This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Fo Ti Vine (Ye Jiao Teng) contains several bioactive compounds that contribute to its sedative effects. The primary active constituents include 2,3,5,4-THSG, emodin, resveratrol, and lecithin. These compounds are believed to modulate GABA receptors and possess antioxidant properties that may calm the nervous system. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the vine stem is considered a milder alternative to the root, specifically used to nourish the heart and calm the spirit (shen). Evidence level C indicates limited clinical data, with most support coming from traditional use and preliminary research.
Does Fo Ti Vine interact with any medications?
Fo Ti Vine may interact with several types of medications. Due to its sedative properties, it can enhance the effects of central nervous system depressants, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sleep medications, potentially causing excessive drowsiness. The presence of emodin and other anthraquinones may affect drug metabolism through liver enzyme interactions. Individuals taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications should exercise caution. Those with pre-existing liver disease should avoid Fo Ti Vine entirely due to potential hepatotoxicity concerns. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications.
What is the recommended dosage for Fo Ti Vine?
The traditional dosage for Fo Ti Vine (Ye Jiao Teng) is 9-15 grams of dried vine stem, typically prepared as a decoction or water extract. This amount can be divided into doses throughout the day, with one dose often taken before bedtime to support sleep. The vine stem is considered milder than the root form, making it suitable for longer-term use in Traditional Chinese Medicine protocols. Evidence level C indicates this dosing is based primarily on traditional use rather than rigorous clinical trials. Consult a qualified practitioner for personalized recommendations.
Is Fo Ti Vine safe to take during pregnancy?
Fo Ti Vine is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb contains emodin and other anthraquinone compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions and potentially affect fetal development. Traditional Chinese Medicine contraindications explicitly list pregnancy as a condition where this herb should not be used. Additionally, the herb's effects on liver function and potential for gastrointestinal upset pose additional risks during pregnancy. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid Fo Ti Vine due to insufficient safety data. Always consult a healthcare provider before using any herbal supplement during pregnancy.
What are the side effects of Fo Ti Vine?
Common side effects of Fo Ti Vine include drowsiness and gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or loose stools. These effects are generally mild and often resolve with continued use or dosage adjustment. The sedative properties that cause drowsiness are expected and may be desirable for those treating insomnia, though caution is advised when operating machinery or driving. More serious concerns include potential liver toxicity, particularly with long-term use or in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions. Evidence level C means safety data is limited. Discontinue use if jaundice, abdominal pain, or unusual fatigue develops.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 28 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Fo Ti Vine (Fallopia multiflora), also known as He Shou Wu, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for anti-aging and various chronic conditions [PMID:31644102, 35069206], though it is strongly associated with herb-induced liver injury [PMID:31644102, 30066422].
Background
Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Harald, also referred to as Polygonum multiflorum, is a vine native to China [PMID:31644102, 37213683]. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, particularly the root tubers [PMID:33878622, 39384802].
Traditional uses
Used for centuries to treat backache, dizziness, liver disease, constipation, and the graying of hair [PMID:31644102, 11206309], and is valued for anti-aging, liver- and kidney-tonifying effects [PMID:33062019].
Active compounds
The primary bioactive component is 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) [PMID:40244282, 35069206]. Other identified compounds include stilbenes, anthraquinones, phenolic acids, naphthalenes, flavonoids, and polysaccharides [PMID:33878622, 30711810, 29222011].
Mechanism of action
TSG is reported to alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis [PMID:40244282]. Polysaccharides from the herb exhibit hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and increase serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities [PMID:29222011]. Additionally, some components may inhibit fatty acid synthase (FAS) [PMID:14998716].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AAging and Age-related Diseases
TSG demonstrates comprehensive anti-aging effects, including lifespan extension, neuroprotection (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), cardiovascular protection, reduction in bone loss, and promotion of hair regrowth [PMID:40244282].
Evidence CLiver Injury
Implicated in numerous reports of clinically apparent acute liver injury, which can be severe or fatal [PMID:31644102, 30066422].
Evidence DObesity
Tuber fleeceflower root significantly reduced body weight and food intake in rats via inhibition of fatty acid synthase [PMID:14998716].
Safety & adverse effects
The herb is associated with significant hepatotoxicity, including acute cholestatic hepatitis and hepatocellular injury [PMID:30066422, 11206309]. It is cited as one of the most common causes of Chinese herbal medicine-induced liver injury [PMID:27651817, 31644102].
