Thunder god vine
Scientific names: Tripterygium wilfordii
Family: Celastraceae
Alternate names: Huang-T'eng Ken, Lei Gong Teng, Lei-Kung T'eng, Seven Step Vine, Taso-Ho-Hua, Threewingnut, Tonnerre de la Vigne de Dieu, Tripterigium Wilfordii, Vigne du Tonnerre Divin, Yellow Vine
Actions: Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Antiproliferative, Antiviral, Cartilage protective, Immunosuppressive, Fertility, Renal
Background
Thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) is a vine that grows in southeast China. Its extracts are used in traditional and pharmaceutical Chinese medicine.
Thunder god vine contains chemicals that might relieve swelling and change the way the immune system works. This might help with arthritis and other conditions. Also, thunder god vine contains chemicals that might alter sperm and decrease male fertility.
People use thunder god vine for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn disease, kidney problems, mouth sores, and eye problems in people with an overactive thyroid. It is also used for eczema, birth control, menstrual cramps, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Thunder god vine contains chemicals that might relieve swelling and change the way the immune system works. This might help with arthritis and other conditions. Also, thunder god vine contains chemicals that might alter sperm and decrease male fertility.
People use thunder god vine for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn disease, kidney problems, mouth sores, and eye problems in people with an overactive thyroid. It is also used for eczema, birth control, menstrual cramps, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Thunder god vine is possibly safe for most people. It's usually well tolerated. Side effects might include stomach upset, missed menstrual periods, skin reactions, nausea, diarrhea, and headache.
When applied to the skin: Thunder god vine is possibly safe.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if thunder god vine is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Weakened immune system: Large doses of thunder god vine might weaken the immune system. If you already have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition, or from taking certain medications, avoid using thunder god vine. It might decrease your body's ability to fight off infection.
Weakened bones (osteoporosis): Thunder god vine can reduce bone strength. If you have osteoporosis or are at risk for osteoporosis, don't use thunder god vine.
When applied to the skin: Thunder god vine is possibly safe.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Thunder god vine is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It might cause birth defects.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if thunder god vine is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Weakened immune system: Large doses of thunder god vine might weaken the immune system. If you already have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition, or from taking certain medications, avoid using thunder god vine. It might decrease your body's ability to fight off infection.
Weakened bones (osteoporosis): Thunder god vine can reduce bone strength. If you have osteoporosis or are at risk for osteoporosis, don't use thunder god vine.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease). Taking thunder god vine by mouth seems to help prevent symptoms of Crohn disease from recurring. It might also slow down how quickly symptoms come back for people who are in remission. It seems to be as effective as drugs normally used by people with Crohn disease.
- An eye disease caused by an overactive thyroid (Graves' ophthalmopathy). Taking thunder god vine by mouth along with conventional treatments might improve eye problems in people with overactive thyroid.
- A condition that slowly leads to kidney disease (IgA nephropathy). Taking thunder god vine by mouth seems to help people with IgA nephropathy go into remission.
- An inflammatory condition that causes rash or sores on the skin or mouth (lichen planus). Taking thunder god vine by mouth might reduce pain and heal mouth sores in people with this condition.
- A group of symptoms that indicate kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome). Taking thunder god vine by mouth seems to help people with this condition go into remission. It might be more effective than steroids and might make steroids work better when used together.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Taking thunder god vine by mouth with or without conventional drugs seems to help relieve joint pain and swelling and improve physical function in people with RA. It's not clear if applying thunder god vine to the skin helps.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- A type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine (ankylosing spondylitis). Taking thunder god vine by mouth does not seem to relieve joint pain or swelling in people with ankylosing spondylitis.
Dosing & administration
Thunder god vine extract has most often been used by adults in doses of 30-120 mg by mouth daily for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Thunder god vine might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Thunder god vine might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications that decrease break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Thunder god vine is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs decrease how quickly the liver changes and breaks down thunder god vine. This could change the effects and side effects of thunder god vine.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Large doses of thunder god vine can decrease the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, also decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking thunder god vine along with these medications might cause the activity of the immune system to drop too low.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/09/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 03/12/2020 23:47:22. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
