HerbilousOpen the interactive guideHERB PROFILE · EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE
He Shou Wu
Important safety information: He Shou Wu has caused numerous cases of acute liver injury, including severe and fatal cases. Avoid with liver disease, liver-affecting medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding; stop immediately for jaundice, dark urine, itching, nausea or unusual fatigue.
Herbal actions
- Traditional Chinese tonic
- laxative in unprocessed root traditionally
- antioxidant in vitro
Traditional and practitioner uses
These uses are presented for historical and educational context. They are not treatment claims.
- Traditional prepared-root tonic use
- Traditional claims for hair and ageing remain unproven
- Not recommended for casual self-treatment
Main constituents
Anthraquinones, stilbene glycosides, phospholipids and tannins
Preparation overview
Tea: Not recommended for routine self-dosing. Processing changes the preparation but does not eliminate the documented risk of serious liver injury.
Liquid extract reference: Not recommended for self-dosing
Preparation strengths are not interchangeable. Open the interactive guide for the complete evidence notes and sources available for this herb.
Herbilous provides educational information only. It does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace professional medical advice. Seek urgent care for severe or worsening symptoms.