He Shou Wu (何首乌) — Fo-Ti Root | TCM Anti-Aging Hair Tonic Herb Guide

At a Glance

Herb: He Shou Wu
Chinese name: 何首乌 (Hé Shǒu Wū)
Latin name: Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Harald.
Nature: Slightly Warm
Taste: Bitter / Sweet / Astringent
Meridian: Liver / Kidney
Category: Herbs that Tonify Blood
Introduction: He Shou Wu (何首乌), Fallopia multiflora root (also known as Fo-Ti in the West), is one of TCM’s most celebrated longevity and anti-aging herbs — named after a legendary figure whose grey hair turned black after consuming this root. Entering the Liver and Kidney channels, the processed form (制何首乌) nourishes liver-kidney yin, replenishes essence and blood, and prevents premature aging. The raw form (生何首乌) has entirely different properties — laxative and detoxifying. Stilbene glycoside 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-glucoside (THSG) and emodin account for antioxidant, hair-darkening, cholesterol-lowering, and neuroprotective effects. Critical safety note: hepatotoxicity risk requires careful monitoring.

Nourishes liver-kidney yin and replenishes essence (补肝肾精血): treats premature greying, hair loss, lower back weakness, and dizziness — processed form only.
Moistens intestines and relieves constipation (润肠通便): raw form — laxative action for blood-deficiency or yin-deficiency constipation.
Resolves toxicity and disperses nodules (解毒消痈): raw form — carbuncles, scrofula, malaria.
Anti-aging essence tonic (乌发补精): restores hair color and prevents age-related depletion of kidney essence — long-term use.

Premature grey hair and hair loss: liver-kidney essence deficiency — the signature indication; 七宝美髯丹 formula.
Dizziness and tinnitus: liver-kidney yin deficiency with ascending deficiency fire.
Lower back and knee weakness: kidney essence failing to nourish bones and sinews.
Insomnia: liver blood deficiency with disturbed heart spirit.
Constipation: blood and yin deficiency type — raw He Shou Wu or 首乌片.
Hyperlipidemia: THSG reduces cholesterol absorption — used in metabolic syndrome.
Malaria support: raw form historically used with other antimalarials.

HEPATOTOXICITY: the most important caution — both raw and processed forms linked to drug-induced liver injury (DILI); individual genetic susceptibility (HLA-B*35:01). Monitor LFTs with regular use. Do not combine with other hepatotoxic herbs.
Raw vs processed: 生何首乌 (raw) — laxative, toxic, NOT tonic; 制何首乌 (processed with black bean) — tonic, safer but still hepatotoxicity risk.
Duration: limit continuous use to 3 months; take breaks between courses.
Incompatibility: avoid with radish, onion, garlic, and blood-thinning medications.
Standard dose: 6–12g processed form in decoction; monitor liver enzymes.

七宝美髯丹 (Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan): He Shou Wu + Gou Qi Zi + Tu Si Zi + Dang Gui — premature greying, hair loss, and kidney-liver essence deficiency; the classic anti-aging and hair-darkening formula.
首乌延寿丹 (Shou Wu Yan Shou Dan): He Shou Wu + Sang Shen + Hei Zhi Ma — longevity formula for hair, vision, and mobility in the elderly.
何首乌片 (He Shou Wu Pian): processed He Shou Wu as patent medicine — hyperlipidemia and liver-kidney deficiency.
He Shou Wu alone (单味): 9–15g processed root decocted with black beans.

For liver-kidney deficiency with premature greying and hair loss: combine with Gou Qi Zi, Nu Zhen Zi, Sang Shen (Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan).
For blood deficiency with dizziness and palpitations: combine with Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang.
For hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis: use processed He Shou Wu alone or combine with Shan Zha, Ze Xie.
For constipation from intestinal dryness: use raw He Shou Wu with Huo Ma Ren.
For scrofula and phlegm nodules: combine with Xia Ku Cao, Zhe Bei Mu, Xuan Shen.
For skin itching from blood deficiency: combine with Bai Ji Li, Jing Jie, Fang Feng.
For insomnia from liver-kidney deficiency: combine with Gou Qi Zi, Suan Zao Ren.

THSG
- Antilipemic: reduces LDL cholesterol, inhibits lipid peroxidation
- Neuroprotective: protects dopaminergic neurons, relevant to Parkinson’s
Anti-aging
- activates SIRT1/AMPK pathways, extends lifespan in model organisms
Hair growth
- promotes hair follicle cycling via Wnt/β-catenin signaling
polysaccharides
- Immunomodulatory: enhance T-cell and NK-cell function
Hepatotoxicity risk
- rare but documented — avoid high doses or long-term raw use

He Shou Wu Lu (《何首乌录》): ‘Governs five types of hemorrhoids, diseases of the lumbar region and knees, cold qi Heart pain, years of chronic emaciation with phlegm accumulation, wind deficiency and debility; strengthens sinews and force, benefits essence and marrow, invigorates qi and maintains a youthful complexion, blackens hair and brightens complexion, prolongs life and increases longevity.’
Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘This herb is warm in qi, bitter and astringent in flavor; bitterness supplements the Kidney, warmth supplements the Liver; it can astringe and consolidate essence and qi — hence it can nourish blood and benefit the Liver, secure essence and benefit the Kidney, strengthen sinews and bones, and blacken beard and hair — a fine supplementing medicinal.’
Ben Cao Jing Shu (《本草经疏》): ‘Fleeceflower Root: bitterness consolidates the Kidney, warmth supplements the Liver, astringency astringes and consolidates essence and qi — hence it can nourish blood and benefit the Liver, secure essence and benefit the Kidney, strengthen sinews and bones, and blacken beard and hair — a fine supplementing and tonifying medicinal.’
Kai Bao Ben Cao (《开宝本草》): ‘Benefits qi and blood, blackens beard and temples, brightens complexion; long-term use strengthens sinews and bones, benefits essence and marrow, and prolongs life without aging.’