General Description
Fo-ti (also known as he-shou-wu)is an herbaceous climbing vine grown
widely in China, Japan, and Taiwan. A member of the genus Polygonum
(which includes knotweed, snakeweed, and smartweed), fo-ti has long,
spearhead-shaped leaves, and bears numberous flowers which produce
small, winged, one-seeded fruits. The plant has a tuberous root,
which is dried and used for medicinal purposes.
Health Applications
- General tonic
- Cardiovascular health
- Constipation
- Liver health
History and Traditional Use
An herb with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine,
fo-ti first appears in medical literature from the Sung Dynasty
in 973 A.D. The herb was believed to increase longevity and to
make one appear more youthful, even turning gray hair to black.1
In traditional Chinese medicine, fo-ti was used to treat liver
and kidney ailments, flatulence, malaria, skin inflammations,
and tuberculosis of the lymph glands.1 The
oldest roots were the most highly prized, and it was said that
a 300 year old root, if one could find it, would make one immortal.2
Chemical Composition
Fo-ti contains antioxidant compounds such as gallic acid and catechin,3
and a number of anthraquinone derivatives, including chrysophanol,
emodin, and rhein.2
Contemporary Uses
Fo-ti is used primarily as a tonic herb to promote overall health,
rather than for treatment of specific health conditions. Studies
have shown that fo-ti contains antioxidant compounds that inhibit
lipid peroxidation,3,4 which may make it helpful
for preventing atherosclerosis. Studies conducted on laboratory
rats suggest that compounds in fo-ti may have a protective effect
on the heart muscle itself, but these effects have not been demonstrated
in human subjects.5,6 Fo-ti's anthroquinone
components have laxative properties that make the herb fairly
effective in the treatment of constipation.2
Dosage/Toxicity
Traditional dosage recommendations typically range from 7 to 15
grams of dried fo-ti root per day.1,7 While
there are no known health hazards associated with fo-ti at this
dosage range, allergic reactions may occur in some sensitive individuals.
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