⚠ Regulatory caution
📰Read the full He Shou Wu evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ HIGH RISK — see overview [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
He Shou Wu is one of the world's most hepatotoxic supplements — HUNDREDS of documented liver injury cases across Asia and the West. The 'reverses gray hair' legend drives consumer demand despite clear danger. Raw (unprocessed) root is more toxic than traditionally processed (Zhi He Shou Wu). Chinese CFDA, Korean MFDS, and multiple international regulators have issued specific hepatotoxicity warnings. Any patient presenting with jaundice should be asked about He Shou Wu use [1].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
CONTRAINDICATED — hepatotoxic + anthraquinone content [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Not recommended [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: See overview [1].
💊 With food: See overview [1].
🚫 Avoid: See overview for contraindications [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Various', 'see overview', 'See overview for forms and risks [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Key safety point ▼
He Shou Wu is one of the world's most hepatotoxic supplements — HUNDREDS of documented liver injury cases across Asia and the West. The 'reverses gray hair' legend drives consumer demand despite clear danger. Raw (unprocessed) root is more toxic than traditionally processed (Zhi He Shou Wu). Chinese CFDA, Korean MFDS, and multiple international regulators have issued specific hepatotoxicity warnings. Any patient presenting with jaundice should be asked about He Shou Wu use [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
See overview [1]. HIGH
Moderate
See overview [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
See overview [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Active liver disease — well-documented idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, including acute liver failure
Relative
⚠ Concurrent hepatotoxic drugs
⚠ Discontinue immediately and seek care if jaundice/dark urine/right-upper-quadrant pain occurs
⚠ Laxative effect (anthraquinones)
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — avoid
🚩 Red flags
● HIGH RISK — see overview for critical safety alerts [1]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
Hepatotoxic drugs (acetaminophen, statins, methotrexate) Major
Mechanism: ADDITIVE hepatotoxicity [1].
7 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. He Shou Wu — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Jul 12]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/he-shou-wu/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). He Shou Wu — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/he-shou-wu/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: January 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "He Shou Wu — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/he-shou-wu/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG