Longevity

He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti)

Also known as: Polygonum multiflorum, Fo-Ti, Fleece flower root

Evidence

Traditional Chinese longevity herb for hair, vitality, and jing essence. Contains stilbenes and anthraquinones. Requires proper preparation.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Evidence graded from peer-reviewed research, not editorial opinion. Educational only — not medical advice.

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The highest-scored He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) product in our catalog (74/100). Track dose and overlaps in the app.

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Every He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) product we have scored

#	Product	Score	Per serving
1	Nature's Way Fo-Ti Root	74 B+	$0.29
2	Vital Nutrients Energy Plus	74 B+	$0.73

Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing. Per-serving cost is list price divided by servings per container. No brand pays to be listed or ranked.

Common questions

How much He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) should I take?

The typical range is 500-1000mg prepared form daily. Cycle use, monitor liver

When should I take He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti)?

With meals. Yes.

Which form of He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) is best?

Prepared/processed — Traditional, safer form. Other forms in the catalog: Raw.

Is He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) safe?

Commonly reported: GI upset, Diarrhea. Serious warnings: Liver toxicity reported, especially raw form, Use prepared form only. Hepatotoxicity risk - monitor liver function

Which He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) supplement scores highest?

Nature's Way Fo-Ti Root, at 74/100. Scored on dose accuracy, form, label transparency and third-party testing — no brand pays to be listed or ranked.

Primary uses

Hair health
Longevity
Vitality
Jing support

How it works

Contains stilbenes (similar to resveratrol)
Anthraquinone content
Traditional jing tonic
Hair and vitality support

Dosage

Typical range: 500-1000mg prepared form daily
Timing: With meals
With food: Yes
Duration: Cycle use, monitor liver
Special populations: Hair, longevity, TCM protocols

Forms

Prepared/processed
Raw

Safety

Common side effects

GI upset
Diarrhea

Contraindications

Liver disease
Pregnancy

Products containing He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti)

Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.

Nature's Way

Vital Nutrients

Evidence notes

Traditional use strong, some safety concerns with preparation

Grade C: Mostly observational or small trials; mechanism is plausible but unproven at scale.

Related in Longevity

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Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Individual needs and risks vary — consult a professional before starting, stopping, or combining supplements, especially if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.