Shu Di Huang Root (Rehmannia glutinosa preparata): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Shu Di Huang work in the body?

Shu Di Huang works through bioactive compounds including catalpol, rehmannoside, acteoside, and polysaccharides. These constituents exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that support kidney function and blood production. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it tonifies kidney yin and nourishes essence by warming and enriching the blood. Research suggests catalpol may help protect against oxidative stress and support bone marrow function (Evidence Level C).

Does Shu Di Huang interact with any medications?

Shu Di Huang may interact with antidiabetic medications due to potential effects on blood glucose metabolism. Limited clinical data exists on specific drug interactions. Patients taking insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents should monitor blood sugar closely and consult a healthcare provider before use. Those on anticoagulant medications should also exercise caution. Always inform your doctor about all herbal supplements you are taking (Evidence Level C, Traditional guidance).

What is the recommended dosage for Shu Di Huang?

The typical adult dosage of Shu Di Huang ranges from 9-30 grams of dried root daily, usually prepared as a decoction or taken in pill form. Dosage varies based on the specific condition being treated and individual constitution. In TCM practice, it is often combined with other herbs in formulated prescriptions. Consult a licensed herbalist or qualified healthcare provider for personalized dosing recommendations (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

Is Shu Di Huang safe during pregnancy?

Shu Di Huang is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Its warming and blood-tonifying properties may stimulate uterine activity or affect fetal development. Pregnant women should not use this herb without explicit guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Breastfeeding women should also exercise caution due to insufficient safety data. Always consult a healthcare professional before using herbal supplements during pregnancy (Evidence Level C, Traditional contraindication).

What are the side effects of Shu Di Huang?

Common side effects of Shu Di Huang include gastrointestinal stagnation, bloating, and digestive discomfort. Its heavy, cloying nature can impair spleen function in susceptible individuals. Those with pre-existing digestive weakness, chronic diarrhea, or phlegm conditions should avoid use. Taking it with food or in smaller divided doses may help reduce digestive side effects. Discontinue use if symptoms persist or worsen (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

What is Shu Di Huang used for in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Shu Di Huang is a primary blood and yin tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine, used to tonify kidney yin, nourish essence and marrow, and enrich the blood. It is commonly prescribed for premature graying, hair loss, bone and joint weakness, and signs of premature aging. Its sweet, warming properties make it valuable for addressing deep deficiency patterns and supporting overall vitality (Evidence Level C, Traditional use).

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia root) is a processed medicinal herb used in various Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas for blood supplementation and the treatment of conditions such as osteoporosis and cognitive impairment [PMID:32188797, 34950216, 15139152].

Background

Shu Di Huang is the processed root of Rehmannia glutinosa [PMID:36010498]. The chemical composition of prepared Rehmannia Radix (PRR) differs from dried Rehmannia Radix (DRR) due to different processing methods [PMID:35784741].

Traditional uses

It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for blood supplementation [PMID:32188797] and is frequently used to treat diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and aging-related diseases [PMID:35784741].

Active compounds

Active components include 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), isoverbascoside, catalpol, and acteoside [PMID:41590656, 21174764]. It also contains oligosaccharides and iridoids [PMID:38629120].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms include the activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) signaling pathway to induce CYP3A4 [PMID:21524698], downregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in treating osteoporosis [PMID:34950216], and the increase of hippocampal NGF and c-fos expression to improve learning and memory [PMID:15139152]. 5-HMF and isoverbascoside may alleviate oxidative damage in pancreatic β-cells by activating autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis [PMID:41590656].

Clinical evidence

Evidence BOsteoporosis

Used in combination with Gan-Cao to restore differentiation potentials of mesenchymal stem progenitors [PMID:34950216]; used in medicinal-cake-separated moxibustion for senile osteoporosis [PMID:29231606].

Evidence DCognitive Impairment/Dementia

Improved learning and memory in rat models by adjusting Glu and GABA content and increasing hippocampal NMDAR1 and GABAR expression [PMID:15015384], and increasing hippocampal NGF and c-fos [PMID:15139152].

Evidence DPremature Ovarian Failure

A modified Zuo-gui-wan formula containing cooked rehmannia was associated with the restoration of ovulation and conception in a case report [PMID:12956293].

Evidence DMyelosuppression

Compatibility of Ginseng and Prepared Rehmannia Root increased the number of peripheral blood and bone marrow nucleated cells in cyclophosphamide-induced mice [PMID:32188797].

Drug interactions

Prepared Rehmannia root can strongly trans-activate the human pregnane X receptor (PXR) and induce CYP3A4 [PMID:21524698].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of animal models (D), in vitro studies (D), and a few clinical trials or case reports (B/D), indicating a need for more high-level human clinical data.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 39834809 (2024) — Efficacy of the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula on Beclin-1/Bcl-2-mediated autophagy and apoptosis in osteoblasts. · Frontiers in pharmacology
2.PMID: 24164386 (2014) — The protective effect of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Fang in salt-sensitive hypertension rats. · Clinical and experimental hypertension (New York, N.Y. : 1993)
3.PMID: 33849116 (2021) — Network pharmacology study on the mechanism of the herb pair of prepared Rehmannia root-Chinese arborvitae kernel for anxiety disorders. · Annals of palliative medicine
4.PMID: 37861529 (2023) — Dissection of action mechanisms of Zuogui Pill in the treatment of liver cancer based on machine learning and network pharmacology: A review. · Medicine
5.PMID: 32661660 (2021) — Changes of Anti-tuberculosis Herbs Formula During Past Three Decades in Contrast to Ancient Ones.

Shu Di Huang Root

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Shu Di Huang Root