Hedyotis

Botanical

What is it

Hedyotis (commonly Hedyotis diffusa or Hedyotis corymbosa, also known as Oldenlandia or Parpataka in Ayurveda) is a small herb used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. It is investigated for anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties.

Evidence for 2 uses

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

Anticancer adjunct (TCM use)

Mixed Evidence

Preclinical research and some Chinese clinical observations suggest possible adjunctive benefit, but well-designed RCTs in Western populations are lacking. Should never replace standard cancer care.

Anti-inflammatory

Mixed Evidence

Preclinical evidence exists but no robust human trials demonstrate clinical anti-inflammatory benefit.

How it works

Hedyotis species contain iridoid glycosides, flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), triterpenes (ursolic and oleanolic acids), and polysaccharides. These compounds have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities in preclinical studies. In vitro and animal research has explored anticancer effects of Hedyotis diffusa extracts, with proposed mechanisms including apoptosis induction, anti-angiogenic effects, and immunostimulation. Human clinical evidence for any specific indication is limited, though Hedyotis is included in some traditional Chinese herbal formulas used adjunctively in cancer care.

Dosage

Traditional Chinese medicine: 15-60 g of dried herb as decoction. Tincture and standardized extract doses vary widely by product and indication. No standard supplement dose is established.

When and how to take it

Traditional formulations vary by practitioner protocol. No specific timing guidance is established for general use.

2 commercial forms

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

Dried herb (decoction)

Used in herbal formulas.

Traditional TCM preparation

Standardized extract

Capsule or tablet form.

Varies by manufacturer

Safety

Generally considered well-tolerated in traditional use. Limited modern safety data. Some case reports of liver enzyme elevation with Hedyotis-containing TCM formulas, though causality is often unclear.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Cancer patients should not use Hedyotis as a substitute for or alongside chemotherapy without oncologist guidance. Caution in liver disease.

Interactions

Limited data. Theoretical interactions with chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, and anticoagulants. Should not replace evidence-based cancer treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Can Hedyotis treat cancer?⌄

Preclinical data are intriguing, but Hedyotis should not be used as a primary or substitute cancer treatment. Discuss with your oncologist before using any herbal adjunct.

Is Hedyotis safe?⌄

Traditional use suggests good tolerability, but modern safety data are limited. Source and quality of products vary significantly.

References

Hedyotis on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Hedyotis (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Hedyotis with Pilora

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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.