Thunder God Vine, also known as Tripterygium wilfordii, has been used for centuries throughout history to make traditional medicine in Korea, Japan and China, and it is native to those areas. It has many powerful therapeutic and health benefits such as reduces inflammation, acts as a contraceptive, aids in weight loss and boosts, and regulates the immune system.It Is beneficial for both men and women.
Thunder God Vine’s active compounds are its terpenoids triptolide, celastrol, demethylzeylasteral and tripchlorolide. Due to the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity of these terpenoids, the potential benefits of using this medicinal herb as an alternative treatment are limitless for different types of skin problems, cancers, intestinal disorders, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
In this article, you will learn 21 Thunder God Vine benefits as an alternative treatment for several health disorders and diseases.
- May prevent organ rejection
This amazing herb may be beneficial in preventing organ rejection and long-term survival after transplant. In 2 clinical trials conducted on more than 300 people who received kidney transplant, 2 mg of thunder god vine was given daily to the participant. The studies found the herb reduced the risk of transplant rejection considerably
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Thunder God Vine seems to relieve joint pain, swelling and improve physical function in people with rheumatoid arthritis when taken by mouth. Research has shown that it is at least as effective as common medications used for rheumatoid arthritis and it may improve the effectiveness when taken with other medications. When Thunder God Vine is applied to the skin of affected joints using a liquid preparation, it can decrease stiffness, swelling and joint tenderness.
- Psoriasis
Research shows that taking Thunder God Vine can reduce scaly skin, itching, and is as effective in reducing symptoms caused by psoriasis as a medication called acitretin. According to two large analyses of 30 clinical trials with approximately 2.5k people, Thunder God Vine and its component triptolide improve psoriasis.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease)
There has been a lot of research that shows when people with Crohn’s disease take Thunder God Vine it might prevent symptoms or keep them from recurring and it can be useful to slow down the disease. The herb can help heal the lining of the stomach that becomes inflamed and causes pain in people with this disease. Thunder God Vine seems to be as effective as medications used for Crohn’s disease.
- Kidney disorders
There were over 200 studies with 16k people with kidney disease that were given Thunder God Vine. In several analysis Thunder God Vine improved kidney function by preventing the disease from worsening, and reducing kidney markers such as high urine protein, blood creatinine and blood urea levels. There were also 15 studies on approximately 900 people that showed reduced kidney damage when they consumed to 120 milligrams per day of Thunder God Vine. This was when the kidney damage was caused by inflammation, tissue scarring, autoimmune diseases that affect the kidneys were blood vessels, immunosuppressive drugs and diabetes.
- Eye problems
Some research shows that taking Thunder God Vine can help with eye problems caused by graves’ disease.
- Mouth Rashes and Sores
There is an inflammatory condition called lichen planus that can cause rashes or sores on the skin or mouth. Some research shows that Thunder God Vine that was made in China might heal mouth sores and reduce pain in people with this condition.
- Eczema
Researchers are just beginning to determine the effects of using Thunder God Vine for eczema (atopic dermatitis) however early research shows that by adding Thunder God Vine too herbal products or other medicines it seems to improve the symptoms of eczema more than using those products alone.
- May Aid in Birth Control
Early research shows that when men take Thunder God Vine by mouth it may be a useful contraceptive. The research also showed that once they stopped taking thunder god fine fertility returns in about 6 weeks.
- Regulates Immune System
Thunder God Vine has a great impact on the immune system. This herb is very important to those suffering from autoimmune diseases because it helps keep the immune system regulated. Thunder God Vine has been shown to benefit those who suffer from autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
- Helps Regulate Hormones
Thunder God Vine can reduce the intensity of the menstruation to help keep the body functioning normally for those who suffer from a hormonal imbalance. Thunder God Vine has been directly connected to regulating hormones which can improve one’s overall quality of life.
- Anti-cancer Benefits
Thunder God Vine has two active compounds in it called triptolide and celastrol. These compounds have been shown to reduce symptoms of Crohn’s Disease. It has been used for many years to induce the remission of Crohn’s disease in China. In a clinical trial conducted on 45 people suffering with Crohn’s disease, thunder god vine reduces the ulcers and inflammation within 52 weeks of taking 3g/day of the herb. 3 other studies on over 198 people found thunder god vine is better than two conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, mesalazine and sulfasalazine, commonly used to treat Crohn’s worsening. The herb also reduced inflammation in animals and human gut tissues.
- Anti-inflammatory Activity
Thunder God Vine has a huge amount of anti-inflammatory activity which can help with many health disorders. When there is inflammation in the body you are more susceptible to chronic diseases because of the oxidative stress that causes the buildup of free radicals.
- Weight Loss
Obesity is a major problem among people in most parts of the world, especially the United State. Adding Thunder God Vine to your diet may be a very helpful in losing and maintaining a healthy weight. Laboratory studies have shown that the ingredient celastrol found in Thunder God Vine has anti-obesity effects. Excess fat in the body has a major connection some serious health conditions including diabetes and heart disease.
- Certain Cancers
There’s some preliminary research in animals being conducted to investigate the potential benefits of Thunder God Vine for over twenty types of cancers including breast, colon, prostate, lung and brain cancer. Although further clinical research is needed to validate its results in humans, Thunder God Vine is showing great potential as an alternative treatment.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease which mainly affects the spine and large joints. Early research shows that by taking Thunder God Vine it can improve life of individual suffering with pain and inflammation caused by ankylosing spondylitis. In 2 clinical trials on 48 people, Thunder God Vine (60 mg/day) improved inflammation, and mobility, pain and swelling.
- Relieves Skin Allergies
According to a meta-analysis of 21 trials consisting of over 2.5k people, Thunder God Vine improved the effect of antihistamines on skin allergies (urticaria). But more research needs to be done on human before this benefit can be confirmed.
- Viral Infections
In a small trial on 18 HIV patients receiving conventional treatment, it was found thunder god vine strengthened their immune response, improved CD4 cell recovery by preventing CD8 activation. Each participant was given 10 mg, 3x/day. The researchers discovered some components in the herb prevented the division of viruses causing:
- AIDS [source 1, source 2]
- Hepatitis C [source 1, source 2]
- Dengue [source]
- Oral herpes [source]
- Genital herpes [source]
- Mononucleosis and pneumonia [source]
However, the fact it was a small clinical trial and the results were obtained in cell-based studies, researchers determine that the existing evidence is insufficient, more studies are needed.
- Lupus
In some 80s Chinese studies, thunder god vine reduced the symptoms several cases of lupus. But most of the studies date back to the 80s, but only some anecdotal evidence in humans and a few animal studies support this benefit causing this benefit uncertain.
- Multiple Sclerosis
It was found in some studies conducted on rats and mice that some active component in thunder god vine reduce the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis by blocking inflammatory pathways and killing inflammatory cells, thus preventing them from leaking into the brain.
- Heart problems
Thunder god vine may improve heart function and reduce tissue damage and inflammation in in the heart muscle according to a Chinese small study conducted on rats. The study found Triptolide, a natural drug made with thunder god vine, was more effective than certain drugs. Triptolide protected rats in the study from heart damage caused by:
- Chronic heart failure
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Reperfusion injury.
Although popular to Asian countries, Thunder God Vine has only recently been presented to the rest of the world. Most people have never heard of this remarkable herb but the name in itself symbolizes power and strength.
Thank you for reading to the end
