Hǔ Zhàng (虎杖) — Japanese knotweed root / Bushy knotweed

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Cautions and contraindications
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Hǔ Zhàng (虎杖) — Reynoutria japonica / Polygonum cuspidatum — is known in English as Japanese knotweed root / Bushy knotweed. It belongs to the category of Herbs that invigorate Blood in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Hǔ Zhàng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Invigorates Blood and dispels stasis — important for musculoskeletal Blood stasis pain
2. Clears Heat and resolves Damp-Heat — particularly from the Liver and Gallbladder
3. Clears Heat and resolves toxicity — antibacterial and antiviral
4. Stops cough and dissolves Phlegm
5. Promotes urination and treats urinary disorders

Indications

1. Joint pain and injury from Blood stasis — an important trauma and arthritis herb
2. Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat — jaundice and gallstones
3. Urinary tract infections from Damp-Heat
4. Constipation from Heat and Blood stasis
5. Burns and skin conditions — topical use
6. Chronic Lyme disease — Hu Zhang is widely used in Western integrative protocols

4. Key formulas containing Hǔ Zhàng

Hǔ Zhàng is frequently used as a single-herb treatment or incorporated into individualised prescriptions tailored to the patient’s specific TCM pattern.

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Reynoutria japonica (Hu Zhang, Japanese Knotweed) is one of the most pharmacologically active Chinese herbs and has attracted enormous international research interest due to its extraordinarily high content of resveratrol. Key bioactive constituents include resveratrol, emodin, polydatin (resveratrol glucoside), rhein and physcion. Resveratrol has documented cardioprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anti-ageing effects. Emodin has significant anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity. Polydatin is a more bioavailable resveratrol precursor. Hu Zhang is the richest plant source of resveratrol in the world and has been studied extensively for cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention, Lyme disease and metabolic syndrome.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid during pregnancy — Blood-moving properties. Avoid in haemorrhagic conditions. The anthraquinone content (emodin) may cause diarrhoea in large doses. Do not use long-term in high doses. Hu Zhang is considered an invasive weed in the UK — only use from pharmaceutical sources, never self-harvest.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Hǔ Zhàng as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including High blood pressure, Fatty liver, Rheumatoid arthritis. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.