Roots and rhizomesTonifyingPolygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata

Zhi He Shou Wu (Prepared Fleeceflower Root)

Q: What is Zhi He Shou Wu? Are raw fleeceflower root and polygonum stem the same?

Official Zhi He Shou Wu (制何首乌) is the root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum steamed clear or stewed with black bean juice . The pharmacopoeial name is Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata . Raw He Shou Wu is bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly warm: resolves toxin and dissipates abscesses, checks malaria and moistens the intestines. Shou Wu Teng is sweet-neutral: nourishes Blood and calms the spirit, dispels wind and frees the channels. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Zhi He Shou Wu. Not for long-term large doses.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Zhi He Shou Wu?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Zhi He Shou Wu is bitter, sweet, astringent and slightly warm , enters the Liver, Heart and Kidney channels, and acts to tonify the Liver and Kidney, benefit essence and Blood, blacken the hair, strengthen sinews and bones, and transform turbidity and lower lipids . It is used for Blood vacuity with sallow complexion, dizziness and tinnitus, premature graying of hair, soreness and weakness of the low back and knees, numbness of the limbs, flooding and spotting with vaginal discharge, and hyperlipidemia. Bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly warm, it suits Liver-Kidney essence and Blood insufficiency—not unresolved external pathogens, or damp-heat.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a Kidney tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 6–12 g . It is not a four-season “prepared-fleeceflower Kidney tea.” Long-term large doses carry a risk of liver injury. Premature graying of hair needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace assessment.

Q: How do you choose and store Zhi He Shou Wu?

Choose irregular blocks or thick slices, a black-brown or brown-black surface, a cut surface with a horny appearance, a faint odor and a slightly sweet yet bitter-astringent taste . Moldy, dirty or non-black-brown lots are discarded. Store dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Zhi He Shou Wu; do not replace tonifying the Liver and Kidney, benefiting essence and Blood, blackening the hair and strengthening sinews and bones with raw fleeceflower root or polygonum stem by equal weight.

A practical guide to Zhi He Shou Wu: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata
Chinese Name & Pinyin	製何首烏 · Zhi He Shou Wu
Medicinal Part	Roots and rhizomes
The herb	Zhi He Shou Wu is the processed tuber of Polygonum multiflorum. Raw He Shou Wu and Shou Wu Teng are different parts or different processing. Liver-injury risk is real.
Nature and channels	Bitter, sweet, astringent, slightly warm. Enters the Liver and Kidney. Bitter sweet astringent slight warmth tonifies the Liver and Kidney, boosts essence and blood, and blackens the hair.
Pharmacopoeia line	Tonifies the Liver and Kidney. Boosts essence and blood. Blackens the hair. Strengthens sinew and bone. Transforms turbidity and lowers lipids. Used for blood-deficiency sallow complexion, dizziness and tinnitus, early greying, sore lumbar region and knees, numb limbs, flooding and leukorrhea, and hyperlipidemia.
Pattern cues	Early greying. Sore lumbar region and knees. Blood-deficiency sallow complexion. Dizziness and tinnitus. Numb limbs.
In this article	Zhi He Shou Wu versus raw He Shou Wu and Shou Wu Teng. Tonifying versus resolving toxin. Why liver injury is a stop sign. Why long self-use is not appropriate. Who must skip it.

What Is Zhi He Shou Wu?

Zhi He Shou Wu (制何首乌; Zhì Hé Shǒu Wū; Latin: Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata; English: processed fleeceflower root) is the dried tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. after processing by steaming, or stewing with black-bean juice. In Chinese medicine it is a blood-tonifying herb. It is bitter, sweet, astringent, and slightly warm, enters the Liver and Kidney channels, and its core actions are to tonify the Liver and Kidney, boost essence and blood, blacken the hair, strengthen sinew and bone, and transform turbidity and lower lipids. The usual decoction dose is 6–12 g.

