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Updated January 06, 2015.

What is Fo-Ti?

Other Names: Polygonum multiflorum, He shou wu

Fo-ti is a plant native to China that is also found in Japan and Taiwan. The medicinal part of the
plant is the root. Intraditional Chinese medicine, it is often boiled in a liquid made with black
beans -- this is known as red fo-ti. White fo-ti is the unprocessed root.
Fo-ti is called He shou wu, which means "black-haired Mr. He" in Chinese.

 
This name refers to a legend of an older villager named Mr. He who took fo-ti and restored his
black hair, youthful appearance and vitality.

Why People Use Fo-Ti

In Chinese medicine, fo-ti is a longevity tonicthat is used for greying hair, premature aging,

weakness, vaginal discharge, and erectile dysfunction. Red fo-ti is considered a tonic to
increase vitality and energy, strengthen the blood, kidneys and liver. White fo-ti is used for
constipation.
 Fo-ti is purported to lower serum cholesterol, decrease hardening of the arteries, improve
immune function and help with a variety of conditions.

 Atherosclerosis

 Constipation

 Fatigue

 High cholesterol

 Insomnia

 Immune function

 Erectile dysfunction

 Parkinson's disease

 Alzheimer's disease
There are no controlled studies on the effectiveness or safety of fo-ti in humans. Preliminary
studies with animals have found that fo-ti may attenuate diet-induced increases in plasma
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and plasma triglycerides. In animal studies, there is some
evidence that fo-ti may enhance learning and memory and prevent the degeneration of
nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in the brain.

Caveats

Rarely, people develop an allergic skin rash after taking fo-ti. Other side effects include loose
stools. Taking more than 15 grams of the processed root can cause numbness in the arms and
legs.

There have been three published case reports of acute hepatitis following the use of a fo-ti
product called Shou-wu-pian, which is manufactured in China. It is not known whether it was
due to fo-ti or product contamination.
One study tested 32 plants used for menopause in traditional Chinese medicine. They found
that fo-ti had the greatest estrogenic activity. People with estrogen-related cancers of the breast,
ovary, uterus, and prostate should take extra caution because the effect of fo-ti in humans is not
known.

Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are
largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the
product label. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing
mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not
been established. You can get tips on using supplements here, but if you're considering the use
of fo-ti, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or
delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

Sources

But PP et al. "Hepatitis related to the Chinese medicine Shou-wu-pian manufactured from Polygonum multiflorum." Vetinary and Human Toxicology. 38.4 (1996):280-

2.

Li RW et al. "Anti-inflammatory activity of Chinese medicinal vine plants". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 85.1 (2003):61-7.

Mazzanti G et al. "New case of acute hepatitis following the consumption of Shou Wu Pian, a Chinese herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum".

140.7(2004):W30.

Park GJ et al. "Acute hepatitis induced by Shou-Wu-Pian, a herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum". Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 16.1

(2001):115-7.

Yang PY et al. "Reduction of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and decrease of expressions of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial

growth factor in foam cells by a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum". Journal of Pharmacology Sciences. 99.3 (2005):294-300.

Zhang CZ et al. "In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms". Journal of

Ethnopharmacology. 98.3 (2005):295-300.