He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) for Kidney Health

Research suggests that Polygonum multiflorum, known as He Shou Wu or Fo-Ti, has been traditionally used to support kidney and liver function, and reviews of its chemical constituents identify a range of bioactive compounds including stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids, and glycosides that researchers have associated with antioxidant and other biological activities. However, the available evidence on kidney-specific benefits comes primarily from two narrative reviews rather than controlled clinical trials, meaning direct human evidence for kidney health outcomes remains limited and largely inferential. Studies indicate that while traditional use and laboratory findings point to potential supportive properties, the research picture is complicated by well-documented concerns about hepatotoxicity, with reports of liver injury associated with the herb appearing across multiple countries since 1996 and the responsible compounds still not definitively identified. Overall, the evidence base is preliminary and mixed, and researchers themselves call for more rigorous experimental work before firm conclusions can be drawn about either the benefits or the full safety profile of this herb.