Shou Wu Tablets (Fo-Ti Extract Tablets)

Health & Personal Care

Acupuncture / TCM Health / Beauty Martial Arts

Shou Wu, Radix Polygoni multiflori, the Prepared Polygonum multiflorum, Tonifying the Liver and Kidney to Nourish the Blood and Prevent Early Greying of the Hair 何首乌制何首乌

Shou Wu Tablets (首乌片)

Product: Shou Wu Tablets
Packing: 100 tablets per bottle, 250 mg per tablet, sugar free.
Manufactured by Shanghai Chinese Herbal Works, China

Shou Wu Pian is a well-known formula of Fo-Ti extract. Fo-Ti is one of the most widely used Chinese tonic herbs. Fo-Ti Root is well recognized as a rejuvenating and longevity tonic in China, where it's consumed routinely by those concerned with youthful strength and vigor. There is also evidence that Fo-Ti offers natural nutritional support for healthy cholesterol levels. The part of this plant used is its root. Fo Ti is second only to ginseng in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Chinese common name for Fo-Ti, he-shou-wu, was the name of a Tang dynasty man whose infertility was supposedly cured by Fo-Ti; in addition, his long life was attributed to the tonic properties of this herb. Since then, traditional Chinese medicine uses Fo-Ti to treat premature aging, weakness, vaginal discharges, numerous infectious diseases, angina pectoris, and impotence.

Traditional Chinese herbalists place great emphasis on the shape & age of the roots, with the older roots being in greater demand.
The unprocessed root is sometimes used. However, once it has been boiled in a special liquid made from black beans, it is considered a superior and rather different medicine according to traditional Chinese medicine. The unprocessed root is sometimes called "White Fo-Ti", and the processed root is "Red Fo-Ti".

Modern research indicates that this herb contains an alkaloid that has rejuvenating effects on the nerves, brain cells and endocrine glands. It stimulates a portion of the adrenal gland and helps to detoxify the body. Hair health, energy and sexual vigor are the products of this rejuvenation.

All of the active constituents of Fo-Ti have yet to be determined. Fo-Ti does contain a number of glycosides that account for the herbs use as a remedy for stomach disorders and constipation.
Researchers suspect that the roots may contain compounds with mild cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory effects.
The whole root has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, according to animal and human research, as well as to decrease hardening of the arteries, or arteriosclerosis.
Other Fo-Ti research has investigated this herb's role in strong immune function, red blood cell formation, and antibacterial action. The unprocessed roots possess a mild laxative effect.

Processed fo-ti contains protein-sugar complexes known as lectins. Because they attach to specific arrangements of carbohydrates on cells in the body, lectins act like antibodies, but they do not cause allergy symptoms. The lectins in processed fo-ti may affect fat levels in the blood, helping to prevent or delay heart disease by blocking the formation of plaques in blood vessels. Plaques are accumulations of fat and other cells that restrict the size of blood vessels and limit the flexibility of their walls.

Because they attach to specific arrangements of carbohydrates on cells in the body, lectins act like antibodies, but they do not cause allergy symptoms. The lectins in processed fo-ti may affect fat levels in the blood, helping to prevent or delay heart disease by blocking the formation of plaques in blood vessels. Plaques are accumulations of fat and other cells that restrict the size of blood vessels and limit the flexibility of their walls. In animal studies, processed fo-ti also reduced the amount of fat that deposited in the liver and it may protect the liver from damage by toxins such as dry cleaning fluid. Processed fo-ti may also have immune system effects.

Lower cholesterol levels: The whole root has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, according to animal and human research, as well as to decrease hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. Other fo-ti research has investigated this herb's role in strong immune function, red blood cell formation and antibacterial action

Popular Chinese tonic: Although he shou wu is not the earliest tonic herb listed in Chinese herbal medicine (it is first mentioned in AD 713), he shou wu has certainly become one of the most important and widely used. He shou wu is taken regularly by millions of people throughout the East for its rejuvenating and toning properties and to increase fertility in both men and women.

Liver & kidney remedy: In Chinese herbal medicine, he shou wu' s most important use is as a tonic for the liver and kidneys. By strengthening liver and kidney function, he shou wu helps to cleanse the blood, enabling the qi to circulate freely around the whole body.

Nerve & blood tonic: He shou wu is given in Chinese herbal medicine to people with symptoms, such as dizziness, weakness, numbness, and blurred vision, which indicate inefficient nerves and "blood deficiency."

Premature aging: He shou wu is prescribed in China for people showing signs of premature aging, including graying of the hair. This use suggests that the herb supports the body, helping it function in a balanced, healthy way.

Malaria: The herb is prescribed in the treatment of chronic malaria, when he shou wu is often combined with ginseng (Panax ginseng), Chinese angelica (Angelica sinensis,), and green tangerine peel (Citrus reticulata).

Cholesterol levels: In animal experiments in China, he shou wu was shown to reduce raised blood cholesterol levels significantly. Also, in a clinical trial, over 80% of patients with high blood cholesterol who had been taking decoctions of the root showed an improvement.

Blood sugar levels: Chinese research has revealed that he shou wu helps to increase the levels of sugar in the blood.

Countering infection: In China, experiments have demonstrated that he shou wu has the ability to counter the tuberculosis bacillus, and it is thought that it may be helpful in the treatment of malaria.

Fatty acid synthase inhibitor: Fo-ti is a Chinese herbal obtained from the roots of the polygonum multiflorun. Fo-Ti is well known for its properties as an adaptogen and its purported role in increasing longevity, preventing premature aging and graying hair. More recently, it has been found that fo-ti is a fatty acid synthase inhibitor. Fatty acid synthase is the only enzyme that can generate fats within the cell; all other fat comes from the diet. The inhibition of this enzyme can help to reduce fat storage and production in the fat cell.

Fo-ti and Other uses: Blood deficiency, premature graying of the hair, nerve damage, wind rash, eczema, sores, carbuncles, goiter, scrofula and inflammation of lymph nodes and heat toxicity. The herb is also used to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and restore from exhaustion.

何首乌Radix Polygoni MuItiflori
（英）Fleeceflower Root
来源　为蓼科植物何首乌Polygonum multiflorumThunb.的块根。

植物形态　多年生缠绕草本。叶互生，长4～9cm，宽达5cm，全缘，托叶鞘干膜质，抱茎；具叶柄。圆锥花序顶生或腋生，花小；花被5深裂，外面3片背部有翅。瘦果椭圆形，包于宿存翅状花被内。花期8～10月，果期9～11月。

生于山坡石缝、篱边、林下或灌丛中。主产河南、广东、贵州、江苏、湖北、四川。

采制　春、秋季采挖，削去两端，洗净，个大的切块，干燥。生用或黑豆汁炙。

性状　块根团块状或不规则纺锤形，长6～15cm，直径4～12cm。表面红棕色或红褐色，皱缩不平，有浅沟及横长皮孔。质坚重，粉性，断面有淡红棕色云锦状花纹。味微苦、涩。

化学成份　含卵磷脂大黄素（emodin）、大黄酚（chryso－phanol）、大黄酸（rhein）、大黄素甲醚（physcion）、2，3，5，4’-四羟基对苯乙烯-2-0-BETA-D-葡萄糖甙（2，3，5，4’一tetrahydroxystibene-2-0-BETA-D-glucoside）等。

性味　性温，味苦、甘涩。

功能主治　生首乌解毒，消痈，通便；用于瘰疬疮痈、风疹瘙痒、肠燥便秘、高血脂症。制首乌补肝肾，益精血，乌须发，壮筋骨；用于眩晕耳鸣、须发早白、腰膝酸软、肢体麻木、神经衰弱、高血脂症。

何首乌是一种常用补肝肾乌须发的中药，在民间，民众已习惯用来当作食物滋补身体，强壮体质。适宜中老年人肝肾不足，头昏眼花，腰膝软弱，须发早白者食用，适宜血虚头晕，神经衰弱者食用，适宜病后产后及老年人阴血不足而肠燥便秘者食用；适宜高血压，高血脂，动脉硬化，冠心病人心悸，气短，胸闷者食用；适宜慢性肝炎．糖尿病，皮肤瘙痒症者食用。

据现代研究，何首乌煎剂对血糖有先升后降的作用。它所含的主要成分卵磷脂，有促进血细胞新生和发育作用。何首乌含有纤维蛋白溶解活性，可使动脉粥样硬化的患者减少血栓或微血栓的形成；它所含的蒽醌类物质(如大黄素等)有缓泻作用，这对老年性便秘有治疗效果。

【品名】首乌片
【药物组成】制何首乌、何首乌清膏。
【作用与用途】益精血，补肝肾。适用于神经衰弱，失眠，贫血，腰膝酸痛。
【用法与用量】口服。每次5片，一日3次，温开水送服。
【注意事项】忌食辛辣刺激性食物。脾胃虚弱者慎用本品。本品密闭贮藏。
【制剂】片剂，片心重0．25g(相当于制何首乌0．8g)。

    首乌片为现代研制中成药，是一种物美价廉的老药。该药传统应用于肝肾两虚所引起的头晕目眩，耳鸣耳聋，腰酸腿软，须发早白，面色萎黄等病症。近年来发现，首乌片对下列疾病也有较好疗效。
    １．高脂血症：首乌片，每次３～５片，每日早、中、晚各服１次，连服３个月。可降低胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白。
    ２．扁平疣：首乌片每次５片，每日３次内服。需连续服用１个月以上，切勿间断服药或半途而废。
    ３．脂溢性脱发及脂溢性皮炎：口服首乌片每次５片，每日两次。治脂溢性脱发，连服３个月后，均见脱发停止，毛发有不同程度的再生。治干性脂溢性皮炎，服药１周后，大部分患者的鳞屑显著减少，瘙痒减轻。
    ４．老年性皮肤瘙痒症：首乌片每次５片，每日２－３次内服。一般服药后全身瘙痒均有不同程度减轻，两周后瘙痒开始逐渐消失。

Shou Wu, Radix Polygoni multiflori, the Prepared Polygonum multiflorum, Tonifying the Liver and Kidney to Nourish the Blood and Prevent Early Greying of the Hair 何首乌 制何首乌

Related Links

Shou Wu, Radix Polygoni multiflori, the Prepared Polygonum multiflorum, Tonifying the Liver and Kidney to Nourish the Blood and Prevent Early Greying of the Hair 何首乌制何首乌