HemoHim: Cure For Tired Immune Systems? Any Side Effects?

Update March 5, 2024. HemoHim is a liquid, natural, vegetarian, functional health supplement designed to help rejuvenate your blood – red and white blood cells – resulting in greater immunity and energy levels.  Given the amazing claims surrounding this supplement, it's natural to wonder if HemoHim is a hoax. So, is the supplement legit or a scam? Does it really have the power to awaken tired immune cells? This review will reveal the research and ingredients to help you decide if this supplement is right for you. Also, see the Carnivora review.  

What Does HemoHim Mean?

Let's break the word down:

• Hemo refers to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells
• H stands for hemopoiesis, the formation of blood cells
• I refers to immunity
• M refers to the modulation or regulation of blood cells

Based on this, the HemoHim herbal extract is said to create new red blood cells and strengthen and rejuvenate immune function.

What Does It Do?

The supplement was originally studied to help the blood and immune system recover from radiation cancer treatments,  chemotherapy, and the free radical damage that occurs as a side effect of these medical procedures.

The supplement is said to have the following benefits:

• Strengthen the immune system
• Increase stamina and improve general health
• Increase natural killer immune cells
• Improve human defense capacity
• Enhance both red and white blood cell production

In addition, others claim the supplement can help diabetes, weight loss, high blood pressure, gout, rebalance hormones and help HIV/AIDS to name a few.  If true, these are amazing benefits. But is there any proof?

Is HemoHim A Drug?

This is a dietary supplement. It is not a prescription or over-the-counter medication. Remember this because some of the claims made about what this herbal supplement does may confuse people into thinking it's a doctor-prescribed drug.

HemoHim Ingredients

According to the Supplement Facts label, each individual packet of the liquid herbal supplement has 20 calories, 0.67 fluid oz (20 ml), and the following ingredients.

Ingredient	Amount	Percent Daily Value
Total carbohydrate	5 g	2% DV
Total sugars	2.5 g
Added sugars	2 g	4% DV
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	14 mg	16% DV
Thiamine	0.12 mg	10% DV
Riboflavin	0.14 mg	10% DV
Vitamin B6	0.20 mg	12% DV
Pantothenic acid	0.7 mg	14% DV
Proprietary Blend composed of the following	10 grams	not established
Angelica Gigas (root)
Cnidium Officinale (root)
Paeonia japonica (root)

The specific composition of the supplement is as follows:

• 60.4% carbohydrates
• 6% protein
• 33.4% other, including polyphenols

A precise breakdown of the 33.4% “other” cannot be located, although it's possible they include various phytochemicals.

Since the vitamins and minerals are not present in large amounts, it may be concluded the effects and benefits of HemoHim are due to the 3 ingredients in the proprietary blend – Angelica Gigas, Cnidium Officinale, and Paeonia Japonica.

Other Ingredients

The supplement also contains water, honey, corn syrup, fructooligosaccharides, citric acid anhydrate, guar gum, ascorbic acid, sodium alginate, and seaweed powder.

How Much Iodine Does HemoHim Contain?

Seaweed powder is listed as one of the other ingredients in this supplement. Seaweed is a source of iodine. Atomy customer service states the company does not analyze HemoHim for iodine. In theory, iodine might raise thyroid hormones and interfere with thyroid medications, including levothyroxine (Synthroid).

HemoHim Proprietary Blend Research

There are 3 herbs that make up the proprietary blend:

1. Angelica Giga (root)
2. Cnidium Officinale (root)
3. Paeonia japonica (root)

Here's a summary of some of the clinical studies on each.

Angelica Giga

In one study, Angelica giga extract lowered triglycerides and bad (LDL) cholesterol more than a placebo when people were given 1000 mg (1 gram) a day for 3 months.  Other studies, carried out in mice have shown angelica giga may improve memory and suppress tumor formation. These effects have not been confirmed in humans.

Cnidium Officinale

When cells are bathed in Cnidium officinale, the substance exerts both anticancer and antioxidant effects. At least one petri dish study showed that cnidium inhibited the spread of colon cancer cells. The anti-cancer effects of Cnidium may be related to its ability to induce apoptosis, also known as cell death. More human studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Paeonia japonica

This herb, also known as peony, has been shown in preliminary research to have antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.  In laboratory animal studies, Paeonia appears to protect against liver damage. Human studies have not confirmed these effects.

Video Review

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HemoHim Research

Researchers have investigated the effects of HemoHim in several clinical studies. Most of these investigations have been performed in Korea and most of them involve rats, mice, and isolated cells. Here is a summary of those clinical investigations.

Lung Function

HemoHim has been shown to reduce airway inflammation in mice caused by cigarette smoke exposure.  When rats were given the supplement, it also reduced inflammation.

Cancer & Radiation

Gamma radiation is used to battle cancer. When treated with HemoHim, mice lived longer after exposure to gamma radiation. Other researchers observed that HemoHim enhanced the cancer-killing effect of radiation therapy.

