Wellness Encyclopedia: He Shou Wu

Balancing the endocrine system, boosting immunity, and nourishing the entire body… this incredible powder can help bring you back to center.

We all want to feel amazing in our skin. Comfortable, healthy, confident. For me, it took a long time and a lot of work to reach a place of mental self-acceptance, where I could view my body sans critique. Even now, it’s a process… I’ll admit to succumbing to the occasional bout of self-sabotage, doubt and negative talk. One of the most important things I’ve come to realize is that my physical health is directly tied to my sense of wellbeing towards my body. The better I take care of myself, the calmer and more at home I feel within myself. Over the past year, one of the most important tasks I’ve undertaken is ensuring my systems are balanced. I’ve seen what the effects of chronic stress look like firsthand, and I’d prefer not to go back. Anxiety, low sex drive, depression and sleeplessness… to name just a few of the symptoms that can manifest when the endocrine system is taxed. Through a mix of movement, yoga, therapy and diet, I’ve begun the journey back to myself, not without the help of supporting tonics like Sun Potion’s He Shou Wu. Used for thousands of years to balance the endocrine system, boost immunity, and nourish the entire body, this incredible powder can help bring you back to center — and keep you there — when knocked off course. Today I’m sharing a bit about he shou wu and why you might want to add it to your routine. Read on for the info and for a super simple recipe, too.

What is it? Sourced from the root of a flowering vine-like plant, he shou wu is one of the most revered and powerful Chinese medicinal herbs. Dating as far back as 812 A.D. when its use was first recorded in early Daoist texts, he shou wu is believed to boost sexual function; increase immunity; nourish hair, skin and nails; boost red blood cell count and amplify antioxidant function (he shou wu contains one of the most powerful antioxidants out there, superoxide dismutase or S.O.D). It’s believed to promote longevity, supported in more recent years through several studies, which found he shou wu to be supportive of DNA repair and regeneration.

What are the benefits? Want to feel extra sexy while boosting your immune system at the same time? Of course you do! Say you want to age gracefully? Don’t we all! Adding he shou wu to your routine could aid with these functions and more. He shou wu balances the endocrine system, which includes the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, pancreas, pineal gland, ovaries, testes, adrenal glands, and parathyroid gland. If any part of this system is out of whack, along with causing some issues, stress levels can rise, sexual desire can plummet and immunity can be compromised. He shou wu can help bring these systems into balance, boosting immunity, sexual desire and slowing the signs of aging in the process. The high levels of zinc and iron present in he shou wu work to increase red blood cell count and aid in kidney and liver function. One of the stranger effects of he shou wu is its ability to potentially slow — and even reverse — hair loss and may even bring color back to greying hair.

How do I use it? Incorporating he shou wu into your daily routine is as simple as adding a spoonful of powdered he shou wu to a mug of warm water to create a nourishing tea. This ancient ingredient dissolves easily and has a pleasant taste which also makes it ideal as a smoothie mix-in. For those who love coffee but not the kick of caffeine, try creating a surprisingly similar morning tonic using a heaping spoonful of he shou wu, a teaspoon of ashwagandha and non-dairy milk of choice (and sweetener if desired). Harness the full, loving potential of he shou wu by enjoying it with your partner, if you happen to have one, or simply sip solo — the recipe below is mellow and calming — perfect for easing into your day or closing out the night.

Tonifying He Shou Wu Tonic

Ingredients:

1 tsp Sun Potion He Shou Wu

8 oz. unsweetened non-dairy milk of choice

1 fresh Medjool date, pitted

1/2 vanilla bean

Method:

Slice the ½ vanilla bean lengthwise and use a knife to scrape out the seeds. Place the vanilla bean seeds, non-dairy milk and pitted date in a small saucepan and heat until hot but not boiling. Once hot, pour this mixture into a high speed blender and add the he shou wu powder. Blend until smooth, being careful to hold the blender lid on tight (trust). Pour blended mixture into a mug and enjoy!

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This information is not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease or issue. 
Please seek your doctor’s advice for any questions regarding a specific condition and before beginning any exercise, diet or health-related regimen.

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I have to look out for this in Chinese medicine. It sounds great.

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

6 years ago

Absolutely love it!

6 years ago

Very interesting!

x
StephC

http://sstephcc.blogspot.com/

ksenia
6 years ago

Some really useful tips!
Thanks :)
MyFirstSaving

Anonymous
6 years ago

What is this

Anonymous
6 years ago

Sounds very interesting I will love to try this!

Toni
6 years ago

Sounds very interesting I will love to try this!