Fo-ti is an herb. The processed (cured) root of the plant is used to make medicine.
Contents
Uses
- Fo-ti is used for treating tuberculosis that has spread to the lymph nodes, cancer, inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), and constipation. It is also used as a liver and kidney “tonic”; as a blood and “vital essence” toner; and to fortify muscles, tendons, and bones. Fo-ti is also used for high cholesterol and other elevated blood fats, trouble sleeping (insomnia), limb numbness, lower back and knee soreness or weakness, premature graying, hair loss, and dizziness with ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Fo-ti is applied directly to the skin for sores, carbuncles, skin eruptions, and itching.
- In manufacturing, fo-ti extract is used as an ingredient in hair and skin care products.
- Don’t confuse fo-ti with the commercial product Fo-ti-Teng that contains no fo-ti.
Benefits
- Fo-ti cured root might affect the levels of various chemicals in the body which have been suggested to have anti-aging effects.
Cautions
- Fo-ti is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take by mouth due to concerns that it might cause liver damage in both adults and children. Fo-ti has been linked to liver damage in several reports, including one case in a 5-year-old child.
- There isn’t enough information available to know if fo-ti is safe when applied directly the skin.
- Children: Fo-ti is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth by children due to concerns that it might cause liver damage. At least one case of liver damage linked with fo-ti use in a 5-year-old child has been reported.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Fo-ti is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take by mouth during pregnancy. Fo-ti contains chemicals that can act like a strong laxative. The chemicals work by stimulating the intestine. Bulk-forming laxatives are a safer choice in pregnancy.
- It is also POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use fo-ti if you are breast-feeding. The chemicals that have a laxative effect can pass into breast milk and cause diarrhea in some breast-fed infants.
- Not enough is known about the safety of applying fo-ti to the skin during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It’s best to avoid using it.
- Diabetes: Fo-ti might affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar closely if you have diabetes and take fo-ti.
- Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Fo-ti extract might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use fo-ti.
- Liver disease: Fo-ti has been linked to multiple cases of liver problems including hepatitis. There is a concern that fo-ti might make existing liver disease worse.
- Surgery: Fo-ti might affect blood sugar levels, so there is concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using fo-ti at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking fo-ti along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking fo-ti, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
- Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), haloperidol (Haldol), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, others), and others.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking fo-ti along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking fo-ti, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
- Some medications that are changed by the liver include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix); diazepam (Valium); carisoprodol (Soma); nelfinavir (Viracept); and others.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking fo-ti along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking fo-ti, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
- Some medications that are changed by the liver include diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin), meloxicam (Mobic), and piroxicam (Feldene); celecoxib (Celebrex); amitriptyline (Elavil); warfarin (Coumadin); glipizide (Glucotrol); losartan (Cozaar); and others.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking fo-ti along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking fo-ti, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
- Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking fo-ti along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
- Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
- Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti might harm the liver. Taking fo-ti along with medication that might also harm the liver can increase the risk of liver damage. Do not take fo-ti if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver.
- Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin) , lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.
- Stimulant laxatives interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Taking fo-ti along with other stimulant laxatives could speed up the bowels too much and cause dehydration and low minerals in the body.
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- Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti can work as a laxative. In some people fo-ti can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin do not to take excessive amounts of fo-ti.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with FO-TI: Fo-ti is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. “Water pills” can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking fo-ti along with “water pills” might decrease potassium in the body too much.
- Some “water pills” that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDIURIL, Microzide), and others.
Other Names
Chinese Cornbind, Chinese Knotweed, Climbing Knotweed, Flowery Knotweed, Fo Ti Tieng, Fo-Ti-Tient, He Shou Wu, Ho Shou Wu, Multiflora Preparata, Poligonum, Poligonum Multiflorum, Polygonum, Polygonum multiflorum, Polygonum Multiflorum Thunberg, Racine de Renouée Multiflore, Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Radix Polygoni Shen Min, Renouée, Renouée à Fleurs Nombreuses, Renouée de Chine, Renouée Multiflore, Rhizoma Polygonata, Shen Min, Shou Wu, Shou Wu Pian, Tuber Fleeceflower, Zhihe Shou Wu, Zi Shou Wu.
References
Source: WebMD, “Fo-Ti”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/