Herb module

He Shou Wu

Fleeceflower Root (Fo-Ti)Polygonum multiflorum

A dark, earthy root that Traditional Chinese Medicine has long used to nourish the Liver, Kidneys, Blood, and deep Jing reserves.

Found inLongevity · The Zoi

He Shou Wu is the root of a climbing vine, known in English as fleeceflower root or Fo-Ti. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is used to tonify the Liver and Kidneys and to nourish Blood and Jing, the deep reserves we draw on as we age. That is why it appears in Zoi's Longevity formula, The Zoi™.

Best functions

Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
Nourishes Blood and Jing, our deep constitutional reserves
Traditionally used to expel Wind from the skin
Moistens the intestines and helps keep the bowels moving
Used to relieve Fire Toxin

Fascinating facts

In English-speaking herb shops you will often see this root sold as Fo-Ti, and in Zoi's sheets it is also called fleeceflower root.
The Chinese name is usually explained through a folk legend about a man named He whose graying hair turned black again after he ate the root. The name is often translated as 'Mr. He's black hair.'
Traditional Chinese Medicine values He Shou Wu as a tonic for Jing and Blood. Jing is the deep, inherited essence that the tradition sees as a person's lifelong reserve.
Research has looked at its stilbene glycosides, compounds studied for antioxidant activity and for supporting the liver.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, He Shou Wu is a tonic herb with a bitter, sweet, and astringent flavor. It is warm in nature and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

Go deeperDownload the fact sheet on the Longevity · The Zoi page

Biomedical deep dive

He Shou Wu Fleeceflower Root (Fo-Ti)

From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.

On the fact sheet

He Shou Wu (Fleeceflower Root, Polygoni multioflori) is warm and enters the LIV and KI meridians; tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes the Blood and Jing, expels Wind from the skin, moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels, and relieves Fire Toxin. Longevity | The Zoi sheet

Key active constituents

The fact sheets don’t name constituents for this herb.

Pharmacology and mechanisms

Fleeceflower is listed with Cordyceps, wolfberry, Astragalus, Dan Shen and magnolia bark as herbs with anti-tumor functions in research.
Stilbene glycosides (key compounds) are antioxidant and protect liver cells and nerve cells from oxidative stress. Noa’s notes
Inhibits β-secretase, with potential anti-Alzheimer activity in preclinical (lab and animal) models. Noa’s notes
Studied for anti-aging: activates SIRT1 and increases mitochondrial biogenesis (making new cell power plants). · Noa’s notes

What the research says

Fleeceflower and wolfberry were shown to decrease blood sugar and lipids (blood fats) in animal tests (Bounda & Feng, Pharmacognosy Res 2015).
A review of clinical studies of Polygonum multiflorum and its compounds is the Longevity sheet's main source for fleeceflower (Bounda & Feng, Pharmacognosy Res 2015).

Safety, interactions and cautions

Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.
Use only the processed form (Zhi He Shou Wu); the raw form can harm the liver. Noa’s notes
Rare liver toxicity risk: use caution with other liver-stressing drugs and monitor if liver enzymes are a concern. · Noa’s notes
Avoid with diarrhea, loose stools or Dampness. Noa’s notes

In these Zoi formulas

Longevity | The Zoi (#5 on the fact sheet)

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.