The rational use of herbal medicinal preparations is based on the proof of quality, safety and efficacy. An important topic for health care professionals is the knowledge about interactions between herbal medicinal products (HMPs) and medications with synthetic drugs, especially with those with a narrow therapeutical margin.
Despite large numbers of available publications, the results concerning interactions often remain contradictory and in many cases are based on pre-clinical research only or the extrapolation of theoretical mechanisms. Health care professionals need reliable information to allow for a balanced evaluation of herb-drug interactions, with relevance to severity and frequency. The monographs of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) are a source of first class information in these areas. The monographs include a compilation of clinically relevant herb-drug interactions and show that the most frequent ones concern anticoagulants, corticoids, benzodiazepines as well as antiarrythmic, antidepressant and antiviral drugs.
This table is distilled from the ESCOP monographs, which are elaborated by international experts who evaluate available scientific literature and translate relevant data on efficacy and safety for the clinical use of HMPs.
ESCOP herewith provides a functional tool for health care professionals to obtain fast and reliable information on clinically relevant herb-drug interactions.
The compilation is based on the analysis of the clinical relevance regarding the potential interactions between herbal medicinal products and other medications from published scientific data.
Reference: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP). Table of herb-drug interactions based on the monographs of ESCOP. Source: https://www.escop.com/interactions/. Updated: 30/05/2024.
References
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. 2nd edition. Exeter: ESCOP, Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag, New York: Thieme New York. 2003.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Suppl. 2nd edition. Exeter: ESCOP, Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag, New York: Thieme New York. 2009.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Agrimoniae herba (Agrimony). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Alchemillae herba (Lady’s mantle). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Allii sativi bulbus (Garlic). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Aloe barbadensis (Barbados aloes). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Aloe capensis (Cape aloes). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Althaeae radix (Marshmallow root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Angelicae radix (Angelica root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2021.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Anisi fructus (Aniseed). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Arnicae flos (Arnica flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Arctii radix (Burdock root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2016.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Ballotae nigrae herba (Black Horehound). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Betulae folium (Birch Leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Calendulae flos (Calendula flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Carvi aetheroleum (Carum carvi). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Caryophylli aetheroleum (Clove oil). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Centaurii herba (Centaury). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Chamomillae romanae Flos (Roman chamomille flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Cimicifugae rhizoma (Black cohosh). Exeter: ESCOP; 2011.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Echinacea angustifoliae radix (Narrow-leaved coneflower root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Echinacea pallidae radix (Pale coneflower root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2018.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Echinaceae purpureae herba (Purple Coneflower Herb). Exeter: ESCOP; 2021.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Echinaceae purpureae radix (Purple Coneflower Root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2021.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Epilobii herba (Wilow herb). Exeter: ESCOP; 2024.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Equiseti herba (Equisetum stem). Exeter: ESCOP; 2018.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Filipendulae ulmariae herba (Meadowsweet). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Foeniculi aetheroleum (Bitter-fennel fruit oil). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Foeniculi fructus (Fennel fruit). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Frangulae cortex (Frangula bark). Exeter: ESCOP; 2017.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Fumariae herba (Fumitory). Exeter: ESCOP; 2018.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Gentianae radix (Gentian root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Ginseng radix (Ginseng). Exeter: ESCOP; 2023.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Graminis rhizoma (Couch grass rhizome). Exeter: ESCOP; 2016.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Grindeliae herba (Grindelia). ESCOP: Exeter: 2016.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Hamamelidis aqua (Hamamelis water). Exeter: ESCOP; 2012.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Hamamelidis cortex (Hamamelis bark). Exeter: ESCOP; 2012.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Hamamelidis folium (Hamamelis leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2012.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Helichrysi flos (Sandy everlasting flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Hydrastis rhizoma (Goldenseal rhizome). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Hyperci herba (St. John’s Wort). Exeter: ESCOP; 2018.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Juglandis folium (Walnut leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2024.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Leonuri cardiacae herba (Motherwort). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Lini semen (Linseed). Exeter: ESCOP; 2017.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Malvae flos (Mallow Flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2016.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Marrubii herba (White horehound). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Matricaria flos (Matricaria flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2020.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Melissae folium (Melissa leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Menthae piperitae folium (Peppermint leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Menyanthidis trifoliatae folium (Bogbean leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Millefolii Herba (Yarrow). Exeter: ESCOP; 2021.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Myrrha (Myrrh). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Myrtilli fructus (Bilberry fruit). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Ononidis radix (Restharrow root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Orthosiphonis folium (Java tea). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Passiflorae herba (Passionflower herb). Exeter: ESCOP; 2023.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Pelargonii radix (Pelargonium root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Plantaginis lanceolatae folium/herba (Ribwort plantain leaf/herb). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Plantaginis ovatae semen (Ispaghula seed). Exeter: ESCOP; 2020.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Plantaginis ovatae testa (Ispaghula Husk, Blond Psyllium Husk). Exeter: ESCOP; 2016.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Primulae radix (Primula root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2021.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Pruni africanae cortex (Pygeum africanum bark). Exeter: ESCOP; 2020.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Psylli semen (Psyllium seed). Exeter: ESCOP; 2017.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Ratanhiae radix (Rathany root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2017.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Rhamni purshianae cortex (Cascara). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Rhei radix (Rhubarb). Exeter: ESCOP; 2019.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Ribis nigri folium (Black currant leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2017.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Rusci rhizoma (Butcher’s broom). Exeter: ESCOP; 2017.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Salicis cortex (Willow bark). Exeter: ESCOP; 2017.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Salviae folium (Sage Leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2021.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Salvia trilobae folium (Sage leaf, three-lobed). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Sambuci flos (Elder ower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Serpylli herba (Thyme European). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Solidaginis virgaureae herba (European Goldenrod). Exeter: ESCOP; 2018.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Symphyti radix (Comfrey root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2012.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Tanaceti parthenii herba (Feverfew). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Tiliae flos (Lime flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2022.
• European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Taraxaci radix (Dandelion root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2024.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Tormentillae rhizoma (Tormentil). Exeter: ESCOP; 2013.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Uncariae tomentosae cortex (Cat’s Claw Bark). Exeter: ESCOP; 2018.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Urticae folium/herba (Nettle leaf/herb). Exeter: ESCOP; 2018.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Urticae radix (Nettle root). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Uvae ursi folium (Bearberry leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2012.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Vaccinii macrocarpi fructus (Cranberry). Exeter: ESCOP; 2020.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Verbasci flos (Mullein flower). Exeter: ESCOP; 2014.
• European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs, The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Violae herba cum flore (Wild pansy). Exeter: ESCOP; 2015.
• European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy. ESCOP monographs The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products. Online series. Vitis vinifera folium (Red vine leaf). Exeter: ESCOP; 2020.