Fo-Ti herb and root health benefit,
extract and supplement
Chinese herbal medicine used for hair health, does it help with hair growth?
Fo Ti benefits He Shou Wu supplement, research studies
February 1 2017 by
Ray Sahelian, M.D.
According to Chinese herbal medicine, Fo Ti is used to invigorate the
kidneys and liver, and serve as a tonic to increase overall vitality. In China,
Fo-Ti is known as Ho Shou Wu (or He Shou Wu) and has a reputation for enhancing longevity and
energy. I have not seen any long term human studies regarding the anti-aging
benefits of this herb.
What's in Fo-Ti herb? What does it contain,
composition
Fo Ti contains a number of compounds, including stilbene glucosides, anthraquinone glucosides and anthraquinone derivates physcion, emodin, and
questin.
This herb has many substances including anthraquinones, polydatin, and resveratrol, chrysophanol, physcion, emodin,
aloeemodin, rhein, physcion, tetrahydroxy-stibene, noreugenin, apigenin,
daucosterol, beta-sitosterol, stearic acid. Anthraquinones, physcion, emodin,
and questin inhibit the enzymatic activity of Cdc25B phosphatase. This herb has
stilbenoids. Tetrahydroxystilbene-glucoside is one of, or the major, active
ingredient of the herb.
Benefits
Fo Ti has several properties, including the ability to lower triglyceride
levels and can also act as a good antioxidant. Studies in rodents indicate Fo-Ti
can enhance memory.
Review article
Pharmacognosy Res. 2015. Review of clinical studies of Polygonum multiflorum and
its isolated bioactive compounds. Polygonum multiflorum, officially
listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, is one of the most popular perennial
Chinese traditional medicines known as He shou wu in China and East Asia, and as
Fo-ti in North America. Mounting pharmacological studies have stressed out its
key benefice for the treatment of various diseases and medical conditions such
as liver injury, cancer, diabetes, alopecia, atherosclerosis, and
neurodegenerative diseases as well.
Progress of study on brain protective effect and mechanism of Polygonum
multiflorum
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2005. Institute of Geriatrics, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Beijing.
This paper reviews the brain protective effect and mechanism of Polygonum
multiflorum, its extracts and active component, tetrahydroxystilbene-glucoside published in recent decade.
They have major effects as calcium channel antagonists, antioxidant, cholinomimetic
drugs and cholinesterase inhibitors, as well as actions in regulating cell
apoptosis and prolonging the ageing. The brain protective mechanism is multi-target, multi-link and multi-way. Therefore, Fo Ti
herb has great applicative value in prevention and treatment of senile
neuropathies, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and vascular
dementia.
Alzheimer's disease
Protective effect of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb on amyloid beta-peptide
25-35 induced cognitive deficits in mice.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2006; Food Function Research Division, Korea Food Research
Institute, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Amyloid beta protein (Abeta) may be neurotoxic during the progression of
Alzheimer's disease by eliciting oxidative stress. This study was designed to
determine the effect of Polygonum multiflorum water extract on
Abeta25-35-induced cognitive deficits and oxidative stress in mice. Our findings
suggest that FoTi herbal extract exerts a preventive effect against cognitive
deficits induced by Abeta25-35 accumulation in Alzheimer's disease, and that
this effect is mediated by the antioxidant properties of Fo Ti extract.
Antioxidant
The radical scavenging effects of stilbene glucosides from Polygonum multiflorum.
Arch Pharm Res. 2002.
The extract of the root of Fo-Ti exhibited a significant antioxidant activity.
The bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract yielded a stilbene glucoside,
as an active constituent responsible for the antioxidant property.
Aphrodisiac properties
Fo Ti is sometimes claimed to be a sex enhancer. I have not come across any
studies regarding this property.
Atherosclerosis, heart heatlh
Reduction of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits and decrease of
expressions of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth
factor in foam cells by a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum multiflorum.
J Pharmacol Sci. 2005; School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical
University, Shanghai, China.
Polygonum multiflorum stilbeneglycoside is a water-soluble fraction of Polygonum
multiflorum, one of the most famous tonic traditional Chinese medicines,
that has protective effects on the cardiovascular system. The purpose of the
present study is to elucidate the effects of stilbeneglycoside on
macrophage-derived foam cell functions and the reduction of severity of
atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic New Zealand White rabbits. Our results
show that that Fo Ti stilbeneglycoside is a powerful agent against
atherosclerosis and that this herbal extract's action could possibly be through
the inhibition of the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule and vascular
endothelial growth factor in foam cells.
