By Vidya Reddy | Tea & Turmeric Co-Founder | 25+ Years of Experience in Holistic Wellness & Ayurvedic Living
Why I'm Writing This Article
Not long ago, a woman came into our shop looking for an herbal tea to support her heart health. As we started talking, I asked a question that has become second nature for us at Tea & Turmeric.
"Are you taking any medications?"
She smiled and said she was taking beta blockers along with a few other prescriptions she couldn't remember by name.
Some people might expect the conversation to continue with tea recommendations, but that's not what happened. Before we looked at a single blend, I encouraged her to speak with her doctor or pharmacist first.
That advice sometimes catches people off guard. After all, we own a tea and wellness shop located at 1175 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, and we are proud to be the only loose leaf tea and spice shop in all of Orange County. Shouldn't we be eager to recommend herbs?
The answer is yes, but only when they're appropriate.
This same question came up on a recent episode of The Tea on Wellness podcast, where I went deeper into real interactions I see at the shop, including turmeric, chamomile, and St. John's Wort. If you'd rather hear the conversation than read it, listen to the full episode.
Over the years, I've had thousands of conversations with customers looking for natural ways to support their health. Some are having trouble sleeping. Others are dealing with stress, digestive issues, or inflammation. Many simply want to drink less coffee and enjoy something that feels nourishing. One thing they often have in common is the belief that if something is natural, it must also be completely safe.
I understand why people think that, but it's not always true.
Herbs have been used for centuries because they contain naturally occurring compounds that can affect the body. That's exactly what makes them so valuable. It's also why they deserve the same thoughtful consideration as anything else that may influence your health.
For most people, herbal tea can be a wonderful part of a healthy lifestyle. The goal isn't to avoid herbs. It's to understand when a little extra caution is appropriate. If you're taking prescription medications, managing a chronic health condition, pregnant, or preparing for surgery, it's worth taking a few minutes to make sure the herbs you're considering are a good fit for your individual situation.
That's why we never promise that a tea is right for everyone. Whether someone is interested in our Stress Less Organic Tea, Goodnight Organic Herbal Tea, or another wellness blend, we want them to feel confident that they're making an informed choice. Sometimes that means recommending a tea. Other times it means recommending a conversation with their healthcare provider first.
This article isn't meant to scare you away from herbal tea. My hope is just the opposite. I want you to understand why herbs deserve respect, how they can fit safely into your wellness routine, and when it's wise to ask a few extra questions before pouring your next cup.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional before using herbal products if you take prescription medications, have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing for surgery.
How Herbs Can Interact With Prescription Medications
After hearing that herbs can interact with medications, some people wonder if they should avoid herbal tea altogether. In most cases, the answer is no.
Herbal tea has been enjoyed safely for generations. The key is understanding that certain herbs may affect certain medications, which is why it's important to look at your health as a whole rather than viewing herbs and prescription medicines separately.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) explains that some herbal products can change the way medications work. Depending on the herb and the medication, an herb may:
* Increase a medication's effects
* Reduce its effectiveness
* Affect how your body processes it
That's why healthcare providers encourage patients to discuss any herbs or supplements they use alongside prescription medications.
How Your Body Processes Medications
One of the liver's many jobs is to help process medications. It does this with specialized enzymes that break medicines down so your body can use them properly and eventually remove them.
One thing that surprises customers when I explain this is that most of the research they've read about online is looking at concentrated capsules and extracts, not the cup of tea sitting in front of them. Once people hear that distinction, a lot of the fear drains out of the conversation.
Some herbs may influence how active those enzymes are:
* Speeding up processing: A medication may be broken down too quickly, meaning it may not have enough time to work as intended.
* Slowing down processing: A medication may be processed more slowly, allowing more of the medication to remain in your body than expected.
Not every herb affects these enzymes, and not every medication is processed this way. Even so, this is one of the most common reasons healthcare providers ask about herbal products during medical appointments.
You don't need to understand the science behind liver enzymes to make informed decisions. The important thing to remember is that herbs and medications can sometimes influence one another, which is why it's always worth asking if you're unsure.
Why Your Healthcare Provider Needs the Full Picture
When your doctor or pharmacist asks what you're taking, they're looking at more than your prescriptions. They also want to know about over-the-counter medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products because each one contributes to your overall health picture.
One thing we've noticed over the years is that many customers don't think to mention herbal tea because they see it as a beverage rather than something that could affect their care. In many cases it won't, but if you're drinking herbal teas regularly, especially for a specific wellness purpose, it's worth including them in the conversation.
Keeping an up-to-date list of everything you take, including herbs and supplements, makes it easier for your healthcare provider to identify anything that deserves a closer look. Most of the time, that conversation is quick, reassuring, and gives you greater confidence in the choices you're making.
Herbal Tea vs. Herbal Supplements: Why the Difference Matters
One of the biggest misunderstandings surrounding herb and medication interactions is the assumption that herbal tea and herbal supplements are the same thing. They may come from the same plant, but they are very different products.
Many of the studies and news stories about herb-drug interactions involve concentrated herbal supplements rather than a traditionally brewed cup of tea. Understanding that difference helps put many of those headlines into perspective.
Why the Form of an Herb Matters
* Herbal Tea: Prepared by steeping dried leaves, flowers, roots, or spices in hot water. It's a traditional way of enjoying herbs that has been part of cultures around the world for centuries.
* Herbal Supplements: Capsules, tinctures, and standardized extracts are made differently and designed to deliver concentrated amounts of specific plant compounds. Because they contain much higher concentrations than a cup of tea, they shouldn't automatically be compared with traditionally brewed herbal teas.
According to MedlinePlus, herbal supplements can interact with prescription medications, which is why it's important to discuss them with your healthcare provider before using them regularly.
Why Dose Matters
The amount of an herb you consume matters, and so does how often you consume it.
Enjoying an occasional cup of herbal tea is very different from taking a concentrated herbal extract every day. The form, serving size, and frequency all influence how much of the herb your body receives. That's why it's difficult to make broad statements that an herb is always safe or always unsafe. The answer depends on the herb itself, the medication being taken, and the individual using it.
How We Explain This to Customers
This is a conversation we have almost every week at Tea & Turmeric. Customers often ask whether enjoying a cup of Stress Less Organic Tea, Goodnight Organic Herbal Tea, or Inflammation Fighter Organic Herbal Tea is the same as taking an herbal supplement.
The answer is no.
Our wellness teas are crafted to be enjoyed as traditionally prepared herbal infusions, not as concentrated herbal extracts. The same idea applies to turmeric. Cooking with turmeric, enjoying turmeric tea, and taking a concentrated curcumin supplement are three very different ways of using the same plant.
Understanding those differences helps people make informed decisions instead of unnecessary assumptions. The goal isn't to avoid herbs. It's to choose the right herb, in the right form, for your individual health needs.
Common Herbs That May Interact With Medications
Most herbs can be enjoyed safely by many people. The herbs below are simply the ones customers ask us about most often. Knowing a little about each one can help you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider if you're taking prescription medications.
If you want the fuller story behind a few of these, including turmeric and St. John's Wort, the podcast episode covers real conversations we've had in the shop about them.
Chamomile and Prescription Medications
Chamomile is the herb people worry about the least, which is exactly why I bring it up first. It's traditionally enjoyed as part of a relaxing evening routine, and most customers are stunned when I tell them it can interact with anything at all.
According to NCCIH, chamomile may interact with warfarin and certain sedative medications, and people who are allergic to ragweed and related plants may also experience allergic reactions to it. It's usually the herb furthest from anyone's mind when they're reviewing what they take, which is exactly why it's worth a second look if you're on blood thinners.
Turmeric and Blood-Thinning Medications
Turmeric causes the most confusion because it lives in two worlds at once. It's a kitchen spice everyone trusts, and it's also sold as a concentrated supplement, and those aren't the same exposure. We use it in our Organic Therapeutic Turmeric Powder and Inflammation Fighter Organic Herbal Tea, and I still get asked at least once a week whether cooking with it daily is "too much."
It isn't. According to NCCIH's turmeric fact sheet, most research involving potential medication interactions focuses on concentrated curcumin supplements, not culinary use or a traditionally brewed cup of tea. Where I do pause customers is if they're taking blood-thinning medications and considering a turmeric supplement specifically, or if they have surgery coming up, turmeric supplements are frequently flagged before procedures because of that same bleeding risk, and that's a conversation worth having with a doctor first.
Licorice Root and Blood Pressure
Licorice root usually isn't the herb customers ask about first, until they actually read the label on a digestive tea and see it listed. It has a naturally sweet flavor and a long history in traditional herbal preparations, but NCCIH notes that products containing glycyrrhizin may affect blood pressure and potassium levels when consumed regularly or in larger amounts. This is one where the amount genuinely matters, an occasional cup is a different story than a daily habit if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease.
Lemon Balm and Tulsi
Lemon balm and tulsi don't usually come up in a conversation about medication interactions. Both are gentle, well loved in traditional practice, and low on most people's worry list. But low isn't the same as zero. If you're managing an ongoing medical condition, it's worth a quick mention to your physician or pharmacist the next time it comes up, not because either herb is risky, but because "gentle" still means active.
St. John's Wort and Medication Interactions
Although we don't carry St. John's wort, it's one of the most well-known examples of an herb that can interact with medications. According to NCCIH, St. John's wort can affect many prescription medicines, including certain antidepressants, birth control pills, transplant medications, seizure medications, and blood thinners.
If you're taking prescription medications, this is the one herb on this list I'd tell you to check on before trying, not after.
When Should You Talk With Your Doctor or Pharmacist?
For most people, enjoying a cup of herbal tea is a safe and enjoyable part of a healthy lifestyle. There are times, however, when it's worth taking a few extra minutes to check with your healthcare provider before adding a new herb to your routine.
A quick conversation can help you avoid unnecessary interactions and give you confidence that the herbs you choose fit well with your overall health and any medications you're taking.
Before Starting a New Herbal Tea
If you're thinking about trying a new herbal tea for a specific wellness goal, it's a good idea to let your healthcare provider know, especially if you take prescription medications every day. Many people assume that because herbal tea is sold as a food or beverage, it doesn't need to be mentioned during a medical appointment. In reality, your physician or pharmacist wants to understand everything you're taking, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
If You Take Prescription Medications
Extra caution is especially important if you take medications for:
* High blood pressure
* Diabetes
* Blood thinning or blood clot prevention
* Heart conditions
* Seizure disorders
* Depression or anxiety
* Organ transplant rejection prevention
This doesn't mean you can't enjoy herbal tea. It simply means the best choice depends on your individual medications, your overall health, and the herbs you're considering. If you're ever unsure, ask.
During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are times when it's especially important to be selective about herbs. While many herbal teas have a long history of traditional use, not every herb has been well studied during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and some are not recommended.
If you're pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your obstetrician, midwife, or another qualified healthcare provider before choosing any herbal tea, wellness blend or otherwise. This is a section where I'd rather send you to your provider than steer you myself. Not every herb has been well studied during pregnancy, and the right answer depends on your specific situation more than it does on any general category of tea.
Before Surgery
If you're scheduled for surgery, be sure to tell your surgeon or healthcare team about any herbal teas, supplements, or botanicals you use regularly. Some herbs may affect bleeding, blood pressure, blood sugar, or how your body responds to anesthesia. Depending on the herb and the procedure, your healthcare team may recommend stopping certain herbal products ahead of time.
If You Take Several Medications
The more medications and supplements you take, the more important it becomes to review them together. This matters most for people on medications with a narrow therapeutic range, blood thinners, heart medications, and immunosuppressants especially, where even a small shift in how the body processes them can matter. One habit I encourage is keeping an up-to-date list of everything you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Bring that list to your medical appointments and update it whenever something changes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Herbal Tea and Medications
Can Herbal Tea Interact With Prescription Medications?
Yes, some herbal teas can interact with certain prescription medications, but not every herb interacts with every medication. The potential for an interaction depends on the herb, the medication, how much of the herb you're consuming, and your individual health.
Which Herbal Teas Should I Avoid While Taking Medications?
St. John's wort, licorice root, and in some cases chamomile or turmeric supplements are the herbs most commonly flagged for medication interactions. There isn't one list that applies to everyone, though. Whether an herb is a concern for you depends on the specific medications you take.
Is Herbal Tea Safer Than Herbal Supplements?
Yes, in most cases. Herbal tea and herbal supplements aren't the same thing. A traditionally brewed cup of tea generally contains much lower amounts of active plant compounds than a concentrated capsule, tincture, or extract, so research on high-dose supplements doesn't automatically apply to a cup of tea.
Are Herbal Teas Safe During Pregnancy?
Some herbal teas can be enjoyed during pregnancy, while others should be avoided. Because not every herb has been well studied during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it's best to discuss herbal teas with your obstetrician or midwife before making them part of your daily routine.
Should I Tell My Doctor or Pharmacist About the Herbal Teas I Drink?
Yes. Many people remember to mention prescription medications but forget to mention herbal teas because they think of them as beverages rather than herbal products. Sharing that information helps your healthcare provider give you the safest guidance.
Final Thoughts
I never found out exactly what her doctor said, the woman on beta blockers who came in that day looking for something to support her heart. But she came back two weeks later. She'd talked to her pharmacist, gotten the green light on one of our herbal blends, and left with a tea she actually felt good about drinking, not because she'd skipped the conversation, but because she'd had it.
That's the outcome I want for you too. Not fear of herbal tea, and not blind trust in it either. Just the same five extra minutes she took, so that whatever you're sipping is working with you instead of against something else you're taking.
At Tea & Turmeric, that's exactly how we approach every wellness conversation. Sometimes it means helping someone discover a new favorite tea. Other times it means sending them to talk to their pharmacist first, the way I did with her.
Want more on this? Listen to the full podcast episode where I talk through this exact story, along with a few others like it, in more detail than I could fit here.
About the Author
Vidya is a holistic health practitioner with over 25 years of experience in Ayurveda and wellness, including running a private practice in Canada before co-founding Tea & Turmeric in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California. She is the creator of functional herbal teas and spice blends and writes about stress, sleep, digestion, adaptogens, and nervous system support. Her work blends traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern functional wellness, translating herbal wisdom into practical everyday rituals. Tea & Turmeric is located at 1175 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
Sources
* National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Herb-Drug Interactions
* National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Chamomile: Usefulness and Safety
* National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Turmeric: Usefulness and Safety
* National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), St. John's Wort: Usefulness and Safety
* National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety
* MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), Herbal Medicine
Medical Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional before using herbal products if you take prescription medications, have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing for surgery.
