Shou Wu

Species name:  Polygonum multiflorum.

Also known as: Ho Shou Wu, He Shou Wu.

Have you ever heard of Shou Wu? Shou Wu is found in China and this name has a meaning in Chinese which is “a head full of black hair”. This herb has also been used in Asia for many centuries. It has many healing qualities and has even been used to help strengthen a person’s kidneys and liver.

What is Shou Wu: Shou Wu is an herb that is closely related to ginseng. In fact, it is best known for helping to keep a person looking young and sexually active and for its abilities to help with hair growth. It has been used to help the nervous system to relax and calm a person emotionally. It is believed that if a person keeps the inside of their body healthy they will look and feel better on the outside. This is why Shou Wu is also used for premature hair loss and preventing gray hair growth.

Home Remedies using Shou Wu:

Benefits of Shou Wu:

Do you know what the benefits are to using Shou Wu and why many herbalists are suggesting it to their patients? Do you know why many people are deciding to use Shou Wu for common conditions? There are quite a few benefits to this herb but the most well-known benefit is longevity and rejuvenating qualities. Many people use this herb because it gives them an energy boast and some believe it helps to improve their sexual abilities. It helps with hair loss and hair thinning as well.  Traditional Chinese medicine has used Shou Wu to treat premature aging, weakness, vaginal discharges, numerous infectious diseases, angina pectoris, and impotence.

This herb is used as a dietary supplement for insufficiency of essence and blood manifested as baldness, backache with weakness of the knee joint, immovability of extremities, hemiplegia and paraplegia. It is also used for hypercholesteraemia and atherosclerosis. It is usually taken in capsule form several times a day as you would a vitamin.

Uses of Shou Wu:

  • Insomnia
  • Lower back pain
  • Strengthen muscles and bones
  • Premature hair loss
  • Reduce cholesterol
  • Anemia
  • Tonic
  • Tea
  • Capsules

Side Effects of Shou Wu:

Some of the side effects may include mild cases of diarrhea, skin rash and in large doses could cause numbness in the legs or arms.