Latin Name: Polygonum multiflorum
Alternate Names: Flowery Knotweed, He Shou Wu, Foti, Chinese Cornbind, Ye Jiao Teng (Chinese), Fo Ti
Family: POLYGONACEAE
Parts Used: Root.
Properties: Alterative, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, Antiviral, Aphrodisiac, Cardiotonic, Chi Tonic, Diuretic, Hepato-tonic, Laxative, Rejuvenative, Yin Tonic.
Internal Uses: Anxiety, Arteriosclerosis, Colic, Constipation, Diabetes, Early Menopause, Enteritis, Gout, Hemorrhoids, High Cholesterol, Hot Flashes, Hyperacidity, Hypertension, Hypoglycemia, Infertility, Insomnia, Kidney Deficiency, Lumbago, Malaria, Pain, Swollen Lymph, Tuberculosis, Vertigo
Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.
It helps one to retain youthful hair color and strengthens the eyes, endocrine glands, blood, bones and muscles. It is also used to treat both benign and malignant growths. Good for constipation due to dry intestines.
Culinary uses: Soups. Young shoots are eaten as a cooked vegetable.
Energetics: Bitter, Sweet, Warm.
Chemical Constituents: Chysopanol, emodin, rhapontin, phenolic glucosides, unsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, oxymethylanthroquinine, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus.
Contraindications: Avoid using during bouts of diarrhea.
Comments: The name, Ho Shou Wu, in Chinese means ‘Mr. Wu’s hair stays black.’ Indeed, this herb is widely used to prevent premature aging. Darker roots are considered better quality than those lighter in color. It is one of the main herbal tonics used in Asian medicine.