Tripterygium wilfordii (Leigongteng)

Description

The herb of lei gong teng comes from the roots, leaves and flowers of the tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. It is collected during summer and autumn. Lei gong teng is a deciduous climbing vine growing to 12 meters,  with brown, angular, downy twigs. The leaves are light green, smooth on top, and pale gray with light hairs underneath.  They have crenate margins and pointed apexes, and are ovate to elliptic, 5-15 cm long,
2.5 - 7 cm wide. The scented hermaphroditic (having male and female organs) flowers, which bloom in September, are small and whitish with five petals and are about 9 mm across, in terminal panicles in July. The
fruit is 3-winged, and brownish red, about 1.5 cm long. The plant can grow in light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. It can survive in acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soil.  It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Distribution:
Native of southern part of mainland China, Taiwan, Burma

Properties (characteristics):
Bitter

Actions & Indications:
for: anti-inflammatory, killing worms, resolving toxin, treating proteinuric renal disease, using as immuno-suppressive agent on autoimmune diseases.

Medical Functions: 
1. Effects on immune system
2. Anti-inflammatory effects
3. Anti -cancer effect
4. Effects on contraception
5. Effects on urinary system
6. Effects on anti-organism and worms