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Supplement Guide: Thunder God Vine

Tripterygium wilfordii

Origin: Root of a vine-like plant from Asia.

Dosage: Extract; 30 mg daily

Claims: Reduces pain and inflammation and treats symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

What we know: Used in Chinese medicine for years, thunder god vine shows evidence of suppressing the immune system.

Studies: A 2006 review of randomized clinical trials shows that thunder god vine improved symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis but serious side effects occurred.

This root can cause stomach upset, skin reactions, temporary infertility in men and amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) in women. It should not be used if you are taking immunosuppressive drugs, like prednisone. The leaves and flowers of this plant are highly toxic and can cause death, so preparation should only be made from the root.

Fooch

15 Jan 2012, 23:04

These are "serious" side effects? LOL There's 4 listed, meanwhile allopathic drugs has a list of 50 for each medicine. Oh by, that GI upset might really be serious, and that temporary infertitlity...boy, better watch out for that one. But if you prepare it the wrong way, it could cause death? Right, well driving your car into oncoming traffic might cause death, and the knife you use to cut your steak with, it can cause death if you cut your own throat.

I love how when anything works in naturopathic medicine, they try to bring it down by anything they can. Meanwhile, everything in allopathic medicine is just par for course, including death.

STEPHANIE

26 Dec 2011, 02:09

HI MY MOTHER HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM LUPAS FOR YEARS AND I WANTED TO KNOW A SAFE PLACE TO ORDER THE THUNDER GOD VINE AS I SEEN THERE ARE SAFE AND NON SAFE PLACES DUE TO DIFFRENT PARTS OF THE PLANT AND IF ANYONBE HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THE DRUG AND A PLACE TO ORDER PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY EMAILING ME ASAP THANKS SO MUCH

t evans

02 Nov 2011, 05:09

Message for Dhana Michaels.

from where did you obtain thunder god Vine?
It seems to have worked for you.

Regards thomas evans

Lea

16 Aug 2011, 22:26

Herbdot.com has the pill form under the latin name Tripterygium Wilfordii

Sarah Piestrup

13 Aug 2011, 17:17

Be VERY careful with this herb! Lei gong teng is also known as qi bu si, literally, "seven steps to death," because of it's toxicity. This article talks about how to prepare it:

http://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=28365

ted

04 Jun 2011, 16:28

I purchased the "root" from a canadian company. I will provide their contact info if you like...However, I don't know what to do with the root! How do I prepare it?
Anyone know?

Doris

23 May 2011, 08:58

I obtained the root from my accupunturist. He said to be careful using it. Can anyone tell me how you are preparing it and how much are you taking?
I want to try it for RA and also for a skin condition. Any experience in a skin condition. It is not psorisis.

BACARDI

01 Apr 2011, 13:15

is thunder god vine (LEI GONG TENG) EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT FOR OSTEO ARTHRITIS ?

jakie

16 Mar 2011, 10:16

too Eric

tell your family member too cook with saffron,its a spice. it will bebuild her body,and immune system, and decrease her RA. it is safe, please research this yourself.

Hazim Elayyan

18 Feb 2011, 23:45

Dhana,
Can you please tell me the name of the company you ordered the Tripterygium Wilfordii from?

Eric

28 Jan 2011, 08:29

My fiance has RA. She is not on any RA meds right now as she just got rid of a tumor through chemo/radiation. The RA is back with a vengeance. Has anyone here have any similar life experience? Have you tried Thunder God Root? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. GOD bless you,
Eric

Dahna Michaels

10 Oct 2010, 14:15

This is also known as Tripterygium Wilfordii and celastrol. I ordered a large quantity from China. Took it for a year and had a 5 year remission. This was the most beneficial therapy after 25 years of western medicine and pain. There are many abstracts. It is being researched for Parkinson's Disease. I have a friend with Huntington's Disease and another with Ankylosing Spondylitis that are taking this herb and obtaining great success with it.

Acupuncture by Storm

30 Sep 2010, 11:33

I agree with Karen; I highly suggest you talk to an acupuncturist who trained in herbs about using Lei Gong Teng (Thunder God Vine).

GNC, Vitaminshoppe and other generic health food stores won't normally carry such an herb. And most likely, the person behind the counter in one of those places knows nothing about what they sell.

Treat this herb with reverence; taking random herbs that you do not know how to use can be harmful.

Karen

22 Jun 2010, 14:33

You can find Thunder God vine in your local china town, I found it in pill form and the root to boil itself. It has several different names, depending on who you ask, So print the name off the internet in chinese and they will find it for you.
Its Called Lei gong teng (雷公藤) in chineses. just type that on google and print the chinese format for it and they will know right away.

Hugh

15 May 2010, 04:22

I believe you can obtain from
http://www.ecplaza.net/tradeleads/seller/6539583/triptolide.html
I have not ordered from them yet, but I will likely order soon.
Please let me know about your experience.
I hope this helps.

sara

05 Jan 2010, 12:05

hi karry

u can look at chines prmase or any chinees are ask the local peopl the can halpp

Kerry

01 Dec 2009, 21:08

I work for a Rheumatologist who has put me on a mission to find out where to get Thunder God Vine. Suggestions? We have called health/nutrition stores and pharmacies in our city and no one has been able to help us. We currently have many patients on Sulfasalazine for RA. Looking for guidance and direction to find Thunder God Vine. Thank you.

Anna

15 Nov 2009, 11:07

Hello,
I have searched high and low for Thunder God Vine and can't find it anywhere.
Please help!

Mary

18 Oct 2009, 16:07

A reputable acupuncturist can probably help you.

JaNice

08 Oct 2009, 15:04

I have been reading all the reseach on Thunder God Vine, pros and cons, but do not see where the extract can be ordered. Do you know of any source in the USA to order Thunder God Vine Extract?
Thank you
JaNice

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Supplement Guide: Thunder God Vine

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