Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma
Aliases：Zhèn Lóng Gēn (Thunder Dragon Root); Zhēng Lóng Cǎo (Steaming Dragon Herb); Mǎng Cǎo (Illusion Grass); Shuǐ Mǎng Zǐ (Water Rush Seed); Shuǐ Mǎng Dōu (Water Rush Hood); Huáng Téng (Yellow Vine); Dà Chá Yè (Big Tea Leaf); Shuǐ Mǎng (Water Rush); Huáng Téng Cǎo (Yellow Vine Herb); Hóng Chái Gēn (Red Firewood Root); Cài Chóng Yào (Vegetable Insect Herb); Duàn Cháng Cǎo (Broken Intestine Herb); Huáng Téng Gēn (Yellow Vine Root); Huáng Yào (Yellow Medicine); Shuǐ Nǎo Zǐ Gēn (Water Brain Root); Nán Shé Gēn (South Snake Root); Sān Léng Huā (Three-edge Flower); Zǎo Hé Huā (Early River Flower); Hóng Zǐ Gēn (Red Purple Root); Huáng Là Téng (Yellow Wax Vine); Shuǐ Mǎng Cǎo (Water Rush Herb); Hóng Yào (Red Medicine); Shān Pī Shuāng (Mountain Arsenic); Huáng Téng Mù (Yellow Vine Wood).
Léi Gōng Téng (Thunder God Vine) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the dried root or root bark of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., a plant of the Celastraceae family. Tripterygium wilfordii is known as the “herbal steroid” due to its broad clinical applications. However, it is highly toxic and must be used under the strict supervision of a qualified medical professional.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and eliminates dampness, invigorates blood and unblocks collaterals, reduces swelling and relieves pain, and kills parasites and detoxifies.
Indications
Used for rheumatic arthralgia, joint stiffness, limited mobility, lumbar and knee pain, and skin pruritus. Modern clinical applications also include rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic arthritis, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome (sicca syndrome), Behçet's disease, eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, scabies, tinea, and other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Immunosuppression: Inhibits T and B lymphocyte proliferation; main active components are triptolide and celastrol. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic: Significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities; triptolide is the main anti-inflammatory component. Antitumor: Triptolide acts through multiple pathways including inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of migration/invasion, and angiogenesis; celastrol also exhibits immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antifibrotic, antiviral, and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular and neuroprotective activities. Neuroprotective: Possesses certain neuroprotective effects. Renal protection and antifibrotic: Exhibits renal protective and antifibrotic effects. Antiviral: Possesses antiviral activity.
Ingredients
Diterpenoids: Triptolide, tripdiolide, triptonide, triptriolide, triptophenolide, etc. Triptolide is one of the main active components, with immunosuppressive, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. Triterpenoids: Wilforlide A, wilforlide B, tripterpenoid acid A, tripterpenoid acid C, celastrol, etc. Celastrol is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound. Alkaloids: Wilfordine, wilforgine, wilfortrine, wilfomine, wilformine, wilfornine, etc. Other constituents: Fatty oils, volatile oils, anthraquinones, polysaccharides, etc. Toxicity note: This herb is highly toxic; its toxic components are also its active constituents, mainly diterpenoids and alkaloids.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration (Decoction of prepared slices): Decoct and take orally. The standard dosage is 1–3g, and it must be decocted first (before adding other herbs). Topical Application: Appropriate amount, ground into powder and mixed for external application; or mashed for application; or juice extracted for application. Topical application should not exceed 30 minutes, otherwise blistering may occur.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution or contraindicated in patients with heart, liver, or kidney dysfunction. Use with caution in patients with leukopenia. Contraindicated in patients with general weakness. Use with caution in patients with severe cardiovascular disease. Use with caution in elderly patients. Regular monitoring of blood and urine routine tests, electrocardiogram, and liver/kidney function tests is required during treatment. This herb is highly toxic and is generally not for internal use. If internal use is absolutely necessary, it must be used with extreme caution.
Selected Formulas
For White Jaundice (Bái Huǒ Dān) (from Jiu Sheng Ku Hai) Ingredients: Tripterygium wilfordii 5 qian (approximately 15g), Ardisia japonica (Píng Dì Mù) 3 qian (approximately 9g), Plantago (Chē Qián) 4 qian (approximately 12g), and 3 qian each of Tiān Qīng Dì Bái Yè and Sān Bái Cǎo. Usage: Decoct in water and take orally. For Edema with Distension (from Jiu Sheng Ku Hai) Ingredients: Ardisia japonica (Píng Dì Mù) 3 qian (approximately 9g), Tripterygium wilfordii 5 qian (approximately 15g), Plantago (Chē Qián Cǎo) 4 qian (approximately 12g), Tiān Qīng Dì Bái Cǎo 3 qian (approximately 9g), and 5 pieces of Liquidambar fruit (Lù Lù Tōng). Usage: Crush the ingredients, decoct in water, and take orally. Severe cases may require up to ten doses for recovery. For Skin Sores (Sitting Sores) (from Qiu Quan's Family Secret) Ingredients: Cuttlefish bone (Wū Zéi Gǔ) 5 qian (approximately 15g), Tripterygium wilfordii 3 qian (approximately 9g). Usage: Grind together into a fine powder and apply to the affected area. If it becomes dry, mix with vegetable oil and apply. For Rheumatic Arthritis (from Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Handbook) Usage: Mash the roots and leaves of Tripterygium wilfordii and apply externally to the affected area. Remove after 30 minutes, otherwise blistering may occur. For Skin Pruritus (from Hunan Materia Medica) Usage: Mash Tripterygium wilfordii leaves and apply to the affected area.
Daily Consumption
Tripterygium wilfordii (Thunder God Vine / Léi Gōng Téng) is highly toxic. It is strictly prohibited to collect, combine with other herbs, or take it orally without professional guidance.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root or dried root bark.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insects.
