Cynanchum

Botanical

What is it

Cynanchum is a genus of plants in the Apocynaceae family. Several species (C. atratum, C. wilfordii) are used in traditional Chinese medicine. C. atratum (Bai Wei) is used for fever and skin conditions, while C. wilfordii is used for women's health.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Traditional uses (varies by species)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional Chinese medicine use is well-documented; modern Western clinical evidence is more limited and varies by species.

How it works

Cynanchum species contain various C21 steroidal glycosides, alkaloids, and other compounds with diverse biological activities. C. atratum has been studied for anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects, while C. wilfordii has weak phytoestrogenic activity. Quality control is critical for Cynanchum species due to occasional confusion with related toxic species (C. auriculatum, C. paniculatum) which can cause liver injury.

Dosage

TCM traditional: 6-12 g of dried root depending on species. Standardized extracts vary by product.

When and how to take it

Traditional TCM formulations follow practitioner protocols.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Cynanchum atratum (Bai Wei)

Used for fever, skin conditions.

Traditional TCM root

Cynanchum wilfordii

Menopausal symptom support.

Used in EstroG-100

Safety

Quality varies; adulteration with toxic Cynanchum species has caused liver toxicity case reports. Use only quality-verified products.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Verify product source/species due to look-alike toxicity concerns. Caution in liver disease.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with hormone therapies (for C. wilfordii) and hepatically metabolized drugs.

Frequently asked questions

Are all Cynanchum species safe?⌄

No. Some related species (C. auriculatum) are toxic. Quality verification is important.

What is Cynanchum used for?⌄

Different species have different traditional uses - generally for inflammation, women's health, or as a tonic.

References

Cynanchum on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Cynanchum on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Cynanchum (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.