Ask the Herbalist: He Shou Wu (Fo-ti) for hair growth + liver toxicity concerns

Your herbal questions, answered

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ASK THE HERBALIST

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Today’s question:

Q: “Could you speak on the association that Fo-Ti has with possible liver damage? Also, if taken to restore hair, would there be the possibility of it affecting hair all over the body?”

A: Fo-Ti, or He Shou Wu, is an herb that’s gained notoriety for its purported benefits in supporting hair growth. It’s also celebrated as a powerfully tonic herb in Chinese medicine, recognized for its ability to nourish deficient liver and kidney blood and support jing and blood (xue). That said, as you mentioned, it comes with the risk of …