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Cura x Cura

He Shou Wu何首乌

Polygoni Multiflori Radix · Fleeceflower Root · Fo-Ti

Herbs that Tonify the Blood 补血药《日华子本草》

Overview

The tuberous root of Polygonum multiflorum, used in two ways that are not interchangeable. Raw He Shou Wu is bitter, sweet and slightly cooling — it moistens the intestines and resolves toxic swelling. The root steamed with black-bean juice (Zhi He Shou Wu 制何首乌) turns sweet, astringent and slightly warm, and it is this prepared form that nourishes Liver and Kidney essence and blood for premature greying, dizziness and a weak lower back. The dispensary stocks both; a prescription should name which one it means.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, sweet, astringent · Slightly warm

Channels

Liver · Kidney

Typical Dosage

10–30 g in decoction
何首乌Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Tonifies Liver and Kidney, fills essence and bloodPrepared form: dizziness and blurred vision, premature greying, weak and sore lower back and knees, scanty menses of blood deficiency.
  • Moistens the intestines, frees the stoolRaw form: dry, hard stool in the elderly or after illness, where the intestines are dry rather than obstructed.
  • Resolves toxicity, dissipates nodulesRaw form: boils and sores, scrofulous neck lumps — taken internally or decocted as a wash.

In Formulas

Formulas containing He Shou Wu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Dizziness, blurred vision and premature greying from Liver-Kidney and blood deficiency (prepared)
    - Sore, weak lower back and knees
    - Dry constipation in the elderly or after illness (raw)
    - Boils, sores and neck lumps (raw)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Premature greyingHair thinningConstipationConvalescence

Contraindications

Cautions

Our dispensary data records this herb as toxic, and the concern is the liver: cases of drug-induced liver injury have been reported with He Shou Wu and with over-the-counter products containing it, and several regulators require a warning label. Take it only under practitioner supervision, keep courses short, avoid it entirely with existing liver disease, and stop at once and seek medical care if jaundice, dark urine, itching or unexplained fatigue appear. The raw root is markedly moistening and loosens the stool — not for phlegm-damp, poor appetite or ongoing diarrhea. Never substitute the raw root where the prepared root is intended.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not used in pregnancy without practitioner supervision — the liver-safety concern applies here too

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Kai Bao Ben Cao《开宝本草》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.