GUT HEALTH

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 · Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro

Works with

Schisandra Fo-ti/He Shou Wu (stilbene glycosides, anti-aging in TCM) and schisandra (adaptogenic, hepatoprotective) are frequently combined in TCM longevity formulas.

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