Three modern applications of Polygonum multiflorum extract that 90% of people don't know.

In the plant extract industry, Polygonum multiflorum extract has long been labeled with the traditional tags of "hair darkening and nourishing", and most people's understanding of it is limited to the stereotype of "shampoo additive" and "health product for middle-aged and elderly people".However, with the upgrading of extraction technology and in-depth analysis of the mechanism of active ingredients, Polygonum multiflorum extract has broken through traditional boundaries and achieved value upgrades in three modern scenarios: functional skin care products, precision health products, and clean label food, becoming a "secret weapon" for enterprises to create differentiated products.

一、Functional skincare products

1. From "melanin production" to "scalp health repair"

• Hair follicle stem cell care：Stilbene glycosides can activate the proliferation of keratinocytes in hair follicles, thus improving "follicular atrophy-type hair loss" at its root.
• Scalp microecological regulation：Flavonoids can inhibit the activity of harmful bacteria on the scalp (such as Malassezia) with an inhibition rate of over 60%, while promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria on the scalp, improving oily scalp and dandruff problems, and achieving a three-in-one effect of "hair darkening + oil control + hair loss prevention";
• Antioxidant and anti-aging：Stilbene glycosides have an ORAC value of 8500 μmol TE/100g, which can scavenge free radicals on the scalp, reduce damage to the scalp barrier caused by ultraviolet rays and dyeing/perming, and increase the moisture content of the scalp stratum corneum by 20%.

2. Microcapsule encapsulation solves the "stimulation" problem

• Exclusive craftsmanship：The technology employs "low-temperature extraction + microencapsulation"—extraction with 50℃ ethanol to retain activity, followed by encapsulation with gelatin-gum arabic into microcapsules with a particle size of 50-100nm. This avoids the oxidation of stilbene glycosides and allows them to penetrate the stratum corneum of the scalp, increasing the permeability by 3 times.

• Suitable scenarios and amount added：
  • Scalp serum：With an addition amount of 1%-2%, combined with panthenol and niacinamide, it focuses on "hair follicle repair + hair loss prevention", and is suitable for people with postpartum hair loss and hair loss due to staying up late;
  • Anti-aging shampoo：Add 0.5%-1%, combined with ginger extract and ceramides, to solve "scalp aging-related oily hair loss";
  • Suitable for sensitive skin：After purification, the tannin content is ≤0.1%, and the pass rate of sensitive skin test is 95%, breaking the traditional perception that "Polygonum multiflorum irritates the scalp".

3. The "Hidden Selling Points" of High-End Brands

二、Precision health products

Traditional He Shou Wu health products mainly focus on the general needs of "tonifying the liver and kidneys and replenishing essence and blood," while modern applications have shifted to more specific scenarios such as "metabolic regulation in middle-aged and elderly people" and "postoperative rehabilitation and nourishment." 

1. From "broad-spectrum tonics" to "targeted regulation"

• Metabolic regulation in middle-aged and elderly people：Phospholipids can regulate liver lipid metabolism, inhibit triglyceride synthesis, and reduce the risk of fatty liver.
• Postoperative/post-illness rehabilitation：Polysaccharide components can promote the proliferation of T lymphocytes and macrophages, and increase the phagocytic activity of immune cells by more than 60%. Furthermore, their "mild and nourishing" properties are suitable for postoperative weakness.

2. Safety through dual control of dosage and processing

• Raw material prerequisites：The Polygonum multiflorum extract must be prepared by steaming with black beans and yellow rice wine, and the anthraquinone content must be ≤0.1% to avoid the risk of liver damage from the source.
• Dosage control：The recommended daily intake is 50-200 mg (adults), and continuous use should not exceed 6 months. The concentration of any single component should be reduced through compound dilution. ——
• Compliance Claims：It can apply for the "Blue Hat" certification for "enhancing immunity" and "assisting in improving blood lipids", with a pass rate of ≥90%, avoiding vague claims such as "tonifying the liver and kidneys", and meeting the regulatory requirements of "precise functions" for modern health products.

三、Clean label food

1.The "two birds with one stone" approach under the cleaning label

• Natural flavor carrier：After processing, Polygonum multiflorum extract has a slight bean and herbal aroma, which can replace artificial flavorings in food (such as vanilla extract and caramel flavoring). It is suitable for products such as cereal bars and meal replacement powders, making the ingredient list simpler.
• Functional upgrade：After adding, it can be labeled "Contains traditional tonic ingredients," eliminating the need for additional antioxidants.—— 
• Low dose adaptation：The food-grade additive content is only 0.5%-1%, which is far lower than the dosage of health supplements, making it safer and eliminating concerns about "over-nourishment".

2. To meet the "stability" requirements of food processing

• Exclusive craftsmanship：Using "vacuum freeze-drying + ultra-fine grinding", the moisture content is ≤5% and the particle size is 200 mesh. It can be uniformly dispersed in powder and paste foods and can withstand processing steps such as baking (180℃) and sterilization (121℃), with an activity retention rate of ≥90%.

3. Compliance Boundaries: The "Safety Red Line" for Food Applications

• Claims of medical efficacy are prohibited; only labels such as "contains Polygonum multiflorum extract" and "traditional tonic ingredients" are permitted.
• The amount of additive in children's food should be ≤0.5%, and it must be labeled "Not suitable for infants and young children under 3 years old";
• Food-grade Polygonum multiflorum extract must be used, with stilbene glycosides ≥0.5%, and heavy metals and pesticide residues must meet GB 16740 standards.