Polygonum multiflorum

Taxobox
name = "Polygonum multiflorum"

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image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Polygonum multiflorum"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Caryophyllales
familia = Polygonaceae
genus = Polygonum
species = "P. multiflorum"
binomial = "Polygonum multiflorum"
binomial_authority = Thunb."Polygonum multiflorum", better known as Chinese knotweed or Flowery knotweed, is a widely used Chinese herb. It is said to rejuvenate the body, and is also commonly known as fo-ti, fo-ti-teng, ho shou wu, or he shou wu (). He Shouwu, a Chinese man who is reputed to have lived until the age of 132, is the first consumer of this herb to be reported.

The Chinese patent medicine called Shou Wu Chih has "Polygonum multiflorum" as one of its primary ingredients.

As a herb specimen, it is a quickly spreading vine that will cover anything rapidly. There are delicate flowers that appear in the fall.

Medicinal use

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), "P. multiflorum" is believed to:

* Tonify the kidneys
* Balance a fragile "yin".
* Treat weak bones and premature graying of hair
* Protect the skin against UVB damage [cite journal | author=I.K. Hwang, K.Y. Yoo, D.W. Kim, S.J. Jeong, C.K. Won, W.K. Moon, Y.S. Kim, D.Y. Kwon, M.H. Wo and D.W. Kim | year=2006 | month=Sep | title=An extract of Polygonum multiflorum protects against free radical damage induced by ultraviolet B irradiation of the skin | journal=Braz J Med Biol Res |volume=39 |issue=9 |pages=1181–1188 | url=http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2006000900005 | doi=10.1590/S0100-879X2006000900005]

When taken internally, "P. multiflorum" also has a laxative effect.

"P. multiflorum" contains stilbene glycosides similar to resveratrol and with superior antioxidant activity. [cite journal | author=L.V. Li-Shuang, Xiaohong Gu, Chi-Tang Ho | year=2006 | month=June | title=Stilbene Glycosides from the Roots of Polygonum Multiflorum Thunb. and Their Antioxidant Activities | journal=Journal of Food Lipids |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=131–144 |url =http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-4522.2006.00039.x | doi=10.1111/j.1745-4522.2006.00039.x]

Resveratrol is extracted from "P. multiflorum"'s close relative, Japanese knotweed ("P. cuspidatum"). Resveratrol has been suggested to extend lifespan by a variety of mechanisms.

ee also

*Chinese herbology
*Traditional Chinese medicine
*Shou Wu Chih
* Polygonum Cuspidatum

References

*Shinju, H., M. Higuchi, et al. (1994). Studies on cultivation of "Polygonum multiflorum" Thunberg (Part 1) on the methods of vegetative propagation. "Natural Medicines" 48(2): 126-130. Tsumura Cent. Res. Lab., 3586, Yoshihara, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-11, Japan.
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Polygonum+multiflorum Monograph in the "Plants For A Future" database]

External links

* [http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/1042/ Several photos]
* [http://www.itmonline.org/arts/hoshouwu.htm Extensive article, by Subhuti Dharmananda]
* [http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsWho/0,3923,4110%7CPolygonum+multiflorum,00.html Monograph, by "Drug Digest"]
* [http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_he_shou_wu.htm Monograph pertaining to traditional Chinese medicine, by "herbs2000.com"]
* [http://alternativehealing.org/he_shou_wu.htm Monograph pertaining to traditional Chinese medicine, edited by Joe H. K. Chu]
* [http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/FoTi.htm Article pertaining to traditional Chinese medicine, by Cathy Wong]
* [http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&useSecondary=true&ssDocName=CON2023590&ssTargetNodeId=663 Reported warning of adverse liver reactions, by "MHRA" (2006)]