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Menopause Support

Phlomis umbrosa Root

Phlomis umbrosa
Evidence Level
Preliminary
6 Clinical Trials
6 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

Phlomis umbrosa (now also classified as Phlomoides umbrosa) is a plant in the mint family whose root, called Han Sok-Dan in Korea, has a long history in Korean and Chinese traditional medicine for bones and joints. As a supplement it is best known as one of three roots in EstroG-100, a branded menopause blend that also contains Cynanchum wilfordii and Angelica gigas. Nearly all of the human evidence comes from that blend, so no one can say how much, if any, of the blend's effect comes from this root. In placebo-controlled trials the blend lowered menopausal symptom scores and hot flash counts. The root by itself has been studied only in cells and animals, where it supported bone-building signals and cartilage markers. Its share of the blend and a dose for the root alone have not been published.

Studied Dose Not tested alone in people. As one of three roots in EstroG-100: 514 mg/day of the blend for 12 weeks; two capsules daily (Iran) or twice daily (India) for 12 weeks; 514 mg with 50 mg GABA for 5 weeks. EFSA safe intake for the blend: up to 175 mg/day.
Active Compound Root extract containing iridoid glycosides (such as shanzhiside methyl ester and sweroside), triterpenoids, phenylethanoid glycosides and flavonoids.

Benefits

Menopausal symptom scores, studied in a three-herb blend

In a 12-week placebo-controlled trial of 64 women, a blend of this root with Cynanchum wilfordii and Angelica gigas (EstroG-100) lowered a standard menopause symptom index more than placebo, and vaginal dryness also improved. A 60-woman Indian study without a placebo group reported similar gains. The effect cannot be credited to this root alone.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 4

Hot flash frequency, studied in a three-herb blend

In a 12-week Iranian trial, women taking the three-herb blend reported fewer mild, moderate and severe hot flashes than on placebo by week 6, but only 70 of 120 randomized women were analyzed. A 5-week trial that paired the blend with GABA also found fewer and milder hot flashes. Neither trial tested this root on its own.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 3

Mood and sleep during menopause, studied in blend trials

In the 64-woman trial, nervousness, low mood, insomnia and fatigue items improved more with the three-herb blend than with placebo. A 5-week study of the blend plus GABA reported better sleep quality and less tension, a result that cannot be separated from the GABA. No study has measured mood or sleep with this root alone.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 3

Height gain in children, studied in a different three-herb formula

This root is also one of three herbs, with Astragalus and Eleutherococcus, in a Korean formula called HT042. In 129 children aged 6 to 8 in the shortest quarter for height, HT042 added about 0.3 cm more height than placebo over 24 weeks. The gain was small, and the root's own role is unknown. Ask a pediatrician first.

Supported by Trial 5

Bone formation signals in laboratory and animal studies

In mice with their ovaries removed, a model of bone loss after menopause, oral Phlomis umbrosa extract for 6 weeks raised femur bone mineral density, and in bone-forming cells it increased mineralization. In young female rats it sped up growth-plate bone lengthening. These are animal and cell findings only, not evidence for bone health in people.

Supported by Trial 6

Cartilage markers in rat joint models

In rats with chemically induced knee joint damage, Phlomis umbrosa extract (200 mg/kg for 3 weeks) reduced joint swelling and lowered cartilage-degrading enzymes. In a second rat study it restored weight bearing, as did Dipsacus asperoides, an unrelated herb sold under the same Korean name. These are animal results; no human joint study of this root exists.

Supported by Trial 6

Mechanism of action

1

No estrogen-receptor activation by the blend (laboratory)

In cell tests following an OECD guideline, the three-herb blend containing this root did not activate estrogen receptors alpha or beta, did not stimulate MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth, and did not increase uterine weight in ovariectomized rats. The root alone was not tested this way.

2

Bone-forming signals (Runx2, IGF-1, BMP-2) in cells and rodents

In bone-forming (Saos-2) cells, the extract raised Runx2, a master switch for osteoblast development; in ovariectomized mice it raised femur bone density. In adolescent rats it increased serum IGFBP-3 and growth-plate IGF-1 and BMP-2. Sweroside, a marker compound of the root, raised BMP2-linked bone markers in mice.

