Backyard Diva

Kaffir Lime

Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) which is also referred to as wild lime, porcupine orange or makrut lime is a small, evergreen tree which is native to SE Asia. This tree is now cultivated for commercial use in parts of the United States including Hawaii, California, and Florida. In colder climates the kaffir lime tree, which only reaches 10 to 15 feet in height, can be grown in a large container which should be brought indoors during cooler weather or whenever the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The species name hystrix comes from a Greek word meaning porcupine in reference to the sharp thorns present on the stems of the plant. These thorny stems make picking the leaves rather precarious and add to the high cost of harvesting the leaves which must be carefully picked by hand.

Kaffir Lime Leaves

The leaves of the kaffir lime tree are dark green and glossy and have an unique shape due to the presence of winged petioles which look similar to the leaves themselves. The presence of the petioles make each leaf look like a double leaf and distinguish it from other species of lime leaves. Kaffir lime leaves can be used fresh, frozen or dried in a variety of culinary creations. Although the fresh leaves will last a few weeks when stored in the refrigerator I prefer to use them within a few days of picking them for the best flavor.

If you have an over abundance of fresh leaves you can store them in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer for a few months. Just remove whatever quantity of leaves needed for your recipe and use as you would the fresh leaves. You can sometimes find small packages or bottles of the dried leaves available for sale but as they are not very aromatic try to use the fresh or frozen leaves whenever possible.

Kaffir Lime Fruits
The fruits of the kaffir lime tree are rather insignificant looking compared to the fruit of other species of lime tree. They are approximately the size of a golf ball and have very lumpy, bumpy skin. The rind of these fruits can be used for a variety of culinary purposes such as being ground in a mortar and pestle along with other spices to make a green curry paste which is used in certain Asian style culinary recipes. The zest from the rind should be used fresh whenever possible as the preserved fruit rind has an inferior taste and aroma. The extremely bitter and sour juice of the fruit is generally not used for culinary purposes although it may be used in certain cosmetic preparations.

Cosmetic Uses of Kaffir Lime
The juice of the kaffir lime fruit is supposed to make an excellent hair tonic and can be used in shampoos as an anti-dandruff formula. A ¼ cup of the freshly squeezed juice can be mixed with two cups of spring water and used as a rinse to help prevent your hair from falling out. Another natural cosmetic use of the juice is as a tooth and gum cleanser which will help prevent gingivitis.

I've come across a few natural beauty aids containing kaffir lime such as a bath scrub and body lotion which both claim to have detoxifying properties. The other ingredients included in these personal spa items were lemon grass and mint. The lemon grass and kaffir lime were touted as being antibacterial to help cleanse and purify your skin while the mint would leave your skin with a fresh, clean scent. For an invigorating personal spa treatment you could try placing approximately ¼ cup of the bath scrub in a small bowl and adding just enough water to form a thick paste. Use this paste while taking a bath or shower and scrub it all over your body. Follow your bath treatment with a light application of the body lotion to impart a radiant, healthy glow to your skin.

In addition, the juice of the kaffir lime fruits can be used as a natural and mild bleach which helps to remove stains in clothing and other laundry items. Mix approximately ¼ cup of the juice with 1 cup of laundry detergent and store in a small, nonmetallic container. Use this mixture as a pretreatment stain remover whenever necessary.

The entire article, The Exotic Kaffir Lime, can be found on the Associated Content website.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Herbal Fact Sheet; Lemon Verbena

Overview: Lemon verbena is a deciduous, woody shrub which is native to south America. The leaves have a strong lemon scent, which makes this plant a great substitute for fresh lemon.

Latin Name: Aloysia triphylla.

Common Name: Lemon verbena.

Alternate Names: Known as the lemon plant in Victorian times.

Zones: Hardy to USDA Zones 9-11.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well drained soil.

Mature Size: When grown outdoors, in the ground, lemon verbena can grow up to 10 feet high and ten feet wide. Leaves reach up to 4 inches long. Container grown plants will be significantly smaller. Produces small, pale lavender flowers in late summer.

