Eucommia ulmoides

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Eucommia ulmoides is the botanical name for the eucommia tree, called Du Zhong in Chinese, native to China. Its bark and increasingly its leaves are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for kidney and liver support, joint health, and mild hypertension.

Evidence for 2 uses

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

Mild hypertension

Limited Evidence

Small clinical studies suggest modest blood pressure reductions with eucommia extracts. Evidence quality varies.

Joint and bone support

Limited Evidence

Traditional use and limited preclinical/clinical evidence for connective tissue and bone density support. Rigorous data are limited.

How it works

Eucommia contains lignans (notably pinoresinol diglucoside), iridoids (aucubin), phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid), and a unique gutta-percha latex. Preclinical research shows antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, bone-supportive, and antioxidant activities. The antihypertensive effect appears to involve vasodilation and mild diuresis. Bone effects in animal models include stimulation of osteoblast activity. Clinical research in humans is modest in scale but generally supportive of the traditional uses.

Dosage

Decoction: 6-15 grams dried bark per day. Standardized extracts vary; capsules often 250-500 mg, taken 2-3 times daily. DSLD label data did not include a typical dose.

When and how to take it

WHEN: 2-3 times daily, often with meals; traditional decoctions are taken warm. HOW: Decoction, tincture, granules, or standardized capsules.

3 commercial forms

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

Bark (raw or salt-fried)

Used in decoctions and traditional formulas.

Salt-fried preparation traditional for kidney support.

Leaf extract

Modern alternative to bark.

More sustainable harvesting than bark.

Standardized capsule extract

Convenient modern format.

Concentrated form; standardization to chlorogenic acid is common.

Safety

Generally well tolerated. Occasional mild gastrointestinal upset. Centuries of traditional use without major safety concerns; modern long-term studies are limited.

Who should be cautious

Use caution in pregnancy and lactation. People on antihypertensive medications should monitor blood pressure. Discontinue if rash or other adverse reactions occur.

Interactions

May add to the effects of blood pressure medications. Theoretical interaction with anticoagulants. Discuss with your clinician.

Frequently asked questions

Bark or leaf - which is better?⌄

Bark is the traditional medicinal part. Leaf has gained popularity as a sustainable alternative and contains many of the same compounds, though concentrations differ.

How quickly does eucommia work for blood pressure?⌄

If effects occur, they tend to develop over several weeks. It is not a substitute for prescribed antihypertensive medication.

References

Eucommia ulmoides on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Eucommia ulmoides (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.