3

Lower cartilage-degrading enzymes in rat joints

In a rat joint-injury model, the extract lowered matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9, MMP-13) and ADAMTS enzymes that break down cartilage, and raised cartilage-building genes such as COL2A1 and SOX-9, based on gene-expression profiling of joint tissue.

4

Root constituents

Reviews of the root's chemistry list triterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, flavonoids and essential oil. Which of these, if any, drive the effects seen in animals has not been established, and the root's absorption in people has not been studied.

Clinical trials

1
Three-Herb Blend (EstroG-100) for Menopausal Symptoms: 12-Week RCT
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trial of a blend of standardized extracts of Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa and Angelica gigas; the EFSA review of this trial gives the dose as 514 mg/day. (Chang et al. 2012, Phytother Res)

64 pre-, peri- and postmenopausal women in the US (31 blend, 33 placebo); White Hispanic, White non-Hispanic and African American.

The Kupperman menopause index fell from 29.5 to 11.3 on the blend versus 29.2 to 23.7 on placebo (p < 0.01). Vasomotor, tingling, insomnia, nervousness, low mood, dizziness, fatigue and joint-ache items, and vaginal dryness, improved versus placebo, with no weight gain or serious side effects. The product is a three-herb mixture, so the result cannot be credited to Phlomis umbrosa alone.

2
Three-Herb Blend for Hot Flashes in Iranian Women: 12-Week RCT
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of two capsules daily of the EstroG-100 blend for 12 weeks. (Farzaneh et al. 2024, Explore (NY))

Postmenopausal women with hot flashes at two university hospitals in Tehran; 120 randomized, 35 per group analyzed.

At week 3 only moderate hot flashes differed (fewer on the blend, p = 0.004). By week 6 mild, moderate and severe hot flashes were all less frequent than on placebo (p < 0.001). Fewer than two thirds of randomized women were analyzed, which weakens confidence, and the blend's components were not tested separately.

3
Three-Herb Blend Plus GABA for Menopause: 5-Week RCT
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of EstroG-100 514 mg plus GABA 50 mg, taken as needed in week 1 and daily in weeks 2 to 5. (Snigdha et al. 2025, Menopause)

80 healthy women in menopause (mean age about 53).

Hot flash intensity and number fell versus placebo from days 1 and 2, and stress, mood swings, headaches, sleep quality, depressive feelings, tension and sexual function scores also improved. Because GABA was included, the results cannot be credited to the blend, let alone to Phlomis umbrosa. Three authors were employees of OLLY PBC, maker of the Mellow Menopause supplement.

4
Three-Herb Blend in Indian Postmenopausal Women (single-arm)
PubMed

Prospective, single-center, single-arm 12-week study of EstroG-100 taken twice daily, with no placebo group; funded by Shield Healthcare, where two of the three authors work. (Kirubamani et al. 2023, J Midlife Health)

60 Indian women with confirmed menopause and moderate-to-severe symptoms.

Somatic, urogenital and psychological Menopause Rating Scale scores improved from baseline at 6 and 12 weeks, 96.5% of women reported satisfaction, and no side effects or changes in blood pressure or body mass index were recorded. Without a placebo group, the improvement cannot be separated from natural change or expectation.

5
HT042 Formula and Height Growth in Children: 24-Week RCT
PubMed

Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial of HT042, a standardized mixture of Astragalus membranaceus root, Eleutherococcus senticosus stem and Phlomis umbrosa root extracts. (Lee et al. 2018, Phytother Res)

129 Korean children aged 6 to 8 years with height below the 25th percentile (mild short stature).

Height gain over 24 weeks was 0.29 cm greater with HT042 than placebo (95% CI 0.01 to 0.57 cm), and 0.45 cm greater in children below the 10th percentile. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 rose within the HT042 group, but not significantly more than on placebo. A small absolute difference from a three-herb formula; the abstract does not report the dose.

