Is He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) the new Matcha?

Matcha tea has seen a surge of followers due to its health benefits, such as reportedly enhancing metabolism, reducing stress, boosting the immune system and lowering cholesterol, as well as helping longer-term illnesses.

However, there is a little known herb in the West that can be enjoyed as ‘tea’ that is equally amazing. It is called He Shou Wu (also known as Fo-Ti) and is one of the most revered herbs in Asia due its extraordinary range of health-boosting properties.

Nine health benefits of He Shou Wu:

1. Longevity: recent scientific studies into the properties have confirmed that He Shou Wu stimulates the body to produce substances that promote longevity, among them superoxide dismutase, the most powerful antioxidant in the human body.

2. Combats burnout and stress: known as a kidney Qi tonic, it stimulates adrenal gland function and promotes general endocrine system balance. Qi translates to “vital energy” and refers to the original energy that fuels life. Fo-Ti works to increase our kidney/adrenal energy, which is where Daoists believe Qi is stored in the body. This also has the added benefit of calming the nervous system, making He Shou Wu an excellent tonic for those facing burnout or under high levels of stress.

3. Slows down and even reverses the growth of grey hairs.

4. Enhances blood circulation.

5. Provides high levels of iron and zinc and supports fertility.

6. Supports the liver.

7. Improves brain function and memory.

8. Enhances the immune system.

9. Protects and repairs DNA.

What is He Shou Wu?

‘He Shou Wu’ literally means “He’s Black Hair” in Chinese. Ancient Daoist texts dating to 812AD recorded that an old man who was weak and frail fell asleep in the forest and awoke the next day to see a tall vine next to him. He was attracted to the plant and proceeded to dig it up with all its roots, as was customary at the time in China, and took it home. He then prepared the herb according to Daoist principles, cooking its roots with clean water, and started taking it regularly.

His strength and vitality returned and within a week he became virile and fathered a child, which was a miracle. When eventually his hair turned from grey to shiny black, the whole village was in awe. He went on to live more than 100 years (some sources say 160) and fathered four more children. The man’s name was He Tianer, so the herb was named He Shou Wu, meaning “He’s Black Hair”.

He Shou Wu latte

I began drinking He Shou Wu after receiving a packet as a gift. The gift was intended to help strengthen my hair, which is what He Shou Wu is famous for. As well as hopefully serving its intended purpose, I discovered He Shou Wu is a great energy-booster and pick-me-up. I now have a He Shou Wu latte every day and recommend it as an alternative to coffee or traditional tea, due to its numerable health benefits.

Ingredients:

- almond milk
- cinnamon
- He Shou Wu/Fo-Ti powder
- raw/manuka koney or natural sweetener (optional)

Method:

Stir one teaspoon of Fo-Ti powder into a saucepan of hot almond milk (enough for one mug). Let it come to the boil and sprinkle some cinnamon. Take it off the hob and let it cool a little. Add raw honey to taste. Enjoy!

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