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Polygonum multiflorum Seed

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Bonsai Polygonum multiflorum

LATIN NAME: POLYGONUM MULTIFLORUM

COMMON NAME: He Shou Wu Seed, Fo-ti, Chinese Knotweed

The Polygonum multiflorum, or he shou wu, is a vigorous and interesting plant of the East, and its twining growth, its heart-shaped leaves and its long association with the herbal traditions have made it a subject of study and cultivation. It grows as a vigorous, twining, herbaceous perennial of the knotweed family, with the long, branching, reddish stems which twine around the supports and the neighbouring plants, bearing alternate, heart-shaped, pointed, glossy, bright-green leaves and, in the late summer and the early autumn, the small, greenish-white flowers in the branching, open clusters, followed by the small, black, shiny, three-angled seeds, while below the ground it develops a thick, dark, tuberous root which can grow to a considerable size with age. It is a species of the flowering herb, native to the woodlands, the thickets and the hedgerows of the East, while it has been cultivated for its root and its seed, and it is known as the he shou wu, the fo-ti or the Chinese knotweed.

Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology

The Polygonum multiflorum has a real and distinguished place in research. It has been studied in the chemistry and the natural-products science, since the plant contains a range of compounds in its root and its leaves, and the researchers have examined the species, its constituents and its composition, while the study of the knotweeds and their chemistry has drawn attention in the international natural-products press, and the plant is best appreciated as a subject of study and a traditional material rather than a casual remedy. The plant has also been studied in the genetics and the plant science, since the Polygonum multiflorum is a variable species with many cultivated forms, and the researchers have examined its genetics, its relationships and its propagation, while the study of the medicinal plants and their breeding has been of continuing interest. The species has also been studied in the ecology and the invasive-species science, since the knotweeds are vigorous plants which can spread quickly in the right conditions, and the researchers have examined their growth and their impact, while the heart-shaped leaves and the twining stems of the Polygonum multiflorum have been of interest to the botanists and the growers. For a plant of such vigour, the Polygonum multiflorum has a rich and distinguished record of research.

Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications

To grow the Polygonum Multiflorum from seed, the polygonum multiflorum is a vigorous, twining perennial of the woodlands and the hedgerows of the East, bearing the heart-shaped leaves and the small, white flowers in the summer. Its flowers feed the bees and the insects, and its twining growth gives a fine cover on the fences and the woodland edges, while its thick, tuberous root stores the energy for the plant’s vigorous growth. Its economic value is real: the Polygonum multiflorum is prized for its root, which is one of the most important of the traditional materials of the East, and its value has drawn attention in the international agricultural and trade press, while the cultivation of the plant in the farms and the gardens has provided a sustainable source of the root and the seed, and the plant is a fine addition to the herb garden and the woodland edge. To raise the polygonum multiflorum, sow the seeds in pots of moist, open soil in a bright, cool place, keep them gently watered, and grow the little plants on in the light.

sow the seeds in pots of moist, open soil in a bright, cool place, keep the young knotweed gently watered, and grow the little plants on in the light.

 

 

 

 

SYNONYMS: Fallopia multiflora, Reynoutria multiflora, Pleuropterus multiflorus

LATIN NAME: Polygonum multiflorum

COMMON NAMES: Tuber Fleeceflower, Fo‑Ti, Chinese Knotweed

Polygonum multiflorum is a hardy perennial climbing vine native across East Asia. Twining reddish stems stretch upward over supports, bearing smooth ovate green leaves. Loose panicles of tiny creamy‑white blossoms emerge in late autumn, followed by small dark triangular achenes. This vigorous vine develops substantial fleshy tuberous roots beneath ground level. It fits well within woodland edges, trellis plantings and botanical herb collections. Seed‑raised material delivers an effective approach to build new plant populations and maintain natural genetic diversity.

Propagation from seed brings notable practical advantages for this climbing herb. Seed‑grown plants develop deep‑reaching root structures well‑adapted to loose humus‑rich soils. Sowing seed offers a reliable way to produce large plant numbers when vine cuttings are limited. Natural variation within seed lots brings gentle differences in tuber development and overall vine vigour among young specimens.

Seeds ripen through late autumn once floral clusters fade. Collect mature seed material when fruits turn deep brown and fully dry. Clean seeds free of leftover floral fragments and chaff. A period of moist cold conditioning aligns with natural seasonal cycles and primes seed tissues for robust growth. Freshly harvested seed delivers the most promising growing performance.

