Polygonum perfoliatum

Across eastern Asia and Southeast Asia, the whole aerial parts of Polygonum perfoliatum are steeped in hot water to make a mild tea taken for sore throat and fever. Among practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the herb is recorded as a cold bitter remedy used in a decoction for tonsillitis and enteritis (Lin, 1999). In Thailand’s Chiang Mai highlands, Karen herbalists prepare a similar infusion for sore throat and antipyretic support (Lin, 1999). In Northeast India, Khasi healers decoct aerial parts as a diuretic and gastrointestinal tonic (Khan et al., 2023). In northern Vietnam, Dao women treat diarrhea and indigestion with an oral decoction of the whole plant (Nguyen, 2005). The young stems and leaves are also macerated into a cool water infusion, and chewed fresh as an antidiarrheal in parts of Myanmar (Khan et al., 2023). A poultice of fresh crushed stems or leaves is applied to ulcers, sores, and mastitis (Khan et al., 2023), and the whole-plant decoction is used for dysentery and dysuria (Lin, 1999).

A concise preparation method for a single product is a sore‑throat tea. Simmer 15–20 g of fresh aerial parts or 6–8 g of dried aerial parts in 500 ml water for 10–15 minutes, let cool to a comfortably warm temperature, and sip 1 cup up to 2–3 times daily. A maceration is made by soaking 10–12 g of fresh leaves and stems in 250 ml boiled water for 30–60 minutes and drinking 1 cup. A 1:5 ethanol tincture (w/v, dried aerial parts) is prepared by macerating 100 g plant material with 500 ml 45% ethanol for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily, and then filtering; take 2–4 ml diluted in water up to 3 times daily. Safety notes: Polygonum perfoliatum contains anthraquinones and oxalic acid; dose conservatively and avoid long-term high‑dose use. Contraindicated in pregnancy; avoid combining with antidiarrheals or anticoagulants, and seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

Well‑established phytochemicals for Polygonum perfoliatum include flavonoids such as quercetin and avicularin, anthraquinones (emodin, physcion, and their glycosides), and organic acids (gallic acid). Emodin contributes astringent and antimicrobial activity that plausibly supports the historical use for gastrointestinal complaints and skin conditions, while quercetin’s recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions are consistent with sore‑throat and fever applications.

Contemporary interest remains active: the species appears in ethnobotanical surveys and regional herbal formularies, and laboratory studies continue to profile its flavonoids and anthraquinones to explore antimicrobial, anti‑inflammatory, and antidiarrheal actions.

Common products:
- Young shoots and leaves are harvested in spring and early summer when tender and are used as a fresh or cooked leafy vegetable in several Asian cuisines.
- A high‑quality chromosome‑level genome assembly has been produced for the species and is used as a reference resource in invasion‑biology and comparative genomics.

Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- The tender shoots are typically boiled briefly (1–2 minutes), blanched in ice water, or stir‑fried with garlic, soy sauce or chilies, and are added to soups, stews, or vegetable dishes.
- They retain a crisp texture and a mildly tangy flavor derived from the presence of oxalic acid, which is noted for its sensory impact rather than any health effect.

Properties relevant to use:
- Shoots are high in moisture and low in fiber, giving a crisp bite; the oxalic acid present contributes a slight tartness without health claims.
- Stems consist primarily of cellulose with moderate lignin, a composition typical of bast fibers and suitable for pulp or cordage applications.
- The species exhibits rapid vegetative growth, producing large biomass in a single growing season in favorable climates; biomass yields of several tonnes per hectare per season have been reported, which has attracted interest for potential lignocellulosic feedstock.
- A high‑quality chromosome‑level genome assembly has been published, providing a reference for genetic and evolutionary studies of invasive plants.

Standards and regulation:
- The plant is listed on the United States Federal Noxious Weed List and is subject to the Federal Noxious Weed Act.
- It is classified as a noxious weed by several U.S. states (e.g., Washington, Oregon, California) and is regulated under state noxious weed laws, which restrict its cultivation, transport, and sale.

Sustainability and sourcing:
- Because Polygonum perfoliatum is invasive, any harvesting from wild populations must be accompanied by strict containment measures (e.g., cutting and bagging material, preventing seed dispersal) to avoid further spread.
- The species has been cultivated under controlled greenhouse conditions for research purposes, demonstrating that it can be grown without wild harvest, although large‑scale commercial cultivation is currently limited due to regulatory restrictions.
- Commercial use must comply with applicable noxious‑weed regulations; any production or distribution is therefore subject to state and federal controls.

No subspecies added yet.

No variety added yet.

No subvariety added yet.

No forms added yet.

No germination or propagation data was added yet.

No distribution data was extracted from POWO/KEW yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No known articles in PMC (PubMed Central®) yet. Be the first, write one!

No known contributors. Be the first!

In private collections	0
In public collections	0

You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.