Polygonum multiflorum

Polygonum multiflorum (also known as He Shou Wu or “fo-ti”) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to East Asia whose dried rhizome is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The primary purpose of modern supplementation is to harness its rich array of stilbenes and anthraquinones for antioxidant, neuro‑protective, and metabolic support.

• 2,3,5,4′‑Tetrahydroxystilbene‑2‑O‑β‑D‑glucoside (THSG):
  • C₂₀H₂₄O₉; a stilbene glucoside with a phenolic backbone and a β‑D‑glucose moiety, conferring high antioxidant capacity.
• Emod‑in:
  • C₁₅H₁₀O₅; an anthraquinone possessing three hydroxyl groups and a methyl group, responsible for anti-inflammatory and enzyme‑inhibitory activity.
• Solubility: Both compounds are polyphenolic, highly aromatic, and display poor water solubility but are soluble in ethanol/water mixtures.
• Other Constituents: The rhizome also contains flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) and polysaccharides that contribute to immunomodulatory effects.

• Cultivation: Polygonum multiflorum is cultivated chiefly in the Hunan, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provinces of China; wild‑grown specimens also occur in Japan and Korea.
• Harvesting: Commercial supplements are derived from the dried rhizome, harvested after 3–5 years of growth, washed, and sliced.
• Extraction: Extraction is most often performed with 70 % ethanol or hot water, followed by spray‑drying to produce powders or encapsulated extracts.
• Quality Standards: Quality standards demand ≥30 % THSG or ≥0.5 % emodin, heavy‑metal limits (<10 ppm Pb, As, Cd, Hg), and DNA‑barcode verification to prevent adulteration with other Polygonaceae species.
• Manufacturing Practices: GMP‑certified facilities and third‑party testing are essential for product consistency.