Fo-Ti

Species Name:  Polygonum multiflorum.

Also known as: Polygonum multiflorum, He shou wu.

In traditional Chinese medicine, fo-ti was used as a tonic for longevity.

Though it is believed to help also with certain estrogen-related menopausal conditions, no documented evidence is available nor have any controlled studies been conducted on humans.

What is Fo-Ti: The Fo-ti plant is native to China though also found in Japan and Taiwan. The root is the medicinal part of the plan, and in traditional Chinese medicine, it is usually boiled in a liquid that is made with black beans.

This concoction is called red fo-ti. The unprocessed root is called white fo-ti. The name means “black-haired Mr. He” in Chinese and refers to a legend that Mr. He took fo-ti and restored is black hair, vitality, and youthful appearance.

Home Remedies Using Fo-Ti:

Benefits of Fo-Ti:

The dried root and the cured root are two different herbs in Chinese medicine. The unprocessed root is beneficial in relaxing the bowels and detoxifying the blood, whereas the processed root strengthens the blood, invigorates the liver and kidneys, and provides additional vital energy.

Processed fo-ti is one of the more popular tonics in traditional Chinese medicine, and is used to treat premature gray hair, low back pain, angina pectoris, low energy, and other conditions.

There are no statistics on controlled studies on either the effectiveness or safe of fo-ti in humans, though preliminary studies using animals show that fo-ti may have beneficial properties for controlling cholesterol and plasma triglycerides.

Animal studies also show it may enhance learning and memory. However, keep in mind that none of these studies provides conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of this herb, so exercise caution.

Uses of Fo-Ti:

• As a tonic for premature gray hair, premature aging, weakness, vaginal discharge, and erectile dysfunction
• Lower serum cholesterol
• Decrease hardening of the arteries
• Improve immune function
• Artherosclerosis
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Raw herb, tablet or capsule form with typical dosage ranging from 5 g to 15 g

Side Effects of Fo-Ti:

• Allergic skin rash (rare)
• Loose stools
• Numbness in the arms and legs if more than 15g of processed root are taken
• Acute hepatitis (rare)
• Diarrhea
• Intestinal pain
• Nausea

Since this herb has not been tested on humans, it’s advisable to exercise caution in its use and keep your dosage under 15g to avoid complications from overuse.