Ssanghwa Tang Herbs (Eucommia ulmoides): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Eucommia ulmoides work to lower blood pressure?

Eucommia ulmoides lowers blood pressure primarily through vasodilation. Its active compounds, specifically pinoresinol diglucoside and geniposidic acid, act as calcium channel blockers and promote the release of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels. It also modulates the renin-angiotensin system. These actions help improve endothelial function and reduce vascular resistance, contributing to its antihypertensive effects. Evidence level: C.

Can I take Eucommia ulmoides with blood pressure medication?

You should use caution when taking Eucommia ulmoides with antihypertensive drugs. Because the herb has natural blood pressure-lowering properties, combining it with prescription medications like ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers may cause additive effects, leading to hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure). Symptoms may include dizziness or fainting. It is essential to monitor blood pressure closely and consult a healthcare provider before combining these treatments. Evidence level: C.

What is the recommended dosage for Eucommia ulmoides bark?

The standard adult dosage for Eucommia ulmoides bark depends on the form. For a decoction (tea), the traditional dose is 9–15 grams of dried bark daily. For standardized extracts, a common dosage is 500 mg taken twice daily. Because potency varies between manufacturers, always follow specific product labels. It is best taken with warm water to support absorption and reduce potential gastric upset. Evidence level: Traditional.

Is Eucommia ulmoides safe during pregnancy?

Eucommia ulmoides is generally considered unsafe during pregnancy, particularly in large medicinal doses. While it is a kidney tonic often used for lower back pain, traditional texts and modern safety standards advise against its use by pregnant women due to insufficient safety data and potential uterine effects. Therapeutic supplementation should be avoided unless specifically prescribed by a qualified practitioner. Evidence level: D.

Does Eucommia bark really help with lower back pain?

Yes, Eucommia ulmoides is traditionally used to strengthen the lower back and knees. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is classified as a kidney yang tonic, addressing 'kidney deficiency' which manifests as chronic lower back weakness and pain. Modern research suggests it may support connective tissue and bone health, potentially aiding recovery. While clinical evidence is limited, it remains a primary herb for lumbar support in Asian medicine. Evidence level: C.

Can Eucommia ulmoides help treat osteoporosis?

Eucommia ulmoides shows promise for bone health and osteoporosis prevention. Preclinical studies indicate that compounds like aucubin may stimulate osteoblast activity and inhibit bone resorption. In Korean and Chinese traditional medicine, it is used to strengthen the skeleton, as kidneys are believed to rule the bones. While animal data is positive, human clinical trials are currently insufficient to confirm efficacy as a standalone treatment. 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 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Eucommia ulmoides is a traditional medicinal herb used in China, Japan, and Korea with diverse pharmaceutical properties, including effects on bone health and metabolic disorders [PMID:35744822, PMID:29745662].

Background

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (also known as Du Zhong) is a tree species native to China [PMID:39221141, PMID:30857406]. The medicinal parts of the plant include the bark (Eucommiae cortex) and leaves (Eucommiae folium) [PMID:39221141].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat lumbar pain, knee pain, osteoporosis, hepatoprotection, paralysis, intestinal haemorrhoids, vaginal bleeding, abortion, spermatorrhoea, and foot fungus [PMID:34362420]. It is also used for tonifying the liver and kidney, strengthening muscles and bones, and miscarriage prevention [PMID:38972653, PMID:29745662].

Active compounds

Bioactive constituents include lignans (such as pinoresinol diglucoside), iridoids (such as aucubin and geniposide), phenolics, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides [PMID:29745662, PMID:38442791, PMID:40630123, PMID:39221141]. It also contains trans-1,4-polyisoprene (Eucommia ulmoides rubber) [PMID:33761246].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms include enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function and antioxidant capacity [PMID:37438752], regulating the YAP/β-catenin/VEGF axis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to promote fracture healing [PMID:39366157], and modulating the F. prausnitzii/butyrate/GPR43/GLP-1 signaling pathway to alleviate liver disease [PMID:40935212]. It may also remodel intestinal microbiota to reduce cerebral infarction and neuronal death [PMID:41288788].

Clinical evidence

Evidence AOsteoporosis

Extracts significantly improved bone mineral density in osteoporotic rat models [PMID:41059187].

Evidence DOsteoporosis (Lead-induced)

Cortex extract (100 mg/kg) alleviated lead acetate-induced bone loss in rats [PMID:29740803].

Evidence DHyperglycemia

Powdered leaves and water extracts significantly lowered blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [PMID:15620430].

Evidence DColitis

Modified nano-selenium polysaccharides (EUP-SeNP) alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice by restoring weight and reducing disease activity index [PMID:37438752].

Evidence DCerebral Ischemic Stroke

Extract reduced cerebral infarction area, ameliorated neurological deficits, and reduced neuronal death in mice [PMID:41288788].

Evidence DMASLD

Bark extract (EBE) showed protective effects against high-fat diet-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in mice [PMID:40935212].

Safety & adverse effects

Eucommia ulmoides extract (EUE) is non-genotoxic within tested dose ranges; however, long-term administration (13 weeks) led to dose-dependent increases in nephrotoxicity-related indices and pathological changes in renal tissues, which persisted at high dosages (56 g/kg) [PMID:33122045].

Evidence summary

The evidence is primarily based on animal models (rats, mice, zebrafish) and in vitro studies, with one systematic review/meta-analysis of rat models. Clinical studies in humans are reported to be scarce [PMID:35744822, PMID:41059187].

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37438752 (2023) — Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharide modified nano-selenium effectively alleviated DSS-induced colitis through enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function and antioxidant capacity. · Journal of nanobiotechnology
2.PMID: 33761246 (2021) — Natural Polymer Eucommia Ulmoides Rubber: A Novel Material. · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3.PMID: 35744822 (2022) — Neuroendocrine-Immune Regulatory Network of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 38442791 (2024) — Pinoresinol diglucoside mitigates dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis and chondrodysplasia in zebrafish. · Toxicology and applied pharmacology
5.PMID: 39366157 (2024) — Single-cell RNA transcriptomics reveals Du-Zhong-Wan promotes osteoporotic fracture healing via YAP/β-catenin/VEGF axis in BMSCs.

Ssanghwa Tang Herbs

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Ssanghwa Tang Herbs