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Knowledge baseHerbs

(Zhi) He Shou Wu何首烏

Radix Polygoni Multiflori (Preparata)Fleeceflower Root

Also known asFlowery Knotweed Root · Climbing Knotwood · *Fo Ti* · Chinese Cornbind

Category
Herbs that tonify Blood
Nature
slightly warm
Taste
bitter, sweet, astringent
Channels entered
Liver, Kidney
Secondary channels
Heart
Dosage
9–30 g

Usual doses

Dosage
9–30 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes the Blood and nourishes *Jing (Zhi He Shou Wu)*
  • Blood Deficiency with dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia and premature graying of the hair
  • Yin Deficiency with lower back and knee weakness and pain, soreness of the extremities, nocturnal emissions and insomnia
  • Jing Deficiency
Expels Wind from the skin by nourishing the Blood *(Zhi He Shou Wu)*
Wind-Rash due to Blood Deficiency
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels *(Sheng He Shou Wu)*
Constipation due to Blood Deficiency
Relieves Fire Toxin *(Sheng He Shou Wu)*
Fire toxin carbuncles, sores, scrofula, goiter and neck lumps (Chuang Yung)
Checks malarial disorders *(Sheng He Shou Wu)*
Malarial disorders with Qi and Blood Deficiency

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in Spleen Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated where Phlegm or Dampness is present.
  • Contraindicated in cases of diarrhea or loose stools.
  • Avoid combining with onions, chives, turnips, or garlic.
  • Do not use if it has come into contact with metal.

Incompatibilities

Avoid combining with hot, drying herbs (Zhi Fu Zi, Xian Mao, Gan Jiang, Rou Gui).

Combinations

  • Kidney and Liver Deficiency presenting as sore, weak lower back and knees, dizziness, blurred vision, spermatorrhea, vaginal discharge, and hair graying prematurely.

  • Liver Blood Deficiency with dizziness, blurred vision, and numb extremities.

  • Kidney and Liver Deficiency causing dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, and aching, numb extremities.

  • Irregular menstruation and uterine bleeding arising from depleted Liver and Kidneys.

  • Wind-Rash itching caused by Blood Deficiency.

  • Constipation from Intestinal dryness due to Blood Deficiency.

  • Abscesses, scrofula, and other toxic swellings.

  • Wind toxin with Damp-Heat producing pus-filled pockets over the body that ooze yellow fluid.

  • Scrofula.

  • Chronic malarial disorders accompanied by physical debility.

  • Malaria.

    • Turtle Blood

    Chronic malarial disorder involving Yin and Blood Deficiency, with fever more pronounced than chills.

Notes

  • It is widely used because it tonifies and preserves without being cold, drying, or overly cloying.
  • Taken alone, it serves as a longevity tonic.
  • It offsets the immune-suppressing effect of prednisone.
  • It ranks among the most renowned tonic herbs.
  • It helps keep the hair black.
  • Its astringent quality helps prevent Jing from leaking away.
  • This herb is noted for restoring function in the urogenital, muscular, and nervous systems.
  • More recently, it has been noted for success in treating chronic cerebral insufficiency, ranging from sleep disturbances to depression to schizophrenia.
  • The unprepared form, Fleeceflower Root Sheng He Shou Wu, is not tonifying at all; rather it discharges, moistens, and disperses, and is used for malarial disorders, sores and abscesses of every kind, and constipation.
  • He Shou Wu and Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata Shu Di Huang both nourish the Blood, enrich Yin, and tonify the Kidneys and Liver, though their emphasis differs: He Shou Wu acts mainly on the Liver, regulating and tonifying Blood, with a secondary effect of enriching Kidney Yin and astringing Jing, whereas Shu Di Huang acts mainly on the Kidneys, augmenting Jing and marrow and powerfully tonifying true Yin, with nourishing Blood and tonifying the Liver as secondary effects. By contrast, Sheng Di Huang cools the Blood, while Sheng He Shou Wu treats malarial disorders, resolves toxicity, and moistens the Intestines.
  • He Shou Wu and Colla Corii Asini E Jiao share the ability to nourish Blood: He Shou Wu works through the Liver, tonifying Blood to dispel Wind and darken the hair and beard, whereas E Jiao nourishes Blood while moistening Dryness, nourishing the Lungs, and clearing Heat.
  • Fresh Fleeceflower Root, Xian He Shou Wu, resembles Sheng He Shou Wu in action but is more potent.

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