About This Herb*
Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties
Herb Description*
He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) is one of the most famous Chinese herbs for supporting healthy aging and hair vitality. In its processed form, it is traditionally used to nourish the Liver and Kidneys, strengthen the blood, and address premature greying and hair loss. In its raw form, it gently eases constipation and helps clear skin sores. It should only be used under professional guidance due to potential liver sensitivity in some individuals.
Herb Category*
Main Actions*
- Resolves Toxicity
- Checks Malaria
- Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels
- Dispels Wind and Stops Itching
How These Actions Work*
'Resolves toxins' means that raw He Shou Wu has the ability to clear toxic swellings and sores. In traditional practice, it was used for conditions like scrofula (lumps in the neck), skin abscesses, and carbuncles. It can be combined with herbs like Xuan Shen (Scrophularia) and Lian Qiao (Forsythia) for this purpose.
'Intercepts malaria' refers to raw He Shou Wu's traditional use in treating lingering, chronic malaria. Classical texts describe it as entering the Shao Yang (Gallbladder/Triple Burner) channel, where malarial pathogens reside. It was typically used for long-standing malaria in debilitated patients rather than acute attacks.
'Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels' means that the raw herb has a gentle laxative effect. It contains anthraquinone compounds that stimulate bowel movement. This makes raw He Shou Wu useful for constipation due to Blood deficiency and intestinal dryness, especially in elderly or weakened patients.
'Dispels wind from the skin' refers to raw He Shou Wu's use in treating itchy skin rashes and sores. A classical formula, He Shou Wu San, combines it with Fang Feng, Ku Shen, and Bo He as an external wash for widespread skin lesions with itching and pain.
Important note: These actions describe the raw (shēng) form only. The processed form (Zhi He Shou Wu) has very different actions: it tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes Essence and Blood, darkens the hair, and strengthens sinews and bones. The two forms should never be confused.
Patterns Addressed*
In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. He Shou Wu is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.
The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.
Why He Shou Wu addresses this pattern
He Shou Wu (in its processed form) directly nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin by replenishing Essence (Jīng) and Blood. Its bitter taste enters the Kidneys and its sweet taste nourishes, while its astringent nature helps consolidate Essence and prevent its leakage. Because it enters the Liver and Kidney channels, it addresses the root cause of this pattern: insufficient Yin and Blood failing to nourish the hair, eyes, sinews, and bones. It is considered milder and less cloying than Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia), making it suitable for long-term use in many patients.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
A hallmark sign of Kidney Essence and Liver Blood deficiency
From Blood failing to nourish the head
Kidney insufficiency affecting the ears
Lumbar aching and knee weakness from Liver-Kidney deficiency
Liver Blood failing to nourish the eyes
Why He Shou Wu addresses this pattern
Processed He Shou Wu is classified as a Blood-tonifying herb. Its sweet and warm nature (after processing) generates and nourishes Blood, while its Liver channel affinity means it directly replenishes the Liver's Blood storage. This addresses the fundamental insufficiency in Blood Deficiency patterns. A classical commentator noted that its action is close to Dang Gui (Angelica), as both address Blood deficiency, though He Shou Wu works more gently and without Dang Gui's aromatic, dispersing quality.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Blood failing to anchor the Spirit at night
Hair is the surplus of Blood; when Blood is deficient, hair thins and falls
Insufficient Blood failing to colour the face
Blood failing to nourish the sinews and channels
Why He Shou Wu addresses this pattern
Raw (unprocessed) He Shou Wu moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements. Its anthraquinone compounds gently stimulate peristalsis. Because this herb simultaneously nourishes Blood (even in raw form to a mild degree), it is particularly suited for elderly or debilitated patients whose constipation stems from Blood deficiency failing to moisten the bowel rather than from Heat or excess conditions.
A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs
Dry, difficult stools in elderly or blood-deficient patients
TCM Properties*
Slightly Warm
Bitter (苦 kǔ), Sweet (甘 gān), Astringent (涩 sè)
Tuber (块茎 kuài jīng / 块根 kuài gēn)
This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.