Even the best and most powerful of herbs may need an upgrade—or a makeover—from time to time.

For many years, our Prepared He-Shou-Wu formula has been a widespread favorite among our customers. And though this amazing herb from Far East Asia stands out strongly on its own for having a multitude of desirable health benefits, we wanted to give our customers just a little something extra.

That little something extra is  Prepared He-Shou-Wu Plus.

But why add extra to an already incredible herb like he shou wu?

Well, let’s just say we’re only enhancing its already stellar health properties— with the help of a few extra herbal (and mushroom) players added as additional ingredients to support he shou wu in our new formula.

HE SHOU WU: AN ASIAN HERB WITH MANY HATS

For those who haven’t ever heard of he shou wu (Fallopia multiflora) in the first place: what is it?

One could say he shou wu is an herb of legendary proportions.

Back in ancient China (the homeland of this herb), stories abounded of how taking he shou wu daily had almost miraculous youth-restoring properties. Tales tell of it bringing back energy, dispelling sickness, turning old grey hair back to its usual color— and even granting immortality.

Today, science has shown that some of these claims are indeed just stories. But here’s the thing: not all of these health benefits are just stories.

WHAT IS HE SHOU WU’S BENEFITS?

It’s true: even some of he shou wu’s legendary benefits and oldest traditional uses can be proven by science today.

Contrary to some legends, though, no—it cannot grant immortality.

Still, the things it can do may be the next best thing. These come in the form of many health benefits, so many that they are too numerous to explore in one article.

However, the following are its best-known health properties.

HE SHOU WU IS AN ANTIOXIDANT

Antioxidant-rich foods like dark chocolate, berries, and kale can step aside for an herb like he shou wu. Research shows the herb is rich in plant compounds called polysaccharides, which themselves are proven in turn to have antioxidant activity.

This means it can fight free radicals and slow down the process of aging—which may explain why people thought it granted immortality and “reversed” aging’s effects.

BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Besides the ability to support graceful aging, he shou wu may have the chops to be included in one’s colds and flu herbal medicine cabinet.

Why? Because the herb is shown to stimulate the immune system. This has been demonstrated in scientific studies, showing it could help the body ramp up energy levels and fight all manner of illnesses (including viruses and infections) better than ever before.

COULD HELP STIMULATE HAIR GROWTH

Nothing has made he shou wu quite as popular (and sought out) than its ability to naturally stimulate hair growth.

Before thinking this is just another old legend: research does indeed show it’s possible. In one study, the extract of he shou wu stimulated resting hair follicles to grow more hair and spur faster hair growth in areas where hair was less thick.

MAY SUPPORT NATURAL DETOX OF THE BODY

Ever heard of a “he shou wu” cleanse? There’s a good reason to believe this herb can naturally aid with detoxification, even if it can’t be found in the average herbal “detox” blend.

This is because this East Asian herb can help protect the liver, which is paramount to helping the body detoxify. He shou wu was also classically known as a blood cleanser or “blood builder,” meaning it helped rid the blood of impurities and thus protected overall wellness.

COULD REDUCE CANCER RISK

Perhaps owing to how it both boosts immunity and fights free radicals, this Chinese herb of legend may also protect the body against cancer.

According to one study on the use of he shou wu extract against a progressed case of breast cancer, the herb was shown halting the spread of cancer, encouraging the death of cancer cells, and supporting mitochondrial health to fight the disease at a cellular level.

COULD BE A GREAT BRAIN BOOSTER

When it comes to improving memory, banishing brain fog, and even reducing one’s risk of neurological disease, he shou wu could be a powerful player to have in one’s arsenal.

The botanical may help with all these because it fights inflammation in neurons, according to studies. In the long run, it could also stop the chances of (or holistically support the symptoms of) certain conditions related to the nervous system, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and possibly ADHD and autism.

….AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

Of all herbs that have been studied and used for health purposes by humankind, he shou wu may be ascribed with the most health benefits and uses compared to any other.

While this magnificent plant can indeed naturally boost immunity, cut down cancer risk, and much more, there’s lots more he shou wu can achieve but that would require an entirely separate article of itself (which can be read here).

WHY ADD MORE HERBS TO HE SHOU WU?

All these listed benefits, and many more for that matter, are excellent reasons for taking he shou wu by itself—and why our Prepared He Shou Wu formula has been so popular.

So why add more herbs to help a perfectly good and very effective herb?

