6 replies to this topic

[Ichigo91]

Hello,

 

Anyone knows which have a better chance stopping hair loss and (if possible) regrowth it between those 2 TCM?

[maxwatt]

With he Shou Wu, internal use carries a risk of liver cancer. topical might be OK. Reishi, not familiar with its use for this purpose. Minoxidil is non-prescription, works 60% of the time, even for nob-vertex hair loss. Polysorbate 80 was popular 10 years ago, works for some people. Drprocter.com if the site is still up, had lots of good information.

[Ichigo91]

With he Shou Wu, internal use carries a risk of liver cancer. topical might be OK. Reishi, not familiar with its use for this purpose. Minoxidil is non-prescription, works 60% of the time, even for nob-vertex hair loss. Polysorbate 80 was popular 10 years ago, works for some people. Drprocter.com if the site is still up, had lots of good information.

 

Hey!

 

Thanks!

 

About the He shou wu, I couldn't find any info regarding risk of liver cancer, but I did find some risk of damage to the liver, but that was only couple of years ago to a couple of patients, from what I understand there isn't a %100 answer if it's because of the he shou wu or a bad batch..?

[maxwatt]

correct, it was hepatitus, not cancer.

 

There are two grades of he shou wu, raw and processed - which usually means boiling for hours with black beans.

 

The extracts you can get here, at best 12:1, may still contain whatever toxin caused hep. in too many patients to be a coincidence.  My understanding is the Chinese herbalists sponsored research at several universities, and they claim they can extract without the toxin.  I do not know the details, and I do not trust the extracts being sold in vitamin shops.  Not every producer will follow this procedure.

[GoingPrimal]

correct, it was hepatitus, not cancer.

 

There are two grades of he shou wu, raw and processed - which usually means boiling for hours with black beans.

 

The extracts you can get here, at best 12:1, may still contain whatever toxin caused hep. in too many patients to be a coincidence.  My understanding is the Chinese herbalists sponsored research at several universities, and they claim they can extract without the toxin.  I do not know the details, and I do not trust the extracts being sold in vitamin shops.  Not every producer will follow this procedure.

 

 

Maxwatt, do you have any studies on hand in regards to this toxin in he shou wu? Did a quick browse and came up short, this is the first I've heard of an actual toxin in it. However, it's traditionally said to "increase heat in the liver" and is contraindicated for those with unhealthily livers, which may be a contributing factor to those who've experienced negative effects, i.e. hepatitis.

 

I've been using it for at least a year now, no problems but obviously don't want to be taking something that might damaging my lovely liver.

[Soma]

The extracts you can get here, at best 12:1, may still contain whatever toxin caused hep. in too many patients to be a coincidence. My understanding is the Chinese herbalists sponsored research at several universities, and they claim they can extract without the toxin. I do not know the details, and I do not trust the extracts being sold in vitamin shops. Not every producer will follow this procedure.

How many people are we talking about? What about other variables: were there aggravating conditions? Pre-existing disease?

What is this detoxifying procedure? Do you have any links for any of this information?

[maxwatt]

try google "pubmed he shou wu hepatotoxicity"