When mice were treated with whole-body radiation, their intestinal cells were protected from radiation-induced cell death (apoptosis). In another investigation, HemoHim was shown to inhibit melanoma (skin cancer) growth in a test tube and the substance enhanced the effect of chemotherapy. This study used mouse skin cancer cells.

HemoHim has also been shown to protect the immune systems in mice that were injected with chemotherapy drugs. While the studies are interesting, they do not prove HemoHim protects people who getting chemotherapy or radiation therapy or it helps people who have cancer.

Immune System Effects

In both mice and isolated cell research, HemoHim has been shown to ramp up the growth of Dendritic cells, which play important roles in forming antibodies. As animals -and humans – age, their immune system tends to get old too. Could HemoHim help aging immune systems? To

test this, researchers conducted a study using young and old mice.

Old mice that were given HemoHim for 3 weeks showed elevations in cytokine production. Cytokines are substances (like interleukin) that are secreted from immune cells and help the immune response.

In addition, the older mice showed improvements in white blood cells called lymphocytes and natural killer cells (NK cells), although the enhancement of these cells was still lower than that seen in younger mice.

Help For Diabetes?

Type II diabetes is on the rise in the US.  When researchers gave HemoHim to mice with diabetes, the supplement improved blood sugar and insulin levels and also appeared to preserve beta-cell function. The beta cells in the pancreas make insulin. In theory, preserving beta cell function may mean HemoHim could benefit people with type I and type II diabetes, although this needs to be confirmed in human studies.

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a medical condition that causes imbalances in a woman's endocrine system. Affected women tend to make higher levels of male hormones and have fluid-filled follicles in their ovaries. When rats with polycystic ovaries were given HemoHim for one month, their ovaries were found to look more normal. Is it possible HemoHim may help women with PCOS? It's too soon to tell as human studies need to be performed.

Weight Loss Effects

HemoHim contains a compound called methyl gallate, which has been shown to inhibit fat storage in isolated cells.  While interesting, it's not yet proven if methyl gallate helps people lose weight.  Inhibiting fat storage in cells living in a petri dish is very different than what happens to humans in real-world situations.

HemoHim Human Research

The website of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), mentions a study where “sub-healthy” people with low white blood cell counts were given either a placebo or HemoHIm at a dosage of either 6 grams a day or 12 grams a day. Here's a summary of what they found:

• The 6-gram dose significantly increased in natural killer cells in men (what about women?)
• Some types of cytokines were significantly increased
• No changes occurred  in glutathione level or total antioxidant status
• There were no negative side effects and no problems with the liver or kidneys

Problems with the study

1. It may not be peer-reviewed
2. How long did the study last?
3. The study's total number of participants is not mentioned—we are told 38 people were analyzed, but not the total number.
4. Did HemoHim reduce colds/flu in the people who took it?

Are there any other human clinical trials? Since the research tends to be conducted in Korea, they may exist but can't be located.

Is HemoHim Bad For Autoimmune Disease?

In theory, anything that boosts the immune system could be bad news for people with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or hypothyroidism. So far, there are no reports of HemoHim making autoimmunity disorders worse. While that's good, those with autoimmune conditions should speak to their doctor first.

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Any Exercise Effects?

Serious runners and cyclists are likely familiar with blood doping, an illegal practice used to enhance red blood cell production to improve exercise performance. Since the herbal concoction is said to improve hemopoiesis (making new blood cells), is it possible it might be a natural blood doping solution? This is not known. It's not known if HemoHim increases red blood cell production in people or if it helps athletes participating in marathons or triathlons.

What Else Does It Do?

In some circles, the supplement is rumored to help a wide range of disorders such as kidney disease, cancer, COID-19, high blood pressure, eczema, HIV, fatty liver disease, and gout. Human studies cannot be located to support these claims.

Who Makes HemoHim?

The supplement is patented (number 6964785B2) and the patent holder is the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). The supplement is manufactured and packaged by Kolmar BNH Co LTD, which is located at 22 Techno 3-ro Yuseong-gu Jung-gu Jung-Gu, Seoul, South Korea. Kolmar BNH has been in business since 2004 and is involved with researching and developing health supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics. The company was formally known as Sun Bio-Tech, but the name changed to Kolmar in 2013.

While Kolmar produces the supplement, it is distributed by another company called Atomy America Inc. Atomy America is located at 33801 1st Way S Ste 301 Federal Way, WA 98003. Atomy America has been in business since 2009 and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Where Is It Made?

The herbal extract is made in South Korea, where Kolmar BNH is located. The official US website is atomy.com/us/Home

What Is HemoHim Plus?

Some websites may promote a “Plus” version of this supplement, which gives the impression it is better. But, how is it different than the regular HemoHim?  Does a language problem cause this confusion since the packaging is in Korean and not English? Or is HemoHim Plus more a product of marketing than actual science? When in doubt, look at the Supplement Facts label. If the ingredients and dosages are the same as the ingredients listed above, then there is no difference.

How Much Do You Get?

