Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum
Family:Polygonum multiflorum; Antibacterial; Anticholesterolemic; Antipyretic; Antispasmodic; Antitumor; Astringent; Cardiotonic; Demulcent; Deobstruent; Hypoglycaemic; Laxative; Sedative; Tonic.
Common name:He Shou Wu
He Shou Wu is considered to be one of the most important of the Chinese herbal tonics and is widely used in that country. It is said to restore vitality and virility working especially on the liver and the reproductive urinary and circulatory systems. Some care should be exercised however since excessive doses can cause skin rash and numbness of the extremities. The roots and stems are antibacterial anticholesterolemic antispasmodic astringent cardiotonic demulcent depurative hypoglycaemic laxative sedative tonic. The roots are taken internally in the treatment of menstrual and menopausal complaints constipation in the elderly swollen lymph glands and high cholesterol levels. They are very effective in reducing high cholesterol levels in the blood and increase blood sugar levels. Externally they are used to treat ringworm bleeding wounds and sores. The roots are harvested in the autumn preferably from plants 3 - 4 years old and are dried for later use. The leaves and roots tonify the liver and kidneys fortify the blood strengthen the muscles and prevent premature greying of the hair. The stem is deobstruent and sedative. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia and neurasthenia whilst it is applied externally to ringworm. The stems are harvested in late summer or early autumn and are dried for later use. Extracts of the plant have shown antipyretic antitumour hypoglycaemic and sedative activity.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 05:14 []