Fleeceflower Root Fo-Ti root Benefits.

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Fo-Ti:substitutes and Alternatives,And Potential Mistakes in Identity.

Fo-Ti Root Extract INCI Name Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract Fleeceflower Root Ho-Shou-Wu Extract Maltiflower Knotweed Tuber Fleeceflower Radix Polygoni MuItiflori photo picture image Ho-shou-wu is prepared from the roots of Polygonum multiflorum, and there are dozens of related species of Polygonum used in Oriental medicine. Some of the same species of polygonum are recognized in Western herbalism as well, notably bistort (Polygonum bistorta), also used in China. All the Polygonum species used in medicine have in common a very starchy root (ho-shou-wu is about 40-50 percent starch) that is rich in tannins (up to 20 percent by weight); tannins produce the astringent effect.

 According to Grieve's Herbal (1939), a British compendium of herbal lore:

 Bistort root is one of the strongest astringent medicines -and may be used for all bleedings, whether external or internal, and wherever astringency is required. It is of proven excellence in diarrhea, dysentery, cholera and all bowel complaints; in hemorrhages from the lungs and stomach; (it is a most effectual remedy for bleeding from the nose and exceedingly useful in dealing with hemorrhoids. It is a useful wash in ulcerated mouth and gums, and as a gargle. It is also used as a lotion for ulcers attended with a discharge. Bistort is considered valuable for diabetes, given in conjunction with tonics, and has itself tonic action.

 It is interesting to see the report that it is "exceedingly useful in dealing with hemorrhoids," in light of the ancient Chinese commentary that "it masters the five hemorrhoidal complaints." Similarly, the value of the herb in treating diabetes (which referred to early-onset diabetes, a wasting disease, in the days when this commentary was presented) compares with the ancient Chinese comment that it treats "emaciating" illnesses. So, there can be overlapping therapeutic properties among the different species of Polygonum.

 Polygonum multiflorum is known as an imported garden plant, by the name of fleeceflower. Many modern books on Chinese herbs utilize this name in an attempt to approach Western readers in a more user friendly manner; unfortunately, almost no one knows it by this name. Another common name that has been applied is "flowery knotweed."

 There is an herb known as baishouwu, which is the white-colored (bai) root used as a substitute for ho-shou-wu, derived from an unrelated plant, Cynanchum bungei. It is reported to have properties that are similar to ho-shou-wu, with similar taste and uses.

 Labeling ho-shou-wu simply as "polygonum," is fraught with problems, since there are so many Polygonum species in standard usage, that it can easily be confused. In fact, in the common naming system adopted in 1976 by the Oriental Healing Arts Institute (see On the common names for Chinese herbs), polygonum is the designated common name for Polygonum aviculares (Chinese: bianxu), which is mainly used for urinary tract infections. Most of the other polygonum species are to be named, in accordance with this system, by their transliterated designations, such as ho-shou-wu and hu-chang.

 One of the commonly used Polygonum species in modern medicine is Polygonum cuspidatum (hu-chang; huzhang). Originally, it was described as having uses similar to ho-shou-wu. For example, the Compiled Essence of All Medical Works commented: "the herb is sweet, bitter, and acrid in flavor and warm in nature; it tonifies the muscles and bones and increases strength." In Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold, it is said that "mixing the decoction of the herb with aged wine is effective for treating abdominal mass, tinnitus, heaviness of the limbs, irregular menstruation, and impotence." While other ancient texts mention its ability to invigorate blood circulation and resolve abdominal masses, today, hu-chang is described differently. In Oriental Materia Medica, this is said: "taste is sour, bitter, mildly pungent [acrid], cold property; clears up heat, invigorates blood, detoxifies, and disperses swelling." It would seem that a different species of Polygonum was used as the original source of hu-chang. Still, hu-chang is being used in a manner that is similar to ho-shou-wu in modern clinical practice. As an example, it was reported that hu-chang could significantly inhibit leukopenia (low white-blood-cell count) caused by the immunosuppressive drug cyclophosphamide. Hu-chang was found to be more potent in this regard than a mixture in which it was only one-third of the combination (with astragalus and millettia, two herbs commonly employed to treat leukopenia induced by drugs). Both ho-shou-wu and hu-chang are today used in formulas to treat tinnitus (see Treatment of tinnitus, vertigo, and Meniere's disease with Chinese herbs).

 Polygonum multiflorum should not be confused with Polygonatum sibiricum, another precious Chinese herb tonic which has been called "the food of the immortals." Its Chinese name is huangjing, and ancient Chinese people thought that consuming it enabled them to increase their jing, the essence associated with health and longevity; because the unprocessed root is yellow (huang), it was so named. There are numerous Polygonatum species used in Chinese medicine, but it is important, especially, to keep in mind that the extra "at" in the name (Polygonatum) designates herbs from an entirely different plant family (Lilacea) than the Polygonum species (Polygonacea). To make matters worse, one of the sources of huangjing is Polygonatum multiflorum. Interestingly, ho-shou-wu and polygonatum are both used in treating hyperlipidemia (see Obesity and Hyperlipidemia).

