Herb comparison
Fo Ti (Polygonum multiflorum) vs Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Both plants are listed as traditional remedies for 1 of the same condition, which is why they are easy to confuse. Their descriptions and full safety notes are below, free.
Fo Ti (Polygonum multiflorum) is restricted
Preparation amounts are not shown for this herb. It is toxic, restricted, or otherwise unsafe to self-dose - the margin between a traditional dose and a harmful one is too small to publish as reference material. If you are considering it, that conversation belongs with a doctor or a qualified practitioner, not a website.
- About
- Fo ti (Polygonum multiflorum), also known as he shou wu, is a perennial vine used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a low-growing aromatic shrub, about 16 in (40 cm) tall, with woody stems, small elliptic leaves, and pinkish flowers. It is a classic culinary herb.
- Safety & precautions
- Liver injury: LiverTox calls fo ti (Polygonum multiflorum, he shou wu) a well-established cause of acute liver injury and notes that in China it is reported as the leading cause of herb-related liver injury. Symptoms have started anywhere from a few days to about six months after starting, and up to one in ten clinically apparent cases has been fatal or needed an urgent liver transplant. Injury often returns quickly if the herb is restarted. Do not use fo ti if you have liver disease, and stop it and seek care if you develop fatigue, nausea, dark urine or yellowing skin or eyes. Digestive Weakness & Diarrhea: Fo ti is not recommended for those with poor digestion, diarrhea, or heavy mucus congestion.Pregnancy: Avoid large doses. Essential Oil (Internal Use): Irritating to mucous membranes; only use internally under professional guidance. Skin Irritation: Potential if used undiluted on sensitive skin.
Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.