Shou Wu or Fo TI

Shou Wu or Fo-Ti

One of my favorite Chinese tonic herbs.

This herb, (botanical name: Polygonum multiflorum)  also known as He Shou Wu, sometimes Ho Shou Wu is one of the few Chinese tonics that are frequently taken as a single herb. It is available in tablet form, called Shou Wu Pian, which basically means Shou Wu Pills. (It is also part of many traditional Chinese herbal formulas, such as Shou Wu Chih, but I am talking about the single herb here.)

The Shou Wu Pian from China is usually available in a sugar coated tablet, which some people find easier to swallow. They are available without the sugar coating, but the plain tablets are sometimes harder to find.

Some herbalists feel that it is safer to buy products manufactured in the US, because there have been some incidents with contaminated products made in China. There are several manufacturers producing high quality herbal products such as Dragon Herbs here in the US.

Traditionally Shou Wu has been  recommended as a tonic for the Liver, Kidneys, and Blood. (in traditional Chinese medical terminology, these are not the same as what Western medicine means when talking about these substances and structures, but relate to functional descriptions.)

Shou Wu is considered a valuable restorative  tonic, and is taken to prevent premature aging. There are many stories about Shou Wu which claim it restores grey hair to its original color, increases fertility, and restores strength and vitality to theelderly. It is a very safe herb, even taken in high doses.

Shou Wu has been used as a treatment for sleeplessness. I have found it helps if the insomnia is caused by a deficiency condition.

I take this herbal tonic regularly, and I suggest you give it a try.

The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations. Technorati Tags: herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies

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Traditional Spring Tonic

With spring approaching, I wanted to mention one herb traditionally used as a spring tonic, the common dandelion.

This plant is considered by most gardeners as a troublesome weed to be eradicated at all costs. But dandelion plants have been used medicinally for at least 1000 years.

The roots and the leaves have been used medicinally, with slightly different effects.

Dandelion leaves are a good source of potassium, and also have a strong diuretic effect. (Many pharmaceutical diuretics deplete the bodies potassium.)

The root of the dandelion has a slight diuretic effect, but it is generally considered to be tonic to the liver. (That means it strengthens the liver function, or makes the liver work better.) Dandelion root has traditionally been used to treat hepatitis, there is some contemporary research that supports this use of the root. (If you think you have hepatitis, please consult a doctor, don't try to treat yourself.)

Dandelion stimulates the liver to make more bile (a secretion from the liver which helps the body digest fats, generally stored in the gall bladder) and increases the flow of bile from the gall bladder into the digestive tract. By stimulating both the production and release of bile, dandelion helps improve digestion. Bile also has a laxative effect, and helps move the bowels.

Dandelion also has a reputation as a blood purifier, and may lower cholesterol.

With spring approaching, this is a good time to try some dandelion, you can try it as a tea, or use the leaves as a vegetable or salad green.



The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.





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herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies