Fleeceflower Root Fo-Ti root Benefits.
Article Content:
- .Botanical Info of Fo-ti.
- .Description of Fo-ti.
- .Active Compounds and Phytochemicals.
- .Historical Uses and Application.
- .Common Uses,Actions and Properties.
- .Dosage and Administration.
- .Available forms,safety of Fo-ti root.
- .Legend of Foti or Ho-Shou-Wu.
- .Processing of Fo-ti.
- .Fo-Ti:substitutes and Alternatives,And Potential Mistakes in Identity.
- .Research Update of Foti:Polygonum multiflorum.
Common Uses,Actions and Properties.
In China Fo-Ti (Ho-Shou-Wu in that country) is one of the most popular herbal tonics among the elderly, it is said to tranquilize the spirit, nourish the blood and invigorate the meridians. The properties of this herb are often compared to Ginseng, but it has not yet been subjected to rigorous experimental study. In Oriental philosophy, it is said to increase Yin, thereby improving physical and mental health. Research indicates Fo-Ti can lower blood cholesterol levels, help prevent atherosclerosis, reduce hypertension and lower incidence of coronary heart disease. Chinese Medicine also indicates Fo-Ti as having anti-toxic, anti-swelling and tranquilizing properties as well as being useful for liver and speen weakness, vertigo, scrofula, cancer, constipation and as a sedative for insomnia. Also indicated as having beneficial effects on fertility and other female functions involving ovulation.
Remedies For:Fo Ti is used for Atherosclerosis,Constipation,Fatigue,High cholesterol,Immune function
Uses:Atherosclerosis, Constipation, Fatigue, High cholesterol, Hair Health, Rejuvenation, Sexual Vigour, Detox the body, Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
Fo-ti is available in both unprocessed and processed forms. Unprocessed fo-ti (also known as "white" fo-ti because its color is usually much lighter than the processed form) is taken by mouth for its laxative effect. Topically (applied on the skin), unprocessed fo-ti is used to treat skin conditions such as acne, athlete's foot, dermatitis, razor burn, and scrapes. Processed fo-ti, also known as "red" fo-ti because it is much darker in color than the unprocessed variety, is used to prevent or delay heart disease by blocking the formation of plaque in blood vessels.
Actons And Properties:
Adaptogen,Astringent, demulcent, tonic, Blood-builder,Lowers cholesterol
Prepared fleece flower root: sweet and astringent in flavor, slightly warm in nature, it is related to the liver and kidney channels.
Raw fleece flower root: sweet and bitter in flavor, mild in nature, it is related to the heart, liver and large intestine channels.
Chinese-Energies:Warm,bitter and sour.
Chinese-Actions:Blood,semen and yin tonic,demulcent laxative,antidote,adaptogen,acts on kidney and liver
Tonic Action: energy tonic
In fact it is the most important longevity herb even surpassing ginseng and all other herbs for its use as a sexual tonic and youth preserver. He Shou Wu is an extremely important herb in the Chinese system as it has many properties useful to women and men of all ages. It's ability to increase energy, preserve youth and restore impaired sexual functioning has made it a favorite ingredient in Chinese patent medicine. More current research has found it to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels, doubtless due to the lecithin found in the root. Also used for lower back pain, insomnia, premature hair loss and graying, diabetes and hypo-glycemia. It also strengthens muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. He Shou Wu is the favorite tonic of China. Current research has shown He Shu Wu to not only lower blood cholesterol and help prevent the retention of fats in the blood stream but it may also "prevent the penetration of fats in the arterial lining..." theoretically reducing arteriosclerosis.
The roots are tonic and nutritious. He Shou Wu is said to build strength in the Liver and Kidney, and also in the muscles and bones. It is said to preserve, or even rejuvenate, the original color of one's hair and to increase the "generative energy," increasing the sperm in men and fertility in women. It will calm the nervous system and clear the eyes. Its strength comes from its remarkable ability to cleanse the body by cleaning the kidney and liver, which in turn cleans the blood. By virtue of its ability to accumulate tremendous quantities of Qi into its root, this herb will tonify these organs and will fortify the blood. Though He Shou Wu provides abundant Qi, it is not a stimulant, and is in fact slightly sedative.
