My Favourite Super Herb – Ho Shou Wu

I get this all the time.

what is my favourite thing to take? there are so many… But Ho Shou Wu is definitely one of my top things to have in my diet. (I even like the sound of the word!)

As you read more about this incredible herb you will know why I take this pretty much every day.

there is an interesting story behind this herb that I like to talk about as well.  There was a man called Mr. Ho in Chinese village.  He went into a wild forest (I have heard many different versions to why he was there, such as he was really poor, got very drunk, sick or old, deepening on a legend) and found a pair of entwined vine, which looked to him as though they were making love. he decided to dug up the root and started to eating them. After a few days he started feeling amazing vitality that he has never experienced before. His sexual desire has come back, white hair became dark and thick, overall he seemed to be getting younger. Over the next ten years ( he was already nearly 60 when he first started taking Ho shou wu) he fathered several boys and lived till 160 years old.  Ho shou wu means “black-haired Mr.Ho” in Chinese. I am not sure how much is true but definitely a great story to tell 😉

HO SHOU WU

Known in the Orient as the “elixir of Life”, Ho Shou Wu is one of the most praised herbs in Chinese Medicine used to combat premature aging, impotence, angina, vaginal discharge and to increase energy. Complex nutrients such as emodin, phospholipids, anthraquinones, bianthraquinonyl glucosides and leucoanthocyanidins have been found to back up many health benefits in Modern studies.
Our Ho Shou Wu has been traditionally cured in a black bean sauce to receive the maximum benefit from the root, and this process is superior to uncured Ho Shou Wu as it can cause gastrointestinal upset.

Ho Shou Wu root has wonderful benefits to the blood, heart and circulatory system. Lecithin found in the root may help diminish arterial plaque reducing hardening of the arteries while lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides possibly reducing the risk of stroke and other cardiac diseases. It may also reduce excessive bleeding which helps with healthy menstrual flow in women. Also a great aid for digestion, Ho Shou Wu Root has mild purgative and laxative qualities that can cleanse and soothe inflamed mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract, which is extremely helpful to elderly people suffering from constipation. It may aid in clearing toxins from the body with powerful antibacterial capabilities cleansing the liver, kidneys and urinary tract.
By increasing red blood cells in the body, Ho Shou Wu can boost your immune system, Recent research has shown that a compound called Emodin in Ho Shou Wu may be helpful to those suffering from autoimmune diseases or organ transplant rejection due to its ability to boost the immunity levels.

Ho Shou Wu is high in zinc, iron and copper (Zinc is an essential trace mineral required by all forms of life. Numerous aspects of cellular metabolism are zinc-dependent. Zinc plays important roles in growth and development, the immune response, neurological function, and reproduction. Zinc is important to our sexual and reproductive functions. Zinc is also critical to reproductive health.)

Modern studies show that Ho Shou wu can provide enhanced sexual function in men as well as replenishing sperm. With amazing ability to stall premature aging process Ho Shou Wu is useful to the elderly easing knee and joint pain, as well as reducing premature graying of the hair for both men and women.

 Possible Benefits

-Fighting arteriosclerosis
-Boosting immunity

-Enhancing male fertility
-Alleviating constipation
-Supporting healthy cholesterol levels
-Boosting energy levels and relieving exhaustion
-Replenishing sperm
-Fighting impotence & erectile dysfunction
-Astringent qualities
-Reducing bleeding internally & externally
-Improving Adrenal Function
-Lowering blood pressure
-Increasing red blood cell count
-Antibacterial properties
-Supporting healthy liver & kidney function

take the powder in elixirs, smoothies or make tea with non-grounded root.

we use Ho shou wu in “love and happiness elixirs” many blend. shots and tonic smoothies.