Home Ingredients Evodia rutaecarpa (Wu Zhu Yu)
Gut HealthMetabolic HealthCardiovascular

Evodia rutaecarpa (Wu Zhu Yu)

Tetradium ruticarpum (syn. Evodia rutaecarpa)
Evidence Level
Limited
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Evodia rutaecarpa, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Wu Zhu Yu, is the unripe fruit of a small tree native to China and used for centuries in formulas addressing headache, abdominal pain, and digestive complaints. Its principal bioactive alkaloids, evodiamine and rutaecarpine, have been characterized as agonists of the TRPV1 vanilloid receptor and inhibitors of certain cytochrome P450 enzymes, producing thermogenic, vasorelaxant, GI motility, and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models. While Evodia is included in many Chinese herbal prescriptions, modern human clinical evidence is sparse and high doses raise hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity concerns, so it is best used short-term under qualified guidance.

Studied Dose Dried fruit 1.5–6 g/day in decoction or formulation; standardized alkaloid doses not well established.
Active Compound Indoloquinazoline alkaloids evodiamine and rutaecarpine, plus dehydroevodiamine and evocarpine.

Benefits

Helps support digestive comfort

Traditionally used in Chinese herbal formulas for cold-type abdominal pain, nausea, and reflux-like symptoms, evodiamine and rutaecarpine influence gastrointestinal motility and visceral sensation in preclinical studies relevant to traditional digestive support.

Supported by Trial 1

Supports thermogenic metabolism

Evodiamine has been characterized in animal models as a TRPV1-mediated thermogenic compound that may help support energy expenditure when combined with diet and exercise, making it a common ingredient in some metabolic and weight management formulations.

Supported by Trial 1

Helps promote healthy circulation

Rutaecarpine has demonstrated vasorelaxant activity in animal vascular preparations, supporting endothelial nitric oxide release and contributing to a traditional reputation for supporting healthy peripheral circulation.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Provides traditional warming herbal support

Wu Zhu Yu is classified as a warming herb used in classical formulas to address cold-related discomfort, headache associated with cold patterns, and digestive heaviness, fitting into broader traditional therapeutic strategies.

Mechanism of action

1

TRPV1 vanilloid receptor agonism

Evodiamine activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel, similar to capsaicin, contributing to thermogenic, cardiovascular, and GI motility effects observed in preclinical studies.

2

Cytochrome P450 modulation

Rutaecarpine is a potent and relatively selective inhibitor of CYP1A enzymes in liver microsomes, which underlies its potential to alter the metabolism of co-administered drugs and explains the herb's drug interaction profile.

3

Anti-inflammatory and inotropic activity

Both evodiamine and rutaecarpine produce positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on isolated atria via vanilloid receptor pathways and modulate inflammatory mediators, supporting traditional cardiotonic and pain-modulating uses.

Clinical trials

1
Isolated atria pharmacology

Ex vivo study of evodiamine and rutaecarpine effects on guinea-pig isolated right atria.

Isolated guinea-pig atrial tissue preparations.

Both alkaloids produced concentration-dependent positive inotropic and chronotropic responses that were attenuated by vanilloid receptor antagonism, providing pharmacological evidence for cardiovascular activity mediated in part through TRPV1-like receptors.

2
CYP1A inhibition study

In vitro study assessing rutaecarpine inhibition of mouse and human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Mouse and human liver microsome preparations.

Rutaecarpine produced potent and selective inhibition of CYP1A-catalyzed reactions including 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, providing mechanistic basis for potential drug-herb interactions with substrates of CYP1A enzymes.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Hepatotoxicity has been reported at high or prolonged doses in animal and case data.
Cardiac effects including palpitations or rhythm changes are possible at higher doses.
Gastric irritation, heartburn, or nausea may occur, particularly on an empty stomach.
Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to traditional cautions and unknown safety.

Important Drug interactions

May alter metabolism of CYP1A2 substrates such as theophylline and caffeine.
Caution with anticoagulants given possible cardiovascular and platelet effects.
May interact with cardiovascular medications including antihypertensives.
Combining with capsaicin or other TRPV1 agonists can compound GI irritation.

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Frequently asked questions about Evodia rutaecarpa (Wu Zhu Yu)

What is Evodia rutaecarpa (wu zhu yu) used for?

Evodia rutaecarpa, known as wu zhu yu, is a warming Chinese herb used for digestive complaints (nausea, cold-type stomach pain), headaches, and circulation. Its compound evodiamine is studied for metabolism and thermogenesis.

What is evodia good for?

Traditionally it is used for cold-related digestive pain, nausea, and headaches, and modern interest centers on evodiamine for metabolism and fat-burning (thermogenic) effects, though human evidence is limited.

How much evodia should I take?

It is a potent herb used in small amounts within traditional formulas, or as standardized evodiamine extracts; follow product or practitioner guidance.

Is evodia rutaecarpa safe?

It is potent and warming, traditionally used in small, balanced amounts within formulas. Because human safety and interaction data is limited (it can affect drug metabolism), use it cautiously and with professional guidance, and avoid in pregnancy.

What is Evodia rutaecarpa?

Evodia rutaecarpa, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Wu Zhu Yu, is the unripe fruit of a small tree native to China and used for centuries in formulas addressing headache, abdominal pain, and digestive complaints.

What is Evodia rutaecarpa used for?

Evodia rutaecarpa is researched primarily for Gut Health, Metabolic Health, and Cardiovascular. Traditionally used in Chinese herbal formulas for cold-type abdominal pain, nausea, and reflux-like symptoms, evodiamine and rutaecarpine influence gastrointestinal motility and visceral sensation in preclinical studies relevant to traditio…

What is the recommended dosage of Evodia rutaecarpa?

The clinically studied dose is Dried fruit 1.5–6 g/day in decoction or formulation; standardized alkaloid doses not well established. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Evodia rutaecarpa safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Evodia rutaecarpa is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Hepatotoxicity has been reported at high or prolonged doses in animal and case data. Cardiac effects including palpitations or rhythm changes are possible at higher doses. It may also interact with some medications. Evodia rutaecarpa is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Evodia rutaecarpa interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: May alter metabolism of CYP1A2 substrates such as theophylline and caffeine. Caution with anticoagulants given possible cardiovascular and platelet effects. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Evodia rutaecarpa?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Evodia rutaecarpa as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Kobayashi Y, Hoshikuma K, Nakano Y, Yokoo Y, Kamiya T. The positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of evodiamine and rutaecarpine, indoloquinazoline alkaloids isolated from the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa, on the guinea-pig isolated right atria: possible involvement of vanilloid receptors. Planta Medica. 2001;Planta Med. 2001 Apr;67(3):244-8..PubMedUsed to support: Mechanistic preclinical study showing TRPV1-linked positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of evodiamine and rutaecarpine.
  2. Ueng YF, Don MJ, Jan WC, Wang SY, Ho LK, Chen CF. The alkaloid rutaecarpine is a selective inhibitor of cytochrome P450 1A in mouse and human liver microsomes. Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 2002;Drug Metab Dispos. 2002 Mar;30(3):349-53..PubMedUsed to support: Demonstrates rutaecarpine as a potent and selective CYP1A inhibitor in liver microsomes, supporting drug interaction concerns.