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Polygonum multiflorum
| Common name: |
He Shou Wu |
Family: |
Polygonaceae |
| Author: |
Thunb. |
Botanical references: |
74, 266 |
| Synonyms: |
Fallopia multiflora |
| Known Hazards: |
Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people.
Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whilst not toxic this substance can bind up other minerals making them unavailable to the body and leading to mineral deficiency. Having said that, a number of common foods such as sorrel and rhubarb contain oxalic acid and the leaves of most members of this genus are nutritious and beneficial to eat in moderate quantities. Cooking the leaves will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238]. |
| Range: |
E. Asia - China. |
| Habitat: |
Woods, north to latitude 42° 30' north[74]. Along the banks of streams and in valley shrub thickets[147]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
3 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| P. chinense[H]
P. miltiflorum[E]
P. multiflorus[E]
Pleuropteus convolvulus[H]
Pleuropteus cordatus[H]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Ho Chou Wu [E], Ho Shou Wu [E], She Chien Ts'Ao [E], Turu-Dokudami [E], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
florum = flowered
multiflorum = many flowered
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Polygonales. Buckwheat family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
China
Japan Malaya
|
Physical Characteristics
Perennial Climber growing to 4.5m. It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower from September to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
We rate it 3/5 for edibility and
3/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.Edible Uses
Flowers
Leaves Root Seed.
Leaves - raw or cooked.
Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize[105].
Flowers[179]. No more details are given.
Root - cooked[2, 177]. It should be washed several times in order to leech
out the bitterness[179]. This process will also remove many of the vitamins
and minerals from the roots[K]. A famine food, it is only used when all else
fails[105].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Antibacterial
Anticholesterolemic Antipyretic Antispasmodic Antitumor Astringent Cardiotonic Demulcent Deobstruent Hypoglycaemic Laxative Sedative Tonic.
He Shou Wu is considered to be one of the most important of the Chinese
herbal tonics and is widely used in that country[218]. It is said to restore
vitality and virility[174], working especially on the liver and the
reproductive, urinary and circulatory systems[238]. Some care should be
exercised, however, since excessive doses can cause skin rash and numbness of
the extremities[238].
The roots and stems are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic,
astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent, depurative, hypoglycaemic, laxative,
sedative, tonic[116, 147, 174, 176, 238, 279]. The roots are taken internally
in the treatment of menstrual and menopausal complaints, constipation in the
elderly, swollen lymph glands and high cholesterol levels[238]. They are very
effective in reducing high cholesterol levels in the blood and increase blood
sugar levels[254]. Externally, they are used to treat ringworm, bleeding
wounds and sores[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from
plants 3 - 4 years old, and are dried for later use[238].
The leaves and roots tonify the liver and kidneys, fortify the blood,
strengthen the muscles and prevent premature greying of the hair[218].
The stem is deobstruent and sedative[218]. It is taken internally in the
treatment of insomnia and neurasthenia whilst it is applied externally to
ringworm[176, 238]. The stems are harvested in late summer or early autumn
and are dried for later use[238].
Extracts of the plant have shown antipyretic, antitumour, hypoglycaemic and
sedative activity[218]. We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.
Other Uses
None known
Cultivation details
Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive
not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[200]. Repays generous treatment[1].
This species is hardy to at least -15° c[238].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].
There is a suggestion that this plant might be dioecious[178], in which case
male and female plants will need to be grown if seed is required.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and
easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into
individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached
sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out
the following spring after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out
direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot
up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame
until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or
early summer.
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
References for Polygonum miltiflorum (a possible synonym).
References for Polygonum multiflorus (a possible synonym).
References for the family Polygonaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.
[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
[116] Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986
A small booklet packed with information.
[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.
[174] Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
A good Japanese herbal.
[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
A very good Chinese herbal.
[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
[179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Readers Comments
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