# Plant Monograph: Fo-Ti
**Name of plant:**
Fo-Ti
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
No specific Carmina Gadelica invocation is recorded for Fo-Ti. Traditional Chinese lore states: *"He Shou Wu restores the blackness of the hair and nourishes the years of life."*
**Family:**
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
**Genus and species:**
*Reynoutria multiflora* (Thunb.) Moldenke (formerly *Polygonum multiflorum*)
**Other names:**
* Fo-Ti
* Fo Ti
* He Shou Wu
* Ho Shou Wu
* Chinese Knotweed
* Flowery Knotweed
* Fleeceflower Root
* Mr. He's Black-Hair Herb
* Red Fo-Ti (prepared root)
* White Fo-Ti (raw root)
**Brief introduction:**
Fo-Ti is a perennial climbing vine native to China, Japan, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia. The large tuberous root has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for more than a thousand years. According to legend, an elderly man named He Shou Wu regained vitality, fertility, and dark hair after consuming the herb, giving rise to its Chinese name. Fo-Ti is regarded as a longevity tonic and is traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys, replenish vitality, and support healthy aging.
**Traditional uses:**
* Promoting longevity and vitality
* Restoring prematurely graying hair
* Supporting fertility and reproductive health
* Nourishing blood and essence ("Jing")
* Relieving weakness and exhaustion
**Historical use:**
* Recorded in Chinese materia medica texts dating to the Tang Dynasty
* Consumed as a longevity tonic by Taoist practitioners
* Used to address age-related weakness and debility
* Traditionally prescribed for premature aging and hair loss
* Incorporated into formulas for strengthening liver and kidney function
**Parts used and method of use:**
* Prepared root (processed root)
* Raw root (unprocessed root)
Used as:
* Decoction
* Powder
* Capsules or tablets
* Tincture or fluid extract
**Use in healing (modern herbal practice):**
* Traditional support for healthy aging
* Adjunct support for hair health and pigmentation
* Support for liver function (with caution)
* Adaptogenic and restorative tonic applications
* Supportive use in fatigue and convalescence
**Pharmacology and biochemistry:**
* Stilbene glycosides (including THSG)
* Anthraquinones (emodin, physcion)
* Phospholipids and polyphenols
Mechanisms:
* Antioxidant protection against cellular damage
* Modulation of inflammatory pathways
* Potential neuroprotective and mitochondrial-supportive effects
**Overall profile:**
Fo-Ti is considered a traditional longevity tonic with antioxidant, adaptogenic, and restorative properties. Research suggests potential benefits related to aging, neuroprotection, and metabolic health. However, significant concerns regarding liver toxicity have emerged, particularly with concentrated extracts and prolonged use.
**Common dosage:**
* Prepared root decoction: 6–15 g daily
* Prepared root powder: 1–6 g daily
* Standardized extract: According to manufacturer directions
* Tincture (1:5): 2–5 mL, 2–3 times daily
**Safety factors (including side effects):**
* Documented cases of liver injury have been associated with Fo-Ti use
* May cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping, or loose stools
* Contraindicated in individuals with existing liver disease unless supervised by a qualified practitioner
* Rare allergic reactions may occur
* Long-term use should include monitoring of liver function
**First aid / adverse reaction response:**
* Nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhea: Discontinue use and monitor symptoms
* Jaundice or dark urine: Stop use immediately and seek urgent medical evaluation
* Signs of liver injury: Seek prompt medical attention and discontinue use
* Allergic reaction: Stop use and obtain medical care if symptoms are severe
**Drug interactions:**
* Potential interaction with medications metabolized by the liver
* May increase risk of liver toxicity when combined with hepatotoxic drugs
* Theoretical interaction with anticoagulant medications
* Use caution alongside prescription medications and supplements affecting liver function
**Horticultural requirements:**
* USDA / Canadian zone: 7–10
* Soil pH: 5.5–7.0
* Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
* Moisture: Consistently moist, well-drained soil
**Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):**
* Vigorous perennial climbing vine reaching several metres in length
* Produces clusters of small white to greenish flowers in late summer
* Roots are typically harvested after 3–4 years of growth
* Native to mountainous and woodland regions of East Asia
* Propagated by seed, root division, or cuttings
**Sampling of clinical reports / studies:**
* Clinical reports have documented both traditional benefits and cases of herb-associated liver injury
* Laboratory studies suggest antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects
* Phytochemical investigations have identified stilbene glycosides, anthraquinones, and other bioactive compounds
* Extensive ethnobotanical evidence supports centuries of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
* Overall assessment of evidence: Strong traditional use and promising laboratory research exist, but safety concerns regarding hepatotoxicity significantly limit routine use. Modern practitioners generally recommend careful supervision, quality-controlled preparations, and monitoring during extended use.
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.