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He Shou Wu Side Effects & Safety

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Caution Needed

Potential Side Effects

  • Hepatotoxicity — multiple case reports of liver injury, some severe (Lei et al., 2015 review identified 450+ cases in China)
  • GI discomfort (diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain)
  • Skin rash
  • Numbness in extremities (rare)
  • Raw form has much higher risk than processed — NEVER use raw he shou wu orally as a tonic

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • May cause liver injury — avoid combining with other hepatotoxic drugs or supplements
  • May interact with statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications
  • May affect CYP enzyme metabolism
  • May enhance effects of laxatives (raw form is a strong laxative)
  • Avoid with pre-existing liver disease

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 1000mg processed extract daily (err on lower side due to liver concerns)

Full He Shou Wu Guide

References

  1. (). Liver damage associated with Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.: a systematic review of case reports and case series. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. DOI
  2. (). Promotion of neuroprotective effects of Polygonum multiflorum: a review of pharmacological activities and mechanisms. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. DOI