Home Supplements That Start With L Labisia pumila: Menopause Support, Metabolic Effects, Dosage Guidelines, and Risks

Labisia pumila: Menopause Support, Metabolic Effects, Dosage Guidelines, and Risks

October 20, 2025 Modified date: October 20, 2025

Labisia pumila—often called “kacip fatimah”—is a Southeast Asian herb used traditionally for women’s well-being. Today, standardized extracts appear in supplements aimed at supporting menopausal comfort, metabolic health, and recovery after physical stress. Research suggests Labisia pumila provides phytoestrogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions that may translate into practical outcomes such as improved vasomotor comfort, modest lipid changes, and small reductions in measures of central adiposity in certain contexts. Modern safety assessments now define upper daily intakes for specific extract types, and controlled trials outline how long to use them and what to expect. This guide brings those threads together: what Labisia pumila is, how it seems to work, who may benefit, how to choose a quality product, the right dosage ranges, and where caution is warranted—especially if you take prescription medicines or are planning a pregnancy. You will find clear, practical steps, realistic expectations for results, and a balanced look at benefits and risks based on current evidence.

Quick Overview

May ease selected menopausal symptoms and support modest waist measures in some adults.
Potential interactions with medicines metabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19; consult a clinician.
Typical supplemental range: 200–400 mg/day for water extracts; ≤350 mg/day for aqueous ethanolic novel-food extracts.
Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding; not advised for hormone-sensitive conditions without medical guidance.

What is Labisia pumila and how does it work?
Proven benefits for women and beyond
Forms, quality, and how to use it
How much Labisia pumila per day?
Side effects, interactions, and who should avoid
What the research says today

What is Labisia pumila and how does it work?

Labisia pumila is a small understory plant native to the tropical forests of the Malay Archipelago. Traditional preparations use the leaves and roots in decoctions for postpartum care and menstrual comfort. In modern supplements you’ll see two common extract types: water extracts (reflecting historical use) and aqueous ethanolic extracts (hydroalcoholic), both standardized to reproducible markers. Label wording may also mention the plant’s alternate name, Marantodes pumilum, used in some recent publications.

Key constituents and what they might do

Phytoestrogenic compounds: Certain phenolics and related molecules can bind estrogen receptors or influence estrogen-responsive tissues. That doesn’t mean they replace hormones, but they may weakly modulate estrogenic signaling in a tissue-selective way.
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents: Flavonoids, phenolic acids (e.g., gallic acid), and triterpenoid saponins can help temper oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling, both of which rise during the menopausal transition and with metabolic strain.
Metabolic signaling support: Early human and animal work hints at effects on adipokines, central adiposity measures, and lipids, suggesting Labisia pumila could play a small adjunct role in weight-management programs.

Why extract type matters

Water extracts and aqueous ethanolic extracts draw different proportions of actives. Safety and dosage guidance are tied to the extraction method and standardization. For example, some novel-food approvals cap daily intake for a specific hydroalcoholic extract to safeguard against long-term exposure uncertainties. Meanwhile, older clinical trials often used standardized water extracts at defined daily doses.

How benefits might show up in daily life

For vasomotor comfort (e.g., hot-flash bothersomeness) or sleep, any effect tends to be gradual and modest, typically assessed over 8–24 weeks.
For metabolic markers, changes are usually small (think percentage shifts rather than dramatic drops) and work best alongside diet, movement, and sleep habits.
For general well-being, scores on validated questionnaires (memory/concentration, mood, or physical comfort) may nudge in the right direction in some users.

Who typically considers it

Adults seeking nonhormonal options for menopausal transition support or those aiming for incremental improvements in waist measures as part of a broader lifestyle plan. Because Labisia pumila may interact with drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, it’s important for anyone on chronic medications to check with a healthcare professional first.

