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Shou Wu and Hair Loss
SHOU WU
POLYGONUM MULTIFLORUM
Shou Wu is or POLYGONUM MULTIFLORUM is a traditional Chinese herbal supplement that has been used for gray hair and hair loss for hundreds of years.
This supplement works from the inside out. Chinese medical theories believe that your hair's condition is an indication of your body's internal system. Weaknesses in a person's kidney and liver tend to manifest into symptoms such as hair loss and premature gray hair. Such conditions can be corrected by replenishing the nutrients that are necessary to revitalize our kidneys and livers.
In North America or Europe, this herb may be known as POLYGONUM MULTIFLORUM or RADIX POLYGONI MULTIFLORI.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, SHOU-WU or sometimes called He-Shou-Wu is an essential dietary supplement that helps to nourish the liver, kidney and blood. SHOU-WU has been suggested by the Chinese to be the most popular herbal remedy for gray hair and hair loss. In fact, the name SHOU-WU literally means "a head full of black hair" in Chinese.
Chinese medical theories believe that your hair's condition is an indication of your body's internal system. Weaknesses in a person's kidney and liver tend to manifest into symptoms such as hair loss and premature gray hair. Such conditions can be corrected by replenishing the nutrients that are necessary to revitalize our kidneys and livers.
SHOU-WU is usually taken orally as a dietary supplement. Long term used is recommended by most Chinese herbalist. Recently, there are topical lotions that are formulated with extracts from the herb for treating hair loss.
One of the most commonly found brand of SHOU-WU is "Shou Wu
Pian". This is probably the best known brand when it comes to this herb.
It is manufactured by Shanghai Chinese Medicine Works in China.
The dosage is 5 tablets three times daily. Don't be alarmed by the dosage (which seems to be a lot, ie: 15 tablets a day). This is a very common dosage for Chinese herbs. Chinese herbs are usually very mild in nature. As such, long term commitment is recommended. The herb has been taken by the Chinese for thousands of years and few side effects have been reported. The following is an excerpt of what the manufacturer says about "Shou Wu Pian":
Shou Wu Pian's functions: "For enriching liver, kidney, marrow, and sperm, strengthening sinews and bones, blackening beard and hair, keeping on youthfulness and good to blood and health."
Each 4-bottle package can last 1-2 months. It is not necessary to take the supplement every day. If you experience sore throat or light headache, you can reduce the suggested dosage by half.
SHOU-WU is considered a dietary supplement similar to vitamins and as such, it is not governed by the FDA
Looking for vendors or products that contain Shou-Wu, fill out the inquiry form on this page for a prompt response.
Disclaimer: this is information we gather from the internet and nothing has been confirmed or verified. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented herein and readers are advised to consult their own doctors before using any products for hair loss. There maybe undesirable side effects or even allergic reactions to products discussed here or elsewhere on HairSite.
Shou Wu: What to Expect?
Over the years we have seen very few evidence or clinical studies which suggest that Shou Wu alone can have any significant effect on reversing hair loss. This product may potentially slow down the progression of hair loss or may have some positive effects on reversing gray hair. But using Shou Wu alone to reverse hair loss is unlikely to be enough by any means.
Alternatives to Shou Wu for Hair Loss
Till this date, unless you want to wear a wig or hairpiece, hair transplant is the most effective treatment to restore the appearance of natural growing hair.
With new cutting edge technologies such as FUE or follicular unit extraction, hair transplant can now be done minimally invasively leaving no large linear scars.
Below is a video testimonial from one of Hasson & Wong hair transplant patients.
If you would like to find out if you are a good canddiate for hair transplant, set up a FREE consultation with Hasson & Wong to see if this treatment will work for you.
Email info@hassonandwong.com or call 1–800–859–2266 or (604) 739-4247 Vancouver, Canada.
Free in-person hair transplant consultations also available in cities across US, Canada and Europe montly. Click Free Hair Transplant Consultations for details.