Chung Yun, a famous Chinese herbalist who reportedly lived to be 256 years old, used Fo-Ti on a daily basis. This herb is thought to have been responsible for both his long life and his legendary sexual prowess, (he was said to have had 24 wives). In another Chinese legend Fo-ti was thought to be responsible for returning natural black colour to a previously gray-haired man- He Shou Wu means "black haired Mr. He." Modern research indicates that this herb contains an alkaloid that has rejuvenating effects on the nerves, brain cells and endocrine glands. He Shou Wu is considered to be one of the most important of the Chinese herbal tonics and is widely used in that country. In China where it is called Ho Shou Wu Fo-Ti root is said to possess almost magical rejuvenating properties and it is especially popular with the elderly who believe it can help one maintain hair colour preserve youthfulness and restore fertility.

Fo-ti is a plant native to China, where it continues to be widely grown. It also grows extensively in Japan and Taiwan but can be cultivated in many regions, including parts of North America.

Fo ti is generally seen in mountain thickets. It is also seen along the banks of streams and in valley shrub thickets. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic soils. It can grow in semi-shade or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Propagation of the he shou wu is carried out using the seed stocked from harvested plants, the root division method of cultivation is also used during the spring, and the plant is also propagated from stem cuttings during the summer months. Growing plants need a lot of protection from the cold during the winter months, and growth is best in well fertilized soil. Drying of unearthed roots from three to four year-old plants is carried out during the autumn months. Seeds are sown in a spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, over winter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

The cream or the tan coloured flowers are delicate and they appear from September through October.

Fo ti root is not affected by any major pests and diseases. Occasionally it is been affected by aphids and powdery mildew.

The root and the leaves are the most commonly used parts of the plant for its commercial and medicinal purposes.

According to the astro reports the fo ti root is under the dominion of the planet Pluto.

A Tang dynasty legend about a man named He Shou-wu is the basis for the common name of this member of the bindweed family. He Shou-wu was credited for remarkable vigour, youthfulness and fathering of many children. During the time of the Tang dynasty, a Chinese legend about a man named He Shou-wu, who became depressed because he had no children and was impotent. he drank himself into a supor and passed out on a mountainside.

Apon awakening, he saw two intertwined herbs growing next to the spot where he lay. He dug up the root and took it to an old village herbalist, who told him it had fabulous restorative powers. He made a decoction of the root and started drinking it everyday. Legend has it that over the next 10 years he fathered several children, his hair never turned grey, and he lived to be 130 years old. Since that time this Chinese member of the bindweed family has been known as He Shou-wu.