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 tonics. This use is largely
attributed to the legend of Chung Yun, where according to historical anecdotes and various accounts in early 20th-century publications like Time and The New York Times, Yun was celebrated for his vitality and supposed longevity. While the specific details of his age remain a subject of mystery and cultural debate, his "secrets" to a well-balanced life were famously recorded as maintaining a tranquil mind, sitting with the poise of a tortoise, and staying active.
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.
