Luo Bu Ma

Last Updated: September 28, 2022

Apocynum venetum is a plant that potentially reduces blood pressure and depression after supplementation, though more evidence is needed to confirm these effects.

dosageDosage

Luo Bu Ma is most often used for

Summary

Apocynum venetum, commonly known as luobuma or rafuma, is a small shrub, the leaves of which make a tea that is particularly popular in China.

Apocynum venetum is said to have cardioprotective, diuretic, and sedative properties. Apocynum venetum tea has been found to reduce blood pressure in rodent studies, but there is currently no human evidence for these effects.

Drinking Apocynum venetum tea may also have a minor anti-anxiety effect, and a mild antidepressant effect. Both of these claims are based on animal evidence, with no human evidence available at this time.

Further research is needed to determine Apocynum venetum’s main mechanism.

Though there is minimal human evidence for Apocynum venetum’s effects, it appears to be safe to drink. Apocynum venetum and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) have some similar bioactive compounds, including hyperforin. This means that Apocynum venetum may have interactions with other drugs, like St. John’s wort does, but this has not been sufficiently tested.

What else is Luo Bu Ma known as?
Note that Luo Bu Ma is also known as:
  • Luobuma
  • Dogbane
  • Chinse Dogbane
  • Herbal For Relief Of Famines
  • Rafuma
  • Apocynum Venetum
Luo Bu Ma should not be confused with:
  • Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)
  • Apocynum androsaemifolium
  • poacynum pictum
  • poacynum hendersonii
Dosage information

Further research is needed to determine the optimal dose for Apocynum venetum. Most of the benefits associated with Apocynum venetum occur in the rat dosing range of 25-100 mg/kg of bodyweight. This can be translated to the following estimated human doses:

• 270-1,100 mg for a 150lb person

• 360-1,400 mg for a 200lb person

• 450-1,800 mg for a 250lb person

Apocynum venetum is supplemented through a water extract of the leaves, which is also called tea. Apocynum venetum is a food product, since the dosages listed above are ideal for making tea, meaning non-tea supplementation is unnecessary.

Don't miss out on the latest research