Eucommia (Tochu) Bark Tea

Benefits, Risks & How to Brew

Discover the unique wellness benefits of Eucommia Bark Tea (杜仲茶, Tochu-cha) — a time-honoured Japanese and Chinese herbal infusion known for promoting vitality, balance, and overall wellbeing. Made from the bark of the Eucommia ulmoides tree, this naturally caffeine-free tea is prized for its mild, toasty flavour and gentle aroma.

Japan Shop Online sources only Australian certified premium, food-grade Eucommia bark (Cortex Eucommiae) for traditional tea (杜仲茶 / Tochu-cha).

Below is evidence-based information for customers and practitioners.

What is Eucommia Bark Tea?

Eucommia bark tea is made from the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.—a hardy, rubber-producing tree long used in East Asian herbal traditions. While the tree is native to China, Eucommia is also cultivated across Japan and is widely known there as Tochu (トチュウ). In Japanese food culture, Tochu-cha is a popular health tea. Wikipedia Botanic

Names, spellings & synonyms

  • Latin (botanical): Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.; pharmacopoeial bark name: Cortex Eucommiae (Du Zhong). World Flora Online MDPI
  • English common: Eucommia, Eucommia bark, hardy rubber tree bark, Tochu bark. Trees and Shrubs
  • Japanese: 杜仲 (Tochū), tea as 杜仲茶 (Tochu-cha). Botanic
  • Chinese (Pinyin): 杜仲 (Dù zhòng). Wikipedia
  • Korean: 두충 (Duchung). Wikimedia Commons
  • Variant spellings you may see: Eucomia (misspelt), Eucommiae cortex, Du-zhong, Tu-chung, Tochu-cha. MDPI

Sourcing & quality

Always choose food-grade bark from reputable suppliers. Standardised extracts in the clinical trials referenced used defined lignan/iridoid content; for loose bark tea, look for clean, well-dried, evenly shredded bark with a purple-brown inner surface (traditional quality marker). repository.lsu.edu

eucommia

How to Prepare a Pot of Tochu (Eucommia Bark) Tea

  • Ingredients
    • 1–2 teaspoons of dried Eucommia bark (or 1 tea bag)
    • 500–600 ml of fresh water
    • Optional: a slice of ginger or a few goji berries for added flavour
  • Preparation Steps
    • Boil the Water
    • Heat fresh water to about 95–100°C (just below a rolling boil).
    • Add the Tochu Bark
    • If using loose bark, place it directly into a teapot or infuser.
    • If using a tea bag, simply drop it into your pot or mug.
  • Steep Gently
    • Pour the hot water over the bark.
    • Let it steep for 5–10 minutes for a mild flavour, or up to 15 minutes for a richer, slightly roasted taste.
  • Strain and Serve
    • Strain the liquid into your cup (if using loose bark).
    • The tea will have a soft amber or light brown colour and a gentle, earthy aroma.
  • Re-Steep (Optional)
    • Good-quality bark or tea bags can be reused 2–3 times — simply extend the steeping time with each brew.

Evidence-based benefits

Small human trials on standardised Eucommia bark extract show modest blood pressure reductions over 2–8 weeks; mechanistic and animal studies suggest vascular, anti-inflammatory and microbiome effects. High-quality, longer human trials are still limited.

  • Blood pressure (human clinical data).
    A randomised study of adults with elevated BP using standardised Eucommia bark extract (500 mg, 3×/day, 8 weeks) assessed 24-hour ambulatory BP; a second trial used 1 g, 3×/day, 2 weeks and reported an average −7.5/−3.9 mmHg reduction versus control, with good tolerability. repository.lsu.edu Unbound Medicine europepmc.org
  • Antihypertensive mechanisms & compounds.
    Reviews and pharmacology papers link effects to iridoids (e.g., geniposidic acid) and lignans (e.g., pinoresinol di-β-D-glucoside) affecting vasodilation and heart rate; bark is specifically referenced in antihypertensive formulations. MDPI ScienceDirect
  • Cardio-metabolic & anti-inflammatory (preclinical).
    Bark extract reduced BP and inflammation in hypertensive mice via gut-microbiota modulation; broader reviews outline antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions for bark. Frontiers MDPI

Important: While the above is promising, larger, longer, independent human trials are needed to confirm magnitude and durability of benefit. Consumer-health reviews and monographs echo this caution. Verywell Health Drugs.com

Risks, side effects & who should avoid

  • Latex allergy alert (Australia).
    The TGA warns that Eucommia ulmoides naturally contains latex; products may pose a risk of allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) in latex-allergic individuals. If you have a latex allergy, avoid Eucommia unless advised otherwise by your clinician. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) SpringerLink
  • Adverse effects reported in trials.
    In clinical studies, Eucommia bark extract was generally well-tolerated; reported events included headache, dizziness, oedema and colds, which resolved before study end. ResearchGate Drugs.com
  • Pregnancy & lactation.
    During pregnancy, always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before taking herbal medicines and nutritional supplements
  • Medicine interactions.
    Formal interaction data are limited; because Eucommia can lower blood pressure, consult your GP/pharmacist if you take antihypertensives or have cardiovascular conditions. Use a general interaction checker for your medicines. Drugs.com WebMD
  • FDA & TGA
    Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or the Therapeutic Goods Administration.  These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
  • Directions.
    Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner.