Proven benefits for women and beyond

Menopausal comfort and quality of life. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials using standardized Labisia pumila water extracts (typically 280–400 mg/day) have reported improvements in selected menopausal quality-of-life domains—such as vasomotor symptoms, sleep, and mood subscales—over 16 to 24 weeks. Not every domain changes, and not every participant benefits, but when improvements occur, they’re generally moderate. Importantly, these studies often note no meaningful shifts in gonadotropins or estradiol, consistent with a nonhormone-replacement, phytoestrogenic profile.

Lipid and cardiometabolic markers. In postmenopausal participants, one study documented a reduction in triglycerides after six months of 280 mg/day of a water extract, with no consistent changes across other lipid fractions. More recently, a phase-2 randomized trial in people with obesity tested a standardized extract at 375–750 mg/day and found small but statistically significant percentage reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio—dose-responsively at the higher intake. These findings position Labisia pumila as a possible adjunct in comprehensive metabolic programs rather than a stand-alone weight solution.

Bone and connective-tissue signals (preclinical). In animal models mimicking estrogen deficiency, Labisia pumila extracts have supported bone biomechanical properties, histomorphometry measures, and the expression of bone-related genes. While these data are hypothesis-generating and not proofs for humans, the signal fits with the herb’s phytoestrogenic and antioxidant themes and helps explain why joint and bone comfort sometimes appear in traditional narratives.

Skin and wound biology (preclinical). Labisia pumila leaf extract has demonstrated favorable effects on burn-wound healing in animals, including greater hydroxyproline content and better histologic repair. These results are not clinical recommendations for topical or oral use in wound care but add to the mechanistic case for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Practical expectations

Expect incremental benefits—measured as score changes on validated questionnaires or percentage shifts in anthropometrics—not dramatic transformations.
Timeframes in trials run 8–24 weeks. Plan to reassess benefit after 8–12 weeks of consistent use, especially if your primary goal is symptom comfort.
Combine with sleep hygiene, resistance training, protein-adequate nutrition, fiber intake, and stress-reduction for better outcomes on weight or waist measures.

Where evidence is thin

Claims around libido, fertility, or rapid fat loss are not supported by high-quality human trials. Likewise, extrapolating preclinical bone or skin findings to clinical promises is premature. Stick to realistic targets and discuss your goals with a clinician if you have a complex health history.

Forms, quality, and how to use it

Common forms

Standardized water extracts (capsules/tablets): These mirror traditional decoctions and are the most frequently studied for menopausal comfort at 280–400 mg/day. Look for assays that specify marker compounds and batch-to-batch consistency.
Aqueous ethanolic (hydroalcoholic) extracts: These broader-spectrum extracts may be standardized differently and, in some markets, fall under “novel food” regulations with set intake limits for adults.
Powders/teas: Whole-plant powders and teas reflect traditional use but lack precise standardization. Potency and composition vary with plant part, harvest, and preparation, so dosing is uncertain.

What to look for on the label

Latin binomial and plant part: “Labisia pumila (leaf, root, or whole plant).”
Extract ratio and solvent: For example, “10:1 water extract” or “aqueous ethanolic extract (1:1).”
Standardization markers: Phenolic content (e.g., total phenolics or specific phenolics like gallic acid) and validation methods.
Third-party testing: Certificates of analysis for identity (including DNA/barcode methods where used), heavy metals, microbial limits, and adulterants.

Combining with other botanicals

Labisia pumila sometimes appears with tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) or other adaptogenic herbs. While combo products can be convenient, they make it hard to attribute effects, and each additional ingredient increases interaction variables. Start with single-ingredient products if you want a clean read on tolerability and benefit.

