Polygonum multiflorum
| Polygonum multiflorum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 15' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Polygonum multiflorum (common name: he shou wu)
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.
Cultivation: Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[2]. Repays generous treatment[1].
This species is hardy to at least -15°c[3].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].
There is a suggestion that this plant might be dioecious[5], in which case male and female plants will need to be grown if seed is required.
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Woods, north to latitude 42° 30' north[6]. Along the banks of streams and in valley shrub thickets[7].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked.
Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize[8].
Flowers[9]. No more details are given.
Root - cooked[10][11]. It should be washed several times in order to leech out the bitterness[9]. 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[8].
Medicinal: He Shou Wu is considered to be one of the most important of the Chinese herbal tonics and is widely used in that country[12]. It is said to restore vitality and virility[13], working especially on the liver and the reproductive, urinary and circulatory systems[3]. Some care should be exercised, however, since excessive doses can cause skin rash and numbness of the extremities[3].
The roots and stems are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent, depurative, hypoglycaemic, laxative, sedative, tonic[14][7][13][15][3][16]. The roots are taken internally in the treatment of menstrual and menopausal complaints, constipation in the elderly, swollen lymph glands and high cholesterol levels[3]. They are very effective in reducing high cholesterol levels in the blood and increase blood sugar levels[17]. Externally, they are used to treat ringworm, bleeding wounds and sores[3]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 3 - 4 years old, and are dried for later use[3].
The leaves and roots tonify the liver and kidneys, fortify the blood, strengthen the muscles and prevent premature greying of the hair[12].
The stem is deobstruent and sedative[12]. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia and neurasthenia whilst it is applied externally to ringworm[15][3]. The stems are harvested in late summer or early autumn and are dried for later use[3].
Extracts of the plant have shown antipyretic, antitumour, hypoglycaemic and sedative activity[12].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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._x005F
Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whil
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1986.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea. World Health Organisation, 1998.
- ↑ Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.