SYNONYMS: Fallopia multiflora, Reynoutria multiflora, Pleuropterus multiflorus
LATIN NAME: Polygonum multiflorum
COMMON NAMES: Polygoni Multiflori Slices, He Shou Wu, Fo‑Ti Root Slices, Tuber Fleeceflower Root Slices
Polygoni Multiflori slices are dried prepared sections taken from the mature tuberous root of Polygonum multiflorum, a robust perennial twining vine native to East Asian temperate zones. Root tubers develop underground over multiple growing seasons, building dense starchy tissue that can be harvested, cleaned, cut into thick irregular pieces and air‑dried or further processed according to traditional herbal practices. Raw slices show pale reddish‑brown starchy cross‑sections marked by characteristic brocade‑pattern vascular bundles, while steamed processed pieces shift to deeper brown‑black horny textures. These root slices find wide application within herbal material collections, botanical reference stock and sustainable
herb cultivation projects.
Growing parent plants from
seed or tuber cuttings brings practical benefits for consistent raw‑material supply. Plants raised from seed develop well‑anchored deep root systems that thrive in humus‑rich, well‑aerated garden soils. Tuber division delivers fast‑growing clonal stock when uniform root characteristics are preferred. Natural genetic variation within seed‑grown populations brings subtle differences in tuber size and tissue composition across cultivated batches.
Harvest of mature tubers takes place in late autumn, once the vine’s above‑ground growth slows for the season. Dig carefully to extract full fleshy tubers, remove attached soil and fibrous rootlets, then wash thoroughly. Clean tubers are sliced into thick even segments. Slices are laid out for slow shaded ventilation drying, or moved through steaming procedures for further herbal preparation. Well‑dried slices maintain stable quality under cool dry storage conditions.
For establishing new source plants from seed, ripe dark brown achenes are collected once autumn flowering finishes. Seed material is cleaned free of floral chaff. A moist cold conditioning phase supports smooth embryo activation. Scatter prepared seeds across loose humus‑rich substrate with a light soil covering. Dappled bright light protects young growth from intense direct sun. Maintain steady mild substrate moisture, and robust seedlings will emerge at a steady pace.
Young seedlings produce simple heart‑shaped foliage and gradually develop twining climbing stems. Thoughtful thinning gives each specimen enough underground space for tuber expansion. Seedlings transplant easily during mild cool periods. Placed in partly‑sunny sheltered garden positions, these plants spread twisting vines over trellises and supports. Year by year, substantial fleshy tubers build beneath the soil surface. Mature vines produce airy clusters of small creamy‑white autumn blossoms, and supply harvest‑ready root material suitable for slicing once several full growing seasons are completed.
Description
anti aging, improving immune system, alleviating serum cholesterol, reversing hardening of arteries, improving bowel movements, stimulating adrenal cortex, regulate epinephrine and norepenephrine, regulate blood sugar, protecting liver function, improving the development of red blood cells, inhibiting TB, diarrhea, influenza.
He shou wu powder can lower the blood cholesterol, triglyceride, b- lipoprotein (LDL) of high lipid animals. They were lowered by 89%, 42%,and 54% respectively. The triglyceride of the liver was lowered by 52%.The ingredient of he shou wu, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystibene-2O-b-D-glucoside possesses a strong inhibiting effect on fatty liver formation,and liver damage of rats caused by oxidized corn oil. It also inhibits the elevation of serum ALT, AST and lipid peroxydation (LPO), and the damaging of the liver.He shou wu can lower serum free fatty acid and lipid peroxydation.In vitro studies showed that he shou wu can protect liver, anti fatty liver formation because it can inhibit lipid oxydation and the destruction of liver cells.He shou wu is being used in improving the function of the liver, in fatty liver, and in viral hepatitis.Among the the 4 different kinds of prepared he shou wu, raw he shou wu possesses the strongest property in eliminating free radicals. The strength of the different preparation in eliminating free radicals is in the the following order: raw he shou wu, soy bean prepared he shou wu, steamed he shou wu, and soy plus alcohol prepared he shou wu.
