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.
Dendrobium nobile contains bioactive alkaloids including dendrobine, nobiline, and dendramine, along with immunomodulatory polysaccharides. These compounds are believed to support fluid balance at the cellular level and modulate immune function. In Traditional Chinese Medicine framework, Dendrobium nourishes yin by generating body fluids and clearing deficiency heat, primarily targeting the stomach and kidney meridians to restore balance in dry, depleted conditions. Evidence level: C.
Does Dendrobium interact with any medications?
Limited clinical data exists on Dendrobium drug interactions. Due to its documented immunomodulatory effects, theoretical concerns apply when combining Dendrobium with immunosuppressant medications, as it may reduce their efficacy. No significant interactions with common pharmaceuticals have been established in human trials. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before adding Dendrobium to their regimen. Evidence level: C.
What is the recommended dosage for Dendrobium?
The standard adult dosage for Dendrobium nobile is 6-12 grams of dried stem daily, typically prepared as a decoction by simmering in water. This traditional preparation extracts the active alkaloids and polysaccharides. Dosage may vary depending on the specific formulation, individual constitution, and practitioner recommendations. Concentrated extracts require proportionally lower doses. Evidence level: C/Traditional use.
Is Dendrobium safe to take during pregnancy?
Dendrobium is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional Chinese Medicine sources contraindicate its use in pregnant women. While specific teratogenic effects have not been documented in clinical trials, insufficient safety data exists to support use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal supplements. Evidence level: C/Traditional contraindication.
What is Dendrobium used for in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dendrobium nobile is classified as a yin-nourishing herb used to treat deficiency patterns marked by dryness. Primary indications include dry mouth and throat, thirst, insufficient body fluids, and weakness of the stomach and kidneys. It clears deficiency heat and is commonly prescribed for recovery after febrile illness or in cases of chronic dry cough. It is contraindicated in cold-dampness conditions. Evidence level: C/Traditional use.
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 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Dendrobium (specifically Dendrobium nobile), known as Shihu in China, is a medicinal orchid used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:39557107, 40441566, 28197691].
Background
Dendrobium nobile Lindl. is a member of the orchid family and is recognized in the Pharmacopoeia of China [PMID:39557107, 37497110]. It is widely distributed in sub-tropical areas south of the Yangtze River, including Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi [PMID:32268205].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used as a tonic, astringent, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent [PMID:29344419]. It is used for nourishing the stomach, enhancing production of body fluids, nourishing Yin, promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, and regulating meridians and collaterals [PMID:29344419, 40180000]. It has also been used in the treatment of diabetes and gastrointestinal diseases [PMID:36351476].
Mechanisms include the regulation of ferroptosis and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to prevent cervical cancer [PMID:39557107], inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma [PMID:38901205], and activation of SIRT2 to regulate insulin resistance in PCOS granulosa cells [PMID:39153683]. It also modulates the gut-blood-retina axis to ameliorate inflammatory microenvironments in the retina [PMID:40441566] and inhibits platelet activation via integrin αIIbβ3-mediated signaling pathways [PMID:40180000].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DType 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Dendrobium nobile Lindl. significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and renal dysfunction in db/db mice [PMID:40732347].
Evidence DHepatocellular Carcinoma
Dendrobin A arrested cell cycle, induced apoptosis, and inhibited proliferation in HCC cells [PMID:38901205].
Evidence DPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polysaccharides (DNP) reduced body weight, blood glucose, and insulin levels, and improved the disrupted estrous cycle in rats [PMID:39153683].
Evidence DDiabetic Retinopathy
Polysaccharides (DNP) ameliorated the inflammatory microenvironment in the retina of diabetic rats [PMID:40441566].
Evidence DAllergic Rhinitis
Dendrobium nobile protected against ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis by regulating intestinal flora and suppressing lung inflammation in mice [PMID:35750384].
Evidence DCervical Cancer
Safety & adverse effects
Dendrobium nobile is described as having high safety and is widely popular as a functional food and health supplement [PMID:40777987].
