He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −17.8 °C

Cultivation

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil. This species is hardy to at least -15°c. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. There is a suggestion that this plant might be dioecious, in which case male and female plants will need to be grown if seed is required.

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.

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize. Flowers. No more details are given. Root - cooked.

Medicinal uses

He Shou Wu is considered to be one of the most important of the Chinese herbal tonics and is widely used in that country. The roots and stems are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent, depurative, hypoglycaemic, laxative, sedative, tonic. The leaves and roots tonify the liver and kidneys, fortify the blood, strengthen the muscles and prevent premature greying of the hair. The stem is deobstruent and sedative. Extracts of the plant have shown antipyretic, antitumour, hypoglycaemic and sedative activity.

Habitat

Woods, north to latitude 42° 30' north.

Native range

E. Asia - China.

Scientific synonyms Fallopia multiflora, Reynoutria multiflora