Fresh Japanese Knotweed (polygonum cuspidatum) root extracted via soxhlet in grain alcohol and spring water.

Every time I read something about this amazing plant, I appreciate it (and having access to a clean patch) more!

It is quick to spread and take over, so it is feared by many, but that doesn’t negate it’s impressively versatile list of benefits. It’s medicinal prowess and tendency to dominate both motivate my digging.

It is loaded with antioxidant resveratrol, phytoestrogenic trans-resveratrol, emodin, polydatin, and a long list of other active components.

It has been researched and used for antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, immune supporting and modulating. Central nervous system protection and relaxation, wound healing, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, cardio protective, and antiasthmatic properties.

As a bonus, bees love this clone of a giant plant, the tenacious roots are wonderful at reducing erosion, and the large annual regrowth adds a large amount of biomass to build soil.