It is not raw He Shou Wu. The raw tuber is bitter, sweet, astringent, and slightly warm. It resolves toxin, reduces abscess, and moistens the intestines to free the stool. Liver-injury risk is higher. Do not treat it as a tonic. It is not Shou Wu Teng. The stem of the same plant nourishes blood, calms the spirit, dispels wind, and unblocks the collaterals. It does not tonify the Kidney or blacken the hair. Processed He Shou Wu also has reported liver injury. Do not self-use it long or in large amounts. Liver impairment and a family history of liver disease are cautions or stop signs. Fatigue, poor appetite, dark urine, or jaundice after taking it: stop and get medical care. An unresolved exterior pattern is a poor match. This is not a hair-blackening or lipid-lowering product claim.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Liver–Kidney insufficiency — early greying, sore lumbar region and knees, dizziness and tinnitus
Blood-deficiency sallow complexion — numb limbs
Flooding and leukorrhea, hyperlipidemia — seek care; not a home lipid formula

Bitter, sweet, astringent, and slightly warm, it is not a daily “hair fleeceflower” tea. Tonifying when there is no deficiency, or long use, can injure the Liver.

When Liver and Kidney essence and blood are insufficient, early greying, sore lumbar region, and dizziness are common. Zhi He Shou Wu is bitter, sweet, astringent, and slightly warm. It tonifies, boosts essence, and blackens the hair, which is why it appears in Liver–Kidney tonifying formulas. It is more securing than it is moving. Loose stools and exterior fever get more stagnant if more tonification is added.

Zhi He Shou Wu is not a catch-all Liver–Kidney or hair root. With no deficiency, an unresolved exterior, abnormal liver function, or long self-use, it is not appropriate. Whether it belongs in a formula, and for how long, should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis, with liver-function monitoring.

Zhi He Shou Wu Prepared Fleeceflower Root

Zhi He Shou Wu: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata

Botanical Origin

The processed root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (Polygonaceae), prepared by steaming with black soybean decoction.

Production Regions

Processed throughout China from material primarily produced in Henan, Hubei, Sichuan and Guizhou.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is thoroughly steamed, blackish and lustrous on the fracture, and free of a raw odor.

Macroscopic Features

Irregular lumps or thick slices, externally blackish-brown; fracture horny and brownish-black; sweet and slightly astringent.

Sourcing and Quality Identification

While historically sourced from regions like Henan, Hubei, and Guangdong, the actual quality depends on harvesting time, processing, and storage.

Appearance: High-quality Zhi He Shou Wu features dark brown, irregularly shriveled solid slices.
Cross-Section: It displays a distinct, cloud-like pattern with a light yellow-brown or red-brown hue.
Taste and Smell: It has a mild scent and a slightly sweet, bitter, and astringent taste.
Caution: Raw roots are lighter in color and lack the cloud pattern. It is also important to distinguish it from look-alikes like Bai Shou Wu, which is softer and lacks the characteristic internal patterns.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Bitter, Sweet, Astringent; Slightly warmLiverKidney

1. Historical Records

This herb has a rich history in classical TCM literature:

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: Early records focused on its ability to clear toxins, reduce swellings, and resolve skin issues.
Ming Yi Bie Lu: Later expanded on its benefits, noting that long-term use could strengthen bones and muscles, nourish essence, and promote longevity.
Ben Cao Gang Mu: Clarified its modern use as a premium tonic. It noted that the herb nourishes Liver blood, secures Kidney essence, strengthens bones, and famously darkens hair.
Classic Pairings: According to the De Pei Ben Cao, it is often paired with Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) and Gou Qi (Goji Berry) to nourish the Liver and Kidneys, or with Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root) to strengthen bones and tendons.

2. Evolution of TCM Understanding

Historically, the understanding of Zhi He Shou Wu shifted from a focus on clearing and dispersing (used for sores and swellings) to its current role as a powerful nourishing tonic for Liver and Kidney deficiency. However, traditional texts warn that it is not a cure-all. People with weak digestion or those prone to loose stools should avoid using it alone, highlighting the need for careful, personalized application.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Tonifies the liver and kidney, nourishes essence and blood, blackens the hair, and strengthens bone. Apply to essence-blood deficiency, premature greying, and lumbar weakness. Unlike the raw root, it is not used to drain fire or moisten the intestines.

1. Primary Focus: Nourishing Essence and Blood

The most essential traditional function of Zhi He Shou Wu (Processed Fleeceflower Root) is nourishing the Liver and Kidney essence and blood.

