Thunder god vine
Tripterygium wilfordii · 雷公藤
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Lei gong teng, Chinese thunder god vine
Pinyin: Léi Gōng Téng
Highly toxic; avoid home useA Chinese vine whose root holds very strong and very poisonous compounds, used only in tightly controlled products for arthritis and some kidney disease.
Did you know? Its strongest compound, triptolide, was identified in the 1970s and is so potent that scientists also study it as a possible cancer drug.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Joint pain & arthritis. Chinese studies suggest it may ease rheumatoid arthritis pain and swelling. Many trials are small or weak, and serious side effects are common.Early proof
- Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Used in China for kidney inflammation that leaks protein (nephrotic syndrome), with close monitoring. Trials are small, and kidney harm is a known risk.Early proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
In Chinese medicine, the root has been used for rheumatoid arthritis, painful joints, and skin swelling. Only experienced practitioners use it, because the safe dose range is very narrow.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Anti-inflammatory, Immune balancer. Energy: cooling.
- Chinese medicine
- 雷公藤 Dispel wind-dampness. Nature: cold. Flavour: bitter, pungent. Enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
How people take it
Prescribed mainly in China, in small doses that doctors monitor with regular blood tests. There is no safe home dose, and home use is strongly discouraged.
Decoction and tablet.
Where to get it
Grows wild in mountain areas of central and southern China, and is sometimes sold in Chinese herb shops. Products bought online or from unlicensed sellers are unsafe because potency and purity are unknown.
Be careful
This herb is highly poisonous. Its compounds can damage the liver, kidneys, bone marrow, and reproductive organs, and serious poisonings, including deaths, have been reported. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, rash, hair loss, low blood cell counts, and reduced fertility in men and women, and stomach pain, yellow skin, dark urine, or fever need emergency care.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; trying to conceive; liver disease; kidney disease; low blood cell counts.
Mixing with other things
- Don't mixImmune-suppressing medicine (transplant drugs, some arthritis drugs)
It calms the immune system, so it adds to immune-suppressing drugs and raises the risk of serious side effects.
- Don't mixAlcohol (beer, wine, spirits)
Alcohol adds stress to the liver, which this herb already harms.
The honest take
Thunder god vine is one of the most toxic herbs in common use. Chinese doctors use tightly controlled products for rheumatoid arthritis and some kidney disease, but the safe dose range is narrow and serious harm happens. Home teas and unlicensed products are dangerous, so there is no safe way to use it on your own.