 Finally, it is important to recognize that the stem of Polygonum multiflorum, sometimes called shouwu stem or polygonum stem, is also used in Chinese medicine. The material, which appeared in the Kaibao Bencao along with the root material, is called yejiaoteng, thus retaining the original term jiaoteng (ye = night; recall the story of the stems intertwining at night). Like the root, the stem is used to nourish the blood, but this part of the plant is also said to tranquilize the spirit and invigorate the meridians. It is used for weakness, palpitation, and internal wind associated with blood deficiency.
 Fo-Ti Root Extract INCI Name Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract Fleeceflower Root Ho-Shou-Wu Extract Maltiflower Knotweed Tuber Fleeceflower Radix Polygoni MuItiflori photo picture image

 Alopecia:

 The treatment of premature graying of hair is not considered a medical necessity, so ho-shou-wu has not been subjected to critical analysis in relation to this claim. However, another problem with hair, alopecia, has been investigated. The treatments often contain ho-shou-wu.

 Alopecia may arise from numerous causes, including stress reactions, hypothyroidism, local exposure to chemicals, therapies used for cancer, and genetic male-pattern balding. The disorder is often classified by its specific manifestation, such as patchy balding (alopecia areata), total loss of head hair (alopecia totalis), or total loss of body hair (alopecia universalis). Alopecia areata and alopecia totalis frequently affect women, and the disorder may persist for several months to about a year, sometimes longer.

 According to the English-Chinese Encyclopedia of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine, "alopecia is mostly caused by deficiency of liver and kidney with subsequent failure of [blood to go up and nourish] the hair. The hair pores are open when the hair is poorly nourished, and wind invades the pores on the occasion. Therefore, deficient blood with wind [invasion] leads to hair loss. However, stagnation of liver qi and impaired qi mechanism will also result in hair loss because of the malnutrition of hair due to stagnation of qi and stasis of blood."

 In addition to ho-shou-wu, the nourishing herbs ligustrum and eclipta have the long-standing reputation of preventing the premature graying of hair and restoring gray hair to black; they have been applied as well for correcting hair loss following the theory that both graying of hair and hair loss may be due to lack of essential essences. Black sesame seed, taken internally or applied topically, has these qualities. Biota twig, used internally to stop bleeding, is also deemed valuable in treating alopecia; the twigs or the root bark are powdered and prepared as an ointment to cure burns and scalds and to make hair grow back on the scarred tissues. A wine made from drynaria is said to treat baldness when applied topically.

 An example of a tonic preparation claimed useful for alopecia was reported in the Sichuan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1987). Shengfa Wan (literally, pill to generate hair), containing ho-shou-wu, ligustrum, eclipta, lycium fruit, cuscuta, tang-kuei, achyranthes, psoralea, and hoelen was made as large honey pills, 10 grams each. These were given three times per day (a total of about 20 grams per day of herb powders), before meals, unless digestive disturbance occurred, in which case the pill was given after meals instead. Treatment time was 1-3 months, with an effective rate reported to be 62%. A similar formula Shengfa Yin, comprised of ho-shou-wu, eclipta, ligustrum, rehmannia, tang-kuei, schizandra, morus fruit, and biota twig, was reported to cure 30 of 36 persons affected by alopecia areata, with 4 others improved. According to a report in the Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1987), all of 50 cases of alopecia areata treated could be cured with daily ingestion for 1-3 months of a decoction of ho-shou-wu, black sesame, soja (black soy bean), astragalus, gelatin, atractylodes, longan, and jujube, taken along with cystine (100 mg, three times daily), and topically applying an extract of morus bark.

 In another study, the internal treatment for alopecia included ligustrum, ho-shou-wu, rehmannia, biota twig, salvia, schizandra, peony, tang-kuei, carthamus, cnidium, and chiang-huo. This formula combines kidney and liver tonics with blood-circulating agents (chiang-huo opens the meridians in the upper body and dispels wind). In the clinical study in which it was used, patients also applied Monoxidil topically. Treatment time was 2-12 months, with a reported effective rate of 80%. Formulas such as this are often prescribed as powders, with a total dosage of 20 grams per day.

 A similar prescription has been produced in more convenient form for export as the "Alopecia Areata Pill," following successful clinical testing during the 1970's. The main ingredients are ho-shou-wu, rehmannia (cooked and raw), tang-kuei, salvia, red peony, schizandra, codonopsis, chaenomeles, and chiang-huo. The small pills are recommended to be taken 6 each time, three times per day (total of 4.5 grams of herb extract per day) for 3-4 months. This pill is readily available from Chinese herb shops in the U.S. The dosage for Americans should probably be higher, about 8 pills each time, since American body weight is considerably higher than Chinese body weight on average.