Evidence summary
Strong evidence (Systematic Review/Meta-analysis) exists for the anti-aging properties of the isolated compound TSG and the herb's association with liver injury. Other pharmacological claims are based on reviews or animal models.
2.PMID: 31643904 (2012) — Attributes of Polygonum multiflorum to transfigure red biotechnology. · Applied microbiology and biotechnology
3.PMID: 33878622 (2021) — Tissue-specific metabolite profiling of Fallopia multiflora (Heshouwu) and Fallopia multiflora var. angulata by mass spectrometry imaging and laser microdissection combined with UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
4.PMID: 30711810 (2019) — Determination of the species status of Fallopia multiflora, Fallopia multiflora var. angulata and Fallopia multiflora var. ciliinervis based on morphology, molecular phylogeny, and chemical analysis. · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
— Traditional Chinese Medicine Induced Liver Injury.
· Journal of clinical and translational hepatology
6.PMID: 40244282 (2025) — 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.: A Systematic Review on Anti-Aging. · International journal of molecular sciences
7.PMID: 39384802 (2024) — T2T genome assemblies of Fallopia multiflora (Heshouwu) and F. multiflora var. angulata. · Scientific data
8.PMID: 37213683 (2023) — The first chromosome-level Fallopia multiflora genome assembly provides insights into stilbene biosynthesis. · Horticulture research
9.PMID: 39041120 (2024) — [Widely targeted metabolomics reveals differential metabolites between root tuber and leaf of Fallopia multiflora]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
10.PMID: 35069206 (2021) — A Review of Pharmacology, Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics of 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside. · Frontiers in pharmacology
11.PMID: 38350506 (2024) — Mechanistic study of the anti-excitatory amino acid toxicity of Bushen Zhichan decoction for Parkinson's disease based on the transcriptional regulation of EAAT1 by YY1. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
12.PMID: 30066422 (2019) — Clinicopathological features of He Shou Wu-induced liver injury: This ancient anti-aging therapy is not liver-friendly. · Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
13.PMID: 36561458 (2022) — Molecular identification and functional characterization of two glycosyltransferases genes from Fallopia multiflora. · Frontiers in plant science
14.PMID: 18318821 (2008) — Hepatotoxic slimming aids and other herbal hepatotoxins. · Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
15.PMID: 33062019 (2020) — Advances in the Study of the Potential Hepatotoxic Components and Mechanism of Polygonum multiflorum. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
16.PMID: 14998716 (2004) — Weight reduction by Chinese medicinal herbs may be related to inhibition of fatty acid synthase. · Life sciences
17.PMID: 28933127 (2016) — [Bencao literature investigation of Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu)]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
18.PMID: 25536637 (2015) — Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal hepatotoxicity: a tabular compilation of reported cases. · Annals of hepatology
19.PMID: 27651817 (2016) — Systematic Review on Chinese Herbal Medicine Induced Liver Injury. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
20.PMID: 38087457 (2024) — Phytochemical analysis and hepatotoxicity assessment of braised Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Wen-He-Shou-Wu). · Biomedical chromatography : BMC
21.PMID: 23019899 (2012) — [Molecular authentication of Fallopia multiflora by PCR-RFLP based on the trnL-trnF analysis]. · Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
22.PMID: 23633031 (2014) — Species identification of Chinese medicinal plant Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Haraldson by suppression subtraction hybridization. · Journal of natural medicines
23.PMID: 35692575 (2022) — Exploration on the Improvement of Cognitive Function and Inflammatory Response in Perimenopausal Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment by Self-Prepared Ningshen Prescription. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
24.PMID: 26130933 (2015) — Review of clinical studies of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and its isolated bioactive compounds. · Pharmacognosy research
25.PMID: 29138972 (2018) — Stable isotope labeling and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside biosynthetic pathway characterization in Fallopia multiflora. · Planta
26.PMID: 29222011 (2018) — Preparation, characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharide from Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Harald. · International journal of biological macromolecules
27.PMID: 11206309 (2001) — Acute hepatitis induced by Shou-Wu-Pian, a herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. · Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
28.PMID: 35364310 (2022) — Investigation on the mechanism of 2,3,4',5-Tetrahydroxystilbene 2-o-D-glucoside in the treatment of inflammation based on network pharmacology. · Computers in biology and medicine