Fo Ti In Herbal Medicine

Other Common Names: Common Solomon's Seal, Eurasian Solomon's Seal, He-shou-wu, Polygonatum, Lady's Seals, St. Mary's Seal, Sigillum Sanctae Mariae, Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum multiflorum

Range: Europe, a native of Northern Europe and Siberia

Habitat: Woodland, usually on limestone. A very hardy plant. It prefers a light soil and a shady situation, being a native of woods.

Solomon's seal has been used for thousands of years in herbal medicine. It is used mainly in the form of a poultice and is believed to prevent excessive bruising and to stimulate tissue repair. The bruised roots were much used as a popular cure for black eyes, mixed with cream.

The root is astringent, demulcent, emetic and tonic. An infusion is healing and restorative, it is good in the treatment of stomach inflammations, piles and chronic dysentery. It is stated that a decoction will afford not only relief but ultimate cure in skin troubles caused by the poison vine, or poisonous exalations of other plants. It is used with other herbs in the treatment of pulmonary problems, including tuberculosis, and women's complaints. The powdered roots make an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, inflammation etc. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The plant should not be used internally except under professional supervision.

A distilled water made from the whole plant has been used as a skin tonic and is an ingredient of expensive cosmetics.

The dried powdered roots and flowers have been used as a snuff to promote sneezing and thus clear the bronchial passages.

Root - cooked. Rich in starch. The root should be macerated for some time in water in order to remove bitter substances. Normally only used in times of famine, the root was powdered and then made into a bread by the North American Indians.

Known Hazards: Large quantities of the fruits are poisonous.

Discuss It!

lesley heron said:

I am sorry to inform you but polygonum multiflorum should not be confused with solomons seal which is a completely different plant. and called pilygonatum multiflorum. You really need to correct thi sdangerous and misleading information that everyone seems to be copying from each other. I intentions are for the good of all, and I wish you the best please research this properly and be wise to publish your findings to alert other mistaken people out there. Regards Lesley

lesley heron said:

My apologies solomons seal plant should read polugonatum multifloruma and not as I have written it by accident (see how easy) pilygonatum. Apologies once again. Best wishes to all who genuinely seek this herb. Please see a qualified chinese herbalist. There are so many variations of the so called he shou wu. Solomons seal is not one of them!

said:

Don't know problem with my typing! Big apologies once more again it is misspelled above. Solomons seal is correctly called Polygonatum multiflorum.!

karl said:

Solomon's Seal is polygonatum commutatum It is a member of the lily family ---- And Ahould Not Be Confused with He Shou Wu which is Polygonum Multiflorum a member of the Buckwheat family -- also known as fo-ti and chinese knotweed