Lindera aggregata

botanical

What is it

Lindera aggregata (wu yao) is a small evergreen tree native to East Asia. Its root is used in traditional Chinese medicine for cold abdominal pain, urinary frequency, and as a 'qi-moving' herb in formulas for stagnant digestion or circulation.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Cold abdominal pain and urinary frequency (traditional use)

Mixed

Traditional use; no high-quality controlled monotherapy trials in humans.

How it works

The root contains alkaloids (including linderalactone, linderane, and isolinderalactone), sesquiterpene lactones, and essential oils. Preclinical studies note antispasmodic, antinociceptive, and modest anti-inflammatory activity, along with effects on smooth muscle that may explain traditional use for cramping and urinary frequency. Clinical evidence in humans is sparse and largely comes from Chinese-language trials of combination TCM formulas.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional dose is 3-9 g of dried root as a decoction or 1-3 g of standardized extract per day.

When and how to take it

Traditionally taken in 2-3 divided daily doses with warm water, often before meals for digestive applications.

1 commercial form

Dried root (wu yao)

Alkaloid and sesquiterpene absorption not well characterized in humans.

Traditional preparation in TCM formulas.

Safety

Generally well tolerated at traditional doses. Side effects can include mild GI upset.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited data. Use under qualified TCM guidance.

Interactions

Possible mild interactions with antispasmodic or antimuscarinic medications, though clinical relevance is unclear.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lindera used for?⌄

In TCM, primarily for cold-type abdominal pain, frequent urination, and stagnant qi. Modern evidence is limited.

Is it safe?⌄

Generally well tolerated at traditional doses. Limited modern safety data; avoid in pregnancy.

References

  • Lindera aggregata on Wikidata — Wikidata link
  • Lindera aggregata on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
  • Research on Lindera aggregata (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.