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Fo Ti has
a long history of use in Chinese Traditional Medicine to treat discomfort
of the liver and the kidney, because it was considered by ancient Chinese
to have the ability of complementing “Yin”, which is essential to keep
the balance of a healthy human body. Also as it was thought by ancient
Chinese that “the luster of hair is dependent on the function of the
kidney”, Fo Ti has been widely used as a cosmetics both taken orally and
externally to polish and blacken the hair.
Function:
The main
active ingredients in Fo
Ti P.E. are Phosphatide, Emodin, Rhein and etc. Fo Ti P.E. has been
reported to enhance immunity and shown the ability of anti-aging. This
herb is widely used to nourish the blood, reproductive essence ('jing')
and lubricative moisture ('yin') of the body. This 'moistening' approach
is vital in many restorative or 'anti-aging' herbal combinations. In T.C.M.
(Traditional Chinese Medicine) the brain, reproductive essence and bone
marrow are all functions of the 'water element'. This herb is also used to
help hair retain its original color. Modern research indicates value in
lowering cholesterol, liver dysfunctions, blood pressure, atherosclerosis,
arteriosclerosis, and constipation.
1. Anti-aging
Effects
Pharmacology
studies show that ho-shou-wu extract improves the cardiovascular system,
enhances immune functions, slows the degeneration of glands, increases
antioxidant activity, and reduces the accumulation of lipid peroxidation,
all of which may be taken into account for anti-aging effects of ho-sou-wu.
Such findings suggest that ho-shou-wu is helpful in combating some of the
processes that lead to conditions characteristic of old age, thereby also
reducing the risk of fatal diseases (e.g., cancer) and incidents (e.g.,
heart attack, stroke).
2.
Hepatic Protection
Ho-shou-wu
extract was shown to have effects on the hepatic antioxidant system
superoxide dismutase (SOD), accumulation of lipid peroxidase, enhancement
of cell-mediated immune responses, and lowering cholesterol, all of which
are helpful and preventive for liver dysfunctions.
3. Alopecia
& premature graying of hair
Ho-shou-wu has
also been investigated to treat alopecia and premature graying of hair.
Alopecia may arise from numerous causes. According to the English-Chinese
Encyclopedia of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine, "alopecia is
mostly caused by deficiency of liver and kidney with subsequent failure of
[blood to go up and nourish] the hair." In a clinic test, ho-shou-wu
containing preparation given three times per day to bald patients for 1-3
months resulted in a 62% effective rate. In a similar test, ho-shou-wu
containing preparation cured 30 of 36 persons affected by alopecia areata,
with 4 others improved.
4.
Constipation
The
anthraquinones containing in ho-sou-wu extract tend to cause soft stool
and may even cause slight diarrhea, which is helpful for patients
suffering from constipation.
Dosage:
12:1Extraction:
500mg-800mg, in two doses, on an empty stomach
Safety:
People
suffering from DIARRHEA and PREGNANT women are improper to take it. Mild
nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, and loose bowel movements may be
experienced after overdose.
Reference
1. Bensky
D, and Gamble A, Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 1993 rev. ed.,
Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.
2. Huang Bingshan and Wang Yuxia, Thousand Formulas and Thousand Herbs of
Traditional Chinese Medicine, vol. 1, 1993 Heilongjiang Education Press,
Harbin.
3. Hong-Yen Hsu, et al., Oriental Materia Medica: A Concise Guide, 1986
Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA.
4. Liu Zheng Cai, The Mystery of Longevity, 1990 Foreign Language Press,
Beijing.
5. Ye Dingjiang, et al., Immunopharmacological studies of ho-shou-wu and
its preparations, 1987 Bulletin of Chinese Materia Medica 12(3): 21-24.
6. Pharmacopoeia Commission of PRC, Pharmacopoeia of the PRC, (English
edition) 1988 People's Medical Publishing House, Beijing.
7. Zhang Enquin (ed. in chief), English-Chinese Rare Chinese Materia
Medica, 1990 Publishing House of Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, Shanghai.
8. Smith FP and Stuart GA, Chinese Medicinal Herbs, 1973 Georgetown Press,
San Francisco, CA.
9. Bensky D and Barolet R, Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and
Strategies, 1990 rev. ed., Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.
10. Hong-Yen Hsu and Chau-Shin Hsu, Commonly Used Chinese Herb Formulas
with Illustrations, 1980 rev. ed., Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long
Beach, CA.
11.Chang Minyi, Anticancer Medicinal Herbs, 1992 Hunan Science and
Technology Publishing House, Changsha.
12. Pang Minxiang and He Xioahui, Studies on the leukopoietic actions of
Polygonum cuspidatum and Huanghuji Mixture, Xinjiang Journal of Materia
Medica 1989; 2: 33-35.
13. Chen Keji and Zhang Wenpeng, Advances on antiaging herbal medicines in
China, Abstracts of Chinese Medicine 1987; 1(2): 309-330.
14. Pan Hongping, Wang Hong, and He Tingcai, Processed root tuber of
Polygonum multiflorum on SOD and LPO levels in mice, China Journal of
Chinese Materia Medica 1993; 18(6): 344.
15. Lien EJ, et al., Longevity-promoting agents: a survey, International
Journal of Oriental Medicine 1992; 17(4): 177-186.
16.
Unschuld PU, Medicine in China: History of Pharmaceutics, 1986 University
of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
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