Fo-Ti
Polygonum multiflorum
also known as he shou wu
Weak (traditional use only — safety concerns dominate)
A traditional Chinese herb, also called he shou wu, with a long folk reputation for hair color, longevity, and vitality. The traditional reputation is real, but documented cases of liver injury — including liver failure — have made fo-ti a serious safety concern in modern use.
- Long traditional Chinese use as a tonic herb
- Folk reputation for restoring hair color and supporting hair growth
- Traditional use for general vitality and longevity
- Modern clinical evidence is limited and does not match the traditional claims
Has caused liver injury, including some cases of liver failure — this is the dominant safety concern with fo-ti
Risk appears higher with raw, unprocessed fo-ti than with traditionally prepared (cured) fo-ti
Stop immediately and seek medical attention if jaundice, dark urine, or right-side abdominal pain develop
Avoid with any pre-existing liver condition
Avoid with medications that stress the liver
Skip during pregnancy and nursing
Stop two weeks before surgery
Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro
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