Medicinals

hé shǒu wū / 何首乌 / 何首烏 / flowery knotweed [root];

Latin pharmacognostic name: Polygoni Multiflori Radix

Alternate English names: multiflorous polygonum [root]

Alternate Chinese names: 交藤 jiāo téng; 夜合 yè hé; 首乌 shǒu wū

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

Category: Supplementing agents / Blood-supplementing agents

Properties: Processed: Sweet, astringent; slightly warm. Raw: Sweet, bitter; balanced.

Channel entry: processed: liver, and kidney channels. raw: heart, liver, and large intestine channels.

Indications:

Dosage & Method:

Oral: 9–15g in decoctions; use in pills and powders.

Warning:

Because it frees the stool and moistens the intestines, it is unsuitable for patients with diarrhea or sloppy stool (particularly the raw form). After processing, it becomes more supplementing and also gains an astringent property, so the processed form is unsuitable for severe damp phlegm. Iron vessels should not be used for decoction or processing.

Product Description:

Flowery knotweed is a fat spindle-shaped root tuber that is dark reddish-brown with irregular wrinkles and the remains of the rhizome at one end. It is hard and difficult to break. It usually comes in the form of ready cut decocting pieces, both crude and processed slices being available. Crude slices are about 2 mm thick, and the cut surface is reddish brown in color. Processed slices are usually a little thicker and are darker in color.

Quality:

Solid roots that are black on the outside and reddish on the inside are best.

Product Area:

Hénán, Húběi, Guìzhōu, Sìchuān, Guǎngxī, Jiāngsū, and Korea.

Etymology:

The name hé shǒu wū 何首乌, literally ""Hé Black Head"" (Black-Headed Mr. Hé), reflects the ability to treat premature graying.

Help us to improve our content
You found an error?

Send us a feedback