Herb

Fo Shou

Buddha’s hand fruit | 佛手

Also known as:

Finger Citron Fruit

Fo Shou

Product appearance may vary from images shown

Properties

Qi-regulating herbs (理气药) · Warm

Traditionally supports*

Digestive Health Stress and Anxiety Respiratory Health Appetite Support

Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Select Product Type

Select Supplier

Select Size

Quantity

$41.00 ($0.41/g)
For shipments to: United States Change
Standard Shipping (3-5 business days): $4.99
Express Shipping (1-2 business days): $9.99
Free shipping on orders over $75

About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

Fo Shou, also known as Buddha's Hand, is a fragrant citrus fruit used in Chinese medicine to ease digestive discomfort, relieve chest and abdominal bloating, and calm nausea. It is especially valued for gently soothing a stressed or upset stomach and easing the physical tension that comes with emotional stress, such as a tight feeling in the ribcage or upper belly. It can also help with coughs involving excessive phlegm.

Herb Category

Qi-regulating herbs (理气药)

Main Actions

  • Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint
  • Harmonizes the Stomach and stops pain
  • Dries Dampness and Transforms Phlegm
  • Regulates Qi and Harmonizes the Middle Burner

How These Actions Work

'Spreads Liver Qi and relieves constraint' means Fo Shou gently moves stagnant Liver Qi, helping to relieve the sense of tightness, distension, or pain in the chest and ribcage area that arises when emotions are pent up or stress causes the Liver's Qi circulation to stall. A notable quality of Fo Shou is that it accomplishes this without being harsh or overly drying, making it suitable even for people whose body fluids (Yin) are somewhat depleted. It is commonly used for emotional tension causing flank pain or premenstrual breast distension.

'Harmonizes the Stomach and stops pain' refers to Fo Shou's ability to restore the normal downward movement of Stomach Qi. When the Stomach's Qi stagnates (often because Liver Qi invades the Stomach), symptoms like epigastric bloating, nausea, belching, poor appetite, and stomach pain develop. Fo Shou's warm, aromatic nature revives the Stomach's digestive function and eases these symptoms. It is considered one of the gentler Qi-regulating herbs for the digestive system, making it suitable for the elderly or those with weakened digestion.

'Dries Dampness and resolves Phlegm' means Fo Shou can address the accumulation of thick, sticky mucus (Phlegm) in the Lungs or digestive tract. This action is considered relatively mild compared to stronger Phlegm-resolving herbs. It is most appropriate when coughing with copious white or sticky phlegm is accompanied by chest stuffiness and Qi stagnation, rather than for acute or severe phlegm conditions.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Fo Shou is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

Why Fo Shou addresses this pattern

Liver Qi Stagnation arises when emotional stress, frustration, or repressed feelings cause the Liver's Qi to stop flowing smoothly. This leads to distension and pain in the flanks and chest, mood irritability, and sighing. Fo Shou's acrid and warm nature enters the Liver channel and gently disperses the stagnant Qi, restoring its free flow. Importantly, Fo Shou spreads Liver Qi without the harsh drying or Yin-consuming effects that stronger Qi-moving herbs can have, making it a mild yet effective choice for this pattern. Its bitter taste helps direct Qi downward, counteracting the tendency of stagnant Liver Qi to rebel upward and cause belching or nausea.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Chest Pain

Distending pain in the chest and ribcage (胸胁胀痛)

Depression

Emotional irritability, depressed mood, frequent sighing

Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual breast distension and discomfort

TCM Properties

Temperature

Warm

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Bitter (苦 kǔ), Sour (酸 suān)

Channels Entered
Liver Spleen Stomach Lungs
Parts Used

Fruit (果 guǒ / 果实 guǒ shí)

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

Quantity Description

Loading quantity information...

Concentration Ratio

Loading concentration information...

Fabrication Method

Loading fabrication information...

Supplier Certifications

Loading certifications information...

Botanical & Sourcing

Quality Indicators

Good quality Fo Shou slices (dried herb) should be: • Shape: Elliptical or oval thin slices, 6 to 10 cm long, 3 to 7 cm wide, with clearly visible finger-like lobes at the top. • Outer skin: Yellowish-green (Chuan Fo Shou / "green-edged white flesh") or orange-yellow (Guang Fo Shou / "gold-edged white flesh"), with visible wrinkles and oil dots (oil glands). • Flesh: Pale yellowish-white, with scattered irregular linear or dotted vascular bundles. • Texture: Hard and crisp when dry, becoming flexible when exposed to moisture. • Aroma: Strong, pleasant citrus fragrance. This is the most important quality indicator. The stronger and more lingering the aroma, the better the quality. • Taste: Slightly sweet followed by mild bitterness. • Size: Plump, intact slices are preferred. Thick, oily slices indicate good essential oil content. Chuan Fo Shou (Sichuan) slices are typically smaller and thicker (4 to 6 cm, about 3 mm thick) with stronger aroma. Guang Fo Shou (Guangdong) slices are larger and thinner (6 to 10 cm, 1 to 2 mm thick) with milder fragrance. Aged Fo Shou (Chen Fo Shou) is traditionally considered superior for certain uses, particularly for treating dysentery.

Primary Growing Regions

Fo Shou is cultivated across southern China, with several recognized regional varieties considered dao di (terroir) products: • Guang Fo Shou (广佛手): Guangdong province, especially Zhaoqing, Gaoyao, and Deqing. Considered the premier dao di source for medicinal use and one of the "Ten Great Guangdong Medicines" (粤十味). Known for large, high-quality fruit; the processed slices are prized as "gold-edged white-fleshed" (金边白肉). • Chuan Fo Shou (川佛手): Sichuan province, especially Leshan (Shawan District) and surrounding areas. Noted for strong aroma, thick flesh, and potent Qi-moving action. Sichuan's unique climate with low sunlight and high humidity contributes to excellent quality. • Jin Fo Shou (金佛手): Zhejiang province, centred on Jinhua city. Cultivation dates to the Southern Song Dynasty (over 700 years). Jinhua was designated "China's Fo Shou Hometown" in 1998. • Min Fo Shou (闽佛手): Fujian province. • Yun Fo Shou (云佛手): Yunnan province. The plant is originally native to South or Southeast Asia, likely northeastern India.

Harvesting Season

Autumn (August to winter). Fruits are harvested when the skin begins turning from green to pale yellowish-green, before or just as they begin to yellow. After planting, trees typically begin bearing fruit after 4 to 5 years.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

Loading supplier information...

Loading supplier attributes...

Miscellaneous Info

No additional information available

Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

Loading dosage information...

Instructions for safe storage and consumption

Loading storage and consumption information...

Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

3–9g

Maximum

Up to 15g in standard decoction for stronger Qi-moving effect. Historical pediatric hepatitis protocols used up to 30g of aged Fo Shou daily in older children (ages 7 to 10) combined with other herbs under practitioner supervision.

Notes

Lower doses (3 to 6g) are suitable for mild Qi stagnation with bloating and poor appetite. Higher doses (6 to 9g) are used for more pronounced Liver-Stomach Qi stagnation with chest and flank distension or epigastric pain. For phlegm-dampness cough, combine at standard dose with phlegm-resolving herbs. Aged Fo Shou (Chen Fo Shou) is traditionally preferred for treating dysentery with tenesmus. Fresh Fo Shou can also be used (12 to 15g) when available, brewed as tea for milder effect. Excessive long-term use in people without true Qi stagnation may scatter Qi, leading to fatigue or weakness.

Processing Methods

Processing method

The fresh fruit is sliced and dried, then stored for an extended period (often several years). In the Chaoshan (潮汕) region, a traditional preparation called 'old fragrant yellow' (老香黄) involves repeated steaming and sun-drying cycles over approximately three years.

How it changes properties

Aging reduces the acrid dispersing quality somewhat and mellows the bitterness, making the herb gentler on the Stomach. The aged form is considered less likely to injure Qi with prolonged use. The aromatic Qi-regulating properties are retained and may even deepen with age. Classical sources note that aged Fo Shou (陈佛手) is considered superior for certain conditions.