Pharmacology:Foti Root
Delaying the aging process:
1).Protecting superoxide dismutase (SOD): the herb can arrest bupleurum or cortisone-induced decrease in SOD in mice's blood, and restore it to the normal level.2).Affecting monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity: MAO-B, one of two types of MAO, is closely related to the aging process, and researchers have found that among a number of herbs that affect MAO activity, this herb is the greatest inhibitor of MAO activity, with the inhibiting rate reaching as high as 82% when the concentration is at 248mg/ml.
Animal data:A Chinese-13-herb mixture ("shou xing bu zhi") that includes fo-ti has been studied for its antisenility effects in mice. Results showed this mixture was effective in slowing the aging process. It is also indicated for insomnia, weak bones, constipation and atherosclerosis.Lifespan and lipid studies of fo-ti in quails have been performed. Fo-ti also has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels in animals. The root portion of the plant has exhibited an inhibitory effect on triglyceride accumulation and has reduced enlargement of mice livers.
Clinical data:In a clinical trial in humans, fo-ti had similar cholesterol-lowering effects.
Enhancing immunity:Anti Tumor
This herb is found to: 1).increase the weight of mice's thymus gland and delaying the gland's atrophy process;2).enhance the phagocytic function of mice's abdominal macrophage; and 3). enhance the immunological function of T and B lymphocytes.
Emodin exhibited vasodilation and immunosuppressive effects in rats, suggesting its usefulness against transplantation rejection and autoimmune disease. Extract of he shou wu significantly reduced tumor incidence in rats in another report.The Chinese use the root of the plant for cancer as well.
Enhancing adrenocortical function:
This herb is found to: 1).increase mice's adrenal gland, and 2).increase the hepatic glycogen content in hungry mice whose adrenal gland has been removed.
Effects on hematopoietic cells:
He Shou Wu promotes hematopoietic stem cells.
Effects on the cardiovascular system:
Injecting this herb to the isolated frog heart decreases the rate of heartbeat, an effect that intensifies with the increase of dosage. This herb also counteracts the heartbeat rate increase induced by isoproterenol, and to some extent it prevents myocardial ischemia.
Lowering blood fat:
Taking the herb orally at the dosage of 5g/kg by patients of high cholesterol can lower cholesterol to the normal level - after 7 consecutive days of treatment, the total cholesterol level in the treatment group has been lowered to 88 +- 11mg% (compared to the control group's 188 +- 12mg%; p less than 0.01); the effect of taking this herb at the dosage of 15g/kg (water decoction) is about equivalent to that of taking atromid-S at the dosage of 200mg/kg.
Fleece flower root functions in lowering high serum cholesterol in the rabbit; exciting the isolated frog heart, especially the fatigue heart; slowering down heart rate; increasing coronary flow; promoting intestinal peristalis to induce purgation; increasing blood sugar; inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, Flexner's bacillus shigella flexneri, influenza virus; accelerating the regeneration of the red blood cells; and strengthening cold-resistant ability in mouse.
Protecting the liver:
In experiments on mice, both the raw and processed versions of this herb lower the hydroprednisone acetate-induced hepatic fat buildup, and lessen the hepatomegaly induced by carbon tetrachloride poisoning. Furthermore, researchers have found that this herb can stabilize liver cells by way of membrane mechanism.
Antibacterial effect:
Experiments indicate that both the raw and processed versions of this herb inhibit a number of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, typhoid bacillus, Bacillus paratyphosus, Bacillus diphtheriae, and beta hemolytic streptococcus. The mean inhibitory concentration invariably falls between 0.08 and 0.5g/ml.
Other Effects:
Stilbenes isolated from polygonum species have been evaluated on rat peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocyte lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activity.
A mixture including fo-ti has been studied for its effects on glucocorticoid receptor in senile rat thymocyte.
The plant has also been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation in isolated rat heart mitochondria.Fo-ti also exhibits antimicrobial properties against mycobacteria and malaria.
Other uses of the plant include: To increase fertility, to increase blood sugar levels,to treat anemia and to relieve muscle aches.
Reference:
1.Fleeceflower Root Fo-Ti root Benefits.
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