With our new formula He Shou Wu Plus (which includes other herbs alongside he shou wu), we tip our hat to an ancient tradition among herbalists long ago: the practice of combining different herbs together into power-packed formulas that bring more benefits to the user as well as increase the effectiveness and results far more easily than if each herb was used on its own.

Using herbs that work better together than alone was a common approach in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

In fact, some of the most popular TCM herbal medicines are formulas containing dozens of different herbs. Healers claimed they enhanced one another’s actions together more effectively than when singly used, a concept some herbalists even today call “synergistic action.”

OUR OTHER STAR HERBS (AND MUSHROOMS) IN HE SHOU WU PLUS

In He Shou Wu Plus, he shou wu is no longer alone. With that said, what can people expect to find in our new-and-improved preparation of the fabled and time-honored herb?

He Shou Wu Plus’s lineup includes:

• Goji berry
• Siberian Eleuthero
• Cracked Shell Reishi Spores

HOW DO THESE BOTANICALS ENHANCE HE SHOU WU?

In a true nod to the traditions of ancient Chinese herbalism (TCM), each of these ingredients was selected purposefully and carefully to enhance one (or more) of he shou wu’s many well-known, research-supported benefits.

GOJI BERRY

It’s a superfood that pretty much anyone can find at their local natural grocery store or co-op. But before it became widely known as the tart and antioxidant-rich berry many of us know and love, goji berries were originally regarded as a useful herbal medicine.

Was goji considered just as legendary and impressive as he shou wu?

Well, it may not have quite the same mythical reputation. But goji certainly has gained some attention in its own right—and some of its benefits echo those of he shou wu, and in many ways could even enhance them.

Most obvious of all is its antioxidant potential, demonstrated in studies like these. Goji’s own antioxidants can aid he shou wu’s own age-fighting abilities.

Goji berry is also shown to improve brain function as a “neuroprotector” (according to this study) and to even reduce cancer risk (shown in this study), both things he shou does, too.

Most exciting of all: goji may support the herb’s ability to stimulate stronger and healthier growth in hair, as shown in this study.

CRACKED SHELL REISHI SPORES

While he shou wu may have some of the most confirmed wellness benefits in the herbal world, it’s likely that the stunning reishi mushroom may be its equal in the world of medicinal mushrooms.

We couldn’t resist adding reishi to the mix owing to this reputation.

Especially reishi in one of its most potent forms, cracked shell reishi spores. But how exactly does reishi lend some synergy to he shou wu?

For starters, studies confirm the mushroom (like he shou wu) is an antioxidant. It can also boost the immune system naturally. There are also signs of liver protection in research, which indicates that reishi has abilities to help natural detoxification, too.

But what about the brain? Again, reishi may have its own benefits to contribute to he shou wu’s own properties for neuroprotection and nervous system health. In this study, for example, reishi is shown helping symptoms of memory loss and cognitive dysfunction in a test subject with Alzheimer’s disease.

Working together, he shou Wu’s brain-protecting powers could be more effective than ever!

SIBERIAN ELEUTHERO

It might not have a reputation as famous as he shou wu. But this herb does have strong similarities to (and has even been considered a replacement for) one other near-legendary herb out there: ginseng.

Siberian eleuthero (also known as Siberian ginseng) has carved out its own distinction in the wellness world over the years. It’s a huge draw among the young, vibrant, and athletic for its energy and athletic performance-enhancing capabilities.

It’s a no-brainer to think those fighting aging’s effects might be drawn to it, too.

Beyond how it helps revive energy and fitness in those who take it, studies also show Siberian eleuthero might even boost “brain energy”—that is, the ability for the mind to learn, function, focus, and multi-task faster and more efficiently. On a much simpler level, Siberian eleuthero works much like an antioxidant, too—just like he shou wu, reishi mushroom, and goji berry before it, studies show.

When all these herbs work together and in tandem, there’s no amount of free radicals they can’t defeat.

INTRIGUED BY THE BENEFITS?

Find out just how prolifically (and effectively) these herbs all work together to magnify he shou wu’s fantastic potential through He Shou Wu Plus.

Our unique formula features extracts of goji berry, Siberian Eleuthero, cracked shell reishi spores, and—of course—is still 70% prepared he shou wu.

All these will work synergistically to bring about the very best wellness potential possible in he shou wu. Including:

• More graceful health during aging
• Reduced cancer risk
• Higher intake of antioxidants
• Stronger and balanced immune system
• Increased energy (both mental and physical)
• Boosted hair growth and thickness
• Enhanced mental function