What are the main side effects of Tripterygium wilfordii?
Tripterygium wilfordii, also known as yellow vine, yellow wax vine, vegetable worm medicine, etc., is a vine shrub of the genus Tripterygium in the Celastraceae family. It is mainly distributed in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi and other places. As a medicinal herb it has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, dispelling wind and dredging collaterals, and relaxing sinews and invigorating blood circulation. Let us take a look below at what side effects Tripterygium wilfordii has!
What side effects does Tripterygium wilfordii have?
Tripterygium wilfordii is a highly toxic drug, especially the bark, which is extremely toxic. When using it, the bark should be strictly peeled off completely, including the second layer of bark and the bark in the tree crevices. Tripterygium wilfordii has two effects on the body: one is a local stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and the other is damage after absorption to the central nervous system, including the thalamus, midbrain, medulla oblongata, cerebellum and spinal cord, and it can cause bleeding and necrosis of the liver and heart. The general poisoning symptoms seen clinically include dizziness, palpitations, weakness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, pain in the liver and kidney areas, and bloody stool, etc. To be cautious, patients with organic diseases of the heart, liver, kidney, stomach and other organs, as well as pregnant women, should not use it. If nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and distension, pain in the liver and kidney areas, protein in the urine, and abnormal serum transaminases occur during treatment, the drug should be stopped immediately.
Medicinal value of Tripterygium wilfordii
[Nature and flavor] Bitter and pungent in taste, cold in nature, highly toxic.
[Meridian entry] Liver and kidney meridians.
[Effects] Dispels wind and removes dampness, invigorates blood and dredges collaterals, reduces swelling and relieves pain, kills parasites and detoxifies. Used for rheumatic joint pain, waist and leg pain, peripheral neuritis, leprosy, osteomyelitis, and felon on the fingers.
Medicinal contraindications of Tripterygium wilfordii
1. Tripterygium wilfordii is highly toxic and should be taken internally with caution; pregnant women are forbidden to take it.
2. Tripterygium wilfordii should be used with caution in those with sores and itching with bleeding.
3. The application time of Tripterygium wilfordii should not exceed half an hour, otherwise blisters will form.
4. Tripterygium wilfordii affects liver and kidney function, and is forbidden for those with impaired liver and kidney function.
Medicinal effects of Tripterygium wilfordii
1. Invigorating blood and dredging collaterals: Tripterygium wilfordii has a relatively strong effect of dispelling wind-dampness and invigorating blood and dredging collaterals. It is an important drug for treating stubborn wind-dampness impediment. Its bitter-cold nature has a strong heat-clearing power, and its effects of reducing swelling and relieving pain are remarkable. It is especially suitable for those with red, swollen, hot and painful joints, stubborn wind-dampness impediment, swelling that is difficult to resolve, morning stiffness, limited function, and even joint deformities. It can be used alone internally or applied externally, and can improve functional activity and reduce pain.
2. Removing dampness and relieving itching: Tripterygium wilfordii is bitter and drying, removes dampness and relieves itching, kills parasites and attacks toxins, and has good effects on many skin diseases. It treats leprosy, stubborn tinea, eczema, scabies, dermatitis and skin rashes. For treating leprosy, it can be decocted and taken alone, or combined with wind-dispelling and itching-relieving drugs such as Saposhnikovia divaricata, Schizonepeta tenuifolia and Tribulus terrestris for internal use or external application.
3. Clearing heat and detoxifying: Tripterygium wilfordii is bitter and cold, clears heat and detoxifies. It can be used to treat boils and swollen toxin, and can use toxin to attack toxin, reduce swelling and relieve pain. For treating heat-toxin carbuncles, swellings and boils, it is often used in combination with toad venom.