Shou Wu Chih

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A bottle of Shou Wu Chih

Shou Wu Chih (Chinese: 首乌汁; pinyin: Shǒu Wū Zhī) is a Chinese herbal patent medicine that is reputed to act as a tonic and to turn gray hair black.

1 Ingredients
2 Use
3 Production and export
4 See also

[edit] Ingredients

Shou Wu Chih is a sweetened, black-colored liquid containing 15% alcohol, as well as various herbs. Its herbal ingredients include the following:

Root of Polygonum multiflorum (Radix Polygoni multiflori, also called fo-ti or ho shou wu) - 25%
Root of Angelica sinensis (Chinese angelica, also called dong quai or danggui) - 25%
Rhizome of Polygonatum sibiricum (King Solomonseal) - 20%
Rhizome of Rehmannia glutinosa - 10%
Rhizome of Ligusticum wallichii (Chinese lovage, also called Ligusticum chuanxiong) - 10%
Root of Angelica dahurica (Dahurian Angelica, also called Angelica glabra Makino) - 7%
Fruit of Amomum villosum (Villous Amomum, a type of cardamom) - 2%
Clove - 1%

Other ingredients may also include:

Hedychium coronarium (white ginger)
Jambosa caryophy Llus Ndz
Citron (Citrus medica)
Conioselinum univittatum Turcz

Depending on the manufacturer, Shou Wu Chih may or may not contain alcohol. The listing of ingredients on an alcohol-free brand is: Fo-ti, Angelica root, Rehmannia, Ligusticum, Solomonseal, Angelica dahurica, Cloves, Citri medica, Cardamon in distilled water base.

(Note: Fo-ti, though not actually a Chinese name, is commonly used in the USA for products containing Polygonum Multiflorum)

[edit] Use

This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can (March 2008).

Shou wu chih is sold in glass bottles. It is generally consumed by adding between one and three tablespoons to a cup of hot water, tea, or soup.

Shou wu chih is a liquid tonic formula for men and women. It is claimed by the manufacturers that it gently increases the energy level and it tonifies, warms, and invigorates the blood, nourishes the liver and kidneys, and benefits the eyes. It is said^{[weasel words]}that regular use strengthens the bones and tendons and improves sleep.^{[citation needed]} Based on the herb Polygonum Multiflorum (Chinese: He shou wu or fo-ti), it is suitable for long-term use.

[edit] Production and export

Shou Wu Chih is produced in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, under the brand name Yang Cheng. It is exported to other nations, including the United States.