Aka: He Shou Wu, Fo-Ti, Fleeceflower.

the name "He Shou Wu" translates loosely to "black-haired Mr. He," referencing a Tang dynasty legend of a man who reversed premature aging by consuming the root. over 100 chemical constituents identified.

the primary bioactive is 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (THSG) — a stilbene glucoside structurally related to resveratrol. additional major compounds include anthraquinones (emodin, physcion, rhein), stilbenes, flavonoids, and phospholipids.

topical application of P. multiflorum extract induces hair growth of resting follicles through upregulation of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) ((Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is a real signaling pathway named in 1993 by researchers who had a tradition of naming gene mutations after video games and pop culture)) and β-catenin signaling — the same developmental pathways that control follicle cycling. constituents from the root promote hair growth.
it essentially switches dormant follicles back into active growth mode.

therapeutic potential has been demonstrated for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, attributed to stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids, and phospholipids. THSG specifically inhibits formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) — protein-sugar crosslinks that accumulate in brain tissue in Alzheimer's disease — and has shown neuroprotective effects in models of both conditions. long-term administration reduced cerebral ischemia-induced infarct volume and protected against nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration induced by toxins relevant to Parkinson's pathology.

water-soluble fractions reduced atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed animals and decreased expression of adhesion molecules and vascular growth factors in foam cells — the arterial plaque precursors in cardiovascular disease.

traditional processing — steaming with black soybean juice — significantly enhances THSG levels while reducing toxicity, providing dual benefits of safety and efficacy. raw unprocessed root carries substantially higher hepatotoxicity risk. processed root (zhì hé shǒu wū) is the form used medicinally in TCM. this distinction is critical — many Western supplement products use raw root, which is the primary source of documented liver injury cases.