He Shou Wu: The Legendary Herb of Vitality and Longevity

For centuries, He Shou Wu (何首乌), also known as Fo-Ti or Polygonum multiflorum, has held an almost mythical place in Chinese herbal medicine. Renowned as a tonic for youth, vitality, and longevity, this root carries with it not only profound health benefits but also enchanting legends. Today, He Shou Wu continues to be embraced both in traditional preparations and modern wellness practices.

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A Story Rooted in Myth

The name He Shou Wu translates to “Mr. He’s Black Hair”, a reference to the herb’s most famous legend.

According to folklore, an ailing man named Mr. He stumbled upon a vine of Polygonum multiflorum. Inspired by its form, he prepared the root and began consuming it daily. Over time, his grey hair turned black again, his strength returned, and he fathered children well into old age. Word of his transformation spread, and the herb came to be associated with vitality, fertility, and the ability to restore youth.

These stories are part of what gives He Shou Wu its mystique, an herb not only for the body, but also for the spirit.

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Traditional and Historical Uses

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), He Shou Wu is classified as a Jing (essence) tonic. Jing is thought of as the deep life force we’re born with—the reserve of energy that governs growth, fertility, vitality, and ageing.

Historically, He Shou Wu has been used to:

• Nourish the liver and kidneys
• Support hair growth and colour
• Promote fertility and virility
• Strengthen bones, tendons, and muscles
• Prolong life and slow premature ageing signs

Monks and Taoist practitioners especially valued the herb, not only for its restorative effects but also for its believed ability to calm the spirit and enhance meditation.

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Raw vs. Prepared He Shou Wu

One of the most important aspects of He Shou Wu is how it’s processed.

• Raw He Shou Wu (sheng shou wu, 生首乌):
  Traditionally used as a detoxifying herb. It is sometimes applied for issues like skin eruptions, parasites, or constipation. However, raw He Shou Wu can be harsh on the digestive system and is not usually used as a tonic.
• Prepared He Shou Wu (zhi shou wu, 制首乌):
  This is the form most prized for longevity and vitality. The root is slow-cooked with black beans in a traditional preparation method that neutralises harsh compounds and transforms its energetic qualities. Prepared He Shou Wu is considered nourishing, strengthening, and safe for long-term use.

This preparation method reflects a key principle in TCM: transformation through synergy, where the right companions (in this case, black beans) unlock an herb’s true potential.

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Modern Uses and Benefits

In modern wellness circles, He Shou Wu is often celebrated as a super-herb with adaptogenic qualities. While not all traditional claims have been fully validated by science, emerging research points to impressive benefits:

• Hair and skin health: Traditionally famed for maintaining natural hair colour and strength.
• Longevity: Contains antioxidants that may help protect against oxidative stress.
• Liver and kidney support: Shown to have protective effects on liver function in some studies.
• Cardiovascular health: May support healthy cholesterol and circulation.
• Energy and fertility: Still widely used as a tonic for reproductive vitality in both men and women.

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A Herb Between Legend and Science

What makes He Shou Wu so captivating is how it sits at the crossroads of myth and medicine. From the legendary Mr. He whose grey hair turned black, to monks who consumed it for spiritual strength, to modern herbalists and wellness practitioners, it has carried a sense of timeless magic.

Whether enjoyed in teas, tinctures, or powdered form, He Shou Wu remains one of the most enduring and celebrated herbs in the tonic herbal tradition.

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✨ Note: Always use prepared He Shou Wu, as raw forms can be toxic if taken in large or prolonged doses. Consult with a qualified practitioner before adding it to your wellness routine.

Our He Shou wu is prepared with black bean in a traditional way.