FO-TI (he shou wu)
Most recent herbal catalogs list a botanical called fo-ti, with a cross-reference to he-shou-wu. Both names refer to the dried tuberous root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., an herbaceous climbing vine of the family Polygonaceae, native to Japan and widely used as a folk remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The reason some writers object to the designation fo-ti for this plant is its potential confusion with the herbal mixture marketed as Fo-ti Tieng. That product, which has a registered trademark name, is totally different from fo-ti or he-shou-wu. Fo-ti Tieng consists of a mixture of the leaves and stems of the gotu kola herb [Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. of the family Apiaceae], the root of Indian physic [Gillenia trifoliata (L.) Moench of the family Rosaceae], which has both emetic and laxative properties, and small amounts of caffeine-containing cola or kolanuts, the dried cotyledons of Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl., family Sterculiaceae, or related species. The Chinese believe that the root exhibits quite different properties according to its size and the age of the plant from which it is derived. Essentially, the older the better: use of 50-year-old root preserves one's natural hair color; 100-year-old root helps one maintain a cheerful appearance; l50-year-old root causes new teeth to grow; 200-year-old root preserves one's youth and energy; and the 300-year-old product makes one immortal. Needless to say, very little (if any) of the truly ancient product is available. A more realistic appraisal of the use of he shou wu was provided by the American Herbal Pharmacology Delegation in the 1975 report of its visit to the People's Republic of China. That group noted the herb was used alone for scrofula (tuberculosis of the lymph glands), cancer, and constipation and mixed with other medicinals for liver and spleen weakness, vertigo, and insomnia. There is an old report in the European literature mentioning the effectiveness of the herb in treating diabetes, but it is interesting that it is apparently not employed for this purpose in China. Chemical studies of he shou wu have revealed the presence of chrysophanol and emodin (both in the free state and combined as glycosides) together with a small amount of rhein. All of these anthraquinone derivatives possess cathartic properties that account for the medication's noted effectiveness in the treatment of constipation. In Chinese literature, a distinction is made between "raw he shou wu" and "cured he shou wu." The latter undergoes steaming for twelve hours and sun drying for eight hours, with the processes repeated up to nine times. Recent Chinese works call for steaming for thirty-two hours, which results in a reduction of free and conjugated anthraquiones by 42 to 96 percent. Most Western literature on the medication fails to distinguish between the processed and unprocessed root. More recent Chinese studies have also shown antimicrobial, liver protectant, and cholesterol-reducing activity. Popular Chinese tonic - Although he shou wu is not the earliest tonic herb listed in Chinese herbal medicine (it is first mentioned in AD 713), he shou wu has certainly become one of the most important and widely used. He shou wu is taken regularly by millions of people throughout the East for its rejuvenating and toning properties and to increase fertility in both men and women. Liver & kidney remedy - In Chinese herbal medicine, he shou wu' s most important use is as a tonic for the liver and kidneys. By strengthening liver and kidney function, he shou wu helps to cleanse the blood, enabling the qi to circulate freely around the whole body. Nerve & blood tonic - He shou wu is given in Chinese herbal medicine to people with symptoms, such as dizziness, weakness, numbness, and blurred vision, which indicate inefficient nerves and "blood deficiency." Premature aging - He shou wu is prescribed in China for people showing signs of premature aging, including graying of the hair. This use suggests that the herb supports the body, helping it function in a balanced, healthy way. Malaria - The herb is prescribed in the treatment of chronic malaria, when he shou wu is often combined with ginseng (Panax ginseng), Chinese angelica (Angelica sinensis,), and green tangerine peel (Citrus reticulata).
|