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Evodia rutaecarpa

Also known as: Wuzhuyu, Wu Zhu Yu, Wu Zhu Yu Tang, Evodiae Fructus, Evodia Fruit, Evodia Fructae

Overview

Evodia rutaecarpa is the plant which bears the berries evodia fructae (Fruits of Evodia), which are eaten in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a warming technique. The plant is also touted to reduce pain and gastrointestinal distress, and be anti-cancer. It has been investigated as a fat burner, but no significantly promising evidence has been shown at this moment in time. It does appear to make animals feel hotter and quite reliably so, but this is a combination of increased heat expenditure (which is a fat burning effect) and minimizing the perception of cold via TRPV1 agonism, similar to the red pepper extract capsaicin. This combination may make one feel warmer despite not increasing caloric expenditure much. Two studies have been conducted on animals showing anti-obesity effects, but these appear to not be related to the warmth effect of Evodia fruit and they do not necessarily mean it can be used to burn fat. Beyond that, it shows promise as an anti-cancer agent through some relatively unique mechanisms and shows limited use as a supplement; taking the active ingredients (evodiamine, rutaecarpine) out of the fruit and into a supplemental capsule drastically reduces oral bioavailability. Isolated supplements may be quite worthless outside of the colon and stomach, with fruit or an ethanolic fruit extract being needed to reach the blood in appreciable amounts.

Benefits

Evodia rutaecarpa functions primarily through its active compounds, evodiamine and rutaecarpine, which are believed to interact with the TRPV1 receptor. This interaction can lead to increased heat expenditure and a reduced perception of cold, similar to the effects of capsaicin. While it may promote a sensation of warmth and has been studied for its potential fat-burning properties, the evidence supporting significant fat loss in humans is lacking. Additionally, the compounds may exhibit anti-cancer properties through unique mechanisms, although more research is needed to fully understand these effects.

How it works

Evodia rutaecarpa is associated with several potential benefits, including: 1. **Warming Effect**: Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to increase warmth in the body. 2. **Pain Relief**: May help reduce pain and gastrointestinal distress. 3. **Anti-Cancer Properties**: Shows promise as an anti-cancer agent through unique mechanisms. 4. **Fat Burning Potential**: Investigated for its ability to promote fat burning, although evidence is not conclusive.

Side effects

There are currently no human studies on evodia rutaecarpa berries. Traditional usage of the berries involves making a decoction using 3-9g of the berries and then dividing said decoction into either two servings daily (morning and evening) or thrice daily (morning, noon, and evening).

Dosage

Evodia rutaecarpa may cause side effects, although specific details are not extensively documented. Safety concerns include potential gastrointestinal distress and interactions with other medications. It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider before use, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.