Fo-ti (he shou wu)

Reynoutria multiflora (syn. Polygonum multiflorum)

Traditionally attributed effects: processed a tonic for blood, liver and kidneys; raw mildly laxative and detoxifying.

Safety notes

Numerous cases of serious liver damage have been reported, also with the processed form: do not use it yourself, not with liver disease and not for long periods. Not with diarrhoea or phlegm from spleen deficiency. Never cook it in a metal pan. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Root, processed with black beans and wine. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'tonics'. According to legend an old man, He Shou Wu, regained black hair and had children after eating the root. Processed (zhi he shou wu) it is used for premature grey hair and as a tonic for the blood and kidneys. There are many reports of liver damage, including from supplements.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: sweet, bitter, astringent, slightly warm
Meridians: liver, kidney

Attributed effects

Processed: for yin or blood deficiency with dizziness, early grey hair, a painful back and knees, blurred vision and insomnia, and constipation from deficiency. Raw: for boils, goitre and swollen glands. The stem (ye jiao teng) nourishes the blood, calms the mind and externally relieves itching.

Preparation and amount

Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist. The name means 'Mr He's black hair', after a legend about a general who, after living on this plant for a year, was young and black-haired again. The book also calls the herb 'Fo-ti tieng'; that is a different plant.

Combinations

With ginseng, the tonic of the legendary Li Ching-Yuen

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Tian ma gou teng yin

Sources

All herbs from Asia →