Starting New Plants: Lemon verbena can be started from cuttings taken in the late summer. Lemon verbena can also be started from seeds, however; homegrown plants rarely produce seeds. If you can find lemon verbena seeds from a gardening catalog, you may want to try starting plants from seed.

Parts Used: Both the fresh and dried leaves are used for a variety of culinary, aroma therapeutic and medicinal uses. The dried leaves will retain their strong lemon fragrance for up to 3 years.

Culinary Uses: Both the fresh and the dried leaves can be used in a variety of culinary creations. The leaves can be a bit tough, so be sure to choose small, tender leaves and leaf tips. If using fresh leaves, finely chop them before adding them to recipes.

Infuse the dried leaves into a calming, relaxing tea. The finely chopped leaves can be added to baked goods, poultry stuffing, fruit salads, dressings, sauces and even homemade ice cream.

Aromatherapy Uses: The essential oil can be used to scent soaps, candles, bath oils and perfumes. Use caution when working with the undiluted essential oil, as it can cause photosensitivity in susceptible individuals. However; when diluted with other ingredients, as when making a lotion, this shouldn’t be a problem. The dried leaves make a wonderful addition to potpourri blends and sachets.

Medicinal Uses: Lemon verbena helps soothe bronchial and nasal congestion. It is a sedative and calming herb which can be used to help quiet a nervous disposition. Lemon verbena has also been used to bring relief from various digestive problems including indigestion, gas and nausea.

Growing Tips: Pinch out the leaf tips in order to encourage a bushy plant. New growth doesn’t appear until late spring or early summer, so don’t think the plant has died if new growth isn’t showing at the first sign of spring. Lemon verbena is a heavy feeder and needs regular applications of fish emulsion or liquid seaweed fertilizer during the summer.

Unless you live in the subtropics or tropics, lemon verbena won’t do well grown directly in the garden. However; lemon verbena does quite well when grown in containers. The containers can be placed outdoors during the late spring through summer, and brought indoors once the temperature falls below 20 ° Fahrenheit.

Indoor plants may attract spider mites. Use a plant mister to gently wash off the mites from the leaves. Most of the leaves may fall off in the winter, as lemon verbena is a deciduous plant. Prune back the plant to 10-12 inches and reduce the amount of water it is given during the winter. Move the container back outside in the late spring, once the temperature has warmed up.

Herbal Fact Sheet; Rue

Herb Profile: Rue

Overview: Rue is a semi-evergreen, subshrub which is native to southern Europe. Rue, with it’s lacy, blue-green leaves, makes a nice ornamental planting in the herb garden. Rue also produces small, delicate yellow flowers in late summer.

Latin Name: Ruta graveolens

Common Name: Rue

Alternative Names: Herb of grace, herby grass

Zones: Hardy to USDA Zones 4-9

Mature Size: 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. Leaves grow 4 to 6 inches long.
Sun Exposure: Full sun. Rue can stand partial shade especially in hotter climates.

Varieties of Interest:
R. graveolens "Blue curl’ - curled leaves.
R. graveolens ‘Jackman‘s blue‘ - intensely blue-green foliage.
R. graveolens ‘Variegata’ - variegated cream and green foliage.

Growing Tips: Rue can suffer from root rot and fungal diseases if the growing conditions become too damp. Keeping the soil a bit on the dry side is better than keeping the soil too damp.

All varieties of rue can be grown indoors, in containers. However, rue has a pungent, musky odor that some people may find disagreeable.

Starting New Plants: From seeds, stem cuttings or by root division.

Maintenance Tips: Prune rue back to within a few inches of the ground after it has finished flowering. Rue can also be pruned back in the early spring, if necessary, to help promote bushy growth.

If rue is bothered by aphids, wash them off with a blast of water from the garden hose. Severely affected leaves can be cut off the plant and discarded.

Parts Used: The fresh leaves can be used in floral arrangements. Add a few stems to a vase of flowers for an interesting look. The dried seed pods can be used in dried floral arrangements, wreaths and as an ornamental addition to potpourri.

Cautions: Rue was once used for a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes. However, due to safety concerns, it should only be grown for ornamental purposes in the modern garden.

Coming into contact with the essential oils in the plants leaves can cause photosensitivity, or a poison ivy-like rash in susceptible individuals. Be sure to wear gloves when working with this herb in the garden. Plant rue towards the back of the garden, away from any pathways where anyone may accidentally brush up against the plant.

Rue was used medicinally to help regulate and stimulate menstruation. However, rue was once used to induce abortion. Just to be safe, rue should be avoided by pregnant women.

Herbal Fact Sheet; Roses

Herb Profile: Roses

Overview: Roses are a deciduous shrub with woody, stems which usually have thorns. Many variety of roses are available as there are over 200 species and 10,000 cultivars to choose from. Roses are most commonly grown for their ornamental, often fragrant, flowers. Certain varieties produce an abundance of rose hips.

Common Name: Rose

Latin name: Rosa spp.

Quote: “In many minds, the use of ROSES in cuisine is a gastronomic conceit, on par perhaps with the use of crystallized violets, Nonetheless, roses have played a part in cuisine for centuries.” Craig Claiborne; An Herb & Spice Cook Book (Bantam Books, 1965)

Zones: Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. Can be grown in almost any zone if the proper conditions are met.

Mature Size: Varies from less than 2 feet to over 20 feet.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Grow in well-drained, moist soil.

Varieties of Interest :
R. canina - dog rose or brier rose. Single, flat flowers which are white or white tinged with a bit of pink. Produces an abundant number of hips.

R. rugosa - rugosa rose, another good variety to grow for its abundant hips.

R. eglanteria - eglantine or sweet brier rose. Single pink flowers and abundant red, rose hips.

R. villosa - apple rose, this rose has apple-scented leaves and produces abundant rose hips.

R. gallica var. officinalis - apothecary’s rose. Fragrant, semi-double, bright-pink blooms.

R. centifolia - cabbage or Provence rose, very fragrant petals.

R. damascena - damask rose, very fragrant petals

Growing Tips: Shrub roses make wonderful backdrop plants in the herb garden. Climbing roses make decorative accents when trained over an arbor or pergola. Many varieties, especially miniature roses, can successfully be grown in containers.

Starting New Plants: New rose plants can be started from seeds or cuttings.
Maintenance Tips: Prune out damaged or crowded branches as needed. Watch out for aphids, which can be knocked off with a blast of water. Roses are also susceptible to rust, blackspot and mildew. Cut off flowers after they have bloomed so the plant will continue to produce flowers. However, rose hips, which are the fruit of the rose, will only develop if the flowers are left on the plant.

Parts Used: Rose hips are collected in the fall, when they are fully ripened. Petals can be harvested anytime the plant is in bloom, typically from May until the first frost.

Medicinal, Culinary and Aromatic Uses: Rose hips are high in vitamin C and also contain calcium, phosphorus and iron. Rose hip syrup is used to treat coughs and colds. Rose essential oil, which is extracted from the petals, has been used to treat depression and anxiety. Aromatic rose water is used in a variety of aromatherapy products and in certain culinary dishes.

Both the hips and petals can be made into a variety of jams, jellies and preserves. The petals can be crystallized and used as a garnish on top of wedding cakes. The dried petals and hips can be used in potpourri, wreaths and dried flower arrangements.

Herbal Fact Sheet; Society Garlic

Herb Profile: Society Garlic

Overview: Society garlic is a perennial, semi-evergreen plant that is native to South Africa. This plant is a member of the amaryllidaceae family which includes other ornamental plants such as amaryllis, daffodil, lily-of-the-valley, snowdrop and spider lily.

Latin Name: Tulbaghia violacea

Common Name: Society garlic, aka wild garlic

Zones: Hardy to USDA Zone 8 with winter protection. Society garlic is susceptible to frost damage if the temperate drops below 25° Fahrenheit.

Mature Size: Mature society garlic plants can grow to be 18 to 24 inches high and 10 inches wide.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade in a well-drained soil.

Growing Tips: Society garlic forms dense, grass-like clumps of dark green leaves and is typically grown as an ornamental, landscaping plant. It makes a nice edging plant to grow along borders and walkways. Society garlic produces clumps of star-shaped flowers on the end of long stems. This plant can often be purchased from garden and nursery centers in either a white flowering, or the more common, violet flowering variety.

