Fringetree

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a small flowering tree native to the eastern United States. Its bark has been used in Eclectic and traditional Western herbalism for liver and gallbladder support.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Liver and gallbladder support (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Historical Eclectic medical use only; no modern controlled trials in humans.

How it works

Fringe tree bark contains saponins, lignans, and the glycoside chionanthin. Traditional use focuses on biliary tract support, including bile flow, jaundice, and gallstones, based on historical Eclectic medical observations. Modern clinical research is essentially absent. No defined mechanism has been established for any specific outcome in humans.

Dosage

Traditional tincture doses range from 5 to 30 drops up to three times daily. Modern label doses vary widely without standardization.

When and how to take it

Traditional preparations are taken between meals.

1 commercial form

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

Fringe tree bark tincture

Available as alcohol or glycerite tincture and as dried bark in tonic blends.

Not characterized.

Safety

Considered safe at small traditional amounts. Larger doses can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term safety is not well characterized.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to lack of safety data. Avoid in known gallstone disease or biliary obstruction without medical supervision.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with medications cleared through the bile or those affecting biliary flow; clinical data are not available.

Frequently asked questions

Does fringe tree help the liver?⌄

Traditional use claims yes, but modern evidence is absent. Do not rely on it for serious liver conditions.

Is fringe tree safe in pregnancy?⌄

No. It should be avoided in pregnancy due to lack of safety data.

References

Fringetree on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Fringetree (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Fringetree with Pilora

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

Coming to App Store
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.