6
Phlomis umbrosa Extract and Bone Density in Ovariectomized Mice
PubMed

Laboratory and animal study of oral Phlomis umbrosa extract (1, 10 and 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks) in ovariectomized mice, plus Saos-2 bone-forming cell experiments. (Lee et al. 2019, Biomed Rep)

Female ICR mice with surgically removed ovaries, a model of bone loss after menopause; not a human study.

Femur bone mineral density and bone mineral content rose, serum calcium increased, and treated bone-forming cells mineralized more, with higher Runx2 levels. These are animal and cell findings on the root alone; no human bone study of Phlomis umbrosa has been published.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No serious side effects were reported in the 12-week trials of the three-herb blend, but no human safety data exist for Phlomis umbrosa taken alone.
EFSA judged the blend safe only up to 175 mg/day (the 12-week trial used 514 mg/day) because rat studies showed liver-weight and blood-count changes; Angelica gigas and Cynanchum wilfordii had similar liver findings when tested alone.
In rats, single oral doses of Phlomis umbrosa root extract up to 5000 mg/kg caused no deaths or signs of toxicity.
Mix-ups: the root is confused with Dipsacus roots sold under a similar name; one look-alike, Dipsacus japonicus, was toxic to cells. Buy from brands that verify plant species.
Hormone-sensitive conditions, pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety has not been studied; ask your doctor first.

Important Drug interactions

No human drug interaction studies have been published for Phlomis umbrosa or the blends that contain it.
Hormone therapy, tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors: combined use has not been studied; ask your doctor.
Medicines that can affect the liver: rat studies of the blend showed liver changes, so ask your doctor.
Drugs cleared by the liver enzyme CYP2B6 (such as bupropion): in a lab test, the HT042 formula blocked CYP2B6, traced to shanzhiside methyl ester, a main compound of this root. Not tested in people; ask your doctor.

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Frequently asked questions about Phlomis umbrosa Root

Is Phlomis umbrosa the same thing as EstroG-100?

No. EstroG-100 is a branded blend of three roots: Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa and Angelica gigas. Phlomis umbrosa is only one part of it, and the share of each root has not been published. Results from EstroG-100 trials describe the blend as a whole, not this root.

Has Phlomis umbrosa been tested on its own in people?

No published human study has tested Phlomis umbrosa alone. People have taken it only as part of multi-herb products: the EstroG-100 menopause blend and a Korean children's growth formula called HT042. Research on the root by itself is limited to cell and animal studies of bone, joint, muscle and allergy markers.

Does it act like estrogen?

In laboratory tests, the three-herb blend containing this root did not activate estrogen receptors, did not stimulate breast cancer cell growth and did not enlarge the uterus in rats. The root alone has not been tested this way, and lab results do not prove safety for people with hormone-sensitive conditions, so ask your doctor first.

Why is it sometimes confused with Dipsacus root?

In Korean herbal medicine both Phlomis umbrosa root and Dipsacus root have been sold as bone and joint herbs under similar names, and the dried roots look alike. Researchers have developed DNA tests to tell them apart. One related look-alike, Dipsacus japonicus, was toxic to cells in testing, so choose brands that verify the plant species.

What is Phlomis umbrosa Root?

Phlomis umbrosa (now also classified as Phlomoides umbrosa) is a plant in the mint family whose root, called Han Sok-Dan in Korea, has a long history in Korean and Chinese traditional medicine for bones and joints.

What is Phlomis umbrosa Root used for?

Phlomis umbrosa Root is researched primarily for Menopause Support. In a 12-week placebo-controlled trial of 64 women, a blend of this root with Cynanchum wilfordii and Angelica gigas (EstroG-100) lowered a standard menopause symptom index more than placebo, and vaginal dryness also improved.

What is the recommended dosage of Phlomis umbrosa Root?