Starting New Plants: Society garlic can easily be propagated by digging up a clump and dividing it into smaller sections. The smaller sections can be replanted in another location of the garden or planted in containers. Container grown plants can be grown indoors or out. If growing society garlic indoors, make sure that it receives adequate sunlight.

Maintenance Tips: Society garlic is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies and southern blight, which is a type of fungal disease. To avoid these problems, ensure the plants get adequate sunlight and are not over-watered or grown in too shady of a location.

Parts Used: The entire plant is edible and all parts have an aroma and flavor which is like a garlicky onion. The leaves can be harvested and used as a chive substitute. The bulbous portion, at the base of each leaf, can be used as a green onion substitute. The flowers can be sprinkled on top of salads, or finely chopped and added to softened butter.

Storage: Society garlic is best used fresh. The leaves, which are similar to garlic chives, may be frozen if they are going to be added to soups, stews or sauces.

Herbal Fact Sheet; Lemon Grass

 

Lemon grass stalks at Farmer's Market

Herb Profile: Lemon Grass

Overview: Lemon grass is a tender perennial herb, which is native to India and Sri Lanka. Lemon grass, with its lemony flavor and aroma, is used extensively in Asian-style cooking. Both the large, grassy leaves and the bulbous leaf base can be added to recipes. The commercially produced essential oil is used as both a food flavoring and a cosmetic ingredient.

Latin Name: Cymbopogon citratus.

Common Name: Lemon Grass.

Zones: This tropical plant is hardy in USDA Zones 9-10.

Mature Size: Mature plants can grow up to 5 feet tall by 3 feet wide.

 

Lemon grass plant

Sun Exposure: Full sun in well-drained soil. Lemon grass does best when grown in moist soil in a moderately humid environment.

Growing Tips: Give this plant plenty of room to grow. Lemon grass can be over wintered in areas where the temperature doesn’t go below 45 degrees. For other areas, try growing a small clump of lemon grass in a large container. The container can be brought indoors during the colder months.

Starting New Plants: Lemon grass can also be started from seed. However, container-grown plants will rarely grow large enough to produce flowers. Fresh lemon grass stalks, purchased from the grocery store, can be used to start new plants. Simply peel off the outer leaves of a few stalks and place them in a glass of water. Place the glass in a sunny location, such as a windowsill, and change the water every few days. The stalks will start to produce roots in a few weeks, at which point they can be planted in a container or directly in the ground.

Maintenance Tips: In the early spring, cut back the leaves of this plant to just a few inches above the ground. Lemon grass that is grown outdoors should be divided every year. Dig up and divide the plant into smaller clumps which can then be replanted in other parts of the garden or used for additional container plantings.

Parts Used: The fresh leaves can be brewed into a refreshing tea while the dried leaves make a wonderful addition to potpourri blends. The lower, bulbous portion of the leaf stalk are either thinly sliced or crushed before being added to culinary creations. The crushed stalk needs to be removed and discarded prior to serving the meal.

Storage: Lemon grass leaves are best used fresh, as they lose most of their flavor and aroma when dried. However, the stalks can be processed for long term storage in either the refrigerator or freezer. To store in the refrigerator, for up to 3 weeks, simply place the stalks into a plastic bag. Or place the plastic bag full of lemon grass stalks in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Kaffir Lime Leaves and Fruit

Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) which is also referred to as wild lime, porcupine orange or makrut lime is a small, evergreen tree which is native to SE Asia. This tree is now cultivated for commercial use in parts of the United States including Hawaii, California, and Florida. In colder climates the kaffir lime tree, which only reaches 10 to 15 feet in height, can be grown in a large container which should be brought indoors during cooler weather or whenever the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The species name hystrix comes from a Greek word meaning porcupine in reference to the sharp thorns present on the stems of the plant. These thorny stems make picking the leaves rather precarious and add to the high cost of harvesting the leaves which must be carefully picked by hand.

