Contents
Uses
Polygonum cuspidatum is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), high cholesterol, and heart disease; and for digestion problems including constipation, liver disease (hepatitis), and gallstones. It is also used for cancer, skin burns, pain and swelling of the bone (osteomyelitis) and gout.
Women sometimes use hu zhang for painful menstrual periods and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
Benefits
Polygonum cuspidatum is a common commercial source of resveratrol, a chemical well-known for its presence in red wine. Resveratrol, which is available as a dietary supplement, has reported antiaging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and lipid-lowering effects.
Cautions
There is not enough information available to know if hu zhang is safe to take for medical conditions.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking hu zhang if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorders: Hu zhang contains resveratrol. Resveratrol is a chemical that might slow blood clotting. Taking hu zhang might slow clotting and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer,ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: There is some developing evidence that hu zhang might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use hu zhang until more is known.
Surgery: Hu zhang contains resveratrol. Resveratrol is a chemical that might slow blood clotting. Hu zhang might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using hu zhang at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
- Estrogens interacts with HU ZHANG
Hu zhang seems to have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking hu zhang along with estrogens might decrease the effects of estrogens.
Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others. - Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with HU ZHANG
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.Hu zhang contains a chemical called resveratrol. Resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking hu zhang along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking hu zhang, 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 that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with HU ZHANG
Hu zhang contains a chemical called resveratrol. Resveratrol might slow blood clotting. Taking hu zhang along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Other names
Bambou Japonais, Bambou Mexicain, Extrait de Hu Zhang, Fallopia japonica, Fleece Flower, Giant Knotweed, He Shou Wu, Hu Zhang Extract, Hu Zhang Root, Itadori, Japanese Bamboo, Japanese Knotweed, Japanese Knotwood, Mexican Bamboo, PCWE, Persicaire Cuspidée, Polygoni Multiflora, Polygonum cuspidatum, Racine de Hu Zhang, Renouée à Feuilles Pointues, Renouée du Japon, Renouée Japonaise, Reynoutria japonica, Tiger Cane
References
Examine.com, https://examine.com/supplements/japanese-knotweed/
Newmoonnaturalfoods, http://www.newmoonnaturalfoods.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?StoreID=9F623QASQBSR2L1C0G03N0ET9MQD62W2&DocID=bottomline-polygonumcuspidatum