Fo-ti (Polygonum multiflorum) is the root of a climbing plant native to east Asia. It's one of the most popular herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Fo-ti might affect levels of various chemicals in the body that are thought to have anti-aging effects. Fo-ti might also increase the number of hair follicles and stimulate hair growth.
People use fo-ti for aging, decline in memory and thinking skills, hair loss, Alzheimer disease, heart disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse fo-ti with knotweed or hu zhang. These are not the same.
Is It Effective?
There is interest in using fo-ti for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is it Safe?
When taken by mouth: Fo-ti is possibly unsafe. Fo-ti has been linked to several cases of liver damage.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough information available to know if fo-ti is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Fo-ti is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. Fo-ti contains chemicals that can act like a strong laxative. The chemicals work by stimulating the intestine. Bulk-forming laxatives are a safer choice in pregnancy. There isn't enough reliable information to know if fo-ti is safe to apply to the skin when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Fo-ti is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. Chemicals in fo-ti can act like a laxative. These chemicals can pass into breast milk and cause diarrhea in the infant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if fo-ti is safe to apply to the skin when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Fo-ti is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth by children. At least one case of liver damage has been linked with fo-ti use in a 5-year-old child.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Fo-ti extract might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use fo-ti.
Liver disease: Fo-ti has been linked to multiple cases of liver damage. Fo-ti might make existing liver disease worse and may also increase the risk of bleeding in patients with liver disease.
Surgery: Fo-ti might affect blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting. This might interfere with blood sugar control and blood clotting during and after surgery. Stop using fo-ti at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Fo-ti might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking fo-ti along with birth control pills might decrease the effects of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with fo-ti, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fo-ti is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects from digoxin.
Estrogens
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Large amounts of fo-ti might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking fo-ti along with estrogen pills might decrease the effects of estrogen pills.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Fo-ti might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Fo-ti might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Fo-ti might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Fo-ti might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Fo-ti might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Fo-ti might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fo-ti might lower blood sugar levels. Taking fo-ti along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fo-ti might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking fo-ti along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.
Stimulant laxatives
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fo-ti is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Taking fo-ti with other stimulant laxatives might cause more diarrhea and very low potassium levels.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fo-ti can work as a laxative. In some people, fo-ti can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. Fo-ti can cause damage to the liver, which also can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin, avoid fo-ti.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Fo-ti is a laxative. Some laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking fo-ti along with "water pills" might make potassium levels drop too low.
Herbs and supplements that might harm the liver: Fo-ti might harm the liver. Taking it with other supplements that can also harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Examples of supplements with this effect include garcinia, greater celandine, green tea extract, kava, and kratom.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Fo-ti might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs that might act like estrogen: For-ti might have the same effects as estrogen. Using it along with other supplements with similar effects might increase estrogen-like effects and side effects. Examples of supplements with this effect include black cohosh, hops, kudzu, peony, and red clover.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Some fo-ti products use the raw root of the plant (sometimes called white fo-ti). Other products use a processed form of the root (sometimes called red fo-ti). These products have different effects. There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of fo-ti might be. It might also be unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before use.
Chinese Cornbind, Chinese Knotweed, Climbing Knotweed, Flowery Knotweed, Fo Ti, Fo Ti Tieng, Fo-Ti-Tient, He Shou Wu, Heshouwu, Ho Shou Wu, Ho-Shou-Wu, Multiflora Preparata, Poligonum, Poligonum Multiflorum, Polygonum, Polygonum multiflorum, Polygonum Multiflorum Thunberg, Racine de Renouée Multiflore, Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Radix Polygoni Shen Min, Shen-Min, Renouée, Renouée à Fleurs Nombreuses, Renouée de Chine, Renouée Multiflore, Rhizoma Polygonata, Shen Min, Shou Wu, Shou Wu Pian, Shou-Wu-Wan, Tuber Fleeceflower, Zhihe Shou Wu, Zi Shou Wu.
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