Did You Know…that an herb long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine has powerful anti-cancer properties?
Thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) is barely known outside of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). And yet, this powerful plant has been a staple among Chinese doctors for more than 2,000 years. This plant, also known as lei gong teng, is native to China, Japan, and Korea. In those countries, it has long been valued for its effective anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and anti-cancer properties.
Now, recent Western research shows that this humble treatment may actually have very potent anti-cancer potential. One animal study indicated that an extract of lei gong teng stopped the growth of cancer cells in only 40 days! Researchers believe the anti-cancer action comes from a substance called triptolide, which is found in extracts of thunder god vine.
Triptolide: Study Results That Shocked Scientists
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center examined triptolide for its ability to halt tumor growth. What they discovered shocked them: mice treated for tumors with triptolide for 40 days showed no further incidence of tumors, even after the treatment was stopped.
“You could see every day you looked at those mice, the tumor was decreasing and decreasing, and then just gone,” said Ashok Saluja, vice chairman of research and the study’s leader.
Scientists at John Hopkins School of Medicine also found promising results against cancerous tumors with extracts of lei gong teng. “… [T]riptolide has been shown to block the growth of all 60 U.S. National Cancer Institute cell lines at very low doses, and even causes some of those cell lines to die,” says Jun O. Liu, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at Johns Hopkins.
Overall, researchers have found triptolide to inhibit colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, among others. Findings such as these set the stage for human clinical trials in the near future.
Other Benefits of Thunder God Vine
Laboratory research suggests many other benefits of thunder god vine beyond it’s anti-cancer properties. Studies show that this plant may reduce inflammation and suppress overactivity of the immune system, resulting in benefits for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.
Finally, a 2009 human clinical study suggests that thunder god vine may be useful in treating Crohn’s Disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive tract. In this study, which involved postoperative Crohn’s patients, the benefits of thunder god vine were similar to those of the anti-inflammatory drug mesalazine in maintenance of remission of the disease.
An Herb That Requires Caution
Use of thunder god vine may cause a number of adverse effects, including:
diarrhea
upset stomach
hair loss
headache
menstrual changes
skin rash
Due to potential health risks associated with intake of thunder god vine, it’s best to use it only under the supervision of a medical professional familiar with this herb. If you decide to use thunder god, experts recommend that you consult with a qualified TCM practitioner.
