Cynanchum wilfordii

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Cynanchum wilfordii is a perennial vine native to East Asia. Its root is used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine for general tonification, anti-aging, and women's health. It is marketed in some supplements (including blends like EstroG-100) for menopausal symptom support.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Menopausal symptom relief

Good Evidence

Several RCTs of EstroG-100 (containing C. wilfordii plus other herbs) demonstrate improvements in hot flashes, sleep, and mood compared to placebo.

How it works

Cynanchum wilfordii root contains cynandione A, gagaminine, wilfoside compounds, and various glycosides. It has demonstrated estrogenic activity in some preclinical models, antioxidant effects, and possibly neuroprotective effects. The mechanism for menopausal symptom benefit appears to involve phytoestrogenic activity without strong proliferative effects on hormone-sensitive tissues. The proprietary extract EstroG-100, which combines C. wilfordii with two other herbs, has been studied in randomized trials for menopausal symptom relief.

Dosage

EstroG-100 (combined herbal product): typically 514 mg/day. Single-herb C. wilfordii doses vary, often 100-500 mg of extract daily.

When and how to take it

WHEN: Once or twice daily with food. Effects on menopausal symptoms typically take 4-12 weeks to develop.

2 commercial forms

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

EstroG-100 (combined extract)

Most studied form.

Standardized proprietary blend

Single-herb C. wilfordii extract

Less clinical research.

Variable standardization

Safety

Generally well tolerated in available trials. Potential confusion with related toxic species (Cynanchum auriculatum) has caused liver toxicity issues - product quality and source verification matter.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Caution in hormone-sensitive cancers. Verify product source due to toxic look-alike species concerns.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with hormone therapies. Limited clinical interaction data.

Frequently asked questions

Is C. wilfordii safe for menopausal symptoms?⌄

Available clinical trials of EstroG-100 show good safety, but source verification matters due to risk of contamination with toxic Cynanchum species.

How long does it take to work?⌄

Trials typically show effects within 4-12 weeks of consistent use.

References

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

Research on Cynanchum wilfordii (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.