Thunder God Vine

© Frédéric Tournay

This fact sheet provides basic information about thunder god vine—

common names, what the science says, potential side effects and 

cautions, and resources for more information.

Common Names—thunder god vine, lei gong teng

Latin Name—Tripterygium wilfordii

Thunder god vine is a perennial vine native to China, Japan, and Korea. 

It has been used in China for health purposes for more than 400 years.

In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used for conditions 

involving inflammation or overactivity of the immune system.

Currently, thunder god vine is used as a traditional or folk remedy for

excessive menstrual periods and autoimmune diseases, such as 

rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. 

Extracts are prepared from the skinned root of thunder god vine.

What the Science Says 

• Laboratory findings suggest that thunder god vine may fight 

inflammation, suppress the immune system, and have anticancer effects.

• Although early evidence is promising, there have been few highquality studies of thunder god vine in people. Results from a large 

study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and 

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), which compared an 

extract of thunder god vine root with a conventional medicine 

(sulfasalazine) for rheumatoid arthritis, found that participants’ 

symptoms (e.g., joint pain and swelling, inflammation) improved 

more significantly with thunder god vine than with sulfasalazine.

• A small study on thunder god vine applied to the skin found 

benefits for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

• There is not enough scientific evidence to assess thunder god vine’s 

use for any other health conditions.

Side Effects and Cautions 

• Thunder god vine can cause severe side effects and can be 

poisonous if it is not carefully extracted from the skinned root. 

Other parts of the plant—including the leaves, flowers, and skin of 

the root—are highly poisonous and can cause death.
• A number of participants in the NIAMS study experienced gastrointestinal adverse effects such as 

diarrhea, indigestion, and nausea, as well as upper respiratory tract infections. (The rate of adverse 

effects was similar in the thunder god vine and sulfasalazine groups.)

• Thunder god vine can also cause hair loss, headache, menstrual changes, and skin rash.

• There are no consistent, high-quality thunder god vine products being manufactured in the United 

States. Preparations of thunder god vine made outside the United States (for example, in China) can 

sometimes be obtained, but it is not possible to verify whether they are safe and effective.

• Thunder god vine has been found to decrease bone mineral density in women who take the herb for 

5 years or longer. This side effect may be of particular concern to women who have osteoporosis or 

are at risk for the condition.

• Thunder god vine contains chemicals that might decrease male fertility by changing sperm.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a 

full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. 

For tips about talking with your health care providers about complementary and alternative 

medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Canter PH, Lee HS, Ernst E. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials of Tripterygium wilfordii for rheumatoid arthritis. 

Phytomedicine. 2006;13(5):371-377.

Carter BZ, Mak DH, Schober WD, et al. Triptolide induces caspase-dependent cell death mediated via the mitochondrial pathway 

in leukemic cells. Blood. 2006;108(2):630-637.

Goldbach-Manksy R, Wilson M, Fleischmann R, et al. Comparison of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F versus sulfasalazine in the 

treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2009;151(4):229-240, W49-51.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Rheumatoid Arthritis and CAM. National Center for Complementary 

and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at nccam.nih.gov/health/RA/getthefacts.htm on June 3, 2010.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Chinese Thunder God Vine Gives Relief From Rheumatoid 

Arthritis Symptoms. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Web site. Accessed at 

www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2002/thunder.asp on June 3, 2010.

Setty AR, Sigal LH. Herbal medications commonly used in the practice of rheumatology: mechanisms of action, efficacy, and side 

effects. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2005;34(6):773-784.

Tao X, Younger J, Fan FZ, et al. Benefit of an extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a doubleblind, placebo-controlled study. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2002;46(7):1735-1743.

Thunder god vine. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on September 15, 2009.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed®

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of 

your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care 

provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D400

Created October 2007

Updated April 2012