This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Apocynum venetum contains several bioactive compounds that contribute to its antihypertensive effects. Cymarin acts as a cardiac glycoside affecting heart rhythm and contractility. Apocynin provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may protect blood vessels. Chlorogenic acid and quercetin offer vasodilatory effects and help reduce oxidative stress in the cardiovascular system. These combined actions on vascular tone and cardiac function explain its traditional use for managing hypertension, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence Level C).
Does Apocynum venetum interact with blood pressure medications?
Yes, Apocynum venetum may interact with antihypertensive medications. Because the herb has documented blood pressure-lowering properties, taking it alongside prescription antihypertensives could cause additive effects, potentially leading to hypotension with symptoms like dizziness or fainting. Additionally, Apocynum venetum is contraindicated with anticoagulant medications due to potential interactions affecting blood clotting. Patients taking blood thinners or blood pressure medications should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb (Evidence Level C).
What is the recommended dosage for Apocynum venetum tea?
The typical adult dosage for Apocynum venetum is 3-6 grams of dried leaf prepared as a tea, consumed once or twice daily. Alternatively, standardized extracts are commonly taken at 200mg twice daily. The herb is widely consumed as a herbal tea in traditional Chinese medicine for managing hypertension and anxiety. Dosage may vary based on individual health status and the specific preparation used. Always follow product label instructions or consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized dosing recommendations (Evidence Level C, Traditional use).
Is Apocynum venetum safe during pregnancy?
No, Apocynum venetum is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb contains cardiac glycosides, including cymarin, which may affect fetal development or uterine function. Its blood pressure-lowering effects could pose risks during pregnancy when blood pressure regulation is critical. There is insufficient safety data regarding use during breastfeeding, so avoidance is recommended. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should not use Apocynum venetum without explicit guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.
What is Apocynum venetum used for in traditional Chinese medicine?
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Apocynum venetum is primarily used to treat hypertension, clear liver heat, and calm the spirit. It is commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness, as well as liver conditions involving heat patterns. The herb is classified as having a cooling nature and bitter taste, making it suitable for clearing excess heat from the liver channel. It is widely consumed as a daily herbal tea in parts of China for cardiovascular and nervous system support (Traditional use, Evidence Level C).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 28 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Apocynum venetum, also known as Luobuma, is a medicinal perennial herb used in traditional medicine for its antihypertensive, sedative, and diuretic properties [PMID:22421379, PMID:33457833].
Background
Apocynum venetum L. is a semi-shrubby perennial herb belonging to the Apocynaceae family, widely distributed in salt-barren zones, desert steppes, and alluvial flats of Northwestern China and the Mediterranean area [PMID:33251304, PMID:36835035]. It is valued for its medicinal compounds and fiber content [PMID:35271574].
Traditional uses
It has a long history in Chinese traditional medicine to calm the liver, soothe the nerves, dissipate heat, and promote diuresis [PMID:22421379, PMID:39447713]. It is also used to treat hypertension, relieve anxiety, and as a sedative and anti-aging supplement [PMID:33457833, PMID:22421379].
Active compounds
The plant contains flavonoids (including rutin, hyperoside, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, and quercetin), phenolic acids, coumarins, and plant sterols such as lupeol, stigamasterol, and β-sitosterol [PMID:31160644, PMID:28846663, PMID:41174403]. It also contains water-soluble polysaccharides composed of arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, glucose, xylose, fucose, and mannose [PMID:39067428].
Mechanism of action
Mechanisms include the regulation of the AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathway to alleviate cardiomyocyte apoptosis [PMID:34781232], inhibition of oxidative stress and superoxide generation [PMID:25579758, PMID:41174403], and modulation of gut microbiota to increase organic acids like indole-3-propionic acid and acetic acid [PMID:38074154]. It may also act via GABAA receptor binding to promote sleep [PMID:40409574] and inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis to treat osteoporosis [PMID:42215154].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DHypertension
Aqueous extracts significantly decreased systolic blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive, renal hypertensive, and NaCl-induced hypertensive rat models [PMID:10967454].
Evidence DDoxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity
Leaf extract alleviated cardiotoxicity by regulating organic acid metabolism in gut microbiota and the AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathway [PMID:34781232, PMID:38074154].
Evidence DAcetaminophen-induced liver injury
Leaf extract (ALE) significantly attenuated liver damages and fluctuations in serum aminotransferases and antioxidant markers in mice [PMID:25967663].
Evidence DPostmenopausal osteoporosis
Total leaf extract substantially relieved osteoporosis symptoms in mouse and rat ovariectomized models [PMID:42215154].
Evidence DInsomnia/Sleep
Leaf extract (VENETRON®) reduced sleep latency and extended non-rapid-eye-movement sleep in mice [PMID:40409574].
Evidence D
Safety & adverse effects
No specific adverse effects are detailed in the provided abstracts, although a general mention is made that cardioactive steroids in plants like dogbane (related to Apocynum) can cause toxicity [PMID:29262029].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (rats and mice), indicating strong potential for cardiovascular, hepatic, and sedative effects, but lacks human clinical trial data.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 34781232 (2022) — Apocynum venetum leaf extract alleviated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through the AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathway. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2.PMID: 29262029 (2026) — Apocynum venetum, a medicinal, economical and ecological plant: a review update. · PeerJ
3.PMID: 22421379 (2012) — Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Apocynum venetum L. (Luobuma): A review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 39447713 (2025) — Ethnomedical uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Apocynum venetum L. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 35271574 (2022) — The chloroplast genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of Apocynum venetum L. · PloS one
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
7.PMID: 37998868 (2023) — Luobuma Leaf Spot Disease Caused by Alternaria tenuissima in China. · Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 28846663 (2017) — Chemopreventive Potential of Ethanolic Extracts of Luobuma Leaves (Apocynum venetum L.) in Androgen Insensitive Prostate Cancer. · Nutrients
9.PMID: 36517497 (2022) — Characterization of Boeremia exigua causing stem necrotic lesions on Luobuma in northwest China. · Scientific reports
10.PMID: 41174403 (2025) — Anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Apocynum venetum L. leaves extract on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia: Modulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
11.PMID: 39067428 (2024) — Physicochemical evaluation, structural characterization, in vitro and in vivo bioactivities of water-soluble polysaccharides from Luobuma (Apocynum L.) tea. · Food chemistry
12.PMID: 31189745 (2019) — Genome survey and SSR analysis of Apocynum venetum. · Bioscience reports
13.PMID: 35452705 (2022) — The complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic relationship of Apocynum pictum (Apocynaceae), a Central Asian shrub and second-class national protected species of western China. · Gene
14.PMID: 33457833 (2020) — Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Apocynum venetum L. (Apocynaceae). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
15.PMID: 25967663 (2015) — Apocynum venetum Attenuates Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in Mice. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
16.PMID: 36835035 (2023) — Physiological and Transcriptional Responses of Apocynum venetum to Salt Stress at the Seed Germination Stage. · International journal of molecular sciences
17.PMID: 33251304 (2020) — Dataset of full-length transcriptome assembly and annotation of apocynum venetum using pacbio sequel II. · Data in brief
18.PMID: 38074154 (2023) — Apocynum venetum leaf extract alleviated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by regulating organic acid metabolism in gut microbiota. · Frontiers in pharmacology
19.PMID: 40409574 (2025) — Sleep-promoting effects and potential mechanisms of Apocynum venetum leaf extract (VENETRON®): Effects of acute and chronic treatment on the sleep-wake profiles in mice. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
20.PMID: 33457875 (2020) — The complete chloroplast genome of Apocynum venetum (Apocynaceae). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
21.PMID: 36785656 (2023) — Electrospun PVB/AVE NMs as mask filter layer for win-win effects of filtration and antibacterial activity. · Journal of membrane science
22.PMID: 38687723 (2024) — Identification of core genes involved in the response of Apocynum venetum to salt stress based on transcriptome sequencing and WGCNA. · PloS one
23.PMID: 42215154 (2026) — Apocynum venetum leaf extract ameliorates postmenopausal osteoporosis by inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. · Chinese journal of natural medicines
24.PMID: 41146687 (2025) — Comparative metabolomic profiling reveals the superiority of Apocynum venetum as a source for Apocynum tea. · Food chemistry: X
25.PMID: 33401201 (2021) — Quercetin alleviates seed germination and growth inhibition in Apocynum venetum and Apocynum pictum under mannitol-induced osmotic stress. · Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
26.PMID: 25579758 (2015) — Apocynum venetum leaf attenuates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
27.PMID: 10967454 (2000) — Effects of aqueous extracts of Apocynum venetum leaves on spontaneously hypertensive, renal hypertensive and NaCl-fed-hypertensive rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
28.PMID: 36581140 (2023) — Evolution of 101 Apocynaceae plastomes and phylogenetic implications. · Molecular phylogenetics and evolution