Myocardial protective effect of an anthraquinone-containing
extract of Polygonum multiflorum ex vivo.
Planta Med. 1998.
An ethyl acetate extract of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. was
fractionated into an anthraquinone-containing fraction and a non-anthraquinone-containing
fraction. The more complete myocardial protection afforded by the anthraquinone-containing
fraction of fo ti extract may be related to its ability to sustain the
glutathione antioxidant status under the condition of oxidative stress.
Brain cell protection
Protective effect of polygonum multiflorum thunb on the cerebral cholinergic
neurofibers in rats.
Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2003.
Fo-Ti has a protective effect on AchE projecting fibers in rats.
Cognitive enhancement, memory
Polygonum multiflorum extracts improve
cognitive performance in senescence accelerated mice.
Am J Chin Med. 2003.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Polygonum
multflorum on the learning and memory ability in one and
seven-month-old male senescence accelerated mice. The mice were fed with
two different diets for 18 weeks; they were casein dietary group (control group)
and casein diet supplemented with Fo-ti extracts. It was concluded that the
supplement of the Fo-ti extracts could improve the learning and memory ability
and reduce the brain pathological changes in mice. This might be due to the
antioxidant phytochemicals of the Fo-ti extracts.
Beneficial effects of different Polygonum multiflorum Thunb extracts on memory
and hippocampus morphology.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol. 2002.
Four groups of 1-mo-old male senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8) were fed
Fo-Ti extract for 18 wk to determine the effect of
PM on memory ability and histopathological changes in mice. The baseline diet
consisted of a casein diet group, and the three test diets were supplemented
with 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol, or water extracts of Fo-Ti. It was found that the
mice fed with Fo-Ti extracts had better active shuttle avoidance response, fewer
vacuole numbers, less lipofuscin in the hippocampus, and lower MDA
concentrations in the brain. Our data showed that the ethanol Fo-Ti extract groups
had lower lipofuscin percentages and MDA
concentrations, and higher total thiol concentrations than the water PM extract
group. The 50% ethanol Fo-Ti extract group showed significantly lower total
cholesterol and triglyceride values than the other groups, but the HDL
cholesterol level was the same. These results suggest that dietary
supplementation with either ethanol or water extracts can reduce brain
pathological changes and promote learning and memory ability.
Is Fo Ti herb for hair loss?
Some people claim Fo Ti helps hair loss, but we have
not seen such research.
Hair loss or regrowth
What is your opinion of the DHT inhibiting effects of He Shou Wu?
We have not come across research evaluating the relationship of DHT to Fo-Ti
.
I read an article on a web site written by a Chinese
herbal doctor Dr. Maoshing Ni that "Shou wu" (also called "fo-ti" or polygonum
root) is a hair nurture supplement available in Asian herb stores, used to
restore hair growth and reverse graying. Rich in vitamin E and the B-complex
vitamins, Shou wu has many other health benefits: It supports healthy estrogen
profiles in women, stimulates red blood cell production, builds your immune
system, maintains healthy cholesterol levels, and improves intestinal
regularity. I just want to know if Dr. Maoshing Ni is right about this herb
helping with hair growth. He also says, "The Chinese have long discovered that
black sesame seeds, black beans, and walnuts reverse graying. For healthy and
shiny hair, eat foods everyday that are rich in essential fatty acids and
omega-rich nutrients: flaxseed oil, sesame oil, olive oil, virgin coconut oil,
avocado, beans, nuts and seeds."
As of 2016, I have not seen any human studies that
have shown this herb to reverse hair loss. I doubt that eating sesame seeds,
black beans and walnuts reverses graying hair.
I've been taking 6 pills a day of Now Foods Fo Ti for about 4 months now. Whilst it has done nothing for grey hair, I do have a skin rash on my right forearm that gets sore after a shower, and at other times. I read Fo Ti can cause a skin rash if you're allergic to it. At the moment I'm taking a break from it because it has done nothing for my hair and I want to see if the rash goes. I really wanted a tonic for grey hair. I really did. The rash is slightly raised red spots about 1-2 mm across in a small patch of a few square inches.
I have been taking prepared FO TI capsules the dark
reddish colored 550 mg, 2 times a day for a month now, I am taking basically to
cure my premature hair greying. Does it really reverses grey to black if i
continue to take it for the following months, and are there any other effective
solutions for my premature greying.
A. I am not aware of any natural supplements that reverse gray hair
but I will look for and keep up with any such research.
