Polygonum multiflorum root, He Shou Wu 何首乌
Prepared Root: Zhi He Shou Wu 制何首乌
Fleeceflower root
He Shou Wu (TCM)
He Shou Wu (TCM)
Whole Wild Polygonum He Shou Wu root (Chengdu Medicine Market, Adam, 2016)
Botanical name:
Polygonum multiflorum
Parts used:
Root, Prepared and Raw
Temperature & Taste:
RAW: Cool, Bitter; PREPARED: Slightly Warm. Bitter, Sweet. Fairly neutral; not too hot, cold, moist or dry.
Polygonum multiflorum
Parts used:
Root, Prepared and Raw
Temperature & Taste:
RAW: Cool, Bitter; PREPARED: Slightly Warm. Bitter, Sweet. Fairly neutral; not too hot, cold, moist or dry.
Uses:
PREPARED (Zhi He Shou Wu, or just He Shou Wu):
1. Tonifies the Liver, Nourishes the Blood:
-dizziness, blurred vision
-premature greying of hair, hair loss, alopecia areata, male pattern baldness
-Menstrual irregularity and uterine Bleeding associated with Blood deficiency
2. Tonifies the Kidneys, Strengthen the Sinews and Bones, Nourishes Essence:
-lower back and knee pain and weakness
-Nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea from Kidney deficiency
-good for diseases of old age, or signs of premature aging
3. Clears Wind from the Skin:
-Itching, and Wind rashes (rashes with itching) associated with Blood deficiency
RAW (Sheng He Shou Wu):
1. Moistens the Intestines, Promotes Stool:
-constipation associated with dryness or deficiency
2. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-Sores, Boils, Carbuncles, Toxic Swellings
-Scrofula, Goiter and Lymphatic swellings
3. Treats Malarial Disorders:
-chronic Malarial disorders associated with deficiency
DOSE:
raw and prepared roots are used in similar doses:
1–4 grams in powder;
9–30 grams in decoction
PREPARATION:
The prepared root is made by putting pieces or slices of the root in a mix of rice wine and a concentrated decoction of Black Beans for several hours, then double-boiling until the root has absorbed the liquid, then drying. This is then warm, sweet and very good to strengthen the Blood, Yin, Liver and Kidneys while securing and nourishing Essence.
COMMENT:
This is one of the legendary herbs of Longevity of TCM. It begins with a 9th century legend of a Mr. He who was weak, frail, by all accounts prematurely aging, as well as infertile. He noted the plants many vines and tendrils and that vines intertwined with one another which he read as a signature of lovemaking. He began to consume the herb regularly, and apparently grew back his head of black hair, became like a young man, and preceded to father children. Some sources state he lived over 250 years, outliving a number of wives.
raw and prepared roots are used in similar doses:
1–4 grams in powder;
9–30 grams in decoction
PREPARATION:
The prepared root is made by putting pieces or slices of the root in a mix of rice wine and a concentrated decoction of Black Beans for several hours, then double-boiling until the root has absorbed the liquid, then drying. This is then warm, sweet and very good to strengthen the Blood, Yin, Liver and Kidneys while securing and nourishing Essence.
COMMENT:
This is one of the legendary herbs of Longevity of TCM. It begins with a 9th century legend of a Mr. He who was weak, frail, by all accounts prematurely aging, as well as infertile. He noted the plants many vines and tendrils and that vines intertwined with one another which he read as a signature of lovemaking. He began to consume the herb regularly, and apparently grew back his head of black hair, became like a young man, and preceded to father children. Some sources state he lived over 250 years, outliving a number of wives.
Main Combinations:
PREPARED:
1. Premature Greying of Hair:
i. with Lower Back Pain, blurred Vision and other signs of aging, with Lycium Gou Qi Zi and Cuscuta Tu Si Zi (Dodder seed)
ii. with Eclipta Han Lian Cao
iii. and to strengthen the tendons and bones and prevent ageing, with Poria Fu Ling, Lycium Gou Qi Zi and Cuscuta Tu Si Zi (Dodder seed), Dang Gui, Psoralea Bu Gu Zhi (as in Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan from Tang Jing Yan Fang [Experiential Prescriptions from Jishan Clinic]),
2. Dizziness, blurred Vision, numb extremities from Blood deficiency, with Taxillus Sang Ji Sheng (Mistletoe), Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi and Achyranthes Niu Xi
3. Dizziness, lassitude, Amnesia, Neurasthenia, premature ageing, with Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong), Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Licorice (as in An Shen Bu Nao Ye of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
4. Uterine Bleeding from Blood and Kidney deficiency, with Dang Gui and Paeonia Bai Shao
RAW:
1. Constipation from dryness and deficiency, or Blood deficiency, with Dang Gui and Sesame seed.
2. Itchy, painful Sores, with Saposhnikova Fang Feng, Sophora Ku Shen, Peppermint (Bo He)
3. Scrofula, Lymphatic Swellings:
i. Scrophularia Xuan Shen (Figwort)
ii. with Self Heal
4. Chronic Malarial disorder with deficiency with Ginseng, Dang Gui, Citrus Chen Pi, fresh Ginger
Cautions:
1. Not used in those with loose bowels or Phlegm conditions; generally safe.
Main Preparations used:
1. Not used in those with loose bowels or Phlegm conditions; generally safe.
Main Preparations used: