Ancient Ayurvedic physicians gave this herbal extract to patients suffering the effects of a rich diet and not enough exercise (now known as atherosclerosis), and research has shown that it can, indeed, lower cholesterol. But a new lab study suggests that mixing gugulipid with any one of a number of prescription drugs may do more harm than good.

University of Kansas researchers found that the remedy’s active ingredient, guggulsterone, triggers the release of a liver enzyme known to break down 50 to 60 percent of all prescription drugs. These include cholesterol-lowering statins, anticancer agents, and medications to reduce high blood pressure.

The next step is to study gugulipid in people, but in the meantime, it can’t hurt to check with your doctor to see if gugulipid may interfere with any of your medications.