TCM Herb & Formula Drug-Interaction Reference | Morningside Acupuncture NYC

Clinical Reference · Morningside Acupuncture NYC

TCM Herb & Formula
Drug-Interaction Reference

A searchable guide to potential interactions between individual Chinese herbs, classical herbal formulas, and pharmaceutical medications, with traditional cautions and the classical incompatibility rules. Compiled primarily from Chen & Chen, with Bensky as a cross-reference.

High significance Moderate Note / theoretical
About the formula entriesMany documented formula–drug findings describe co-use studied to reduce the side effects of a medication (for example, easing chemotherapy nausea or drug-induced constipation), rather than a danger. These are described factually and are not treatment recommendations. A few entries are genuine cautions (flagged High), such as interferon with Xiao Chai Hu Tang or the antiplatelet herbs in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang.

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These are traditional herb–herb prohibitions taught in classical and modern Chinese herbal medicine. They describe combinations the tradition avoids; some are supported by toxicology and some are not. They are distinct from herb–drug interactions and are included for completeness.

The Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反, Shí Bā Fǎn)Three herbs and their classically incompatible partners. Combinations to avoid within a formula.
The Nineteen Antagonisms (十九畏, Shí Jiǔ Wèi)Pairs traditionally said to counteract or mutually restrain one another. Several involve toxic minerals that are not used in modern practice.
Supplementary, traditional framework — read with careThe table below reflects a traditional pattern-based interpretation of common medication side effects from one specific source (Sperber & Flaws, integrated pharmacology). It is offered as educational reference, not as a biomedical mechanism or as a recommendation to alter any prescription. Morningside describes herbal and acupuncture mechanisms in neurophysiological terms; this section is included because it is part of the herb–drug literature, attributed to its author.

How some practitioners categorize the common side effects of medications using traditional pattern language. Useful for understanding the framework; never a reason to stop or change a prescribed drug.

Medication classAssociated pattern (per Sperber & Flaws)

Sources & method

  • Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. Art of Medicine Press — primary source for individual herb–drug interactions.
  • Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Art of Medicine Press — primary source for formula–drug interactions.
  • Bensky D, Clavey S, Stoger E. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (3rd ed.). Eastland Press — cautions and contraindications cross-reference.
  • Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies (2nd ed.). Eastland Press — cross-reference.
  • Classical Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反) and Nineteen Antagonisms (十九畏), as documented in the standard materia medica literature.
  • Sperber G, Flaws B. Integrated Pharmacology — source for the supplementary medication→pattern table only.

Interaction summaries are paraphrased and synthesized from the sources above. Significance tiers are an editorial aid to surface clinically important interactions and do not represent a formal grading from any single text. This reference is not comprehensive. It cannot list every herb, formula, or medication, and the absence of a combination from this page should never be read as evidence that the combination is safe. Many herb–drug combinations have never been formally studied. This page is maintained for education and is updated as new information becomes available.

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The highest-rated acupuncture and dry needling clinic in New York City. This reference is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a complete list, and the absence of any herb, formula, or medication does not mean a combination is safe. Always consult your physician and a licensed herbalist before combining Chinese herbs with any medication.