Q. I stumbled across your website when I was researching
about Fo-Ti. I was considering purchasing it to help reversal of gray hairs. I’m
only 19 and I have a large amount of noticeable gray hairs. I read your post on
Fo-Ti and you said this Chinese herb has not had any effects on reversal of gray
hairs. I was curious to if you or your team would still recommend it and if so,
which brand specifically. Many of companies have different ratios of extract. In
addition, do you have any other products you would recommend that would help me
in my situation?
A. I am not aware of any studies that show Fo-Ti reversing grey
hair and hence cannot recommend it to anyone wishing to use it for this purpose.
Fo Ti
side effects
and cautions, risk, toxicity, and
concerns, including liver toxicity
There have been rare reports of chronic consumption of high doses of Fo-Ti inducing liver
damage or hepatitis.
The title of the medical report is "New case of acute
hepatitis following the consumption of Shou Wu Pian, a Chinese herbal product
derived from Polygonum multiflorum." Mind Power Rx has very small amounts
of Fo-Ti.
Acute hepatitis associated with the use of an herbal supplement Polygonum
multiflorum mimicking iron-overload syndrome.
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008.
Acute hepatitis due to shen-min: a herbal product
derived from Polygonum multiflorum.
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006. Cárdenas A, Restrepo JC, Sierra FG. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital Pablo Tobón
Uribe and Gastro-Hepatology Group, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Shen-Min is a herbal product sold as a supplement for women to enhance hair
growth. It is widely available across Asia, Europe, and the United States and
sold without prescription as a hair nutritional supplement. We describe a case
of acute liver injury in a 28-year-old white woman who developed symptomatic
hepatitis 8 weeks after starting Shen-Min. All other potential causes of acute
hepatitis including viral, hypoxic/ischemic, metabolic, and autoimmune
etiologies were excluded. The liver injury slowly resolved over 3 weeks after
discontinuing the herbal product. Although the mechanism of Shen-Min
hepatotoxicity is unknown, we suspect an idiosyncratic reaction because the
patient developed a fine maculopapular rash, mild eosinophilia, and did not
overdose. Shen-Min is a Chinese herbal product with a mixture of several plants
and vitamins including Polygonum multiflorum, a root that has been previously
associated with hepatotoxicity.
Complement Ther Med. 2014 Feb. Eighteen cases of liver injury following ingestion of Polygonum multiflorum. Polygonum multiflorum is a popular Chinese herbal medication. In this case series, we report on 18 otherwise healthy non-viral hepatitis patients who developed liver dysfunction following consumption of P. multiflorum alone. Concurrent and retrospective analysis was used in this study. The causality of Fo-Ti in liver injury was graded by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) toxicity scale. From 2005 to 2012, 18 cases of hepatotoxicity potentially involving P. multiflorum. The median age was 42 years old (range from 18 to 63). Median time of onset of symptoms was 27 days (1-120). Prevailing clinical symptoms were fatigue, loss of appetite and jaundice. Sixteen patients had elevated level of total bilirubin (>21mol/L); liver enzymes elevated markedly in all patients (ALT>40U/L, AST>40U/L, GGT>50U/L), except for alkaline phosphatase which elevated only in nine patients. Based on the liver enzyme pattern, the type of liver injuries were hepatocellular according to CIOMS. In terms of causality, 14 of 18 patients were evaluated as being highly probable. All patients were responding well to Fo-Ti stoppage, and liver protective-supportive care. P. multiflorum products can be associated with hepatotoxicity in otherwise healthy non-viral hepatitis infected patients, regardless of herbal processing.
New case of acute hepatitis following the consumption of Shou Wu Pian, a Chinese herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. Ann Intern Med. 2004.
I was reading your analysis page regarding this Chinese
herb. I am wondering if you have received any responses / feedback concerning
negative reactions to taking this herb. I have been taking 1500 mg daily in
divided doses, and I seem to feel a lot less energy and just a general
unmotivated feeling. I have heard of certain supplements causing a "detox" or
"die-off" effect when first starting them. Do you know if Fo Ti may result in
something similar? If not, is there any logical reason why it would cause such a
reaction?
Sometimes taking a high dosage of any herb can reduce
wellbeing. It may have to do with exhausting certain levels of hormones or
neurotransmitters. A good option is to take a break for a week and then resume
at a third of the dosage a day and to take frequent breaks from use.
Fo Ti extract
Fo Ti is sold by raw material suppliers in various extract potencies,
including 2% Phosphatide. The main anthraquinones in fo ti herb are
emodin, physcion and questin.
I really like your formula Mind Power Rx.
Recently I see that the herb fo ti is a part of the formula, and that fo ti
contains anthraquinones. Are these toxic? I read that California has listed
these substances as a liver carcinogen. Also, the FDA has recently added a black
box warning to Cipro which is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Are anthraquinones
and fluoroquinolnes related? Thanks for your great formulas and educational
service.
Anthraquinones and fluoroquinolnes are very different substances
in terms of their physiologic effects. The amount of fo it herb in Mind Power Rx
is very small. Any harm from the use of most herbs comes when excessive amounts
are ingested. I doubt that the small amounts of
anthraquinones in fo ti would be carcinogenic unless a person ingests a very
high amount of fo ti herb for many months and years. Shou Wu
Wan (Fu Fang Shou Wu Pian, HairVive is an herbal formula with fo ti as a
prominent herb ingredient but it contians other herbs such as Radix Rehmanniae.
Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, Folium Mori, Semen Sesami
Nigrum, Semen Cuscutae, Fructus Psoraleae, Herba Siegesbeckiae, Flios Lonicerae,
Fructus Mori, Herba Ecliptae, Fructus Rosae Laevigatae and perhaps others.
It is difficult to say at this time whether fo ti causes hepatitis, if it does,
it is a rare occurrence.
Research studies
Estrogen bioactivity in fo-ti and other herbs used for their estrogen-like
effects as determined by a recombinant cell bioassay.
PJ Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003.
One of the most important issues in women's health concerns the risks and
benefits of estrogen replacement therapy. Continual uncertainty and lack of
consensus regarding estrogen replacement therapy has driven many women to seek
alternative sources of estrogen, including herbal remedies. We adapted a
recombinant cell bioassay to measure estrogen bioactivity in herbs. We studied,
in vitro, estrogen bioactivity in red clover, dong quai, black cohosh, soy,
licorice, chaste tree berry, fo-ti, and hops. Soy, clover, licorice, and hops
have a large amount of measurable estrogen bioactivity, as suspected, based on
previous reports using other methods. We discovered surprisingly high estrogen
activity in extracts of fo ti not previously reported. Chaste tree berry, black
cohosh, and dong quai did not have measurable activity with this method. We also
discovered that removal of a glycone group from soy increases its estrogen
bioactivity significantly. We conclude that this recombinant cell bioassay for
estradiol can be used to measure bioactivity in herbal products. The
preparations of fo-ti studied had estrogen activity of 409 +/- 55 pmol/liter
estradiol equivalents per microgram of herb, which is 1/300 the activity of 17
beta-estradiol. Clinical studies are underway to determine the estrogen
bioactivity in women using dietary supplements containing these herbs.
Antimutagenic property of an herbal medicine, Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.
detected by the Tradescantia micronucleus assay.
J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncology 1999.
The root extracts of a Chinese herb, Polygonum multiflorum have
been used for centuries as an internal medicine to improve liver and kidney
functions. In this study, we evaluated the antimutagenic property of this drug
with the Tradescantia micronucleus (Trad-MCN) assay. This antimutagenic effect
could be attributed to the antioxidant action of Fo-ti, enhancement of DNA
repair, or the radical elimination from the irradiated plant cells.
Effect of the root of Polygonum multiflorum and its processed products
on fat accumulation in the liver of mice.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 1992.
Experiments have shown that the root of Fo Ti exhibits inhibitory effect on
triglyceride accumulation in the liver of mice induced
by CCl4, cortisone acetate and thioacetamide (TAA). Its processed products (I,
II) were found to be effective in lowering the accumulated triglyceride induced by
cortisone acetate. The root of Fo-Ti and its processed products
also reduced the enlargement of liver by CCl4.
Polygonum multiflorum --
Fleeceflower --
He Shou Wu -- Shouwu --
Supplement doses
I've noticed different Fo Ti supplements have different doses. Swansons and Now
Foods are both just dried, powdered plant root. I've asked both companies. But
Swansons say 1 per day (500mg) and Now Foods say take 6 per day (over 3000 mg).
Please tell me about the differences in doses and maximum doses.
A. The dosing of different herbs is still a largely unexplored area of
herbal medicine and there are few guidelines established which allows different
companies to have a wide range of suggestions.
Nature's Way
- buy Fo-Ti Root, 610 mg each pill
Fo Ti
herb (Polygonum multiflorum) is known in China as He Shou Wu. Considered one of
China's four great herbs, it is used on an alternating basis with Ginseng.
Supplement Facts
Fo-Ti root
Buy Fo-Ti supplement
| Supplement Facts | ||
| Serving Size: 2 Capsules | ||
| Servings Per Container: 50 | ||
| Amount Per Serving: | %DV | |
| Fo-Ti (root) | 1.22 g | ** |
Recommendation: Take 1 Fo-Ti capsule before breakfast or lunch.