Fo-Ti Extract is a natural plant extract derived from the root of Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu), one of the most valued herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Renowned for its adaptogenic, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties, Fo-Ti Extract has been utilized for over a millennium in eastern wellness traditions and is now widely adopted in global nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic formulations.

Product Description

Fo-Ti Extract product uses stilbene glycosides (TSG) and anthraquinones as the key indicator components, made from properly processed Fo-Ti (processed He Shou Wu), with a stable and controllable standardized specification of TSG 10%-50%, and strictly controls the content of free anthraquinones to manage liver safety. Its core function is hair darkening and blood lipid regulation – research shows that it improves blood lipids and liver lipid deposition in high-fat diet model animals (upregulating PPAR-α); Nutralighting provides full-chain quality assurance from raw material to COA, along with liver safety instructions.

Fo-Ti (He Shou Wu) is a classic tonic herb in traditional Chinese medicine, widely used in hair darkening and lipid-lowering products. Liver safety should be noted, and China’s NMPA has issued liver toxicity warnings for He Shou Wu.

Basic Information

Why Choose Nutralighting

• Standardized TSG: Resveratrol glycoside (TSG) standardized to 10%-50%, with regulated processed products (processed Polygonum multiflorum) reducing free anthraquinones to 30-40% of raw products, making liver safety more controllable.
• Evidenced effects on hair darkening and lipid reduction: Traditionally used for hair darkening and beauty; studies show it improves blood lipids and liver lipid deposition in high-fat diet animal models (upregulating PPAR-α).
• Safety and compliance: Strict control of free anthraquinone limits, with liver safety warnings; compliant with US / EU / China regulatory requirements, suitable for tonic, hair-darkening, and lipid-reducing formulations.

Standard Specifications (COA)

The following specifications are regular reference values; specific values are subject to the COA report for each batch.

Introduction to Plant Materials

The raw material of this product is the processed root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., a plant from the Polygonaceae family. Processed Polygonum multiflorum is prepared from raw Polygonum multiflorum by steaming with black soybean juice, which reduces the hepatotoxicity of the raw product. The 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia records the standard of processed Polygonum multiflorum. The main active components are anthraquinones (emodin, chrysophanol) and resveratrol glycosides (TSG).

Core Efficacy

Extracts of processed Polygonum multiflorum have a traditional basis for hair darkening, beauty, and lipid-lowering liver protection. The core active components are emodin, chrysophanol, and TSSG (2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside). After processing, the free anthraquinone content of processed Polygonum multiflorum is reduced to 30-40% of that in the raw product, lowering toxicity. Research indicates that processed Polygonum multiflorum extract improves blood lipids and liver lipid deposition in high-fat diet rat models, with mechanisms related to upregulation of hepatic PPAR-α expression and promotion of fatty acid β-oxidation (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2014; 151:731-737). TSSG components promote the expression of neuron synapse growth-related proteins by activating the BDNF/TrkB pathway. Regarding antioxidant activity, aqueous extracts of processed Polygonum multiflorum have certain free radical scavenging and antioxidant enzyme activities.

Regulatory and Regional Access Status

Application Directions and Recommended Dosage

Recommended Daily Dosage Reference

• The daily intake of the corresponding amount of processed dried Fo-Ti must not exceed 6-12 grams; exceeding this dosage is strictly prohibited.
• Do not take concurrently with anticoagulants such as warfarin or hepatotoxic drugs (e.g. certain anti-tuberculosis drugs and antipyretic analgesics).
• Avoid concurrent use with extracts containing anthraquinones, such as rhubarb and cassia seeds, as this may increase the metabolic burden on the liver and kidneys.

Other Notes

• Patients with underlying liver conditions, such as abnormal liver function, hepatitis or cirrhosis, must not use this product under any circumstances.
• Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants must not use any products containing Fo-Ti Extract.
• Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, or those who frequently suffer from loose stools or diarrhoea, may experience worsening symptoms of abdominal distension and diarrhoea following use.
• Individuals allergic to Fo-Ti components may experience rashes, itching or even severe allergic reactions.
• Do not use iron containers to decoct or dissolve the extract, as tannins react chemically with iron to produce harmful substances.

Appendix: References

[1] Wang Y.L. et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2014; 151: 731-737.

[2] Zhang G.X. et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2013; 149: 598-604.

[3] National Pharmacopoeia Commission, Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020, Part I: 63-65.

[4] LIU J, LIU Y, ZHANG L, et al. Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside alleviates angiotensin II induced HUVEC senescence via SIRT1[J]. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020, 259: Article 112946.

[5] WANG X, LI M, ZHAO Y, et al. Tetrahydroxy Stilbene Glucoside Ameliorates Cognitive Impairments and Pathology in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice[J]. Neurochemical Research, 2018, 43(10): 1939-1948.

[6] ZHANG Y, WANG H, LIU Z, et al. Research progress on hepatotoxicity mechanism of polygonum multiflorum and its main components[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2019, 33(4): 301-310.

[7] LIN L, NI B, LIN M, et al. Phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and detoxification of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.: a comprehensive review[J]. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2015, 43(6): 1131-1149.

[8] State Pharmacopoeia Commission. Comprehensive Dictionary of Clinical Drugs in China: Volume on Sliced Traditional Chinese Medicinal Materials [M]. Beijing: China Medical Science and Technology Press, 2018: 987-990.