Which herb may interact with immunosuppressive medications?

• A. Cordyceps sinensis
• B. Convallaria majalis
• C. Crataegus oxyacantha
• D. Cineraria maritima

Answer: (A)

Immunomodulatory effects that boost immune activity can interfere with medications designed to suppress the immune system. Cordyceps sinensis is a medicinal mushroom known for stimulating both innate and adaptive immunity, increasing activity of macrophages, T cells, and natural killer cells, and elevating cytokines like IL-2 and IFN-γ. Because immunosuppressants are used to dampen these same immune responses, this herb can counteract their effects or raise the risk of rejection or disease flare in patients relying on immune suppression. That makes Cordyceps sinensis the herb most likely to interact with immunosuppressive medications.

The other herbs listed do not carry the same immunostimulatory profile. Convallaria majalis is primarily a cardiac glycoside with toxicity concerns; Crataegus oxyacantha (hawthorn) is mainly cardiovascular with few, if any, immune-boosting actions; Cineraria maritima is linked to hepatic toxicity rather than immune modulation.