Fo ti is the name of a plant native to China, which is also grown in Japan and Taiwan. The Chinese common name for the plant, he shou wu, is attributed to a man from the Tang dynasty whose infertility was supposedly cured after taking fo ti. Fo ti root is used in herbal preparations.
Unprocessed root is called white fo ti.
Processed fo ti root is called red fo ti root. In traditional Chinese medicine, fo ti is used to combat aging, treat infections and chest pain, and correct erectile dysfunction. It is also widely praised as a rejuvenative tonic and is believed to be capable of preventing gray hair and other signs of aging. Research conducted on the root has shown it to lower blood cholesterol levels and decrease the symptoms of atherosclerosis. Studies in China have investigated its use in enhancing the immune system and promoting the formation of red blood cells.