Hair Qi Tonic
Overview:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the two main principles of Hair growth are that "Hair is the surplus of Blood" and "the Kidneys manifest in the Hair". Therefore, internal support for Hair growth requires ample Blood and strong Kidneys.
Kidney strength depends on four energetic features of the Kidneys: Kidney Essence, Kidney Qi, Kidney Yin, and Kidney Yang. Kidney Essence is the foundational material substance for the whole body that is stored in the Kidneys. It also generates Kidney Qi, which is the functional energy of the Kidneys, i.e. the energy that Kidneys use to do their job. Such includes water metabolism (separating clear from turbid fluids), regulating respiration (anchoring Lung Qi), releasing bladder and anus, governing the bones and teeth, and filling the marrow. Kidney Qi further differentiates itself into Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang. Kidney Yin is the foundation of all Yin fluids in the body, which nourish and moisten all of the organs and tissues, as well as stores the the vital substance that becomes Kidney Essence. Kidney Yang is the foundation of all Yang Qi, which is the transforming, activating, and warming energy that the body uses for all of our physiological processes. Even though Kidney Essence is the source of Kidney Qi, it is the interaction of Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang that actually produce it. In TCM language, Kidney Yang steams the Yin to create Qi. Therefore, the supply of Kidney Qi depends on the quality and, equally important, the balance of Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang energy available.
All of the tonic formulas in this section include herbs that tonify Kidney Yin and Kidney Essence, because a deficiency in both is typically the root of the imbalance in the Yin and Yang, and energetic pathologies in the body that are leading to the expression Male Pattern Baldness (MPB). However, this formula gently tonifies Kidney Yang, in addition to Kidney Yin and Essence, in order to activate that stored substance into Kidney Qi and restore proper function, which will manifest in the Hair, as well as other aspects of our vitality.
Note that this formula should be used sparingly at first, until Kidney Yin has been sufficiently restored. Otherwise, tonifying Kidney Yang will over-deplete Yin and Essence, and have an overall pro-aging effect in the body. Rather, emphasis should be on purely tonifying Kidney Yin and Essence, as in the Kidney Yin Tonic and Er Zhi Tonic. Then, Kidney Yang can be activated more and more as Yin Deficiency symptoms improve.
Hair Benefit:
Kidney Essence, Kidney Yin, Kidney Yang, and Kidney Qi all have unique but interrelated roles in Hair growth. Kidney Essence is the primary substance governing Hair growth, color, and vitality. It is what is ultimately transformed into Blood, the surplus of which becomes our Hair. Kidney Yin provides the material basis to nourish and moisten the hair. It is what keeps it supple, rooted, and protected from excess Heat and Dryness in the body. It is also what stores the Essence, which is transformed into the Blood that becomes our Hair. Kidney Yang provides the warming and activating force transforms the Essence into Blood. Furthermore, it is the source of the foundational systematic energy that drives circulation to the scalp, which allows for proper delivery of nutrients, and Qi, to the Hair. Kidney Yang and Kidney Yin then intermingle to produce Kidney Qi, which is the energy that governs the retention and growth of the Hair. Kidney Qi keeps the hair in place and drives the growth cycle, strengthening Hair at the root, reducing Hair shedding, and stimulating regrowth. Therefore, tonifying Kidney Essence, nourishing Kidney Yin, warming Kidney Yang, and strengthening Kidney Qi comprehensively supports hair growth from within
In addition to replenishing Kidney Essence, the material basis from which Blood is produced, and tonifying Kidney Yang, the activating force that transforms Essence into Blood, this formula includes herbs to support the Liver and Heart, the organs that generate and propel the Blood, respectively. Tonifying Blood creates an ample surplus from which the Hair can grow, especially when it is Liver Blood; and circulation is boosted by gentle Blood moving herbs that don't generate much Heat and have Heart network affinity. This works synergistically with Kidney Yang tonification to promote robust Blood and Blood circulation to the scalp where it can grow as Hair.
Lastly, as with the other Yin tonics, since Kidney Yin and Liver Yin come from the same origin, then any Kidney Yin tonifying combination will serve to replenish Liver Yin and anchor Liver Yang. Liver Yang Rising is the energetic pathology that drives unbound Qi to the head, stimulating unwanted skull growth, and pattern loss. By addressing the root cause of Liver Yang Rising, i.e. Yin Deficiency, skull expansion is mitigates and further pattern loss is prevented.
Herbs:
Fleece Flower Root (Prepared) - He Shou Wu:
The most famous hair herb in TCM, renown primarily for restoring color to the hair. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels, helping the Liver to build Blood and the Kidneys to replenish and astringe the Essence. The simultaneous tonification of Liver Blood and Kidney Essence makes this a potent hair herb, supporting the foundational aspects of hair vitality.
Mulberry Fruit - Sang Shen Zi:
Mulberry Fruit is another reputed hair darkening herb. It has an affinity for the Kidneys and Liver, like He Shou Wu, however its cold nature has an enriching effect on Blood and Essence, by helping to generate the cool, moist, and nourishing fluids of the Kidney Yin. Thus, it's primary Hair benefit is to tonify Blood and replenish Yin fluids.
Eclipta - Han Lian Cao:
Eclipta is cooling Kidney and Liver herb, like Mulberry Fruit, that has a cooling effect on the Blood. It clears out the "empty Heat" that has invaded the Blood, while also helping to replenish Yin fluids and Essence. Its Essence replenishing black juice, which runs from its cut branches, and unique Blood nourishing properties make it a potent herb for darkening and enriching the Hair.
Ligustrum Fruit - Nu Zhen Zi:
Ligustrum is a dark Essence-building fruit that nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin by cooling the body, helping the Kidneys build Yin fluids gradually without having a "cloying effect". In addition, it is a potent deficiency Heat clearing herb. Its ability to tonify Essence and extinguish deficiency Heat pair well with Eclipta to restore the foundation of healthy Hair growth, while neutralizing the pathological disturbances that result in Hair loss.
Goji Berry (Lycii Fruit) - Gou Qi Zi:
Goji Berry is a versatile herb that complements any Yin tonifying formula. It replenishes Kidney Essence, Kidney and Liver Yin, and Blood, which is everything that is needed to build the foundation for healthy Hair. In addition, it has a particular affinity for supplementing Liver Blood, which supports Yin weakness further up the chain. It's even one of the few herbs that can support both Yin and Yang, due its neutral nature. Though its Yin tonifying effect is most dominant. Overall, it's an important herb to regularly include in decoctions and even our meals.
Cuscuta (Dodder Seed) - Tu Si Zi:
A balanced Kidney Tonic that nourishes both the Yin and Yang, without creating too much Heat or Dryness. It's Yin nature replenishes and consolidates the Essence, preventing it from leaking, while it's Yang nature warms and tonifies Kidney Yang, which activates the Kidney Yin to produce robust Kidney Qi. In addition, it's sweet nature strengthens digestion, firming up chronic diarrhea and loose stools that result from worn out Kidneys and Spleen. This helps the Spleen send Qi down to the Kidneys to be stored as Essence, to become Kidney Qi, which needs to be activated by Kidney Yang, which Cuscuta also tonifies, making this herb a potent Kidney Qi tonic.
Psoralea - Bu Gu Zhi:
A pure Kidney Yang tonic, which "strokes the fire" of the Kidney system, tightens up Kidney Qi, and supplements digestive fire in the Spleen. By restoring warmth to the Kidneys, it activates the watery Kidney Yin to produce Qi. It is especially helpful in grasping Qi from respiration, anchoring downward to maintain overall vitality and prevent depletion of Qi.
Angelica - Dang Gui:
Angelica tonifies and moves blood. It has a particular affinity for the Liver and Heart networks, making it a potent herb to boost Blood circulation.
Porus - Fu Ling:
Porus is versatile herb that strengthens the Spleen by draining pathological dampness from it. It's purpose in this formula is to support the Spleen to ensure proper absorption of the rich tonics
How to Decoct:
1. Gather the following amounts of herbs in a glass or ceramic jar or bowl:
• He Shou Wu: 15 - 24 g
• Mulberry Fruit: 6 - 12 g
• Eclipta: 6 - 12 g
• Ligustrum Fruit: 6 - 12 g
• Goji Berry: 6 - 12 g
• Cuscuta: 6 - 12 g
• Psoralea: 3 - 6 g
• Angelica: 6 - 12 g
• Poria: 6 - 12 g
2. Soak herbs overnight in 3-4 cups of water. Ideally, use spring water.
3. Bring herbs to a boil in a stainless steel pot (or best ceramic). Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until 1 cup of liquid remains (30-60 mins).
4. Strain liquid from herbs, and set aside.
5. Using the same herbs, refill the pot with 2-3 cups of water (or 1 cup less) and boil again (30-60 minutes) until 1 cup of liquid remains. The pot may be covered this time to prolong boiling.
6. Strain liquid, and combine with the liquid from the first boil for a total of 2 cups of decoction.
• Drink two servings daily (1 serving = 1 cup).
Additional Preparation Instructions:
In classical Hair and Yin formulas, Ligustrum is prepared by steaming in "honey wine" overnight, Angelica and Goji are soaked in yellow rice wine or high proof grain liquor and then sun-dried, Poria should be ground and mixed with human milk and then dried, Cuscuta is wine soaked until it sprouts, then mashed and dried, and Psoralea is stir fried dry with black sesame seeds in order to maximize their effect.
You may decoct the herbs, unprocessed, for an effective, albeit less potent, formula. The more adventurous can attempt additional preparation methods over time as their confidence and herbal skills evolve and grow.
Optional Modifications:
• Add 6-9 g of Black Sesame Seeds to help tonify Blood, replenish Essence, and darken the hair.
• Add 15-30 g (or a handful) of crushed Oyster Shell, in order to help subdue Liver Yang Rising. (Boil for 20-30 mins before adding the other herbs. Oyster shells require more extraction time.)
Additional Instructions:
• Wait at least ½ hour before eating, or 1 ½ hours after eating when taking a dose.
• Use spring water, or a combination of structured-filtered (*) water and spring water to decoct.
• Decoctions last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Scale up proportionally to make several day's worth.
• Always reheat before drinking.