Common Signs: It is traditionally used for conditions stemming from depleted essence and blood. This includes premature graying of hair, dry and brittle hair, a pale or sallow complexion, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), sore lower back and knees, numbness in the hands and feet, memory decline, and dry stools. It is especially suited for people drained by chronic illness, overwork, or constantly staying up late.
Common Pairings: To boost its nourishing effects, it is often paired with Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry), and Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seed). If you have "cold" symptoms like a chilly lower back, it might be combined with Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root). For those with general fatigue and pale skin (Qi and blood deficiency), it works well with Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) and Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root).
When to Avoid: If you have weak digestion, frequent loose stools, or poor appetite, you should not use this herb on your own. It is also unsuitable for people with "damp-heat" (often showing up as a bitter taste in the mouth, a thick tongue coating, and sticky stools).

2. Secondary Focus: Darkening and Promoting Hair Growth

Because it strongly nourishes the Liver and Kidneys, this herb is famous for feeding the hair follicles from within.

Common Signs: It is used when hair turns gray prematurely, thins out, or loses its shine due to internal depletion, usually accompanied by other signs like dizziness or a sore lower back.
Common Pairings: For hair health, it is frequently combined with black sesame, Nu Zhen Zi (Glossy Privet Fruit), and Mo Han Lian (Eclipta). If scalp itchiness or dandruff is present, herbs like Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) or Fu Ling (Poria) might be added.
When to Avoid: It will not help hair loss caused by scalp infections or seborrheic dermatitis, as these are not caused by "essence and blood deficiency." Anyone allergic to the herb should also avoid it.

3. Common Single-Herb Pairing: Synergy

A classic combination is Zhi He Shou Wu (Processed Fleeceflower Root) and Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry).

The Synergy: Zhi He Shou Wu excels at nourishing the blood and darkening hair, while Gou Qi Zi is a gentle tonic for the Liver and Kidneys that brightens the eyes. Together, they create a well-rounded, synergistic effect for tackling gray hair, dizziness, and sore knees. This gentle pairing is great for long-term depletion, but it still requires a practitioner's guidance to ensure it fits your specific body type.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Compounds

Modern laboratory analysis has identified several active compounds in Zhi He Shou Wu, including anthraquinones, stilbene glycosides, and phospholipids.

Observations: In test tubes, some anthraquinones show antioxidant activity, while animal tests suggest stilbene glycosides might offer liver protection. However, robust human clinical trials are still needed to confirm these specific effects.

2. Modern Pharmacological Focus

Current scientific research mainly focuses on isolating active ingredients and testing them in lab settings. Some animal studies suggest potential benefits for lipid metabolism and blood flow. Despite these findings, scientists stress that more research is required to verify its safety and effectiveness in human clinical applications.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

When looking at modern studies on Zhi He Shou Wu, it is important to keep a few limitations in mind:

Lab vs. Real Life: Results from test tubes and animal models do not directly translate to how the human body processes the herb.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Lab studies often use highly concentrated, isolated compounds (extracts), which are fundamentally different from the traditional water-boiled decoctions used in TCM.
Inconsistent Methods: Variations in how the herb is processed and extracted across different studies make it difficult to draw unified conclusions.
Holistic Approach: TCM relies on the synergistic effect of the entire plant. Judging the herb's overall efficacy or safety based on a single chemical compound does not accurately reflect how traditional herbal medicine works.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. Common Ground

Zhi He Shou Wu (Processed Fleeceflower Root) and Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) are often compared.

Both are premier tonics for nourishing Liver and Kidney essence and blood.
Both are used for premature gray hair, sore knees, and dizziness.
Both require caution for people with weak digestion.

2. Core Differences

Nature and Flavor: Zhi He Shou Wu is neutral, meaning it doesn't push the body toward hot or cold. Shu Di Huang is slightly warm and much richer, making it a stronger, more moistening tonic.
Therapeutic Focus: Zhi He Shou Wu specializes in restoring hair color and growth while nourishing the blood. Shu Di Huang focuses intensely on nourishing Yin and blood, making it better for pale complexions, light menstruation, and insomnia.
Energy Dynamics: Zhi He Shou Wu has a slightly astringent quality, helping to "lock in" energy and prevent it from draining. Shu Di Huang is purely about deep, rich nourishment.
Contraindications: While both require care with digestion, Shu Di Huang is so rich and sticky that it is strictly avoided if you have heavy "dampness" (thick tongue coating) or severe bloating, as it can easily cause indigestion.

