What Herbs Should Not Be Mixed Together in Tea: Complete Guide

By Alex Assoune Jul 10, 2025

Herbal teas have long been praised for their natural healing properties, offering support for everything from digestion to relaxation. However, while herbal teas are generally safe, mixing certain herbs together can lead to adverse interactions, reduce their effectiveness, or even cause harm. Whether you're an herbalist, tea lover, or just getting started with herbal remedies, it's crucial to understand which herbs should not be combined.

This article explores the herbal combinations to avoid, the science behind the risks, and how to enjoy herbal teas safely.

Panaprium est indépendant et pris en charge par les lecteurs. Si vous achetez quelque chose via notre lien, nous pouvons gagner une commission. Si vous le pouvez, veuillez nous soutenir sur une base mensuelle. La mise en place prend moins d'une minute et vous aurez un impact important chaque mois. Merci!

Why Some Herbs Should Not Be Combined

Herbs contain powerful active compounds that can interact with each other — or with medications. When consumed together in tea, these interactions may:

Amplify or reduce the effect of one or both herbs.
Cause unwanted side effects (such as nausea, dizziness, or liver toxicity).
Create imbalances in the body (such as overstimulating the nervous system or disrupting digestion).
Interfere with medications like blood thinners, antidepressants, or blood pressure drugs.

Just because something is natural doesn't mean it's automatically safe in combination.

1. St. John’s Wort + Other Herbs That Affect Mood

Avoid mixing with:

Valerian
Kava
Passionflower
5-HTP
Ginseng

Why: St. John’s Wort is known for its antidepressant effects by affecting serotonin levels. When combined with other herbs that also influence the central nervous system (CNS), it can cause serotonin syndrome, excessive sedation, or overstimulation.

Risks: Confusion, muscle twitching, sweating, high blood pressure, and agitation.

2. Licorice Root + Diuretic or Blood Pressure Herbs

Avoid mixing with:

Dandelion
Horsetail
Hawthorn
Uva Ursi
Nettle

Why: Licorice root can raise blood pressure and retain sodium in the body. Combining it with herbs that act as diuretics or affect cardiovascular function may lead to electrolyte imbalances, water retention, or dangerously high blood pressure.

Risks: Headaches, swelling, fatigue, potassium depletion, arrhythmia.

3. Ginseng + Caffeine-Containing or Stimulating Herbs

Avoid mixing with:

Guarana
Yerba mate
Green or black tea
Ephedra (ma huang)

Why: Ginseng is a natural stimulant. When combined with other energizing herbs, it may overstimulate the nervous system, increase heart rate, and raise blood pressure.

Risks: Insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, nervousness.

4. Kava + Sedative or CNS-Depressant Herbs

Avoid mixing with:

Valerian
Hops
Passionflower
Skullcap
Chamomile (in large amounts)

Why: Kava is a strong relaxant that acts on GABA receptors in the brain. Mixing it with other sedatives may lead to excessive drowsiness, poor motor control, or liver strain.

Risks: Liver toxicity, impaired coordination, sleep disturbances.

5. Ginger + Blood-Thinning Herbs

Avoid mixing with:

Garlic
Ginkgo biloba
Turmeric
Willow bark
Feverfew

Why: Ginger has mild blood-thinning properties. When combined with other anticoagulant herbs, the effect may become too strong, increasing the risk of bruising or bleeding, especially before surgery or if you're taking blood-thinning medication.

Risks: Nosebleeds, heavy menstruation, easy bruising.

6. Senna + Other Laxative or Bitter Herbs

Avoid mixing with:

Cascara sagrada
Aloe vera (latex)
Rhubarb root
Buckthorn
Dandelion root (in large amounts)

Why: Senna is a potent stimulant laxative. Combining it with other laxatives or bitters can cause diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.

Risks: Cramping, dehydration, dependence on laxatives, low potassium.

