He Shou Wu
Polygonum multiflorumfam. Polygonaceae
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Pl. 8B8E — Polygonum multiflorum
Polygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorumPolygonum multiflorum
IOverview
Overview
He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) belongs to the Polygonaceae family and is a perennial plant that can grow up to 4.5 meters in height. Native to China's North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast regions, as well as parts of Taiwan, Hainan, Thailand, and Vietnam, it thrives in moist conditions with light or partial sun exposure, adapting to various soil types including sandy, medium, and clay soils. Known for its edible and medicinal properties, He Shou Wu has been traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for mood support and addressing kidney-yin deficiency. Its versatile growing requirements make it a valuable addition to gardens and agricultural landscapes, where it can provide both ornamental value and practical benefits through the consumption of its flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds.
Quick answers
What is He Shou Wu?
He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) belongs to the Polygonaceae family and is a perennial plant that can grow up to 4.5 meters in height.
What is He Shou Wu used for?
Traditionally used for mood support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of He Shou Wu
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional use: he shou wu in TCM for mood with kidney-yin deficiency presentation.
Stilbenes
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Mood Balance
stresstincture
Traditional use in TCM for mood support.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
He Shou Wu thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy from zones 6-9, making it suitable for temperate regions. For optimal growth, keep the soil consistently moist. This perennial can reach a height of 4.5 meters and is best propagated through root division in early spring. The edible parts include flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
4.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow He Shou Wu for the first time
8steps
Start with planting He Shou Wu in a sunny spot and follow these steps for a successful beginner garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, soil, containers if needed.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first frost.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5; ensure containers are at least 30 cm deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep, or plant young plants in the garden or container.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist; avoid overwatering. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial shade during hot afternoons; water deeply once a week, more in dry spells.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune plants to maintain shape and remove dead foliage; harvest roots for medicinal use after 2-3 years.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to provide partial shade.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootSeed
Edible uses: He Shou Wu's root is the most commonly used part for edibles, often prepared in soups or stir-fries. The leaves and flowers can also be eaten, typically added fresh to salads or cooked as greens. Seeds are sometimes ground into flour for use in baking. Dried roots may be steeped like tea but are more commonly consumed through traditional preparations.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
7 native · 3 introduced
Distribution
7 native · 3 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 7 native· 3 introduced
Asia6 regions
native (4)ChinaTaiwanThailandVietnam
introduced (2)JapanSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Hainan
introduced:Transcaucasus
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Polygonaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Polygonaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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