“The hepatotoxicity of the water extract is higher than that of the ethanol and acetone extracts of P. multiflorum. Processing may decrease hepatotoxicity, but the evidence is mixed.”

“The poison is in the dose.”

From the article, “However, increasing the dose to 400 mg/kg did not protect the liver against chloroform toxicity, and at 4,000 mg/kg, Fo-ti damaged the liver [18].”

At high doses, Fo-Ti was demonstrated to be hepatotoxic compared to lower levels where it had a hepatoprotective effect.

Potential Adverse Effects of He Shou Wu

Adverse effects are not common (very rare) with extracts of properly prepared He Shou Wu. Potential adverse effects of this herb are mainly digestive canal reactions, usually resulting in thin stool in cases where the herb is not tolerated, and occasional light abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Raw, unprepared He Shou Wu is a laxative and should not be consumed as a tonic herb, i.e. on a long term basis. Some companies of He Shou Wu products are unaware of this issue and sell unprepared He Shou Wu, resulting in adverse effects.

“Prepared” versus “raw” He Shou Wu

The tuber of He Shou Wu must be “prepared” in order to be used as a regularly–consumed tonic herb. The roots are sliced, gently stewed in black bean soup (in a proportion of 10 parts He Shou Wu to 1 part black beans) until the soup is exhausted. The “prepared” roots are then dried. That is all there is to the “preparation.” Of course, no chemicals are used to prepare He Shou Wu.

The Toxicity Difference: Prepared He Shou Wu has extremely low toxicity.