7. Echinacea + Immunostimulant Herbs (Long Term)

Avoid mixing long-term with:

Astragalus
Cat’s claw
Elderberry (in strong doses)

Why: While short-term use may enhance immune function, combining immunostimulants over long periods may overstimulate the immune system and potentially trigger autoimmune responses in susceptible individuals.

Risks: Autoimmune flare-ups, inflammation, fatigue.

8. Milk Thistle + Detoxifying or Liver-Acting Herbs

Avoid mixing with:

Dandelion root
Burdock root
Yellow dock
Oregon grape

Why: Milk thistle supports liver detoxification, but too many liver-stimulating herbs taken together can overload the liver or alter drug metabolism.

Risks: Nausea, liver enzyme fluctuation, reduced drug efficacy.

9. Peppermint + Acid-Reflux Triggering Herbs

Avoid mixing with:

Licorice (if using DGL-free form)
Citrus peels
Ginger (for some people)

Why: Peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which can worsen acid reflux or GERD symptoms, especially when combined with other reflux-inducing herbs.

Risks: Heartburn, indigestion, stomach upset.

10. Willow Bark + Any Herb with Blood-Thinning or Anti-inflammatory Action

Avoid mixing with:

Turmeric
Garlic
Ginkgo
Ginger
Meadowsweet

Why: Willow bark is a natural source of salicin (like aspirin). Combining it with other anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant herbs increases the risk of bleeding and stomach irritation.

Risks: Gastric ulcers, slow wound healing, easy bruising.

Herbal Tea Combinations That Are Safe and Effective

While some combinations are risky, many herbal blends work beautifully together. Here are a few examples of safe and effective pairings:

Purpose	Safe Combinations
Sleep Aid	Chamomile + Lavender + Lemon balm
Immune Boost	Echinacea (short-term) + Elderberry + Ginger
Digestive Support	Fennel + Peppermint + Chamomile
Anti-Inflammatory	Turmeric + Ginger + Lemongrass
Stress Relief	Ashwagandha + Holy Basil + Licorice (short-term)

Tips for Mixing Herbs Safely

Research Each Herb Thoroughly
Understand how each herb affects the body and what medications it may interact with.
Limit to 2–3 Herbs Per Blend
Start with a small number of herbs to reduce the risk of interactions.
Avoid Mixing Herbs with Similar Potency or Action
For example, don’t mix several strong sedatives or blood thinners.
Use Professional Guidance
Consult with a trained herbalist or healthcare provider, especially if you’re pregnant, on medication, or have a chronic condition.
Start With Low Doses
Even safe herbs can cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Always test a small amount first.

Conclusion

Herbal teas are powerful tools for healing, but not all herbs play well together. Just as with pharmaceuticals, combining certain herbs without proper knowledge can lead to unexpected or dangerous results. By avoiding the risky combinations outlined above and following safe blending practices, you can enjoy the full benefits of herbal teas — without the unwanted side effects.

When in doubt, less is more. Respect the power of plants.

References

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) – https://nccih.nih.gov
Upton, R. (Ed.). (2010). American Herbal Pharmacopoeia
Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy.
Blumenthal, M. (Ed.). (2003). The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs.

Cet article vous a-t-il été utile ? S'il vous plaît dites-nous ce que vous avez aimé ou n'avez pas aimé dans les commentaires ci-dessous.

About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

Contre Quoi Nous Luttons

Les groupes multinationaux surproduisent des produits bon marché dans les pays les plus pauvres.
Des usines de production où les conditions s’apparentent à celles d’ateliers clandestins et qui sous-payent les travailleurs.
Des conglomérats médiatiques faisant la promotion de produits non éthiques et non durables.
De mauvais acteurs encourageant la surconsommation par un comportement inconscient.
- - - -
Heureusement, nous avons nos supporters, dont vous.
Panaprium est financé par des lecteurs comme vous qui souhaitent nous rejoindre dans notre mission visant à rendre le monde entièrement respectueux de l'environnement.

Si vous le pouvez, veuillez nous soutenir sur une base mensuelle. Cela prend moins d'une minute et vous aurez un impact important chaque mois. Merci.