HemoHIM Benefits for the Immune System: What the Evidence Shows

Short answer: HemoHIM has two officially approved claims in South Korea — it “may help improve immune function” and “may help reduce fatigue”. These rest on a few small human studies that measured immune markers such as NK-cell activity, and one trial on fatigue. They do not show that it prevents infections or treats any disease. Many other benefits you may read about come only from laboratory or animal research.

The two approved claims in South Korea

HemoHIM is an extract of three herbs — Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale and peony root (Paeonia lactiflora) — developed by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and sold by Atomy. In South Korea it is registered with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as a health functional food. Its approved claims are limited to immune function and fatigue, with an intake of one sachet twice a day. For background, see what is HemoHIM and HemoHIM ingredients.

NK-cell activity: what the studies measured

Natural killer (NK) cells are part of the innate immune system. They help recognise and remove virus-infected and abnormal cells. “NK-cell activity” is a laboratory measure, from a blood sample, of how actively these cells attack target cells.

In two small KAERI studies, from 2006 (38 participants) and 2007 (88 participants), people taking HemoHIM showed changes in immune markers such as NK-cell activity over about two months. The studies were small and partly run by the developer, so the results are encouraging rather than conclusive. In the 2007 study, NK-cell activity and some immune signalling molecules increased over two months; in the smaller 2006 study, the increase was significant only in one subgroup. Details are in our overview of HemoHIM clinical studies.

What this means — and what it does not

• It means: in these groups, a laboratory measure of immune activity changed while people took HemoHIM.

• It does not mean: fewer colds, fewer infections or faster recovery. No study has shown that HemoHIM reduces infections in people.

• A change in a blood marker is not the same as better health. Markers vary with age, sleep and stress.

Fatigue: the clearest human evidence

Fatigue is the area with the most direct human data. In a 2022 randomised, placebo-controlled trial of 96 adults with fatigue, those taking HemoHIM for 8 weeks had lower fatigue scores than those taking a placebo. A separate 2025 safety trial in 96 healthy adults over 8 weeks found no clinically significant adverse events. The trial was supported by the manufacturer, Kolmar BNH, and included only adults aged 30–59.

HemoHIM is not a stimulant like caffeine, and how it might affect fatigue is not known. If you try it, judge it honestly after about two months.

Lab and animal research only

These areas have been studied only in the laboratory or in animals — they are not proven effects in people.

• Cytokine balance: in laboratory and mouse studies, HemoHIM appeared to influence the balance between Th1 and Th2 immune signals. Whether this happens in people is unknown.

• Antioxidant activity: antioxidant effects have been measured in laboratory tests, not in people taking HemoHIM.

• Recovery of blood and immune cells: KAERI’s original animal studies looked at blood-forming and immune cells recovering after radiation. This has not been tested in athletes or in people recovering from illness.

• Circulation: angelica and cnidium are traditionally used in Korean herbal medicine for the blood, but no study shows that HemoHIM improves circulation or heart health in people.

Research on cancer, the liver and the kidneys is also laboratory or animal work; see HemoHIM and cancer research.

Who should be careful

Because HemoHIM is meant to act on the immune system, some people should not take it without medical advice:

• People with an autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or multiple sclerosis) or who take immunosuppressants, for example after an organ transplant.

• People on blood thinners (anticoagulants), with liver disease, or before surgery.

• Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it, as the Korean label advises.

In 2021, health authorities in Hong Kong and Taiwan told the public not to use HemoHIM after four liver-injury cases in Hong Kong and the discovery of methoxsalen, an undeclared prescription drug, in samples; it was withdrawn there and in Singapore. Whether HemoHIM itself caused the cases is debated. As of October 2026, HemoHIM is sold again in Atomy’s Singapore mall and, as HemoHIM G (艾多美 煥力飲G), in Atomy’s Taiwan mall; it is still not sold in Hong Kong. Read our HemoHIM side effects and safety guide before you start, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you take any medicines.

Setting realistic expectations

HemoHIM is a food supplement, not a medicine or a cure. The human evidence is limited to small studies of immune markers and fatigue over about eight weeks. Do not expect instant results, protection from infections or the treatment of any disease. If you try it, take it as directed — one sachet twice a day — alongside good sleep, a balanced diet and exercise.

Disclosure: this site is run by an independent Atomy distributor.