Polygonum multiflorum

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Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Polygonaceae
Genus:	Polygonum
Species:	P. multiflorum

Binomial name

Polygonum multiflorum
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 (何首乌). 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.

The roots contain considerable amounts of lecithin.^{[citation needed]}

1 Medicinal use
2 References
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] 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

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

[edit] 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.