Evodiamine

PhytochemicalAlkaloid

What is it

Evodiamine is an indoloquinazoline alkaloid from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa (wu zhu yu), a Chinese herbal medicine, used in supplements marketed for thermogenesis and weight management.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Thermogenesis and weight management

Mixed Evidence

Animal and cell studies support thermogenic activity, but human clinical evidence at typical supplement doses is lacking.

How it works

Evodiamine activates TRPV1 (capsaicin) receptors in cell models and can stimulate thermogenesis through similar pathways as capsaicin in animal studies. Clinical evidence in humans is limited. It is sold as a supplement to support metabolism, but quality trials at typical doses are scarce.

Dosage

Evodia rutaecarpa extracts standardized to evodiamine vary widely; doses in stack products are often modest. No formal RDA.

When and how to take it

Often used in pre-workout or thermogenic stacks. No strict timing.

1 commercial form

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

Evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract standardized to evodiamine

Common form in stack supplements.

Lipophilic; pharmacokinetics not well characterized in humans.

Safety

Mostly limited human safety data. Possible cardiovascular effects at high doses based on animal studies. Theoretical hepatotoxicity at very high doses.

Who should be cautious

Pregnancy: traditionally classified as warming and contraindicated in pregnancy; avoid. Caution with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stimulant medications.

Interactions

Possible interactions with cytochrome P450 enzymes. Possible additive effects with stimulants and sympathomimetics.

Food sources

Evodia fruit (not a culinary food)

Amount
n/a
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Does evodiamine burn fat?⌄

Mechanistic data suggest thermogenic effects, but rigorous human evidence for fat loss is lacking. Realistic expectations should be low.

Is evodiamine like ephedra?⌄

Different chemistry. Ephedra acts mainly as a sympathomimetic; evodiamine acts through TRPV1 thermogenic pathways. Evodiamine has a smaller human safety database.

References

Evodiamine on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Evodiamine (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Evodiamine with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

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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.