Origin & tradition
He Shou Wu (何首乌) is a celebrated Jing tonic in Chinese medicine, traditionally linked to hair, kidney, and longevity.
Eastern tradition · Tonic Herbs · Practitioner
He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) 何首乌
A famous Chinese longevity tonic — with a real, honest caveat: reports of liver toxicity.
4ClinicalTrials.gov matched
3PubMed RCT records
4Meta-analysis records
4+PubMed records
Stilbene glycosidesKey active compound
Data definition. Matched records include all indexed medical endpoints for this intervention — not only longevity. Longevity-relevant records are screened separately and cited in the evidence summary below. Counts are matched-record volumes, not de-duplicated trials and not efficacy claims.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Stilbene glycosides (botanical extract).
Its 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside is studied for antioxidant and neuroprotective effects — but documented cases of hepatotoxicity make processing and dosing a genuine safety question, not a footnote.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant markers | Increases | Minor | C |
| Hair graying (traditional claim) — Traditional use; no robust human RCT data supporting this claim | No change | Negligible | D |
| Liver enzyme elevation (adverse effect) — Risk even with processed form at high doses — monitor liver enzymes | Increases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 500–1,500 mg/day processed root extract (Zhì Hé Shǒu Wū only)
- Form
- capsule — processed (black) form only; raw form is hepatotoxic
- Timing
- with meals
SAFETY: Raw (unprocessed) He Shou Wu causes liver damage. Only use the processed form (Zhì Hé Shǒu Wū, 制何首乌). Even processed form: case reports of liver injury exist — do not exceed recommended doses, avoid if you have liver disease, and monitor liver enzymes with long-term use.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
58Evidence confidence
Early / limited human trials3 randomized controlled trials · 4 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Mixed: preclinical benefits offset by real hepatotoxicity signals
Its 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside is studied for antioxidant and neuroprotective effects — but documented cases of hepatotoxicity make processing and dosing a genuine safety question, not a footnote.
4registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 4+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
- The evaluation and molecular mechanisms of hepatotoxicity induced by trans-emodin dianthrones isolated from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. in vitro
- Polygonum multiflorum: Recent updates on newly isolated compounds, potential hepatotoxic compounds and their mechanisms
- Overview of Pharmacokinetics and Liver Toxicities of Radix Polygoni Multiflori
Key active: Stilbene glycosides (botanical extract) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-07-19. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) appears in
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How He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) stacks up
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