How to begin

Clarify your goal. Symptom comfort? Sleep? Waist reduction? Pick one or two measurable outcomes.
Start low and steady. If using a water extract, begin near 200 mg/day and titrate toward the common study ranges over 1–2 weeks. For aqueous ethanolic “novel-food” extracts, do not exceed the stated adult limit on the label (often ≤350 mg/day for a defined extract).
Track objectively. Use a simple symptom diary or validated scales (e.g., hot-flash bother score, sleep-quality scale) and waist measurements taken at the umbilicus first thing in the morning.
Reassess at week 8–12. Continue if you see meaningful, measurable benefit and no adverse effects. Discontinue if there is no change.
Cycle breaks. Many users take periodic breaks (e.g., 1–2 weeks off after 12 weeks on) to reassess baseline and minimize habituation.

Storage and handling

Keep capsules sealed, away from heat and moisture. Discard products past their best-by date or those with a changed odor or color inconsistent with the certificate of analysis.

How much Labisia pumila per day?

Evidence-informed ranges (adults)

Water extract (standardized): 280–400 mg/day in divided doses have been used in controlled trials over 16–24 weeks for menopausal comfort and quality-of-life domains. If sensitive, begin at ~200 mg/day and titrate to effect.
Aqueous ethanolic (hydroalcoholic) extract: For a specific standardized “novel-food” hydroalcoholic extract, safety authorities have set an upper adult intake of 350 mg/day (which corresponds to ~5 mg/kg/day for a 70-kg adult). Always follow your product’s specific limit if stated, even if higher intakes appear in other contexts.
Other standardized extracts (e.g., proprietary trademarks): Some phase-2 trials of standardized extracts have explored 375–750 mg/day for obesity-related outcomes. These intakes are brand-specific and should not be generalized across all extracts. When in doubt, align with the more conservative intake above, unless you are under clinical supervision.

Timing, with or without food

Take Labisia pumila with meals to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal discomfort. Morning and early afternoon dosing suits most people; avoid late-evening doses if you notice stimulation or sleep disruption (rare).

Duration

Plan a minimum 8- to 12-week trial before judging benefit, with most studies running up to 24 weeks. If you continue beyond a few months, consider periodic breaks and check-ins with a clinician to review goals, side effects, and any medication changes.

Special populations

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Avoid. Traditional postpartum use does not substitute for modern safety data.
Adolescents: Not recommended; safety data are lacking.
Older adults (65+): Start on the low end and review possible drug interactions, as polypharmacy increases interaction risk.

What not to combine casually

Strong CYP3A4, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 substrates with narrow therapeutic windows (examples include certain anticoagulants, antiepileptics, and immunosuppressants). Because in-vitro work shows inhibitory potential on these enzymes and P-glycoprotein transport, add Labisia pumila only with professional guidance if you take such medicines.
Other phytoestrogen-rich supplements (e.g., concentrated isoflavones) unless a clinician directs the plan.

When to stop or reduce

If you develop unusual bleeding, breast tenderness, severe headaches, sustained insomnia, palpitations, or mood changes that coincide with initiation or dose increases, pause the supplement and contact a healthcare professional.

Side effects, interactions, and who should avoid

Typical tolerability

Across controlled trials using standardized water extracts in adults, Labisia pumila is generally well tolerated over 16–24 weeks. Reported side effects, when present, tend to be mild and transient: gastrointestinal upset, headache, or sleep changes. Modern safety evaluations of specific hydroalcoholic extracts in healthy adults support short-term tolerability at intakes up to a defined daily cap.

Serious cautions (rare but important)

Pregnancy and lactation: Avoid. Traditional postpartum contexts differ from continuous supplemental use. There are insufficient modern human data in pregnancy, and phytoestrogenic actions raise theoretical concerns.
Hormone-sensitive conditions: If you have or have had breast, uterine, or ovarian conditions that are hormone-sensitive, or if you are on endocrine therapies, discuss Labisia pumila with your specialist before use.
Pre-operative periods: Because of potential interactions with drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, stop at least 1–2 weeks before planned procedures unless your medical team advises otherwise.