3. One-Sentence Summary

Zhi He Shou Wu (Processed Fleeceflower Root) is the go-to for nourishing blood and darkening hair, while Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) is the specialist for deeply nourishing Yin and building blood.

Classical Formulas Containing Zhi He Shou Wu

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Herbal Teas and Meals

Recipe 1: Fleeceflower and Black Sesame Tea

Ingredients: 5g Zhi He Shou Wu (Processed Fleeceflower Root), 3g black sesame, 3g Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry).
Method: Rinse everything, place in a cup, and brew with boiling water for 15 minutes. You can refill the water until the flavor fades.
Best for: People dealing with mild hair thinning, early graying, or occasional dizziness from long hours at a desk or staying up late.
Caution: Do not drink if you have loose stools or a thick, sticky tongue coating. Limit to 2-3 times a week.

Recipe 2: Fleeceflower and Red Date Porridge

Ingredients: 10g Zhi He Shou Wu (Processed Fleeceflower Root), 50g rice, 3 pitted red dates.
Method: Boil the herb in a cheesecloth bag for 20 minutes. Remove the bag, and use the herbal liquid to cook the rice and dates into a porridge.
Best for: Nourishing blood if you have a pale complexion, fatigue, and dry stools. Great as a breakfast option 1-2 times a week.

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

Raw vs. Processed: The raw root is used to clear toxins and treat sores. The processed version (Zhi He Shou Wu) is the tonic used for wellness and hair care.
Brewing: When boiling the processed slices at home, no special preparation is needed—just boil it with your other ingredients. Never try to swap raw herb measurements directly with herbal extracts or capsules, as the concentrations are vastly different.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycle

Clinical Dose: Usually 10-15 grams in a doctor's prescription.
Dietary Dose: Dietary doses for tea or soup should be much smaller and are meant for gentle support, not a medical cure.
Cycle: Do not use this herb continuously for long periods. A general rule is to stop after 3 months of use and take a 1-2 month break.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Weak Digestion: If you frequently experience poor appetite, bloating, or loose stools, avoid using this herb on your own.
Special Populations: Pregnant and nursing women, children, and the elderly should only use this under strict medical supervision.
Liver/Kidney Issues: Anyone with abnormal liver or kidney function should avoid it entirely.
Allergies and Treatments: Do not use if you are allergic to plants in the Polygonaceae family, or if you are undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.

2. Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

Medications: Zhi He Shou Wu may interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, and sedatives. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before combining herbs with prescription medications.
Diet: While there is no strict rule about food "clashes," playing it safe means separating your herbal teas from your daily medications to avoid unwanted interactions.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risks

Side Effects: Taking too much or taking it for too long can cause digestive upset, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Some people may also experience allergic skin rashes or itching.
Emergency: If you experience persistent vomiting, breathing difficulties, confusion, or a sudden worsening of your symptoms, stop using the herb immediately and seek professional medical care. Do not attempt to treat severe reactions at home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Zhi He Shou Wu

What is Zhi He Shou Wu? Are raw fleeceflower root and polygonum stem the same?

Official Zhi He Shou Wu (制何首乌) is the root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum steamed clear or stewed with black bean juice. The pharmacopoeial name is Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata. Raw He Shou Wu is bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly warm: resolves toxin and dissipates abscesses, checks malaria and moistens the intestines. Shou Wu Teng is sweet-neutral: nourishes Blood and calms the spirit, dispels wind and frees the channels. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Zhi He Shou Wu. Not for long-term large doses.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Zhi He Shou Wu?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Zhi He Shou Wu is bitter, sweet, astringent and slightly warm, enters the Liver, Heart and Kidney channels, and acts to tonify the Liver and Kidney, benefit essence and Blood, blacken the hair, strengthen sinews and bones, and transform turbidity and lower lipids. It is used for Blood vacuity with sallow complexion, dizziness and tinnitus, premature graying of hair, soreness and weakness of the low back and knees, numbness of the limbs, flooding and spotting with vaginal discharge, and hyperlipidemia. Bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly warm, it suits Liver-Kidney essence and Blood insufficiency—not unresolved external pathogens, or damp-heat.