The clinically studied dose is Not tested alone in people. As one of three roots in EstroG-100: 514 mg/day of the blend for 12 weeks; two capsules daily (Iran) or twice daily (India) for 12 weeks; 514 mg with 50 mg GABA for 5 weeks. EFSA safe intake for the blend: up to 175 mg/day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Phlomis umbrosa Root safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Phlomis umbrosa Root is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: No serious side effects were reported in the 12-week trials of the three-herb blend, but no human safety data exist for Phlomis umbrosa taken alone. It may also interact with some medications. Phlomis umbrosa Root 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 Phlomis umbrosa Root interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No human drug interaction studies have been published for Phlomis umbrosa or the blends that contain it. Hormone therapy, tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors: combined use has not been studied; ask your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Phlomis umbrosa Root?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Phlomis umbrosa Root as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 6 clinical trials and 18 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(18 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. Chang A, Kwak BY, Yi K, Kim JS. The effect of herbal extract (EstroG-100) on pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Phytother Res. 2012;26(4):510-6. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3597.PubMedUsed to support: 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 64 pre-, peri- and postmenopausal US women of EstroG-100, a mixture of standardized extracts of Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa and Angelica gigas: the Kupperman menopause index fell from 29.5 to 11.3 versus 29.2 to 23.7 on placebo, with improvements in vasomotor, insomnia, nervousness, low mood, fatigue and vaginal dryness scores and no weight gain or serious side effects. A three-herb mixture, not Phlomis umbrosa alone.
  2. Farzaneh F, Fallah G, Khalili-Chelik A, Fallah A, Hosseini M. Estro G-100 herbal extract and hot flashes in postmenopausal women: A randomized double-blinded controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2024;20(3):334-339. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.09.004.PubMedUsed to support: 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Iranian postmenopausal women with hot flashes (two capsules daily; 120 randomized, 35 per group analyzed): only moderate hot flashes differed at week 3, and mild, moderate and severe hot flashes were all less frequent than placebo by week 6. Heavy loss of participants from the analysis; a three-herb blend.
  3. Snigdha S, Lau E, Ademola J, Frost R, Patel P. Effect of a novel nutraceutical combination of EstroG-100 and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in attenuating symptoms of menopause in healthy adult women: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study. Menopause. 2025;32(11):1036-1045. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002608.PubMedUsed to support: 5-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 80 women of EstroG-100 514 mg plus GABA 50 mg: hot flash intensity and number, stress, mood swings, headaches, sleep quality, depressive feelings, tension and sexual function improved versus placebo. The GABA in the product means effects cannot be credited to the herbal blend alone; three authors were employees of OLLY PBC, maker of the Mellow Menopause supplement.
  4. Kirubamani H, Ahire P, Stalin C. Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of EstroG-100® in Alleviating Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women in India: A Prospective, Single-center, Single-arm, Interventional Study. J Midlife Health. 2023;14(4):285-290. doi: 10.4103/jmh.jmh_220_23.PubMedUsed to support: Single-arm, single-center 12-week study in 60 Indian postmenopausal women taking EstroG-100 (Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa and Angelica gigas) twice daily: Menopause Rating Scale somatic, urogenital and psychological scores improved from baseline at 6 and 12 weeks, with no side effects reported. No placebo group; the full text states the study was funded by Shield Healthcare, the employer of two authors.
  5. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA), Turck D, Bresson JL, Burlingame B, Dean T, Fairweather-Tait S, Heinonen M, Hirsch-Ernst KI, Mangelsdorf I, McArdle HJ, Naska A, Neuhäuser-Berthold M, Nowicka G, Pentieva K, Sanz Y, Siani A, Sjödin A, Stern M, Tomé D, Vinceti M, Willatts P, Engel KH, Marchelli R, Pöting A, Poulsen M, Schlatter JR, Turla E, van Loveren H. Statement on the safety of EstroG-100™ as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 258/97. EFSA J. 2017;15(5):e04778. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4778.PubMedUsed to support: European Food Safety Authority statement on EstroG-100, a hot-water extract of Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa and Angelica gigas roots: safe in food supplements at up to 175 mg/day for postmenopausal women, below the 514 mg/day proposed and used in the 12-week human trial, because of liver and blood-count effects in rat studies of the blend; the single constituents with liver effects in 90-day rat studies were Angelica gigas and Cynanchum wilfordii. Twelve weeks of human liver and blood data did not resolve the concern.
  6. Kim SJ, Jin SW, Lee GH, Kim YA, Jeong HG. Evaluation of Estrogenic Activity of Extract from the Herbal Mixture Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, Phlomis umbrosa Turczaninow, and Angelica gigas Nakai. Toxicol Res. 2017;33(1):71-77. doi: 10.5487/TR.2017.33.1.071.PubMedUsed to support: Laboratory and rat study of the three-herb extract: no estrogenic activity in an OECD TG455 estrogen-receptor cell test, no selective activity at estrogen receptors alpha or beta, no increase in MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth and no uterine weight gain in ovariectomized rats. Not a human study, and Phlomis umbrosa was not tested alone.
  7. Lee D, Lee SH, Song J, Jee HJ, Cha SH, Chang GT. Effects of Astragalus Extract Mixture HT042 on Height Growth in Children with Mild Short Stature: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Phytother Res. 2018;32(1):49-57. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5886.PubMedUsed to support: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 129 Korean children aged 6 to 8 below the 25th height percentile: over 24 weeks, HT042 increased height gain by 0.29 cm more than placebo (0.45 cm in those below the 10th percentile), with within-group rises in IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 that did not differ significantly from placebo. The abstract describes HT042 as a functional food ingredient approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration; its three herbs, including Phlomis umbrosa root, are listed in the companion rat safety and enzyme papers.
  8. Song J, Lee D, Min B, Bae JS, Chang GT, Kim H. Safety evaluation of Astragalus extract mixture HT042 and its constituent herbs in Sprague-Dawley rats. Phytomedicine. 2017;32:59-67. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.03.005.PubMedUsed to support: Rat toxicity study: describes HT042 as standardized extracts of Astragalus membranaceus root, Eleutherococcus senticosus stem and Phlomis umbrosa root. Single oral doses of HT042 and of each herb up to 5000 mg/kg caused no deaths or signs of toxicity, and the 13-week no-observed-adverse-effect level of HT042 was 4000 mg/kg/day. Animal data only.
  9. Lee JE, Lee H, Kim MH, Yang WM. Osteogenic effects of Phlomis umbrosa via up-regulation of Runx2 in osteoporosis. Biomed Rep. 2019;10(1):17-22. doi: 10.3892/br.2018.1172.PubMedUsed to support: Ovariectomized mice given oral Phlomis umbrosa extract (1, 10 or 100 mg/kg) for 6 weeks had higher femur bone mineral density and content and higher serum calcium; in Saos-2 bone-forming cells the extract increased mineralization and Runx2. Animal and cell evidence only.
  10. Lee D, Kim YS, Song J, Kim HS, Lee HJ, Guo H, Kim H. Effects of Phlomis umbrosa Root on Longitudinal Bone Growth Rate in Adolescent Female Rats. Molecules. 2016;21(4):461. doi: 10.3390/molecules21040461.PubMedUsed to support: In adolescent female rats, 10 days of oral Phlomis umbrosa root extract increased the longitudinal bone growth rate, growth-plate chondrocyte proliferation and serum IGFBP-3, and raised IGF-1 and BMP-2 expression in the growth plate. Animal evidence only.
  11. Choi Y, Kim MH, Yang WM. Promotion of osteogenesis by Sweroside via BMP2-involved signaling in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Phytother Res. 2021;35(12):7050-7063. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7336.PubMedUsed to support: Describes sweroside as a marker compound of Phlomis umbrosa. In ovariectomized mice, sweroside raised bone mineral content and density, and in Saos-2 bone-forming cells and mouse vertebrae it increased BMP2, Runx2 (CBFA1) and other bone-formation markers. An isolated compound in animals and cells, not the whole root in people.
