Supplements›Use with caution

Is he shou wu (Fo-Ti) safe? What to watch out for

He shou wu is an herbal remedy well known for causing liver damage, so it's best not to take it. It's a completely different plant from Cynanchum wilfordii, a root taken for menopause. If you have liver problems, never take it — and even if you're healthy, it's best avoided.

Who it’s for

Not recommended. Never take it if you have liver disease or high liver enzymes

Daily dose

No safe dose has been established

When

Liver damage can show up anywhere from a few days to 6 months after starting

Best form

Sold as tablets and capsules. Check labels for Fo-Ti or Polygonum multiflorum

The short answer: avoid he shou wu

He shou wu is a traditional Chinese herb long said to turn gray hair black again. That's why many people look for it for gray hair and hair loss.

But he shou wu is in the highest category of well-known causes of liver injury (Category A, the most certain). Cases have even been reported of people needing a liver transplant or dying of liver disease.

In the US, it's sold as Fo-Ti, He Shou Wu or Polygonum multiflorum. Always check hair supplement ingredient lists for these names.

He shou wu and Cynanchum wilfordii are different plants

The names can be confusing, but they're completely different plants.

Cynanchum wilfordii (baek-su-o)He shou wu
Main reason people take itMenopause discomfortGray hair, hair loss
Effects and side effectsRelatively mildMuch stronger

Some people seek out he shou wu on purpose because it's "stronger." But just as its effects are stronger, so are its side effects. That's actually a reason to avoid it.

Why is it risky for your liver?

  • The culprit: Anthraquinones (compounds found in some plants that strain the liver) are considered the cause of liver damage.
  • It shows up late: Damage can appear within a few days of starting, or 6 months later. That makes it easy to miss the cause.
  • It lasts: Once the liver is damaged, recovery can take months.
  • Children aren't spared: In one case, a 5-year-old's liver enzymes shot up past 10,000. (Normal is usually 40 or below.)

Most cases have been reported in China, but it's easy to buy online in the US as tablets or capsules.

If you're already taking it

Stop right away. Then watch for these signs:

  • □ The whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow
  • □ Your urine turns dark, like cola
  • □ You feel extremely tired and lose your appetite for no reason
  • □ You have discomfort in your upper right abdomen

If you have any of these, or you're worried, get your liver enzymes tested. Bringing the product you took to your appointment will help your doctor.

If gray hair or hair health is your concern, look for other options that are easier on your liver first.

Medications and conditions to watch

  • Caution Liver disease or high liver enzymes — Raises the risk of liver damage even more — never take it

Frequently asked questions

Is he shou wu safe to take?

It's well known for causing liver damage, so it's best not to take it. If you have liver problems, never take it.

Are he shou wu and Cynanchum wilfordii the same?

No, they're completely different plants. Cynanchum wilfordii is mainly used for menopause, while he shou wu is used for gray hair, and its effects and side effects are much stronger.

Does he shou wu work for gray hair?

It has been used that way in China, but many people have suffered liver damage while taking it for that purpose. Its risks outweigh its benefits.

What is Fo-Ti?

It's one of the English names for he shou wu. He Shou Wu and Polygonum multiflorum are the same herb, so check hair supplement labels for all three.

Will my liver recover if I stop taking he shou wu?

In many cases it recovers after stopping, but it can take months. If you're worried, get your liver enzymes checked.

Related concerns

Liver healthHair lossSkin & hair

Last updated 2026-10-12