Liquidamber taiwaniana

botanical
Take on an empty stomach

What is it

Liquidambar (Liquidambar formosana, also called Chinese sweetgum or feng xiang zhi) is an East Asian tree. Its fruits, leaves, and resin are used in traditional Chinese medicine for rheumatic pain, skin conditions, and as a circulation tonic.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Joint pain / rheumatism (traditional)

Mixed

Traditional use; modern clinical evidence is limited.

How it works

Liquidambar fruits and resin contain triterpenes (liquidambaric acid, betulinic acid), phenolic compounds, and volatile constituents. Preclinical studies report anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and modest analgesic activity. Traditional uses include topical preparations for skin conditions and decoctions for joint and muscle pain. Modern clinical evidence is limited.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional Chinese medicine uses 3-10 g of dried fruits per day in decoction.

When and how to take it

Traditional decoctions taken between meals.

1 commercial form

Dried fruits (feng xiang zhi)

Traditional preparation.

Used in Chinese herbal decoctions.

Safety

Generally well tolerated in traditional doses. Long-term safety not characterized.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of data.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported.

Frequently asked questions

Is Liquidambar the same as American sweetgum?⌄

American sweetgum is Liquidambar styraciflua, a related species with similar resin used historically.

References

  • Liquidamber taiwaniana on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
  • Research on Liquidamber taiwaniana (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.