Evidence summary
The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro cell studies, animal models (mice/rats), and literature reviews. There are no human clinical trials (RCTs) provided in the abstracts; therefore, the overall strength of evidence for clinical application is low (Level D).
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 39557107 (2025) — Chrysotoxine regulates ferroptosis and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to prevent cervical cancer. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 34930072 (2022) — Dendrobine-type alkaloids from Dendrobium nobile. · Natural product research
4.PMID: 33331167 (2022) — A new picrotoxane-type sesquiterpene from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. · Natural product research
5.PMID: 37497110 (2023) — Therapeutic potential of the chemical composition of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. · Frontiers in pharmacology
6.
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.
— Genome-wide researches and applications on Dendrobium.
· Planta
7.PMID: 38901205 (2024) — Dendrobium nobile active ingredient Dendrobin A against hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-B signaling. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
8.PMID: 40441566 (2025) — Dendrobium nobile Lindl. Polysaccharides ameliorate the inflammatory microenvironment in the retina of diabetic rats: a multi-omics study of the gut-blood-retina axis. · International journal of biological macromolecules
9.PMID: 39153683 (2024) — Dendrobium nobile-derived polysaccharides stimulate the glycolytic pathway by activating SIRT2 to regulate insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome granulosa cells. · International journal of biological macromolecules
10.PMID: 35750384 (2022) — Dendrobium nobile protects against ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis by regulating intestinal flora and suppressing lung inflammation. · Chinese journal of natural medicines
11.PMID: 28197691 (2017) — The medicinal and pharmaceutical importance of Dendrobium species. · Applied microbiology and biotechnology
12.PMID: 38114216 (2023) — [A new allo-aromadendrane sesquiterpene from Dendrobium nobile]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
14.PMID: 37396948 (2023) — The effects of Dendrobium species on the metabolic syndrome: A review. · Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
15.PMID: 29090564 (2017) — [Herbal textual research on relationship between Chinese medicine"Shihu" (Dendrobium spp.) and "Tiepi Shihu" (D. catenatum)]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
16.PMID: 24634120 (2014) — Isolation and characterization of novel EST-SSRs in the showy dendrobium, Dendrobium nobile (Orchidaceae). · Genetics and molecular research : GMR
17.PMID: 36462312 (2023) — Dendrobium and its active ingredients: Emerging role in liver protection. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
18.PMID: 39536588 (2025) — Mechanisms of aroma compound formation during the drying of Dendrobium nobile stems (Shihu). · Food chemistry
19.PMID: 36351476 (2023) — Modern interpretation of the traditional application of Shihu - A comprehensive review on phytochemistry and pharmacology progress of Dendrobium officinale. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
20.PMID: 40180000 (2025) — Dendrobium nobile lindl extract modulates integrin αIIbβ3-mediated signaling pathways to inhibit platelet activation and thrombosis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
21.PMID: 36364058 (2022) — Recent Research Progress on Natural Stilbenes in Dendrobium Species. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
22.PMID: 34558510 (2022) — Potential neuroprotection by Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid in Alzheimer's disease models. · Neural regeneration research
24.PMID: 32268205 (2020) — Anti-aging properties of Dendrobium nobile Lindl.: From molecular mechanisms to potential treatments. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
25.PMID: 28914012 (2016) — [Advance in molecular biology of Dendrobium (Orchidaceae)]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
26.PMID: 29344419 (2017) — Dendrobium: Sources of Active Ingredients to Treat Age-Related Pathologies. · Aging and disease
27.PMID: 38138977 (2023) — Comparison of the Metabolomics of Different Dendrobium Species by UPLC-QTOF-MS. · International journal of molecular sciences
28.PMID: 39769940 (2024) — The Chemical Structure and Pharmacological Activity of Sesquiterpenoids in Dendrobium Sw. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
29.PMID: 40777987 (2025) — Recent advances in polysaccharides derived from the Dendrobium nobile Lindl.: preparation strategies, structural characteristics, biological activity, and structure-activity relationships. · Frontiers in pharmacology