Healicus: which supplements actually work, and their documented drug interactions
Healicus checks supplements against the evidence: vitamins, minerals, herbs and the habits studied alongside them, for adults who want to know what the research actually shows before they try one. Natural does not mean safe, so every entry also lists its documented interactions. It covers 221 supplements, herbs, habits, programs and techniques, organised by the goals people search for: sleep, stress, energy, immunity and digestion.
A claim that something works rests only on Cochrane reviews, EMA herbal monographs, EU-authorised health claims, clinical guidelines from NICE, WHO, USPSTF and AWMF, or randomised trials and meta-analyses in leading medical journals. Every entry shows how certain that evidence is (GRADE) and links each source. Entries without such a source are not listed.
By goal
- Sleep. Valerian, passionflower, melatonin, lavender, L-theanine and hops, next to CBT for insomnia and an afternoon caffeine cut-off.
- Stress. Ashwagandha, rhodiola, Silexan lavender oil, L-theanine and lemon balm, next to tai chi and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
- Energy. Vitamin B12, iron, coenzyme Q10, creatine, acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, rhodiola and ginseng.
- Immunity. Vitamin D3, vitamin C, zinc lozenges, echinacea, pelargonium, andrographis, aged garlic extract, cranberry and probiotics.
- Digestion. Psyllium, peppermint oil, ginger, the STW 5 herbal combination, artichoke leaf, Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, fennel, caraway and digestive bitters.
Free drug-supplement interaction reference
The interaction reference is free and needs no account. It lists documented herb-drug and nutrient-drug interactions, for example ashwagandha and SSRIs, turmeric and warfarin, St John's wort and the contraceptive pill, magnesium and antibiotics, or ginkgo and blood thinners, with the mechanism and the source for each. Healicus provides educational information only. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
For healthspan-curious readers
The longevity hub at /longevity covers the foundations of healthy ageing: sleep regularity, cardiorespiratory fitness, dietary patterns, stress recovery and social connection.
Which supplements actually work?
Vitamins, herbs and habits, rated by the evidence. Every claim cited, documented interactions flagged.
Start with a goal
Five places to begin.
Sleep
Fall asleep faster, stay asleep.
Valerian root · Passionflower · Melatonin
Stress
Lower the load, not just cope.
Ashwagandha · Rhodiola rosea · Silexan lavender
Energy
Find the source of the fatigue.
Vitamin B12 · Iron · Coenzyme Q10
Immunity
Get through cold season.
Vitamin D3 · Vitamin C · Zinc lozenges
Digestion
Settle a difficult gut.
Psyllium husk · Peppermint oil · Ginger
How it answers
Grounded,
not generated.
Healicus retrieves before it writes, and shows you where every claim comes from.
- 01
Retrieves
Searches 220 curated practices and the remedy catalogue before writing a word.
- 02
Cites
Links each claim to the Cochrane review, EMA monograph, EFSA opinion or trial behind it.
- 03
Checks
Flags documented interactions with medication, and always defers to your doctor.
The evidence is very low certainty. In the one qualifying trial in stressed adults, perceived stress fell no more than on placebo; fatigue scores improved slightly1. Studied dose: 400 mg root extract daily for 12 weeks.
Case reports of liver injury have been published; Denmark's food authority banned ashwagandha in food supplements in 2023 after a risk assessment could not establish a safe intake, and other European authorities are reviewing it. Jaundice, dark urine or upper-right abdominal pain is a reason to stop and seek medical advice. Avoid in pregnancy (reported use as an abortifacient) and breastfeeding, in thyroid disease or with thyroid medication, and in autoimmune disease. May add to the effect of sedatives. Not studied in children.2
Ashwagandha
300–600mg standardised root extract daily
Free, no account
Taking medication?
Check before you combine.
Documented herb-drug and nutrient-drug interactions, with the severity and the source behind each one.