Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of EucommiaWhat Are the Side Effects of Eucommia?PrecautionsHow Much Eucommia Should I Take?InteractionsHow to Store EucommiaSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Eucommia
What Are the Side Effects of Eucommia?
Precautions
How Much Eucommia Should I Take?
Interactions
How to Store Eucommia
Sources & What to Look For
Eucommia is an herb from the Chinese rubber tree (Eucommia ulmoides). Its historic uses intraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)include support for kidney health, bones and muscles, and the endocrine system. It is also said to lower blood pressure, prevent osteoporosis, and enhance heart health.
Eucommia contains various chemical compounds includinglignins, phenolics, and flavonoids thought to offer health benefits.However, more research evidence is needed to confirm these benefits.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Supplement FactsActive ingredient(s):Eucommia ulmoidesAlternate name(s): Du ZhongSuggested dose:No standard doseSafety considerations: No reports of toxicity; mild side effects reported. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your supplements.
Supplement Facts
Active ingredient(s):Eucommia ulmoidesAlternate name(s): Du ZhongSuggested dose:No standard doseSafety considerations: No reports of toxicity; mild side effects reported. Always talk to your healthcare provider about your supplements.
Eucommia, also known as du zhong, is a rich source of antioxidants, lignans, and isoflavonoids—naturally occurring chemicals with hormone-like effects.Eucommia has been used and may be marketed for various uses, including sexual dysfunction, cancer, metabolic syndrome, neurological diseases, and more. No supplement, however, is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
One clinical trial evaluated the effect of eucommia on high blood pressure. Most research is limited to animal testing and small clinical trials.
Since there is not enough research on eucommia, there are no current recommendations for using eucommia. Research on using eucommia for high blood pressure is included here as it was the only clinical trial found on eucommia in humans.
High Blood Pressure
A small study suggested that eucommina may help lowerhigh blood pressure (hypertension).
Another study included 24 healthy adults randomized to take 500 milligrams of eucommia extract three times daily for eight weeks. No toxicity or difference in blood pressure was found between the group taking eucommia and the control group in the study.
Additional research on humans is needed to validate these findings.
A meta-analysis of TCM for high blood pressure found that the addition of eucommia combined with traditional medicine was safe, effective, and superior compared to traditional medicine alone.
Eucommia has been used in TCM for centuries with limited reports of side effects. One therapeutic trial of eucommia documented a few possible side effects, including:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that herbal products, in general, may be contaminated with toxic compounds, heavy metals, pesticides, or microorganisms. Manufacturing errors have also occurred when one herb is mistakenly replaced with another. Therefore, it is important to be diligent when selecting products.
There are no data on the safety and efficacy of eucommia use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is best to avoid supplementing.
You should also avoid eucommia if you are sensitive to any of the components found in the product.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements to determine whether it is safe for you.
Dosage: How Much Eucommia Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.
There is no standard recommended dose of eucommia. In research studies, doses of up to 3 grams of eucommia daily were safe and well tolerated for up to two weeks.However, always follow the directions on the supplement label and your healthcare provider’s recommendation.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Eucommia?
There is not much information available about the side effects of eucommia or the potential effects of taking too much. As a general rule of thumb, never take more than what is stated in the directions on the supplement label. Consult your healthcare provider if you’re unsure how much you should take.
Little is known about the safety of long-term or regular use of eucommia. There are no documented drug interactions.
However, people taking the following medications should consult their healthcare provider before using eucommia due to the theoretical potential for interactions:
Frequently Asked QuestionsA study done in rats suggest that eucommia could increasetestosteroneproduction.However, this was preliminary research, and we don’t know whether this would work in humans.No. There is insufficient evidence to support using this herbal product fordiabetesmanagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
A study done in rats suggest that eucommia could increasetestosteroneproduction.However, this was preliminary research, and we don’t know whether this would work in humans.
No. There is insufficient evidence to support using this herbal product fordiabetesmanagement.
Sources of Eucommia and What to Look For
Dietary supplements containing eucommia extract are sold in some natural-foods stores and shops specializing in herbal products and online.
In addition to capsules, eucommia is sold in extract, tea, and dry forms.
These products may contain extracts from the leaf, stem, bark, and flower of the plant. You may want to seek options that are predominantly or solely made from the bark, as most of the research on this herb focuses on that component.
Eucommia also comes as a tea made from the leaves and bark of the eucommia tree. Eucommia tea tastes slightly bitter and sweet and is commonly served with milk and sugar—steep loose herbs or teabags in hot water for 2 to 4 minutes.
Summary
Eucommia is an herbal product that has been used for centuries in TCM, but there is little scientific evidence to support its use in treating or preventing any disease. While preliminary research shows that eucommia may help lower blood pressure in humans, more clinical trials are needed before it can be recommended.
