He Shou Wu

Common Names: Chinese knotweed or Flowery knotweed, He Shou Wu, Polygonum multiflorum, 何首乌 (hé shǒu wū)
Native Origin: China; also grows in Japan

何首乌: He Shou Wu, originally uploaded by シャッターBUG (Ishi @flickr)

Medium format black and white composition of He Shou Wu.
Bronica GS-1 + Zenzanon-PG 100mm/F3.5
Ilford XP2 Super
Medium Format: 120, 6×7
Scanned via EPSON GT-X900

When I acquired this specimen last summer, I have no clue what it is. At that time, all I know about this curious plant is that it is a very popular plant in China with medicinal use and I was fascinated by its physical structure. The plant is distinctly marked with textures that resembles tree roots and physically it appears brittle. I was very intrigued, so I decided to take it home.

For about 8 months this mysterious specimen sits among the evergreen Juniper and the outreaching Japanese Black Pine. As winter thaws away, the quest to ascertain my medicinal specimen has finally come to an end. He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) as it’s known is considered to be one of the most important of the Chinese herbal tonics and it is widely used in China for medicinal purposes. According to Plants for a Future, He Shou Wu is said to restore vitality and virility, working especially on the liver and the reproductive, urinary and circulatory systems. Some care should be exercised, however, since excessive doses can cause skin rash and numbness of the extremities.

“The roots and stems are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent, depurative, hypoglycaemic, laxative, sedative, and tonic. The roots are taken internally in the treatment of menstrual and menopausal complaints, constipation in the elderly, swollen lymph glands and high cholesterol levels. They are very effective in reducing high cholesterol levels in the blood and increase blood sugar levels. Externally, they are used to treat ringworm, bleeding wounds and sores. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 3 - 4 years old, and are dried for later use. The leaves and roots tonify the liver and kidneys, fortify the blood, strengthen the muscles and prevent premature graying of the hair. The stem is deobstruent and sedative. It is taken internally in the treatment of insomnia and neurasthenia whilst it is applied externally to ringworm. The stems are harvested in late summer or early autumn and are dried for later use. Extracts of the plant have shown antipyretic, antitumour, hypoglycaemic and sedative activity.” (excerpts from Plants for a Future)

何首乌: He Shou Wu, originally uploaded by シャッターBUG (Ishi @flickr)

Medium format black and white composition of He Shou Wu.
Bronica GS-1 + Zenzanon-PG 100mm/F3.5
Ilford XP2 Super
Medium Format: 120, 6×7
Scanned via EPSON GT-X900

CULTIVATION

He Shou Wu is widely cultivated in central and southern China which the later being its origin. According to various sources including herbs2000.com: propagation of He Shou Wu can be carried out using the seed stocked from harvested plants, the root division method of cultivation (used during the spring) and via stem cuttings (during the summer).

In my experience, He Shou Wu grows very well in almost any sort of moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade. Note: my He Shou Wu is now growing very well in volcanic soil; similar to the Akadama Japanese soil which can be found on eBay. According to “Plants for a Future,” He Shou Wu is hardy to at least -15°C. This is about right as my specimen flourish during winter in Shanghai. “Plants for a Future” also states that He Shou Wu appears 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

I have no propagation experience with this specimen, so please read the following notes from Plants for a Future:

Sow its seeds during spring in a cold frame and 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, over-winter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn: 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.”

Stay tuned for my He Shou Wu pictorial within “Our Collection”! ~Ishi