Fo-ti, He-shou-wu Seeds (Polygonum multiflorum) 4.95 - 1



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Price for Package of 5 seeds.


What is Fo-Ti?

Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (P. multiflorum) or Fallopia maltiflora is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is one of the most popular herbs in Chinese medicines [R].

In North America, it is commonly known as Fo-ti.




The leaves, root tuber, and rhizomes have been used as a tonic in the anti-aging formula while the stem has been used to alleviate insomnia and to help treat diabetes [R].

Chemical Constituents of Fo-ti


Processing Fo-ti, as opposed to using the raw herb, influences the amount and type of chemical constituents found in the plant [R, R].


Additionally, processing of Fo-ti resulted in the formation of five new chemicals that were not identified in the crude herb [R].



Pharmacokinetics of Fo-ti



Emodin is found primarily in the liver and brain [R].

Health Benefits of Fo-ti



Immune-Supporting Effects of Fo-ti

1) Anti-inflammatory Effects of Fo-ti

TSG and emodin in Fo-ti can decrease inflammation and help with colitis in mouse models by increasing PPAR-gamma and decreasing NF-kB [R, R, R].



Emodin protects microglia cells in the brain from inflammation due to lipopolysaccharides through AMPK/Nrf2 activation [R].

2) Fo-ti Promotes Good Immune Function



Further, Fo-ti increases the activity of natural killer (NK) cells [R, R].

3) Fo-ti May be Effective against MRSA

Fo-ti has anti-bacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylocuccus aureus (MRSA) in a cell-based study [R].

4) Fo-ti has Antiviral activities

Fo-ti exhibited anti-HIV by preventing the virus from entering lymphocytes in a cell-based study [R].

Emodin blocks binding of SARS coronavirus human cells in a cell-based study [R].

5) Fo-ti May Help with Asthma

In a mouse model of asthma, Fo-ti decreases airway allergic symptoms [R].

Antioxidant Activities of Fo-ti

6) Fo-ti Protects the Liver

The anthraquinones and polysaccharides found in Fo-ti protect the liver by reducing inflammation, preventing fat oxidation, and increasing antioxidant effects [R, R].

Pre-treating rats with 200 mg/kg water extract of Fo-ti protect the rats against chloroform-induced liver toxicity and significantly reduced plasma ALT (a liver enzyme that indicates liver damage) as well as improved glutathione levels and other oxidative stress markers. However, increasing the dose to 400 mg/kg did not protect the liver against chloroform toxicity, and at 4000 mg/kg, Fo-ti damaged the liver [R].

7) Fo-ti May Protect the Bone from Oxidative Stress


Hot water extract of Fo-ti prevents bone loss (osteopenia) from mice with that lose bone mass from having their ovaries removed [R].

8) Fo-ti Protects Tissues Oxidation in Diabetes


Stilbene glucoside from Fo-ti inhibits tissue aging due to high blood sugar (formation of advanced glycation end product) [R].

Neuroprotective effects of Fo-ti

9) Fo-ti May Help with Alzheimer’s Disease

In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s, tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside from Fo-ti helps with memory deficit [R].

A small Chinese clinical trial found that Fo-ti extract is effective against Alzheimer’s disease [R].

Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside helps slow down age-related memory loss in rats [R].

In a cell-based study, treatment with a Fo-ti root extract reduced amyloid plaque that can cause Alzheimer‘s disease [R].


10) Fo-ti May Help with Parkinson’s Disease

In mouse models of Parkinson’s Disease, TSG and an ethanol extract of Fo-ti protects dopaminergic neurons from chemical-induced damage [R, R].

11) Fo-ti Protects the Brain from Stroke

Hexane extracts of Fo-ti can protect against tissue damage following stroke in mice and thus may have clinical applications as a protective agent against neurological injury [R].

12) Fo-ti Protects Against Glutamate-Induced Toxicity


Fo-ti and Cardiovascular Risks

13) Fo-ti Helps Reduces Cholesterol

Fo-ti can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol [R, R, R].


14) Fo-ti Helps Prevent Hardening of the Arteries





The chemical 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside isolated from Fo-ti can prevent abnormal blood clotting [R].

16) Fo-ti Protects the Heart

In rats, TSG protected the heart from squeezing pressure around the abdomen [R].

In a heart attack model, Fo-ti stilbene glycoside can protect against cell injury from lack of oxygen or blood flow by increasing the levels of cellular antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and the nitric oxide pathways [R].

17) Fo-ti Helps with Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome



18) Fo-ti Helps Prevent Cancer

These anthraquinones induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells and activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways which are abnormal in many human cancers [R, R].


It could significantly reduce colon tumor volume and weight in mice [R].

Emodin enhanced tumor cell death of gallbladder cancer cells that are injected into mice [R].

19) Fo-ti Helps with Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

Fo-ti extracts are commonly prescribed in Taiwan for the treatment of insomnia [R].

Additionally, although the evidence is insufficient, P. multiflorum may ease the anxiety and insomnia experienced by patients with bipolar disorder [R].

20) Fo-ti Helps With Hair Growth




Potential Side Effects and Toxicity

Liver Toxicity of Fo-ti

The best-known toxicity of P. multiflorum is the induction of hepatotoxicity [R]. Hepatotoxicity induced by P. multiflorum can be severe and even result in death.

Several cases of hepatotoxicity due to P. multiflorum have been reported in patients from Australia, China, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Slovakia who were taking the product for hair loss, chronic prostatitis or to boost the immune system [R, R, R, R].

The main chemicals responsible for the hepatotoxicity of P. multiflorum are free anthraquinones such as emodin and physcion [R]. The toxicity of emodin has been detailed by the U.S. National Toxicology Program [R].

The hepatotoxicity of the water extract is higher than that of the ethanol and acetone extracts of P. multiflorum. Processing of P. multiflorum also decreased hepatotoxicity [R, R].

Kidney and Lung Toxicity of Fo-ti

  1. multiflorum is also toxic to the kidneys (nephrotoxicity) and the lungs (pulmonary toxicity), particularly after long-term use.
  2. multiflorum causes embryonic toxicity in mice and may affect embryonic development, suggesting that it may not be safe for pregnant women.

Warfarin (prescribed to prevent the formation of blood clots) may interact negatively with P. multiflorum resulting in bone marrow suppression [R].


  • Full chemical names for the compounds found in P. multiflorum after processing: 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4(H)-pyran-4-one, hydroxymaltol, 5-hydroxym ethyl-furfural, butanedioic acid, and 5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4(H)-pyran-4-one

Other names for P. multiflorum include:


MHS 110
43 Items

Data sheet

Handpicked seeds ?
Handpicked seeds
Organic Seeds ?
Organic Seeds
Edible ?
Perennial ?
Perennial plant : Yes
Suitable for growing in flower pot ?
Suitable for pot: Yes
Origin of seeds ?
Origin of Seeds: India

Specific References

USDA Hardiness zone

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