He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) for Anti-Aging

Research suggests that He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) and its primary bioactive compound, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), show a range of potential anti-aging properties in preclinical studies, including lifespan extension, neuroprotection, cardiovascular benefits, and promotion of hair regrowth, with proposed mechanisms involving reduced oxidative stress, improved mitochondrial function, and enhanced telomerase activity. The available evidence consists of a 2025 systematic review focused on TSG and a 2019 narrative review of the broader plant, both of which are largely supportive of anti-aging biological activity but draw primarily on laboratory and animal research rather than human clinical trials. The 2019 review takes a notably more cautious tone, flagging hepatotoxicity associated with Polygonum multiflorum products as a meaningful safety concern that complicates long-term use considerations. Both reviews acknowledge that standardized research methods and robust clinical data in humans are still lacking, meaning the evidence, while directionally promising, remains preliminary.