In TCM, weak kidneys and liver can lead to fertility issues, hair greying, premature aging, weak bones and tendons, etc. He Shou Wu is widely used as a blood tonic. It tonifies the liver and kidney, and replenishes kidney essence and blood.

Benefits:
● Strengthens bones and tendons
● Blackens hair and prevents premature hair greying
● Treats dizziness, blurred vision, limpness of the loins and knees, nocturnal emission (wet dreams), ringing in the ears, and deafness due to deficiency in the kidneys and liver
● Promotes healthy aging and fertility
● Lowers blood cholesterol

Contraindications:
Not recommended for individuals with loose stools or a severe case of phlegm-dampness (e.g. continuous cough with profuse white watery or foamy phlegm, lethargy, muscular aches and pain, swelling or water retention, etc).

Ingredients:
Hé shǒu wū 何首乌

Origin:
Szechuan, China

Dosage:
10g to 30g

How to make hé shǒu wū hair nourishing soup:
Rinse herbs before use. Soak black beans for an hour before use. Add 300-500g pork ribs, 500g black beans, 8 red dates, 1-2 black dates, 20g hé shǒu wū, and 2-3 pieces of dried Hokkaido scallops in 2 litres of water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 2 hours. Add a handful of wolfberries in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Serve it warm. (Serving size: 3 to 4) 

In Chinese medicine, the kidneys perform a broader range of functions than just regulating the body's fluid balance and excreting waste. Our kidneys store our body’s essence (life force energy), which can be transformed into Qi and blood, and forms the foundation of Yin and Yang in the body. They are vital in supporting our growth, development, reproductive and sexual health. Our bones, joints, marrow, brain, hair, teeth, hearing, and even the lungs’ reception of Qi are all interconnected with our kidneys.

Our kidney essence naturally declines as we get older, and can get depleted faster due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, chronic stress, overworking, and overindulgence in sex. Replenishing the kidney essence along with a balanced diet and lifestyle would help to slow down aging.

Note:
The information above serves as a general guide only. Please consult a licensed TCM practitioner for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment.