary clinical research show that berberine moderately inhibits CYP3A4. Theoretically, phellodendron might also inhibit CYP3A4.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin Dm, Others)

Theoretically, phellodendron may increase serum levels of dextromethorphan.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Preliminary clinical research shows that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) activity and reduce the metabolism of dextromethorphan. Theoretically, phellodendron may also inhibit the metabolism of dextromethorphan.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Losartan (Cozaar)

Theoretically, phellodendron might reduce the therapeutic effects of losartan by decreasing its conversion to its active form.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Preliminary clinical research suggests that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) activity and reduce metabolism of losartan. Theoretically, phellodendron might also inhibit the metabolism of losartan.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
Phellodendron contains berberine. In vitro and animal studies show that berberine can increase the systemic exposure and half-life of metformin, potentially increasing metformin's effects and side effects. This interaction seems to be most apparent when berberine is administered 2 hours prior to metformin. Taking berberine and metformin at the same time does not appear to increase systemic exposure to metformin. It is unclear if phellodendron might have this same effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Midazolam (Versed)

Theoretically, phellodendron might reduce metabolism of midazolam, which might increase the risk of severe adverse effects.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Preliminary clinical research shows that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity and reduce metabolism of midazolam. Theoretically, phellodendron might also inhibit the metabolism of midazolam.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase the sedative effect of pentobarbital.
Phellodendron contains berberine. Animal research shows that berberine can prolong pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. Theoretically, phellodendron might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Theoretically, phellodendron might increase blood levels of tacrolimus.
Phellodendron contains berberine. In a 16-year-old patient with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who was being treated with tacrolimus 6.5 mg twice daily, intake of berberine 200 mg three times daily increased the blood concentration of tacrolimus from 8 to 22 ng/mL. Following a reduction of the tacrolimus dose to 3 mg daily, blood levels of tacrolimus decreased to 12 ng/mL. It is unclear if phellodendron might have this same effect.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phellodendron chinense Bark Extract full monograph & interactions

Atractylodes lancea Rhizome Extract5 drug types · 801 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, atractylodes might increase the risk of bleeding when used concomitantly with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs.
Laboratory research suggests that atractylenolides II and III, constituents of atractylodes, reduce platelet activation. So far, this has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Aromatase Inhibitors

Theoretically, atractylodes may have an additive effect when used with other aromatase inhibitors.
Laboratory research suggests that atractylodes and its constituents exhibit aromatase inhibitor effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hexobarbital

Theoretically, taking atractylodes may prolong the therapeutic and adverse effects of hexobarbital.
In animals, atractylodes has been shown to prolong the effects of hexobarbital. These effects have not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, atractylodes might decrease the levels of CYP1A2 substrates.
In animals, atractylodes administered at high doses has been shown to induce CYP1A2 activity. This effect has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, atractylodes might increase the levels of CYP3A4 substrates.
In animals, atractylodes administered at high doses has been shown to inhibit CYP3A1 activity, which is a homolog to the human CYP3A4 enzyme. This effect has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Atractylodes lancea Rhizome Extract full monograph & interactions

Pinellia ternata Rhizome Extract3 drug types · 256 drugs

Barbiturates

Evidence from animal research shows that a Pinellia ternata preparation decreases activity and increases sleeping time. Theoretically, Pinellia ternata can potentiate the therapeutic effect of barbiturates. Some of these sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Benzodiazepines

Evidence from animal research shows that a Pinellia ternata preparation decreases activity and increases sleeping time. Theoretically, Pinellia ternata can potentiate the therapeutic effect of benzodiazepines. Some benzodiazepines include lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Evidence from animal research shows that a Pinellia ternata preparation decreases activity and increases sleeping time. Theoretically, Pinellia ternata can potentiate the therapeutic effect of CNS depressants. Some of these medications include antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pinellia ternata Rhizome Extract full monograph & interactions

Coix lachryma jobi Seed Extract5 drug types · 128 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Preliminary evidence shows that constituents of Job's tears might have hypoglycemic effects. Theoretically, concomitant use with drugs that decrease blood glucose levels might increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, Paraflex)

Animal research suggests that Job's tears might enhance absorption of chlorzoxazone in the small intestine. Single dose and short-term oral administration of Job's tears bran ethanolic extract along with oral administration of a five-drug cocktail containing chlorzoxazone increases chlorzoxazone peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) without altering major cytochrome P450 activities in the liver. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin Dm, Others)

Animal research suggests that Job's tears might enhance absorption of dextromethorphan in the small intestine. Single dose oral administration of Job's tears bran ethanolic extract along with oral administration of a five-drug cocktail containing dextromethorphan increases dextromethorphan area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) without altering major cytochrome P450 activities in the liver. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Others)

Animal research suggests that Job's tears might enhance absorption of diltiazem in the small intestine. Single dose oral administration of Job's tears bran ethanolic extract along with oral administration of a five-drug cocktail containing diltiazem increases diltiazem peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) without altering major cytochrome P450 activities in the liver. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Theophylline

Animal research suggests that Job's tears might enhance absorption of theophylline in the small intestine. Single dose and short-term oral administration of Job's tears bran ethanolic extract along with oral administration of a five-drug cocktail containing theophylline increases theophylline peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) without altering major cytochrome P450 activities in the liver. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Coix lachryma jobi Seed Extract full monograph & interactions

Forsythia suspensa Fruit Extract2 drug types · 123 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, taking forsythia with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding due to decreased platelet aggregation. Forsythia might reduce platelet aggregation by inhibiting platelet activating factor. Some of these drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Azithromycin (Zithromax)

Theoretically, taking forsythia with azithromycin might increase the risk of adverse effects. Animal research in rats shows that taking a single dose of forsythia with azithromycin decreases the clearance and increases the area under the curve of both forsythiaside, a constituent of forsythia, and azithromycin. The mechanism of this interaction is not well understood.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Forsythia suspensa Fruit Extract full monograph & interactions

Gardenia jasminoides Fruit Extract1 drug type · 21 drugs

Stimulant Laxatives

Theoretically, gardenia might increase the effects and adverse effects of stimulant laxatives.
Animal research shows that geniposide, a glucoside found in gardenia fruit, may function as a laxative and cause diarrhea when taken orally.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Gardenia jasminoides Fruit Extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Xuan Bi Teapills, from the product label.

Plum Flower

Name
Mayway Herbs
City
Oakland
State
CA
Web Address
plumflowerherbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower: Common Questions

Does Xuan Bi Teapills by Plum Flower interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Xuan Bi Teapills has a known interaction with 1,222 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Xuan Bi Teapills contains 10 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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 this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advise against this product during pregnancy and lactation. Several ingredients — pinellia, atractylodes, gardenia, phellodendron, forsythia, and Job's tears — lack sufficient safety data or carry warnings to avoid them. Apricot seed is rated likely safe as food but hasn't been studied as a supplement in pregnancy. Talk with your obstetrician or pharmacist before use.
What is pinellia and why does it make you drowsy?
Pinellia ternata is a traditional Asian rhizome (underground stem). Animal studies show it decreases activity and increases sleeping time, so it theoretically can strengthen the effects of sedating drugs. It also contains ephedrine alkaloids, which may raise blood pressure and speed your heart — it must be properly processed to be safe, as raw pinellia is toxic.
Does this product actually work for the conditions it's used for?
Our data show insufficient evidence to establish effectiveness for the conditions these herbs have traditionally been used for — anxiety, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia, cold, flu, appetite, diarrhea, or high cholesterol. That means the evidence either isn't there or isn't strong enough yet; it doesn't prove it doesn't work, only that scientific proof isn't in our records.
What are the main side effects?
Limited data exist, but reported or possible side effects include allergic reactions (especially from atractylodes and gardenia), nausea, dry mouth, heartburn, fatigue, and numbness. Gardenia carries a rare case report of blue-gray skin pigmentation after 7 years of continuous use. If you're sensitive to topical gardenia exposure, you may react to this product.
Why can't you check three of the ingredients?
We hold no monograph data for akebia trifoliata, stephania tetrandra, and achyranthes bidentata — meaning we haven't assessed their interaction potential yet. That doesn't mean they're unsafe; it means we can't report on drug interactions for those three. Your pharmacist may have other resources about them.
I'm on metformin for diabetes — is this safe with that?
Phellodendron in this formula may increase metformin's effects and side effects. Additionally, Job's tears and phellodendron both lower blood sugar, so combined with metformin you'd have an added risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking this product — your diabetes medication may need adjusting.

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

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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.

Xuan Bi Teapills label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Xuan Bi Teapills’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Gardenia

Interacts with 21 drugs

Gardenia fruit has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine and is also used as a natural food coloring. While early lab and animal studies are interesting, strong human evidence for i...

Read the full Gardenia monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Pinellia Ternata

Interacts with 256 drugs

Pinellia ternata is a tuber used in traditional Chinese medicine, most often for nausea, vomiting, and phlegmy coughs, and almost always as part of multi-herb formulas. The raw plant is toxi...

Read the full Pinellia Ternata monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Atractylodes

Interacts with 801 drugs

Atractylodes is a root used for centuries in traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Thai medicine, mostly for digestive complaints and fatigue, often as part of multi-herb formulas. Modern resea...

Read the full Atractylodes monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Phellodendron

Interacts with 1,160 drugs

Phellodendron is a traditional Chinese medicine bark (Huang Bai) that contains berberine and other plant compounds with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity in lab studies. Human evi...

Read the full Phellodendron monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Forsythia

Interacts with 123 drugs

Forsythia is a traditional Chinese herb, used mainly for cold and flu symptoms and as part of multi-herb formulas. Most evidence comes from laboratory, animal, and traditional use rather tha...

Read the full Forsythia monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Apricot

Apricot is a nutritious fruit that provides fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C, and it is safe and healthy to eat as part of a normal diet. There is little strong evidence that apricot f...

Read the full Apricot monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Job's Tears

Interacts with 128 drugs

Job's Tears is a grain-like seed long used as a food and in traditional medicine, especially in East Asia. While it is generally safe as a food and is being studied for possible effects on m...

Read the full Job's Tears monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Xuan Bi Teapills'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.

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The 44 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.

Gardenia 5 references
  1. Kubo, Y., Nonaka, S., and Yoshida, H. Allergic contact dermatitis from gardenia fruit. Contact Dermatitis 1990;22(2):65-7. PubMed
  2. Yamauchi, K., Fujimoto, N., Kuwano, S., Inouye, H., and Inoue, K. The mechanism of purgative action of geniposide, an iridoid glucoside of the fruit of Gardenia, in mice. Planta Med 1976;30(1):39-47.
  3. Paulsen, E., Skov, P. S., and Andersen, K. E. Immediate skin and mucosal symptoms from pot plants and vegetables in gardeners and greenhouse workers. Contact Dermatitis 1998;39(4):166-170. PubMed
  4. Mizawa M, Andoh T, Shimizu T. Gardenia fruit-related blue-gray skin pigmentation. JAMA Dermatol. 2020. PubMed
  5. Tong T, Fu J, Kong Y. Recurrent Abdominal Pain in a 61-Year-Old Woman. Gastroenterology 2023;164(6):887-890. PubMed

See these in context on the Gardenia monograph →

Pinellia Ternata 4 references
  1. Kim SH, Jeong H, Kim YK, et al. IgE-mediated occupational asthma induced by herbal medicine, Bahna (Pinellia ternata). Clin Exp Allergy 2000;31:779-81.
  2. FDA, HHS. Final rule declaring dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids adulterated because they present an unreasonable risk. Fed Regist 2004;69:6787-6854.
  3. Lin S, Nie B, Yao G, Yang H, Ye R, Yuan Z. Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) makino preparation promotes sleep by increasing REM sleep. Nat Prod Res. 2019;33(22):3326-3329. PubMed
  4. Lin YH, Chen C, Zhao X, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Banxia Formulae for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2021;2021:8833168. PubMed

See these in context on the Pinellia Ternata monograph →

Atractylodes 6 references
  1. Liu Y, Jia Z, Dong L, et al. A randomized pilot study of atractylenolide I on gastric cancer cachexia patients. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2008;5:337-44. PubMed
  2. Chen Y, Yang W, Guo L, Wu X, Zhang T, Liu J, Zhang J. Atractylodes lactone compounds inhibit platelet activation. Platelets. 2017 Mar;28(2):194-202. PubMed
  3. Jiang H, Shi J, Li Y. Screening for compounds with aromatase inhibiting activities from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. Molecules. 2011 Apr 14;16(4):3146-51. PubMed
  4. Koonrungsesomboon N, Na-Bangchang K, Karbwang J. Therapeutic potential and pharmacological activities of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2014 Jun;7(6):421-8. PubMed
  5. Li L, Tang LY, Man GC, Yeung BH, Lau CB, Leung PC, Wang CC. Potential reproductive toxicity of Largehead Atractylodes Rhizome, the most commonly used Chinese medicine for threatened miscarriage. Hum Reprod. 2011 Dec;26(12):3280-8. PubMed
  6. Muhamad N, Plengsuriyakarn T, Na-Bangchang K. Atractylodes lancea for cholangiocarcinoma: Modulatory effects on CYP1A2 and CYP3A1 and pharmacokinetics in rats and biodistribution in mice. PLoS One 2022;17(11):e0277614. PubMed

See these in context on the Atractylodes monograph →

Phellodendron 22 references
  1. Chan E. Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine. Biol Neonate 1993;63:201-8. PubMed
  2. Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. PubMed
  3. Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. PubMed
  4. Garrison R, Chambliss WG. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on weight management: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Altern Ther Health Med 2006;12:50-4.
  5. Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, et al. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:2559-65. PubMed
  6. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  7. Chatterjee P, Franklin MR. Human cytochrome p450 inhibition and metabolic-intermediate complex formation by goldenseal extract and its methylenedioxyphenyl components. Drug Metab Dispos 2003;31:1391-7. PubMed
  8. Shanbhag, S. M., Kulkarni, H. J., and Gaitonde, B. B. Pharmacological actions of berberine on the central nervous system. Jpn.J Pharmacol 1970;20(4):482-487. PubMed
  9. Wu, J. F. and Liu, T. P. [Effects of berberine on platelet aggregation and plasma levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in rats with reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion]. Yao Xue.Xue.Bao. 1995;30(2):98-102.
  10. Peng, W. H., Hsieh, M. T., and Wu, C. R. Effect of long-term administration of berberine on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997;74(3):261-266. DOI
  11. Sabir M and Bhide NK. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind J Physiol & Pharmac 1971;15(3):111-132.
  12. Tripathi YB and Shukla SD. Berberis artistata inhibits PAF induced aggregation of rabbit platelets. Phytotherapy Research 1996;10:628-630.
  13. Yin, J., Xing, H., and Ye, J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 2008;57(5):712-717. PubMed
  14. Zhang, H., Wei, J., Xue, R., Wu, J. D., Zhao, W., Wang, Z. Z., Wang, S. K., Zhou, Z. X., Song, D. Q., Wang, Y. M., Pan, H. N., Kong, W. J., and Jiang, J. D. Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing insulin re
  15. Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., and Zhou, H. H. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2012;68(2):213-217. PubMed
  16. Wei, W., Zhao, H., Wang, A., Sui, M., Liang, K., Deng, H., Ma, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, H., and Guan, Y. A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndro
  17. Hermann, R. and von, Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med 2012;78(13):1458-1477. PubMed
  18. Chun YT, Yip TT, Lau KL, and et al. A biochemical study on the hypotensive effect of berberine in rats. Gen Pharmac 1979;10:177-182. PubMed
  19. Hou Q, Han W, Fu X. Pharmacokinetic interaction between tacrolimus and berberine in a child with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2013;69(10):1861-2. PubMed
  20. Lan J, Zhao Y, Dong F, et al. Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;161:69-81. PubMed
  21. Kalman DS, Feldman S, Feldman R, et al. Effect of a proprietary magnolia and phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J 2008;7:11.
  22. Lyu Y, Zhang Y, Yang M, et al. Pharmacokinetic interactions between metformin and berberine in rats: Role of oral administration sequences and microbiota. Life Sci. 2019;235:116818. PubMed

See these in context on the Phellodendron monograph →

Forsythia 3 references
  1. Kong XT, Fang HT, Jiang GQ, et al. Treatment of acute bronchiolitis with Chinese herbs. Arch Dis Child 1993;68:468-71. PubMed
  2. Iwakami S, Wu JB, Ebizuka Y, Sankawa U. Platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists contained in medicinal plants: lignans and sesquiterpenes. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1992;40:1196-8. PubMed
  3. Li XG, Ni J, Shen S, Wang XP, Tian JC. Pharmacokinetic interaction of Forsythia suspensa extract and azithromycin injection after single and co-intravenous administration in rats. Chin J Nat Med 2020;18(3):234-240. PubMed

See these in context on the Forsythia monograph →

Apricot 1 reference
  1. Dietary Supplements - What You Need to Know — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Source

See these in context on the Apricot monograph →

Job's Tears 3 references
  1. Chiang W, Cheng C, Chiang M, Chung KT. Effects of dehulled adlay on the culture count of some microbiota and their metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract of rats. J Agric Food Chem 2000;48:829-32. PubMed
  2. Yu YM, Chang WC, Liu CS, Tsai CM. Effect of young barley leaf extract and adlay on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in hyperlipidemic smokers. Biol Pharm Bull 2004;27:802-5. PubMed
  3. Yao HT, Lin JH, Liu YT, Li ML, Chiang W. Food-Drug Interaction between the Adlay Bran Oil and Drugs in Rats. Nutrients 2019;11(10):2473. PubMed

See these in context on the Job's Tears 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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