Fo-ti root, also called Shou Wu Pian, is a perennial vine in the
knotweed or buckwheat family that is native to China, where it has been
used for thousands of years in anti-aging tonics. This use is largely
attributed to the legend of Chung Yun, a Chinese herbalist who allegedly
drank fo-ti tea every day and not only lived to be more than 250 years
old but also had 24 wives.
Most references cite the botanical name of the herb as Polygonum
multiflorum, although it is also synonymous with Fallopia multiflora.
The latter name honors Fallopius, who, along with Eustachius and
Vesalius, is credited with founding modern human anatomy in the 16th
century. It is hard to miss that the early anatomist also provided
inspiration for naming female oviducts, more commonly known as fallopian
tubes.