Drug-interaction landscape

In-vitro data indicate that Labisia pumila extracts and some isolated constituents can inhibit CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and affect P-glycoprotein and pregnane X receptor activity. While in-vitro does not equal clinical interaction, this pattern warrants caution. If you take medicines with narrow therapeutic ranges (e.g., warfarin, certain antiepileptics, tacrolimus, some antiarrhythmics), involve your prescriber, and consider additional monitoring when starting or changing Labisia pumila products.

Allergy and sensitivity

People with known hypersensitivity to the plant or its constituents should not use it. As with any herb, discontinue if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or breathing difficulty, and seek urgent care for severe reactions.

Quality and adulteration risks

Botanical misidentification and adulteration occur in global supply chains. Prefer brands that provide:

Full Latin binomial and validated plant part(s).
Extraction details and marker assays.
Independent third-party testing results.
Traceability to the harvest region and authenticated species (e.g., DNA barcoding programs in quality control).

Signals from case reports

Isolated case reports have associated unsupervised, continuous ingestion with serious gynecological events. While causality can be difficult to prove from single cases, they reinforce the need to avoid use in pregnancy, to respect labeled limits, and to involve healthcare professionals if you have gynecologic risk factors or symptoms.

Bottom line on safety

For healthy, nonpregnant adults, standardized extracts used within studied or approved intake limits appear generally well tolerated over several months. Respect extract-specific daily caps, review medications for interactions, and avoid use in pregnancy and lactation.

What the research says today

Clinical evidence highlights

Menopausal comfort and quality of life: Randomized, placebo-controlled trials using 280–400 mg/day of standardized water extracts for 16–24 weeks reported improvements on selected questionnaire domains (e.g., vasomotor, sleep, mood) and, in one study, a triglyceride reduction versus placebo after six months. Hormone levels typically remained unchanged, highlighting a nonhormone-replacement profile.
Metabolic outcomes: A phase-2 randomized trial in adults with obesity evaluated 375–750 mg/day of a standardized extract and found small, dose-responsive percentage reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio over the treatment window. These outcomes are modest and should be integrated with diet, exercise, and sleep strategies.
Modern safety framework: A European safety opinion for a defined aqueous ethanolic extract established an adult upper intake of 350 mg/day, corresponding to ~5 mg/kg/day for a 70-kg adult, and excluded pregnant and breastfeeding women from the target population. This provides a regulatory anchor for hydroalcoholic extract dosing and labels.
Mechanistic plausibility: In-vitro and animal data suggest phytoestrogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions, plus potential modulation of lipid and adipokine signaling and bone biology. However, these mechanistic insights should not be overgeneralized into clinical claims without human confirmation.

Gaps and priorities

Head-to-head trials: We lack comparisons of water extracts versus hydroalcoholic extracts at matched phenolic content.
Longer-term safety: Data beyond six months—especially in older adults on multiple medications—remain limited.
Diverse populations: Most clinical data come from Southeast Asian cohorts; replication in broader populations would improve generalizability.
Standardization: Agreement on common marker panels and accepted ranges would help clinicians compare products across brands.

How to read labels with the evidence in mind

If you see water extract and your goal is menopausal comfort, a 280–400 mg/day plan for up to 24 weeks aligns with prior trials.
If you see aqueous ethanolic extract designated as a novel food, keep intake ≤350 mg/day unless your clinician directs otherwise.
Proprietary standardized extracts that have their own clinical data may present different ranges; follow brand-specific guidance but still consider conservative limits if you take interacting drugs.

Practical research-based checklist

Choose a product that matches the extract type and dose studied for your goal.
Track one or two outcomes with validated tools.
Reassess at 8–12 weeks; continue only if benefits clearly outweigh costs and risks.
Loop in your clinician if you take interacting medicines or have hormone-sensitive conditions.

References

Disclaimer

This information is educational and does not replace personalized medical advice. Labisia pumila can interact with prescription medicines and may not be appropriate for people with hormone-sensitive conditions, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone preparing for surgery. Always discuss new supplements, dosages, and combinations with a qualified healthcare professional who knows your medical history and current medications.

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