Is There Anything Else I Should Know Before Taking He Shou Wu?

Raw He Shou Wu and prepared (cured) He Shou Wu are not the same. Raw root is considered harsher and has been linked to rare cases of liver strain with excessive or long-term use, while the prepared form (cured in black bean sauce, as ours is) is the traditionally preferred, gentler version for long-term use. Only the cured version of He Shou Wu should be taken as a tonic.

Even so, if you have any existing liver condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medication, it’s worth checking with a healthcare provider before starting. Human research on He Shou Wu remains limited, so much of its reputation comes from centuries of traditional use rather than large-scale clinical studies.