Tripterygium: Ancient Herb, Modern Marvel – Discover Its Wonders

       Tripterygium wilfordii may be unfamiliar to many, but in traditional Chinese medicine, it's a celebrated "star herb" and a treasured botanical gem with thousands of years of medicinal history in China. Ancient medical texts praised it as "a single remedy that could outshine renowned physicians" and "one herb more potent than a hundred medicines." Historically used primarily to treat rheumatic diseases and skin conditions, it also served as an insecticide, rodenticide, and detoxifying agent. Today, let's unveil the mysteries of this remarkable plant and explore its extraordinary properties! This legendary herb continues to bridge ancient wisdom and modern applications, maintaining its status as both a therapeutic powerhouse and an ecological solution. 

1、What is Tripterygium wilfordii?
[Chinese Medicinal Name] Léi Gōng Téng (雷公藤)
[Latin Name] Tripterygium wilfordii

[Aliases]
Yellow Root Vine, Southern Snake Root, Yellow Wood Vine, Yellow Wax Vine, Vegetable Insecticide, Red Medicine, Water Hemlock

[Habitat & Distribution]
Grows in shaded, humid, fertile mountain slopes, valleys, streamsides, and secondary shrub forests. Widely distributed across:Southern Yangtze River regions、Southwest China (Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, etc.)

[Properties & Meridians]
Nature: Cold
Flavor: Bitter, Pungent
Toxicity: Highly toxic
Meridian Affinity: Heart, Liver

2、Efficacy and Pharmacology

[Effects & Functions]
Dispels wind-dampness, activates blood circulation, relieves swelling and pain, kills parasites, reduces inflammation, and detoxifies.

[Clinical Applications]
Used to treat:Rheumatoid arthritis、Rheumatic arthritis、Glomerulonephritis、Nephrotic syndrome、Lupus erythematosus、Sjögren's syndrome、Behçet's disease、Eczema、Psoriasis、Leprosy、Scabies、Stubborn tinea、Leprosy reactions、Tuberculosis and other chronic pulmonary diseases

[Pharmacological Research]
·Tripterygium wilfordii exhibits:Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antitumor, and antifertility effects
·Blood viscosity reduction, anticoagulation, improved fibrinolysis, microcirculation enhancement, and peripheral vascular resistance reduction
·Immunosuppressive properties that mitigate acute rejection post-organ transplant

[Active Components]
Terpenoids: Triptolide, tripdiolide, wilforlide A, celastrol, etc.
Alkaloids: Wilfordine, wilforine, etc.

3、Excerpts from Classical Texts (Partial)
① "Compendium of Materia Medica Supplements":
"Effective for treating abdominal distension, edema, abdominal masses, jaundice, chronic malaria, inguinal buboes, and traumatic injuries."

② "National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine":
"Tripterygium wilfordii, bitter in taste and cold in nature, highly toxic. Exhibits heat-clearing, detoxifying, wind-dispelling, collateral-dredging, tendon-relaxing, blood-activating, swelling-reducing, pain-relieving, insecticidal and hemostatic effects."

③ "Hunan Medicinal Records":
"Treats pruritus and herpes zoster."

④ Jiangxi "Herbal Manual":
"Treats rheumatic arthritis."

⑤ "Herbal Harvesting Texts":
"Known as Zhenlong root or Thunder God vine locally. When steeped in wine, effective for wind-damp disorders."

⑥ "Medicinal Flora of China":
"Relaxes tendons, activates collaterals, dispels wind-dampness. Indicated for rheumatic arthritis and traumatic injuries."

⑦ "Chinese Materia Medica":
"Bitter, pungent, highly toxic. Dispels wind-dampness, activates blood circulation, relieves swelling and pain, kills parasites and detoxifies. Mainly treats: rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatic arthritis; glomerulonephritis; nephrotic syndrome; lupus erythematosus; Sjögren's syndrome; Behçet's disease; eczema; psoriasis; leprosy; scabies; stubborn tinea."

⑧ "She Ethnic Medical Records":
"Root core treats arthritis, sciatica, leprous neuralgia, and finger felon."

⑨ "Yunnan Provincial Records":
"Root treats leprosy reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis; external use for burns, pruritus, herpes zoster, and rheumatic arthritis."

Tripterygium Wilfordii: Ancient Remedy, Modern Marvel

This centuries-old herbal medicine is capturing global attention with its unique properties. A gem in traditional Chinese medicine, it now stands at the forefront of modern biomedicine, agricultural biotechnology, and genetic research.