Methods of Treating White Hair in Traditional Chinese Medicine

It is generally believed that white hair results from gradual decline in body functions, deficiency of qi, blood, and essence, unable to ascend to the head, causing white hair. Usually starts from the neck and gradually spreads to the entire head—this is a physiological change associated with aging. The formation of white hair mainly depends on the amount of pigment granules in the hair cortex and medulla; more pigment granules mean black, lustrous hair, fewer granules result in dull, white hair. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes white hair to deficiency of essence and blood, and qi stagnation with blood stasis.
Commonly used internal medicines for treating white hair in traditional Chinese medicine include:
1. 12 grams of Angelica sinensis, 12 grams of White Peony Root, 10 grams of Ligusticum Chuanxiong, 12 grams of Prepared Rehmannia, 5 ginkgo nuts, 9 grams of Fo-ti, 10 grams of Mulberry Leaf. Decoct and drink, one dose daily.
2. 15 grams of Raw Rehmannia, 15 grams of White Peony Root, 12 grams of Red Peony Root, 12 grams of Tree Peony Bark, 12 grams of Dogwood Bark, 12 grams of Taxillus, 9 grams of Green Tangerine Peel, 12 grams of Cyperus, 12 grams of Polygala, 12 grams of Night-Blooming Jasmine Vine, 12 grams of Albizia Bark. Decoct and drink, one dose nightly.
3. Wash black sesame seeds, dry under sun, stir-fry gently until cooked, grind into powder, mix with equal amount of sugar, store in bottle, take two spoons twice daily with warm water.
4. Cook black sesame seeds and rice into porridge, consume regularly.
5. 500 grams of black beans with a little salt, steam and sun-dry nine times each. Store in bottle, take twice daily, 6 grams each time, consume regularly.
6. 50 grams of walnuts, 50 grams of goji berries, 500 grams of small or large black beans, 60 grams of Fo-ti, 50 grams of cooked Rehmannia, 50 grams of Cornus officinalis. First boil goji berries, Fo-ti, cooked Rehmannia, and Cornus officinalis with water; extract juice and cook until walnut meat becomes soft and fully absorbed by black beans. Remove and dry. Consume daily, twice daily, 6–9 grams each time, on empty stomach in the morning and evening.