How do you choose raw versus prepared root? Can polygonum stem replace it?

Raw root leans to resolving toxin and moistening the intestines. Prepared root tonifies the Liver and Kidney and benefits essence and Blood. Polygonum stem leans to calming the spirit and freeing the channels; it cannot replace blackening the hair by equal weight. Commercial prepared-fleeceflower tea is not equal-weight pieces.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a Kidney tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 6–12 g. It is not a four-season “prepared-fleeceflower Kidney tea.” Long-term large doses carry a risk of liver injury. Premature graying of hair needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Not suitable when external pathogens are unresolved. Not for long-term large doses (risk of liver injury). Pregnancy needs a practitioner’s assessment. Stop if fatigue or jaundice appears. Premature graying of hair and soreness and weakness of the low back and knees need medical care.

Can Zhi He Shou Wu tonify the Liver and Kidney, benefit essence and Blood, blacken the hair and strengthen sinews and bones?

It can help Liver-Kidney essence and Blood insufficiency with premature graying of hair and soreness and weakness of the low back and knees. It joins ligustrum and eclipta in an Er Zhi Wan type modification. It tonifies the Liver and Kidney, benefits essence and Blood, blackens the hair and strengthens sinews and bones—not a specific for every gray hair or every low-back pain.

Can Zhi He Shou Wu be drunk daily as a Kidney, hair or sinew tea?

Liver-Kidney essence and Blood insufficiency may enter a short formula; long-term large doses carry a risk of liver injury. “Prepared fleeceflower must blacken the hair” does not replace assessment. Tonifying the Liver and Kidney and benefiting essence and Blood should name 6–12 g.

How do you choose among Zhi He Shou Wu, raw fleeceflower root, polygonum stem, ligustrum and prepared rehmannia?

Prepared fleeceflower root is bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly warm: tonifies the Liver and Kidney, benefits essence and Blood, blackens the hair and strengthens sinews and bones—essence and Blood insufficiency. Raw fleeceflower root is bitter-sweet-astringent and slightly warm: resolves toxin and dissipates abscesses, checks malaria and moistens the intestines—heat toxin with intestinal dryness. Polygonum stem is sweet-neutral: nourishes Blood and calms the spirit, dispels wind and frees the channels—Blood-vacuity insomnia. Ligustrum is sweet-bitter and cool: nourishes and tonifies the Liver and Kidney, brightens the eyes and blackens the hair—Liver-Kidney yin vacuity. Prepared rehmannia is sweet and slightly warm: tonifies Blood and nourishes yin, benefits essence and fills marrow—Blood vacuity with essence depletion. Essence and Blood favor Zhi He Shou Wu; resolving toxin favors raw fleeceflower root; calming the spirit favors polygonum stem; yin vacuity favors ligustrum; Blood vacuity favors prepared rehmannia. They may be paired after pattern differentiation; long-term large doses forbid Zhi He Shou Wu and prepared rehmannia, and external pathogens are contraindicated.

Which herbs is Zhi He Shou Wu combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Liver-Kidney essence and Blood insufficiency joins ligustrum, eclipta and prepared rehmannia in an Er Zhi Wan type modification. Write Zhi He Shou Wu 6–12 g; do not replace tonifying the Liver and Kidney with raw fleeceflower root by equal weight.

How do you choose and store Zhi He Shou Wu?

Choose irregular blocks or thick slices, a black-brown or brown-black surface, a cut surface with a horny appearance, a faint odor and a slightly sweet yet bitter-astringent taste. Moldy, dirty or non-black-brown lots are discarded. Store dry. Buy pharmacopoeial Zhi He Shou Wu; do not replace tonifying the Liver and Kidney, benefiting essence and Blood, blackening the hair and strengthening sinews and bones with raw fleeceflower root or polygonum stem by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.