Kaffir Lime Leaves
The leaves of the kaffir lime tree are dark green and glossy and have an unique shape due to the presence of winged petioles which look similar to the leaves themselves. The presence of the petioles make each leaf look like a double leaf and distinguish it from other species of lime leaves. Kaffir lime leaves can be used fresh, frozen or dried in a variety of culinary creations. Although the fresh leaves will last a few weeks when stored in the refrigerator I prefer to use them within a few days of picking them for the best flavor. If you have an over abundance of fresh leaves you can store them in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer for a few months. Just remove whatever quantity of leaves needed for your recipe and use as you would the fresh leaves. You can sometimes find small packages or bottles of the dried leaves available for sale but as they are not very aromatic try to use the fresh or frozen leaves whenever possible.


Kaffir Lime Fruits
The fruits of the kaffir lime tree are rather insignificant looking compared to the fruit of other species of lime tree. They are approximately the size of a golf ball and have very lumpy, bumpy skin. The rind of these fruits can be used for a variety of culinary purposes such as being ground in a mortar and pestle along with other spices to make a green curry paste which is used in certain Asian style culinary recipes. The zest from the rind should be used fresh whenever possible as the preserved fruit rind has an inferior taste and aroma. The extremely bitter and sour juice of the fruit is generally not used for culinary purposes although it may be used in certain cosmetic preparations.

Cosmetic Uses of Kaffir Lime
The juice of the kaffir lime fruit is supposed to make an excellent hair tonic and can be used in shampoos as an anti-dandruff formula. A ¼ cup of the freshly squeezed juice can be mixed with two cups of spring water and used as a rinse to help prevent your hair from falling out. Another natural cosmetic use of the juice is as a tooth and gum cleanser which will help prevent gingivitis.

I've come across a few natural beauty aids containing kaffir lime such as a bath scrub and body lotion which both claim to have detoxifying properties. The other ingredients included in these personal spa items were lemon grass and mint. The lemon grass and kaffir lime were touted as being antibacterial to help cleanse and purify your skin while the mint would leave your skin with a fresh, clean scent. For an invigorating personal spa treatment you could try placing approximately ¼ cup of the bath scrub in a small bowl and adding just enough water to form a thick paste. Use this paste while taking a bath or shower and scrub it all over your body. Follow your bath treatment with a light application of the body lotion to impart a radiant, healthy glow to your skin.

In addition, the juice of the kaffir lime fruits can be used as a natural and mild bleach which helps to remove stains in clothing and other laundry items. Mix approximately ¼ cup of the juice with 1 cup of laundry detergent and store in a small, nonmetallic container. Use this mixture as a pretreatment stain remover whenever necessary.

The entire article, The Exotic Kaffir Lime, can be found on the Associated Content website.

Spilanthes; TheToothache Herb

Spilanthes is a member of the Asteraceae family with over 60 species occurring in this genus. Spilanthes acmella, which is the plants Latin name, is also known as the toothache plant. The bronze-green leaves and the more potent yellow and red cone shaped flowers have a taste and properties similar to coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). As a sialagogue it stimulates the flow of saliva which cleanses the mouth, tones the gums, and enhances immune function. Spilanthes also improves digestion, eases flatulence, improves the appetite, and helps to overcome nausea and vomiting by its stimulating effect on the salivary glands.

It is called the toothache plant because when you chew on the leaves or flowers it produces a numbing effect to the tongue and gums. Spilanthes can be used in this manner to help ease the pain of a toothache.

Growth Habit
Spilanthes is a native of the tropics of Africa and South America. It grows well in full sun to partial shade reaching a height of 12 to 15 inches with a spread of 24 to 30 inches. It has bronze-green foliage with yellow petaless flowers with a red eye on top of long stems. To promote bushy growth wait until the fourth set of true leaves appear then pinch back the plant to the second set of true leaves.

Spilanthes has no serious disease problems although it may occasionally suffer from spider mite damage. In my zone 10 sub-tropical garden it behaves as a perennial. It is a perennial in USDA zones 10-12. It can be grown as a perennial indoors in cooler climates or treat it as an annual and sow fresh seeds in your garden every year. It is easily started from seeds directly sown in the garden or indoors sown in seed flats. You can also propagate spilanthes from stem cuttings. It needs regular watering, do not allow the plant to dry out. It thrives in high humidity in well-drained soils.

The complete article, The Toothache Herb; Spilanthes, can be found on the Associated Content website.

