Thunder God Vine

Tripterygium Wilfordi Hook F aka Thunder God Vine

This vine like plant has been used for years in China as a treatment for autoimmune diseases. Recently Western medicine has become interested in its uses. At least one study has proven that extracts of the plant can suppress collagen induced arthritis in rodents. But we're not rodents, so does it work on humans?

One study says it does. This randomized, double-blind, crossover study of 70 people with rheumatoid arthritis showed that the patients receiving the extract showed significant improvement in all parameters of clinical disease activity and laboratory abnormalities as compared to those receiving the placebo.

Another open study in people with lupus also showed significant improvement. In fact, 42 of 100 people were able to decrease their daily dose of prednisone, while 12 people were able to discontinue prednisone altogether. 

It is important to note that these studies used extracts of the root of the vines, not the root itself. No standard safe does have been established, further studies are needed. The leaves and flowers of this plant are highly toxic and can cause death; only the root of the plant is used for the extracts. This herb should only be used under the direction of a physician. 

References:
Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Alternative Therapies
THE CHINESE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE HERBAL REMEDY TRIPTERYGIUM WILFORDII HOOK F Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America, Volume 26, Number 1, February 2000, Copyright © 2000 W. B. Saunders Company