Which plant, known as 'thunder god vine,' is used in Chinese medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis?

The plant known as “thunder god vine” and used in Chinese medicine for rheumatoid arthritis is Tripterygium wilfordii.

In Mandarin, it is called lei gong teng, a name more literally rendered as “thunder duke vine.” Traditional preparations have historically been used for inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Extracts contain compounds such as triptolide and celastrol, which have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating activity.

The important modern qualification is safety. T. wilfordii can cause serious adverse effects, including gastrointestinal problems, reproductive effects, immune suppression, and blood-related complications. Evidence for benefit in rheumatoid arthritis remains limited, so health authorities warn against unsupervised use.

A common mix-up is Tripterygium hypoglaucum, a closely related name sometimes encountered in botanical and medicinal literature. The standard answer to this quiz clue, however, is T. wilfordii, also called thunder god vine or thunder duke vine.