  12. Chun JM, Lee AY, Nam JY, Lee MY, Choe MS, Lim KS, Kim C, Kim JS. Protective effects of Phlomis umbrosa extract on a monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis model and prediction of molecular mechanisms using transcriptomics. Phytomedicine. 2021;81:153429. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153429.PubMedUsed to support: Rat joint-injury model (monosodium iodoacetate): Phlomis umbrosa extract at 200 mg/kg for 3 weeks reduced joint diameter, improved joint structure on micro-CT and histology, lowered MMP-9, MMP-13, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5, and raised COL2A1 and SOX-9 in cartilage. Animal evidence only.
  13. Chun JM, Lee AY, Moon BC, Choi G, Kim JS. Effects of Dipsacus asperoides and Phlomis umbrosa Extracts in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis. Plants (Basel). 2021;10(10):2030. doi: 10.3390/plants10102030.PubMedUsed to support: Rat joint-injury model comparing two herbs used as the Korean medicine Sok-dan, which are often confused: Dipsacus asperoides and Phlomis umbrosa extracts (200 mg/kg for 21 days) both restored weight bearing, lowered serum cytokines, improved knee tissue and reduced MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-13. Animal evidence only.
  14. Li H, Liu Q, Zhou X, Sui H, Fu X. Phlomoides umbrosa (Turcz.) Kamelin & Makhm: A review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical research. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;278:114252. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114252.PubMedUsed to support: Review of the plant (Lamiaceae; Caosu in China, Han Sok-Dan in Korea): traditional use for colds, arthritis and osteoporosis and as a food additive; constituents include triterpenoids, iridoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids and essential oil; pharmacology is mostly laboratory and animal work; the authors note that its pharmacokinetics and active compounds still need to be established.
  15. Song JH, Seo YS, Kim Y, Jeong S, Yang S, Choi G, Kim JS, Park I. Integrative Study of Dipsaci Radix and Phlomidis Radix: Nomenclature, Morphology, DNA-Based Authentication, and Comparative Effects on Osteoclastogenesis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025;18(9):1418. doi: 10.3390/ph18091418.PubMedUsed to support: Phlomidis Radix (Phlomoides umbrosa root) and Dipsaci Radix are misused for each other because of similar names and appearance, and Dipsacus japonicus root frequently contaminates Dipsaci Radix in Korean markets; DNA barcodes told the three species apart. All three root extracts reduced osteoclast bone resorption in mouse cells, and only the Dipsacus japonicus extract showed toxicity in cell assays.
  16. Kim H, Lee Y, Kim V, Lee R, Bae SK, Kwak MK, Lee SH, Kim D. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 2B6 by Astragalus extract mixture HT042. Toxicol Res. 2020;36(3):195-201. doi: 10.1007/s43188-019-00027-z.PubMedUsed to support: Laboratory enzyme study of HT042, a mixture of standardized Astragalus membranaceus root, Eleutherococcus senticosus stem and Phlomis umbrosa root extracts: of six human cytochrome P450 enzymes, only CYP2B6 (bupropion hydroxylation) was markedly inhibited, and of four marker compounds only shanzhiside methyl ester inhibited it. Not tested in people.
  17. Ju YH, Lee HL, Choi HJ, Heo YM, Na HR, Heo HJ. Ameliorating Effects of Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. Root in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Asthma: Modulation of IL-33-Mediated Inflammation and TGF-β/Smad-Dependent Fibrosis. Antioxidants (Basel). 2026;15(4):420. doi: 10.3390/antiox15040420.PubMedUsed to support: Mouse allergic-airway model: a 20% ethanol extract of Phlomis umbrosa, in which sesamoside, shanzhiside methyl ester, 8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methyl ester and isoacteoside were identified and shanzhiside methyl ester quantified as a major compound, reduced Th2-type immune responses, eosinophils and airway tissue changes. Animal evidence only.
  18. Lee Y, Park J, Jun W. Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. Water Extract Attenuates Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway. J Med Food. 2025;28(11):1159-1167. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2025.k.0050.PubMedUsed to support: In mice with dexamethasone-induced muscle wasting, a Phlomis umbrosa water extract preserved muscle mass and strength, lowered protein-breakdown markers and increased mTOR-pathway protein-synthesis signaling. Animal evidence only.