WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

 This medicinal is the dried root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.(Fam.Polygonaceae). It is excavated in autumn when the leaves get withered or the next year when it buds. After removal of its two ends, it is washed clean, sliced and dried or slightly baked. This is called unprepared Shouwu. The unprepared Shouwu is steamed in mixture with black soybean juice and dried till the root becomes black, and prepared Shouwu is obtained.

[ Medicinal properties ]: Bitter, sweet and astringent ,warm; relate to liver and kidney meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: The prepared medicinal:Tonify the liver and kidney ; replenish essence and blood; blacken hairs; strengthen tendons and bones.

The unprepared medicinal: Relieve toxicity. Cure abscess; moisten bowels to relieve constipation.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Dizziness, blurred vision, early graying of hair, limpness of the loins and knees, spermatorrhea and leuhorrhea due to deficiency of essence and blood     In combination with Danggui, Gouqizi , as in the Qibao Meiran Dan, it treats limpness of the loins and knees, dizziness, blurred vision, early graying of hair due to deficiency of essence and blood and sterility due to kidney deficiency. For limpness of the loins and knees , dizziness, tinnitus and deafness due to deficiency of liver and kidney, it is combined with Sangshenzi, black sesame and Duzhong.

2. Chronic malaria, scrofula, abscesses, constipation due to intestinal dryness    It treats scrofula, abscesses and pruritus in combination with Xiakucao and Danggui. For sores, swellings , itching and pains all over the body, it is decocted with Fangfeng and Kushen into lotion for external application. For the elderly with constipation due to blood deficiency and intestinal dryness, it is combined with Roucongrong and Danggui. To treat chronic malaria with deficiency of both qi and blood, it is combined with Renshen, Danggui and Chenpi, as in the Heren Decoction.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 10-30g.

[ Precautions ]: It is not recommended for loose stool and excess of dampness-phlegm.

何首乌为蓼科植物何首乌Polygonum multiflorum Thuna.的块根。我国大部分地区有出产。秋后茎叶枯萎时或次年未萌芽前掘取其块根。削去两端，洗净，切片，晒干或微烘，称生首乌；若以黑豆煮汁拌蒸，晒后变为黑色，称制首乌。