The most popular option is to purchase a box that contains 60 packets.  Each individual packet has 0.67 fluid oz (20 ml). This is a 1 month's supply if you use the recommended 2 packets a day dosage. To consume, tear open a packet and drink the liquid.  You can drink the liquid straight or mix it with water or juice. Mixing it may be preferable as some online testimonials have commented that the taste is not desirable because this is a liquid supplement, store HemoHim in a cool, dry place.

With or Without Food?

The Atomy company has stated it's best to take HemoHim on an empty stomach.

How Much Does HemoHim Cost?

The price can vary depending on where you buy it. If you are shopping for a month's supply (60 packets), the cost could range from about $50 to about $90. Generally, both eBay and  Amazon may have better prices than others.

So far, this herbal concoction is not sold at CVS, Costco, Rite Aid, Walmart, FoodLion, Target, Vitamin Shop, or GNC.  Bottom line, shop around for the best deal for you.

How Long Does It Take To Work?

The time can vary. Factors to consider include your health problems, how long you've had them, and how severe the symptoms are.

Return HemoHim

If you purchased it from the Atomy website, call their customer service department at 253-946-2345 to obtain specific instructions. Call M-F 9 am- 5 pm Pacific time. After speaking to customer service, return the supplement to:

Atomy America Inc.
33801 1st Way S Ste 301
Federal Way, WA 98003

If you purchased from websites like eBay, Amazon, or others, they might have their own return policies.

HemoHim vs. The Competition

There are many immune-enhancing supplements to choose from. These include vitamin C, elderberry, the Dr. Zelenko Z-Stack vitamin formula and the popular Venus flytrap extract, Carnivora. While each of these has some research, there appear to be no clinical studies comparing them to this Korean herbal extract.

Did The FDA Approve It?

If you've heard the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved HemoHim, this is incorrect. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements. It does regulate them, however. The herbal extract can be sold in the US because it meets the definition of a dietary supplement as laid out under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).

Is HemoHim Safe To Take?

On November 2, 2021, the Chinese Department of Health issued a press release warning the public to “not buy or consume” HemoHim. This is because an analysis of the supplement revealed the presence of an undeclared drug called methoxsalen. Methoxsalen (also called Oxsoralen) is a drug used to treat conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis, and a white blood cell cancer called T-cell lymphoma.

According to a November 1 2021, press release, at least 4 women were admitted to the hospital with liver problems while taking the supplement. Other than these news releases, it is unknown what actions the Chinese government took or whether the women used a counterfeit HemoHim supplement or an authentic product.

Update: In a letter to the Hong Kong Medical Journal editor in 2022, it was reported that Hemohim was withdrawn from the market in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore after at least 4 women were admitted to the hospital with elevated liver enzymes and liver injury after taking the supplement for between 2 weeks and 5 months. In some of the women, liver enzymes peaked at over 1700 U/L (for comparison, normal ALT levels range from 4 to 36 U/L). Symptoms improved

The ingredients in HemoHim that were thought to contribute to liver injury were psoralen and methoxsalen.

Additionally, methoxsalen can also lead to depression, fatigue, nausea, and headaches. Another side effect of methoxsalen is photosensitivity, a condition where the skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight radiation. This risk increases if you eat foods such as carrots, celery, figs, and parsley while you are taking the medication.

What Do I Suggest?

Some natural ways to improve immune system activity and reduce inflammation include:

• exercise
• drinking green tea
• eating fruits and vegetables

If you're looking for a supplement, several human studies have documented that black elderberry can help immune function.

HemoHim Side Effects

Is HemoHim safe to use? For most people, the answer is probably yes. Animal studies do not report negative side effects, although human studies need to confirm this. Negative online reports appear to be few. Some, reporting on Amazon reviews, have said it did not taste good.

Another testimonial mentioned the supplement reduced blood platelet levels. Platelets are cells that are essential for blood clotting. This can be important for people taking blood thinner medications. In the comments below, one person reported painful body aches and feeling extremely tired after taking the supplement for 5 days.

Here are some general things to consider:

• Start with less than recommended for the first week.
• Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an autoimmune disease, or take any medications.
• Stop taking at least two weeks before having surgery.
• The level of iodine in HemoHim is not known. Consult your doctor if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

The company also lists these cautions and recommendations:

• Speak to your doctor first if you are pregnant, nursing, have any health problems or take any medications.
• Avoid HemoHim if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Discontinue use and consult your doctor if you have any adverse reactions.
• Do not consume after the expiration date.
• Consume HemoHim immediately after opening.

 

HemoHim Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Easy to take	Human research is lacking
No pills to swallow	Expensive
Clinical research exists	The packaging is not in English

Does HemoHim Work?

No doubt the supplement has its share of fans. Studies show that it seems to enhance some aspects of immunity in animals. But what about people? Will it reduce your chances of getting the flu or help you recover faster? What about helping people with cancer? Ultimately, the litmus test would be to perform human clinical studies. The supplement has been around since at least 2004. Yet only two human studies were located. Lack of proof doesn't mean it's a hoax, but it would be nice to have. If you have tried HemoHim, comment below and let me know what happened.

Here it is on Amazon

What Do You Think?