Herb module

Tu Fu Ling

Greenbriar RootSmilax glabra

A climbing vine's root, used to clear Damp-Heat, relieve toxicity and help the body drain what it no longer needs.

Tu Fu Ling comes from the root of a climbing greenbriar vine. It is a cleansing herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, used to clear away Dampness and Heat that have settled in the body. In Zoi's Liver Meridian™ formula it helps the Liver and digestion stay clear and supports healthy skin.

Best functions

Relieves toxicity and eliminates Dampness
Clears Damp-Heat from the skin
Promotes normal urination
Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder
Expels Wind and Dampness to benefit the joints

Fascinating facts

Related Smilax species from the Americas are the source of sarsaparilla, the root once used to flavor old-fashioned soft drinks.
Zoi groups Smilacis with milk thistle, schisandra, dandelion and Bupleurum as herbs research has shown to be protective of the liver.
Tu Fu Ling is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to clear Damp-Heat from the skin. That makes it a traditional choice when the skin reflects what is happening inside.
Beyond the skin, Traditional Chinese Medicine also calls on Tu Fu Ling to expel Wind and Dampness, a role traditionally linked with the joints.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Tu Fu Ling is neutral in nature with a sweet flavor. It is a Heat-clearing herb that enters the Liver and Stomach meridians.

Go deeperDownload the fact sheet on the Liver Meridian page

Biomedical deep dive

Tu Fu Ling Greenbriar Root

From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.

On the fact sheet

Tu Fu Ling (Greenbriar Root, Smilacis glabrae) is neutral and enters the LIV and ST meridians; relieves toxicity and eliminates Damp, clears Damp-Heat from skin, promotes normal urination. Liver Meridian sheet

Key active constituents

The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.

Pharmacology and mechanisms

Smilacis (Tu Fu Ling) is listed with schisandra, Bupleurum, milk thistle, wolfberry, mint, Pueraria and dandelion as herbs shown to be protective of the liver.
Astilbin (a key compound) is immunosuppressive and reduced T-cell activation in autoimmune models. Noa’s notes
Hepatoprotective: reduces inflammatory liver damage and fibrosis (scarring). Noa’s notes
Anti-inflammatory: inhibits NF-κB and lowers TNF-α (an inflammation messenger). Noa’s notes

What the research says

No herb-specific study on the fact sheets.

Safety, interactions and cautions

Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
Avoid in deficiency conditions without Damp-Heat. Noa’s notes

In these Zoi formulas

★ Liver Meridian (#2 on the fact sheet)

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.