Akebia vs Palo Azul

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Akebia

Akebia quinata

Urinary

Eysenhardtia polystachya

Urinary

Akebia

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Palo Azul

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Climbing vine of East Asian forests; stem used in TCM as Mu Tong for urinary conditions; controversial due to aristolochic acid in some species.

A Mexican folk herb used for kidney stones, urinary infections, and as a fluorescent beverage.

Active Compounds

hederagenin, saponins, alkaloids, tannins

coumestrol, colicin, formononetin, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

Urinary difficulty and painful urination in TCM, Breast milk promotion, Edema from damp-heat, Used in Ba Zheng San urinary formula

kidney stones, urinary infections, inflammation

Modern Uses

Diuretic, Galactagogue research, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial

diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, lithotriptic

Adult Dosage

3–6 g dried stem as decoction; 300–500 mg extract

10-20g dried bark as tea daily

Contraindications

Pregnancy, Kidney disease, Risk of aristolochic acid contamination from Aristolochia species

pregnancy

Side Effects

Nephrotoxicity if aristolochic acid contaminated, GI upset

generally well tolerated

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E