 The same basic formula, but in decoction form, was described in the English-Chinese Encyclopedia of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine (Volume 4: Simple and Proved Recipes). The formula presented was 30 grams astragalus, 15 grams each of ho-shou-wu, raw and cooked rehmannia, millettia, morus fruit, and peony; 9 grams each of eclipta and cnidium, and 6 grams each of gastrodia and chaenomeles. This is to be decocted, and taken in two divided doses each day. In one sample case report, it was mentioned that a woman, who suffered from alopecia, menstrual irregularity, poor appetite, and insomnia, took the decoction for one month and had symptoms improved, with hair growth started. She continued to take the herbs for two more months, with the result of having dense, thick hair that was blacker than before.

 A double-blind placebo-controlled study of an anti-aging mixture containing astragalus, salvia, and ho-shou-wu was conducted with 507 persons and reported in the Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine (1986). A number of symptoms and signs associated with aging were monitored. The power of the placebo and the rate of spontaneous remission was here demonstrated, with nearly 35% of the control group showing some improvements in both subjective and objective measures. However, the herb treatment group had nearly 77% of patients showing improvements, including a reduction in alopecia during a 3 month trial.

 Ho-shou-wu is also applied in topical applications. In a recent large-scale clinical evaluation, with results published in the Hubei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (1991), 822 patients suffering from alopecia areata or alopecia totalis were treated with the topical formula, Suxiao Ketuling Shengfa Jing. The ingredients, extracted in alcohol, include capsicum, eclipta, ho-shou-wu, biota twig, drynaria, ginseng, carthamus, and cnidium. According to the report, 630 patients were cured and others had partial regrowth of hair; only 48 patients (less than 6%) showed no response.

 For most cases of alopecia, depending on the actual causes and the extent to which hair follicles have been inhibited, the treatment time is expected to range from about 1-3 months. Often, this requires taking an adequate dosage of an internal remedy and applying a topical remedy; or use of a topical remedy alone. Longer treatment may be necessary: in some evaluations treatment times of 4-12 months were used to assure higher total rates of success. The formulas to be used in the internal treatment of alopecia may have numerous beneficial effects, as demonstrated through the use of similar formulas for anti-aging actions (improving immune functions, increasing energy, improving sleep, etc.) so that one might experience some positive changes even before noticing any new hair growth. Based on the Chinese clinical evaluations, at least 60% of those treated can expect a substantial degree of hair growth within 3 months.

 Application Cases:Compositions and methods for treating baldness:United States Patent 20040096420.A topical composition designed for application to the scalp, said composition comprising, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and minoxidil, and one or more of the following: a.) saw palmetto extract; b.) nettle root extract; c.) Capsaicin; d.) Niacin; e.) Gingko Biloba; f.) horsetail extract; g.) phospolipid; h.) glycerol oxide esters; i.) cyclodextrin; j.) ketoconazole; k.) ursolic acid; l.) polysorbate; m.) 1,4,3,6 dianhydro-2,5,-di-o-methyl-D-glucitol; n.) peppermint oil; o.) silica; p.) milk thistle; or q.) methyl nicotinate.

 Antiaging Effects:

 The story of Mr. Ho seems a bit exaggerated, but the many centuries of use of the herb for antiaging effects has led Chinese researchers to investigate further. The most desirable study, one in which humans would take ho-shou-wu regularly in an effort to extend the lifespan, is beyond the capability of modern science, as there are too many factors that would need to be taken into account in evaluating the outcomes were it possible to recruit a large enough group to participate for years. The alternatives that have been attempted, such as monitoring the lifespan of insects fed ho-shou-wu extract (or other herbs) really aren't very informative, since the conveniently short lifespans, measured in weeks, can't be meaningfully compared to the human lifespan and processes of aging that occur.

 Somewhat more satisfying results are obtained by pharmacology studies that show that ho-shou-wu extract improves the cardiovascular system, enhances immune functions, slows the degeneration of glands, increases antioxidant activity, and reduces the accumulation of lipid peroxidation. Such findings suggest that ho-shou-wu is helpful in combating some of the processes that lead to conditions characteristic of old age, thereby also reducing the risk of fatal diseases (e.g., cancer) and incidents (e.g., heart attack, stroke). Processed ho-shou-wu was shown to have effects on the antioxidant system superoxide dismutase (SOD), accumulation of lipid peroxidase, and enhancement of cell-mediated immune responses, while the unprocessed ho-shou-wu showed much less effect. Other antiaging substances studied extensively include ginseng, astragalus, tang-kuei, epimedium, cordyceps, ganoderma, eleuthero ginseng, and polygonatum (huangjing).

 Among the Chinese herbal prescriptions tested and shown useful for lowering the risk factors associated with aging and death, were:

 Shou Xing Bu Zhi: with main components ho-shou-wu, dioscorea, rehmannia, codonopsis (or ginseng)
 Essence Restoring Decoction: with main components ho-shou-wu, rehmannia, cuscuta, astragalus, achyranthes, and cynomorium.
 Rejuvenating Decoction: with main ingredients ho-shou-wu, astragalus, and salvia.

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Reference:

citations1.Fleeceflower Root Fo-Ti root Benefits.

last edit date:1st,June.2009.