Also known as Fallopia multiflora and Fo Ti, He Shou Wu is a type of herb native to central China. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and while some of us may still have their doubts, this herb has proved to be an effective remedy for hair loss, depression and infertility.
General uses of Fo Ti
The root mimics the structure and effect of the female hormone estrogen, which could be very helpful for women who are struggling to become pregnant or have an estrogen deficit (remember this doesn’t mean that Fo Ti is identical to estrogen). Due to its high lecithin content, He Shou Wu is also believed to slow down premature aging, regulate blood pressure and lower cholesterol. It also improves liver, kidney and endocrine function.
How He Shou Wu can help with hair growth
Fo Ti boosts SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity, a powerful natural antioxidant that neutralizes the free radicals slowing down your body processes. This results in anti-ageing effects – some people have even noticed that grey hair comes back to color! The root is also a b-monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which helps towards anti-ageing.
With fewer free radicals, your body is able to produce more cells to replace the damaged ones and build new tissues. Therefore, hair follicles are likely to regenerate too, which may lead to hair growth.
Potential side effects
Side effects are rare, not very serious and resolve themselves fairly quickly. The most common side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Numbness – usually if you exceed the daily recommended dose
If any of these side effects persist or become very uncomfortable you should speak to your doctor immediately.
Avoid Shen-Min, the modified version of He Shou Wu used to treat hair loss. This is a mixture of He Shou Wu and herbs that’s not recommended for people who suffer from or are predisposed to liver conditions.
Should you try it?
Like most remedies available on the market, He Shou Wu has received mixed reviews, many of which are positive and come from satisfied customers. However, you need to remember that people are different and every organism responds to treatment in its own way. Some clinical research supports the use of Fo Ti for hair growth and has proven the root contains extremely beneficial compounds such as lecithin and antioxidants. Your body will make use of these nutrients in its own way. You might end up surprised or a bit disappointed, but you can never know until you try, and there is usually no harm in doing so.
You can read more customer reviews here if you wish to get an idea of other people’s experience with this product.