When to use this form

Preferred for chronic, long-term digestive weakness in elderly patients where the fresh herb's slightly stronger dispersing nature might be too aggressive. Also used specifically for chronic phlegm-damp cough, as noted in folk medicine traditions.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Contraindications

Caution

Yin deficiency with Heat (Fire). Fo Shou is warm, pungent, and drying in nature. In people who already have depleted Yin fluids with signs of internal Heat (dry mouth, night sweats, hot flashes), it can further deplete Yin and aggravate Heat symptoms.

Caution

Absence of Qi stagnation. When there are no symptoms of Qi stagnation (bloating, distension, chest tightness), long-term use of Fo Shou's Qi-moving properties can scatter and weaken Qi, potentially causing fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, or trembling hands.

Caution

Blood deficiency without Qi stagnation. As a Qi-moving aromatic herb, Fo Shou can consume Qi and Blood if used excessively in patients with underlying Blood deficiency, worsening weakness and pallor.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe at standard decoction doses (3 to 9g). Fo Shou is a mild Qi-regulating herb without strong blood-moving or uterine-stimulating properties. However, as it is warm and Qi-moving in nature, prolonged use at higher doses during pregnancy is not advisable without practitioner guidance, as excessive Qi movement could theoretically disturb fetal Qi. Classical sources note that some Fo Shou preparations (such as Fo Shou medicinal wine) are specifically contraindicated during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

No specific contraindications for breastfeeding have been documented. Fo Shou is classified as a food-medicine dual-use herb (yao shi tong yuan) in China, and is widely consumed as food, tea, and condiment. At standard doses (3 to 9g in decoction), it is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Its gentle Qi-regulating and Spleen-strengthening properties may even be beneficial for postpartum digestive complaints. However, its warm and aromatic nature means excessive doses should be avoided.

Pediatric Use

Fo Shou has been used in children, including for pediatric infectious hepatitis in traditional clinical reports, with age-adjusted dosing: ages 1 to 3 years at 10 to 15g of aged Fo Shou daily, ages 3 to 5 years at 15 to 20g, ages 5 to 7 years at 20 to 25g, and ages 7 to 10 years at 30g (in combination with other herbs, under practitioner supervision). For general use, standard pediatric dose reduction applies: approximately one-third to one-half the adult dose for children, adjusted by age and body weight. As it is non-toxic and classified as food-medicine dual-use, Fo Shou is considered suitable for children at appropriate doses.

Drug Interactions

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established for Fo Shou in clinical literature. Pharmacologically, Fo Shou contains coumarins (bergapten / 5-methoxypsoralen, limettin), flavonoids (hesperidin, diosmin), and volatile oils (limonene). Theoretical considerations include:

  • Anticoagulant / antiplatelet medications: Some coumarin compounds have mild anticoagulant properties. While Fo Shou's coumarin content is low, concurrent use with warfarin or other blood thinners warrants monitoring.
  • Photosensitizing drugs: Bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) is a known photosensitizer. At medicinal doses the amount is small, but caution may be warranted if combining with other photosensitizing medications (e.g. tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones).
  • CYP enzyme interactions: Citrus-derived compounds can affect cytochrome P450 enzymes. Fo Shou's effects on drug metabolism have not been systematically studied, but prudent caution is reasonable when combining with drugs having a narrow therapeutic index.

Dietary Advice

While taking Fo Shou for Qi stagnation or digestive complaints, favour warm, easily digestible foods and avoid excessive cold, raw, or greasy foods that can impede Qi flow and burden the Spleen and Stomach. Fo Shou pairs well with porridge (congee) for gentle digestive support. It can also be brewed as a simple tea by steeping slices in hot water with a little sugar. Alcohol in moderation is compatible and traditional (Fo Shou steeped in wine is a classical preparation), but avoid excessive alcohol if Heat signs are present.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this formula is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.