He shou wu
He shou wu suppliers and sourcing guide
He shou wu is the tuberous root of Reynoutria multiflora, long known as Polygonum multiflorum and sold in the West as fo-ti. The root is sold raw (sheng) or prepared (zhi), the latter traditionally steamed or cooked with black bean liquid and dried, which changes its chemistry. Both are traded as slices, powder and water or ethanol extracts, sometimes standardized to stilbene glucoside by HPLC.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Reynoutria multiflora · Polygonum multiflorum · Fallopia multiflora · fo-ti · Radix Polygoni Multiflori
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of he shou wu
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Raw root (sheng he shou wu)
Dried, sliced unprocessed root, sold as slices or powder.
Prepared root (zhi he shou wu)
Root processed with black bean liquid and steaming, then dried; the processing method belongs on the specification.
Dry extract
Ratio or standardized extract of raw or prepared root on a declared carrier.
Vine (ye jiao teng)
The stem is a separate traditional ingredient and should not be substituted for root.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity
- Microscopy and HPTLC or HPLC fingerprint confirming Reynoutria multiflora root and whether it is raw or prepared.
- Marker assay (HPLC)
- Stilbene glucoside (2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-glucoside) and anthraquinones such as emodin, by a named method.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella.
- Pesticide residues and sulfites
- Multi-residue screen, and sulfur dioxide where roots may have been sulfur-fumigated during drying.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep slices, powder and extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor, since moisture and warmth invite mold and caking and light fades color and aroma. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date is set by the supplier's specification, and identity, moisture and microbiology are usually repeated before using aged stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Raw and prepared root differ in marker levels, and preparation varies between processors, so record raw or prepared status, processing method, origin and assay for each lot and keep the two forms in separate stock.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Reynoutria multiflora (POL-NF-13783), which lists Polygonum multiflorum and Fallopia multiflora as synonyms, lists the roots (rhizome), stem, bark and seeds as not novel in food supplements.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Reynoutria multiflora root as he shou wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori) and prepared root as zhi he shou wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata).
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)That monograph requires the risk statements listed in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database for both raw and prepared Reynoutria multiflora root.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
He shou wu suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking he shou wu suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell he shou wu? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of he shou wu can brands buy?
Common forms include raw root (sheng he shou wu), prepared root (zhi he shou wu), dry extract and vine (ye jiao teng). Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for he shou wu include?
Expect identity, marker assay (HPLC), heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues and sulfites, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should he shou wu be stored?
Keep slices, powder and extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor, since moisture and warmth invite mold and caking and light fades color and aroma. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date is set by the supplier's specification, and identity, moisture and microbiology are usually repeated before using aged stock.
What is the regulatory status of he shou wu?
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Reynoutria multiflora (POL-NF-13783), which lists Polygonum multiflorum and Fallopia multiflora as synonyms, lists the roots (rhizome), stem, bark and seeds as not novel in food supplements. Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Reynoutria multiflora root as he shou wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori) and prepared root as zhi he shou wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata). That monograph requires the risk statements listed in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database for both raw and prepared Reynoutria multiflora root.
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