FAQ

Chinese Research on Eucommia Bark (杜仲 / Dù Zhòng)

Extensive Chinese research has investigated the benefits of Eucommia bark (Cortex Eucommiae), building on its long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Below is a summary of findings, highlighting where evidence comes from human clinical trials versus preclinical models.

jso_du_zhong_research

Blood Pressure & Vascular Health

  • Clinical trial (China): A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Quanduzhong capsules (Eucommia bark extract) in patients with grade-1 hypertension found significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 4 weeks, with good tolerability (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023).
  • Active compounds: Chinese pharmacologists identified pinoresinol di-β-D-glucoside (PDG) as a key antihypertensive lignan in Eucommia bark; studies on its pharmacokinetics and vasodilatory effects confirmed its role (Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, 2016, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023).
  • Endothelial protection (cell model): Chinese in-vitro studies showed PDG protects against oxidised LDL-induced endothelial dysfunction, which contributes to atherosclerosis (Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2016).
  • Gut microbiome link (animal, China): Researchers found Eucommia bark extract lowered BP and inflammation in hypertensive mice by modulating gut flora (Frontiers in Microbiology, 2022).

Bone & Joint Health (Anti-Osteoporosis)

Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant Activity

  • Preclinical studies: Reviews of Chinese lab research show Eucommia bark extracts exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, supporting their cardiovascular and bone-protective roles (Hill Publisher, 2022, Clausius Press, 2023).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective

Historical Use

  • In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Eucommia bark is described as a tonic to “nourish the liver and kidneys, strengthen bones and tendons, and calm the foetus.” Modern pharmacological studies support links to bone health, vascular regulation, and reproductive support (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023).

Documented in the Shénnóng Běncǎo Jīng (Divine Farmer’s Herbal Classic)

  • Eucommia bark appears in the Shénnóng Běncǎo Jīng, a foundational pharmacopoeia believed to have been compiled between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE during the Eastern Han Dynasty. It lists Eucommia among its “upper-grade” or “noble” herbs, signifying its high value and long-standing use in early Chinese herbal medicine Wikipedia.

Recognised in Modern Standards: Chinese Pharmacopoeia

  • Cortex Eucommiae (Eucommia bark) is formally listed in the current Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China as an official medicinal material, confirming its continued relevance in modern Chinese pharmacopeia DuiYaoOnline.

“Used for over 2,000 years” — Traditional Acknowledgment

  • Several herbal and educational sources assert that Eucommia bark has been a respected component of Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than 2,000 years. It’s described as a core tonic for strengthening the body’s foundational systems across centuries of use Herbal Essentials1st Chinese Herbs.

References

  • Randomised clinical trial (bark extract, ambulatory BP): Alternative Medicine Review 2011; LSU repository & Europe PMC abstracts. repository.lsu.edu europepmc.org
  • Mechanistic/clinical overview (incl. 1 g TID result): Hypertension research review note. ScienceDirect
  • Comprehensive bark chemistry & pharmacology review (2025): Molecules (MDPI). MDPI
  • Microbiome-mediated BP effects (animal): Frontiers in Microbiology 2022. Frontiers
  • Safety/adverse effects monograph: Drugs.com Eucommia monograph (2024). Drugs.com
  • Latex allergy advisory: Australian TGA notice and summary in Reactions journal. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) SpringerLink

Buy Eucommia Bark Tea – Food Grade, Australian Certified Quality

3000001

Eucommia (Tochu) Bark Tea

Price range: $9.00 through $41.00 inc. GST
Eucommia (Tochu) Bark Tea
Premium Wellness Infusion

Experience the authentic taste and wellness benefits of Eucommia (Tochu / Dù Zhòng Chá) Bark Tea (杜仲茶) — a revered herbal infusion enjoyed in Japan and China for centuries. Carefully selected from premium, food-grade Eucommia bark, this wellness tea is naturally caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, offering a smooth, earthy flavour with subtle roasted notes. Sourced from mature Eucommia ulmoides bark and processed to retain maximum phytonutrient density

Each batch is tested and packaged in compliance with Australian Food Safety Standards (FSANZ), ensuring purity, traceability, and consistent quality. Our Eucommia bark is sustainably sourced, carefully dried, and precision-cut to preserve its natural nutrients and aroma.

Perfect for daily wellbeing, relaxation, and balance, this traditional herbal tea can be enjoyed hot or chilled — a comforting ritual that supports a healthy lifestyle.

Select options
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top