Arrange cleaned seeds into loose, humus‑enriched, fast‑draining nursery substrate. Cover seeds with a light layer of fine soil. Bright dappled light shelters emerging growth from harsh full sun. Maintain steady mild moisture throughout the growing medium and avoid water‑saturated conditions. Once internal seed preparation completes, lively seedlings push steadily through the soil surface.

Young seedlings unfold simple heart‑shaped foliage and begin forming flexible twining stems as they mature. Careful thinning gives each seedling ample underground room for root expansion. Seedlings transplant well when small, shifting into individual containers to accommodate developing tuber growth. Settled in sheltered partly‑sunny locations, these seed‑raised vines extend climbing stems over trellises and surrounding vegetation. Established plants produce airy white autumn flower sprays, and slowly build thick storage tubers underground, delivering steady long‑term performance for temperate herb and landscape plant spaces

  Research has demonstrated that Polygonum multiflorum can very significantly increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. SOD is a powerful natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger that has been demonstrated to have powerful anti-aging benefits in humans. Polygonum multiflorum also inhibits b -monoamine oxidase (b -MAO). Both of these factors contribute to the anti-aging effects of this herb. Polygonum multiflorum has been demonstrated to help strengthen the membranes of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and to promote the growth and development of erythrocytes. Polygonum multiflorum has been found to induce the production in human beings of g-interferon. The tuberous root, the part of the plant used herbally under the name Polygonum multiflorum, contains lecithin and anthraquinones, free or conjugated. The root also contains more than 1.2% of a substance known as 2,3,5,4-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-0-b-D-glucoside, which is considered to be the principle active constituent. Polygonum multiflorum is good to strengthen the muscles and tendons. It is also very beneficial for the nerves. It is used for backaches, knee joint pain, traumatic bruises, and neurasthenia. It has been used to lower blood pressure. Many people say it helps them to fall asleep at night also. The list goes on and on!   Benefits: Polygonum multiflorum is a tonic for the endocrine glands, it improves health, stamina and resistance to disease. It is used to reduce cholesterol because of its lecithin. It is used for angina pectoris, bloody stools, hypoglycemia, diabetes, night sweating, schizophrenia, chronic bronchitis, epilepsy, head injuries, impotence, malaria, sores, cuts, and ringworm. It promotes red blood cells, helps rid intestinal parasites, and is good for resistance to cold.   Studies show that Polygonum multiflorum extract improves the cardiovascular system, enhances immune functions, slows the degeneration of glands, increases antioxidant activity, and reduces the accumulation of lipid peroxidation. Such findings suggest that Polygonum multiflorum is helpful in combating some of the processes that lead to conditions characteristic of old age, thereby also reducing the risk of fatal diseases (e.g., cancer) and incidents (e.g., heart attack, stroke). Polygonum multiflorum was shown to have effects on the antioxidant system superoxide dismutase (SOD), accumulation of lipid peroxidase, and enhancement of cell-mediated immune responses, Other antiaging substances studied extensively include Ginseng, Astragalus, Epimedium, Cordyceps, Ganoderma, Iberian Ginseng, and Polygonatum (Huang Jing). Studies have also demonstrated that various laboratory animals fed Polygonum multiflorum in their diets lived longer than control animals: Study 1: A decoction with Polygonum multiflorum as the main ingredient prolonged the lifespan of fruit flies. At 0.1% strength, the decoction could prolong the lifespan by 5.83%. At 0.5% strength, it could prolong the lifespan by 12.03%. Study 2: Polygonum multiflorum has been shown to slow down the aging of vital organs in aged animals, especially the reproductive organs, the ovary, the uterus and the testicle. The same formula also demonstrated significant results in open human clinical studies. Study 3: In an attempt to prove Shou Wu`s legendary reputation as being able to reverse grey hair to black, Shou Wu liquor (dilute alcohol extract) was given to 36 people with gray hair. 24 completely recovered their dark hair and 8 more showed improvement. The total effective rate was of 88.9%. Also, traditionally this herb is said to increase essence and blood. This combination of attributes indicates that it would increase fertility in a woman and sperm in a man increase essence and blood are the two necessary qualities required to bare a child. Men and women attempting to have children should take Polygonum multiflorum.    

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