Numerous herbal medicines show promise for helping people with systemic lupus erythematosus as well as discoid lupus. Herbs that can both suppress and enhance various aspects of the immune system, known as immunomodulators, are particularly interesting in these settings. Trametes versicolor (cloud mushroom, yun zhi), Cordyceps sinensis (cordyceps, duong chong xiao cao), Ganoderma lucidum (reishi, ling zhi), Centella asiatica (gotu kola), and Urtica dioica (nettles) have all been investigated as immunomodulators in relation to lupus. Tripterygium wilfordii (lei gong teng, thundergod vine) is the best-studied of the herbs that suppress the immune system and thereby relieve symptoms of lupus. Artemisia annua and Artemisia apiacea (sweet Annie, qing hao) are also being studied in this regard, as is Nelumbo nucifera (lotus). Additionally, phytoestrogens such as coumestrol may be valuable in treating lupus, though D-canavanine-containing seeds or sprouts of Medicago sativa (alfalfa) should be avoided. Linum usitatissimum (flax) seeds, as well as immunomodulators and thundergod vine, have all shown promise in patients with lupus nephritis.
