02/19/2026
He Shou Wu 何首烏 (Fo-Ti Root) translates literally to “black-haired Mr. He” named after a legend of an elderly black-haired villager whose vitality and youthfulness were restored, along with his black hair, after taking the herb.
This herb tonifies the liver* and kidneys*, nourishes the blood* and nourishes jing*, expels wind* from the skin by nourishing the blood*.
Harvested in spring or autumn. Properties are bitter, sweet, astringent and slightly warm.
*these terms are referring specifically to TCM principles which are not tantamount to modern biomedical definitions.