Fo-Ti Root Powder

Fo-Ti Root Powder

Fo-Ti, also known as Polygonum multiflorum, is a member of the buckwheat family. It’s a vine that’s native to China and is also grown in Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Over the years, the leaves, root tuber, and rhizomes of Fo-ti have been used to treat a broad range of medical maladies. Scientists believe that Fo-Ti’s medicinal properties are attributed to its phytonutrient content. Phytonutrients are plant compounds that are thought to have health-protecting qualities. You can reap the potential therapeutic benefits of Fo-Ti by taking it in the form of capsules and pills which are available in many health food stores.

Benefits of Fo-Ti Root

Fo-ti’s anti-aging reputation and potent healing properties are backed by evidence-based studies. Among its many health benefits, the following are worth mentioning:

Fights Infections

An overwhelming body of research supports the ability of Fo-Ti root to combat various infections. Studies show that Fo-Ti root can inhibit the growth and reproduction of coronavirus (causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.[1-3] All of these microorganisms are known to cause several difficult-to-treat infections in humans.

Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Taking Fo-Ti root may also help improve mental health by protecting against Alzheimer’s disease. In one Chinese study involving 209 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, researchers found that participants treated with Fo-Ti extract had better scores on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Ability of Daily Living Scale (ADLS), suggesting an improvement in cognitive function and overall quality of life.[4]

Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Results from three high quality studies show that Fo-Ti root do have a cholesterol-lowering effect.[5-7] According to these studies, consuming Fo-Ti root extract can significantly lower low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels without any adverse side effects.

Prevents Blood Clots

Abnormal platelet aggregation (clumping of platelets) is highly associated with blood clot formation, which can ultimately lead to heart disease and stroke. Interestingly, one study found that Fo-Ti root has potent anti-platelet activity which can help reduce the incidence of blood clot formation.[8] Researchers found that the specific mechanism by which Fo-Ti root exert this effect is by modulating human platelet activity.

Fights Various Types of Cancers

Fo-Ti root also has potent anti-cancer properties which can help lower one’s risk for this deadly disease. A systematic review of the literature on Fo-ti root was performed using several resources, including classic books on Chinese herbal medicine and various scientific databases, in order to assess its safety and efficacy on various types of cancers.[9] The review found that most of the data and studies suggest that Fo-Ti root may help combat prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and other types of cancer by inducing programmed cell death of malignant cells.

Promotes Better Sleep

Taking Fo-Ti root may also help improve sleep quality and pattern. In fact, one study found that Fo-Ti root has been commonly used and prescribed for treating insomnia in Asian countries for centuries.[10] Another study also found that Fo-Ti root supplementation in patients with bipolar disorder (a mental disorder marked by alternating periods of elation and depression) was able to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and insomnia.[11]

Prevents Hair Loss

Baldness is a common condition experienced by men, especially those in the older population. According to one study, Fo-ti root can help prevent this problem by stimulating hair growth.[12] The researchers treated human dermal papilla cells (play an important role in hair growth) with Fo-Ti root compound in order to assess its efficacy. After 21 days, Fo-Ti root was able to increase hair-fiber length significantly by boosting the production of human dermal papilla cells.

Improves Sexual Function

Fo-Ti root has long been used in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Andrology reported that this herbal aphrodisiac can treat erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.[13] Another study also found that Fo-Ti root can increase the levels of nitric oxide (NO), which helps widen blood vessels of the penis. This in turn results in longer and harder erections necessary for sexual intercourse.[14]

References:

1. Ho TY, Wu SL, Chen JC, Li CC, Hsiang CY. Emodin blocks the SARS coronavirus spike protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 interaction. Antiviral research. 2007; 74(2):92-101.
2. Lin HW, Sun MX, Wang YH. Anti-HIV activities of the compounds isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum and Polygonum multiflorum. Planta medica. 2010; 76(9):889-92.
3. Zuo GY, Wang GC, Zhao YB. Screening of Chinese medicinal plants for inhibition against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2008; 120(2):287-90.
4. Chen L, Huang J, Xue L. [Effect of compound Polygonum multiflorum extract on Alzheimer’s disease]. Zhong nan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Central South University. Medical sciences. 2010; 35(6):612-5.
5. Miao Hu, Weiwei Zeng, and Brian Tomlinson, “Evaluation of a Crataegus-Based Multiherb Formula for Dyslipidemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2014, Article ID 365742, 9 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/365742.
6. Bounda GA, Feng YU. Review of clinical studies of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and its isolated bioactive compounds. Pharmacognosy research. 2015; 7(3):225-36.
7. Wang W, He Y, Lin P. In vitro effects of active components of Polygonum Multiflorum Radix on enzymes involved in the lipid metabolism. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2014; 153(3):763-70.
8. Xiang K, Liu G, Zhou YJ. 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG) attenuates human platelet aggregation, secretion and spreading in vitro. Thrombosis research. 2014; 133(2):211-7.
9. Lin L, Ni B, Lin H. Traditional usages, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.: a review. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2015; 159:158-83.
10. Chen FP, Jong MS, Chen YC. Prescriptions of Chinese Herbal Medicines for Insomnia in Taiwan during 2002. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. 2011; 2011:236341.
11. Baek JH, Nierenberg AA, Kinrys G. Clinical applications of herbal medicines for anxiety and insomnia; targeting patients with bipolar disorder. The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry. 2014; 48(8):705-15.
12. Sun YN, Cui L, Li W. Promotion effect of constituents from the root of Polygonum multiflorum on hair growth. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters. 2013; 23(17):4801-5.
13. Ho CC, Singam P, Hong GE, Zainuddin ZM. Male sexual dysfunction in Asia. Asian Journal of Andrology. 2011;13(4):537-542. doi:10.1038/aja.2010.135.
14. Bounda G-A, Feng Y. Review of clinical studies of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and its isolated bioactive compounds. Pharmacognosy Research. 2015;7(3):225-236. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.157957.