Can You Take Coltsfoot and Fo-Ti (He Shou Wu) Together?

Use extra care with this pair

The short answer

Coltsfoot contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids causing veno-occlusive disease, while Fo-Ti's anthraquinones cause idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. Both target the liver through distinct but additive toxic mechanisms.

How to arrange timing

Avoid combining these herbs. Each carries significant hepatotoxicity risk independently. Monitor liver function if either is used.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Teschke R. et al., Ann Hepatol 2012; Lei X et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2015

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.