Save
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.
- Crohn disease. Oral thunder god vine seems to prevent relapse of Crohn disease in patients who are in remission.
Login for details - Graves' ophthalmopathy. Oral thunder god vine in combination with conventional therapy seems to improve symptoms of Graves' ophthalmopathy.
Login for details - IgA nephropathy. Oral thunder god vine seems to increase the number of patients in remission from IgA nephropathy.
Login for details - Lichen planus. Oral thunder god vine in combination with conventional therapy seems to improve symptoms and prevent recurrence of lichen planus.
Login for details - Nephrotic syndrome. Oral thunder god vine, taken alone or in combination with conventional therapy, seems to improve symptoms and prevent recurrence of nephrotic syndrome.
Login for details - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Oral thunder god vine, used alone or in combination with conventional therapy, seems to improve symptoms of RA. It is unclear if topical thunder god vine is beneficial for RA.
Login for details
- Ankylosing spondylitis. Oral thunder god vine does not seem to improve symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
Login for details
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is unclear if oral thunder god vine is beneficial for eczema.
Login for details - Behcet disease. Login for details
- Cancer. Login for details
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is unclear if oral thunder god vine is beneficial for chronic glomerulonephritis of various causes.
Login for details - Diabetic nephropathy. It is unclear if oral thunder god vine is as beneficial for diabetic nephropathy.
Login for details - HIV/AIDS. Login for details
- Kidney transplant. It is unclear if oral thunder god vine is beneficial for improving survival after a kidney transplant.
Login for details - Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CT-ILD). Some small clinical studies suggest that oral thunder god vine may be beneficial for CT-ILD.
Login for details - Membranous nephropathy. Some small clinical studies suggest that oral thunder god vine may be beneficial for membranous nephropathy.
Login for details - Multiple sclerosis (MS). Login for details
- Psoriasis. It is unclear if oral thunder god vine is beneficial for psoriasis.
Login for details - SAPHO syndrome. It is unclear if oral thunder god vine is beneficial for SAPHO syndrome.
Login for details - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis. It is unclear if oral thunder god vine is beneficial for SLE nephritis.
Login for details - Urticaria. Some small clinical studies suggest that oral thunder god vine may be beneficial for urticaria.
Login for details
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.
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.
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.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
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.
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, Tripterygium wilfordii, Vigne du Tonnerre Divin, Yellow Vine.
Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.
© TRC Healthcare 2023. All rights reserved. Use and/or distribution is permitted only pursuant to a valid license or other permission from TRC Healthcare.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2023 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.