Always discuss your supplement regimen with your healthcare provider.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.He X, Wang J, Li M, et al.Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional Chinese medicine.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):78-92. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.023Hussain T, Tan B, Liu G, et al.Health-promoting properties ofEucommia ulmoides:a review.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:5202908. doi:10.1155/2016/5202908Greenway F, Liu Z, Yu Y, Gupta A.A clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a standardized eucommia ulmoides Oliver bark extract to treat hypertension.Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(4):338-347.Wang Q, Lin J, Li C, et al.Traditional Chinese medicine method of tonifying kidney for hypertension: clinical evidence and molecular mechanisms.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:1038480. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2022.1038480National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Traditional Chinese Medicine.Hsu SM, Lin HJ, Kao YW, Li TM, Shia BC, Huang ST.Concurrent use of Chinese herbal medicine and anticoagulants may reduce major bleeding events.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0271965. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271965Huang L, Lyu Q, Zheng W, et al.Traditional application and modern pharmacological research ofEucommia ulmoidesOliv.Chin Med.2021;16:73. doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00482-7Li Z, Yang P, Xue S, et al.Testosterone promotion effect of eucommia ulmoidesstaminate flower via the steroidogenic pathway and potential hormonal mechanism.Sci Rep.2022;12:18765. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-23578-yAdditional ReadingKwon SH, Ma SX, Hong SI, Kim SY, Lee SY, Jang CG.Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. bark attenuates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal cell death through inhibition of oxidative stress in SH-sy5y cells.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;152(1):173-182. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.12.048
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.He X, Wang J, Li M, et al.Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional Chinese medicine.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):78-92. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.023Hussain T, Tan B, Liu G, et al.Health-promoting properties ofEucommia ulmoides:a review.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:5202908. doi:10.1155/2016/5202908Greenway F, Liu Z, Yu Y, Gupta A.A clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a standardized eucommia ulmoides Oliver bark extract to treat hypertension.Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(4):338-347.Wang Q, Lin J, Li C, et al.Traditional Chinese medicine method of tonifying kidney for hypertension: clinical evidence and molecular mechanisms.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:1038480. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2022.1038480National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Traditional Chinese Medicine.Hsu SM, Lin HJ, Kao YW, Li TM, Shia BC, Huang ST.Concurrent use of Chinese herbal medicine and anticoagulants may reduce major bleeding events.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0271965. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271965Huang L, Lyu Q, Zheng W, et al.Traditional application and modern pharmacological research ofEucommia ulmoidesOliv.Chin Med.2021;16:73. doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00482-7Li Z, Yang P, Xue S, et al.Testosterone promotion effect of eucommia ulmoidesstaminate flower via the steroidogenic pathway and potential hormonal mechanism.Sci Rep.2022;12:18765. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-23578-yAdditional ReadingKwon SH, Ma SX, Hong SI, Kim SY, Lee SY, Jang CG.Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. bark attenuates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal cell death through inhibition of oxidative stress in SH-sy5y cells.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;152(1):173-182. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.12.048
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
He X, Wang J, Li M, et al.Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional Chinese medicine.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):78-92. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.023Hussain T, Tan B, Liu G, et al.Health-promoting properties ofEucommia ulmoides:a review.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:5202908. doi:10.1155/2016/5202908Greenway F, Liu Z, Yu Y, Gupta A.A clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a standardized eucommia ulmoides Oliver bark extract to treat hypertension.Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(4):338-347.Wang Q, Lin J, Li C, et al.Traditional Chinese medicine method of tonifying kidney for hypertension: clinical evidence and molecular mechanisms.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:1038480. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2022.1038480National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Traditional Chinese Medicine.Hsu SM, Lin HJ, Kao YW, Li TM, Shia BC, Huang ST.Concurrent use of Chinese herbal medicine and anticoagulants may reduce major bleeding events.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0271965. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271965Huang L, Lyu Q, Zheng W, et al.Traditional application and modern pharmacological research ofEucommia ulmoidesOliv.Chin Med.2021;16:73. doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00482-7Li Z, Yang P, Xue S, et al.Testosterone promotion effect of eucommia ulmoidesstaminate flower via the steroidogenic pathway and potential hormonal mechanism.Sci Rep.2022;12:18765. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-23578-y
He X, Wang J, Li M, et al.Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional Chinese medicine.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):78-92. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.023
Hussain T, Tan B, Liu G, et al.Health-promoting properties ofEucommia ulmoides:a review.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:5202908. doi:10.1155/2016/5202908
Greenway F, Liu Z, Yu Y, Gupta A.A clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a standardized eucommia ulmoides Oliver bark extract to treat hypertension.Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(4):338-347.
Wang Q, Lin J, Li C, et al.Traditional Chinese medicine method of tonifying kidney for hypertension: clinical evidence and molecular mechanisms.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:1038480. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2022.1038480
National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Hsu SM, Lin HJ, Kao YW, Li TM, Shia BC, Huang ST.Concurrent use of Chinese herbal medicine and anticoagulants may reduce major bleeding events.PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0271965. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271965
Huang L, Lyu Q, Zheng W, et al.Traditional application and modern pharmacological research ofEucommia ulmoidesOliv.Chin Med.2021;16:73. doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00482-7
Li Z, Yang P, Xue S, et al.Testosterone promotion effect of eucommia ulmoidesstaminate flower via the steroidogenic pathway and potential hormonal mechanism.Sci Rep.2022;12:18765. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-23578-y
Kwon SH, Ma SX, Hong SI, Kim SY, Lee SY, Jang CG.Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. bark attenuates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal cell death through inhibition of oxidative stress in SH-sy5y cells.J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;152(1):173-182. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.12.048
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