Latin Name
Polygonum multiflorum (root)

General Description
Polygonum is also known as fleeceflower root, and frequently called fo-ti by sellers, users and practitioners. It is prescribed for a wide variety of disorders that include such disparate conditions as signs of premature aging and symptoms of malaria. The herb usually appears heavy, solid and reddish brown. In traditional Chinese medicine it is classified as bitter, sweet, astringent and slightly warm.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Dizziness and blurred vision.
  
• Insomnia.
  
• Prematurely gray hair.
  
• Nocturnal emission.
  
• Vaginal discharge.
  
• Carbuncles, sores, abscesses, scrofula (a form of tuberculosis in the neck), goiter and neck lumps.
  
• Constipation.
  
• Sore knees and back.
  
• Malaria (the chronic, weakened condition, not the acute stages).

Preparations
Polygonum is available at Chinese pharmacies, Asian markets and some Western health food stores. You can also find it in pill form.
Combinations: With lycium fruit, psorolea fruit, and cuscuta it is prescribed for sore knees and back, dizziness and premature aging. A preparation containing polygonum, scrophularia and forsythia fruit is prescribed for scrofula, abscesses and other swellings. And a combination with Asian ginseng, dong quai and tangerine peel is recommended for chronic malarial symptoms. For information on dosages and additional preparations, check with a Chinese medicine practitioner.

Special Information

• Practitioners do not prescribe the herb for patients with phlegm or diarrhea.
  
• Malaria patients, in a study, were treated with a preparation of polygonum and licorice root, which seemed to have some effect in reducing their symptoms.
  
• In test-tube studies, the root seems to have an antibiotic effect.

Possible Interactions
Some traditional sources suggest that you should not take this herb with onions, chives or garlic.