Herbal Fact Sheet - Soy

ABOVE: A variety of soy beans

This fact sheet provides basic information about soy—uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Soy, a plant in the pea family, has been common in Asian diets for thousands of years. It is found in modern American diets as a food or food additive. Soybeans, the high-protein seeds of the soy plant, contain isoflavones—compounds similar to the female hormone estrogen. This fact sheet highlights what is known about soy when used by adults for health purposes.

Common Name—soy

Latin Name—Glycine max

What It Is Used For
People use soy products to prevent or treat a variety of health conditions, including high cholesterol levels, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become thin and brittle), memory problems, high blood pressure, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

How It Is Used
• Soy is available in dietary supplements, in forms such as tablets and capsules. Soy supplements may contain isoflavones or soy protein or both.

• Soybeans can be cooked and eaten or used to make tofu, soy milk, and other foods. Also, soy is sometimes used as an additive in various processed foods, including baked goods, cheese, and pasta.

What the Science Says
• Research suggests that daily intake of soy protein may slightly lower levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

• Some studies suggest that soy isoflavone supplements may reduce hot flashes in women after menopause. However, the results have been inconsistent.

• There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether soy supplements are effective for any other health uses.

• NCCAM is supporting ongoing studies of soy, including its effects on women’s arteries and bones after menopause.

Side Effects and Cautions
• Soy is considered safe for most people when used as a food or when taken for short periods as a dietary supplement.

• Minor stomach and bowel problems such as nausea, bloating, and constipation are possible.

• Allergic reactions such as breathing problems and rash can occur in rare cases.

• The safety of long-term use of soy isoflavones has not been established. Evidence is mixed on whether using isoflavone supplements, over time, can increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (a thickening of the lining of the uterus that can lead to cancer). Studies show no effect of dietary soy on risk for endometrial hyperplasia.

• Soy’s possible role in breast cancer risk is uncertain. Until more is known about soy’s effect on estrogen levels, women who have or who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive conditions (such as ovarian or uterine cancer) should be particularly careful about using soy and should discuss it with their health care providers.

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources
Balk E, Chung M, Chew P, et al. Effects of Soy on Health Outcomes. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment no. 126. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2005. AHRQ publication no. 05-E024-1.

Low Dog T. Menopause: a review of botanical dietary supplements. American Journal of Medicine. 2005;118(suppl 12B):98S-108S.
Sacks FM, Lichtenstein A, Van Horn L, et al. Soy protein, isoflavones, and cardiovascular health: an American Heart Association Science Advisory for professionals from the Nutrition Committee. Circulation. 2006;113(7):1034-1044.

Soy. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on January 2, 2007.

Soy (Glycine max [L.] Merr.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on January 2, 2007.

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.

Herbal Fact Sheet - Thunder God Vine

ABOVE: Traditional Chinese medicine shop

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb thunder god vine—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Thunder god vine has been used in China for health purposes for more than 400 years.

Common Names—thunder god vine, lei gong teng

Latin Name—Tripterygium wilfordii

What It Is Used For
• Thunder god vine has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for conditions involving inflammation or overactivity of the immune system.

• Orally, thunder god vine is taken for excessive menstrual periods or autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.

• Thunder god vine preparations are also applied to the skin for rheumatoid arthritis.

How It Is Used
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 anti-cancer effects.

• Although early evidence is promising, there have been few high-quality studies of thunder god vine in people. Results from a small study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) suggest that an oral extract of the herb may improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in some patients. A larger NIAMS-funded study is comparing thunder god vine with a conventional medicine for rheumatoid arthritis.

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

• The extract of thunder god vine used in the NIAMS study was well tolerated. However, thunder god vine can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, hair loss, headache, menstrual changes, and skin rash.

• 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 decreases sperm count and so may be associated with male infertility.

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources
Canter PH, Hyang SL, Ernst E. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials of Tripterygium wilfordii for rheumatoid arthritis. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(5):371-377.

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

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.

Carter BZ, Mark 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.

Thunder god vine. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on June 12, 2007.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at Really Long Link on June 13, 2007.

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 Really Long Link on June 13, 2007.

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.