Premature aging like early greying of hair is blamed on genetics, but this is not the case. From TICM perspective it is due to weak Liver and Kidneys and with everything else in Islamic and Chinese tradition, there are always ways that balance can be restored. Therefore, I always find myself saying to people, I do not believe in genetics to a certain extent. Blaming genetics is something that is programmed into us.
Hair is as amazing and unique as the person it belongs too. Whether your hair is short, long, straight, wavy, or curly the condition of your hair is a direct reflection of your overall wellbeing. In TCM beautiful hair starts from the inside out. In particular, Liver Blood and Kidney essence must be balanced. Kidney essence is a vital essence that fuels all of life. When Kidney essence is in abundance, there will be brightness in the skin, lustrous hair, and the ability to be fertile. I cannot stress enough how important it is to look after our Kidneys as it is the foundation of our bodies in addition to always keeping our lower back and feet warm for men and women. But looking, after all, our body organs is important as they all work together in harmony internally.
Hair follicles contain pigment cells that create melanin, which is a pigment cell that gives your hair its colour. At one point, cells stop producing melanin and it turns the hair grey and eventually, white.
In Chinese tradition, the kidneys are the root of your hair health. The Kidneys control the growth and development and reproductive system in the body, regulates our adrenals, is responsible for our sex organs and fertility, bones, teeth, hair, and hearing. The Kidneys is also so important because it supplies reserve energy to any organ running low on energy. The reserve energy is compared to a savings account, it is the energy you were born with, inherited by your parents. In this case, you can see the similarities when people say premature greying is genetic because this savings account is passed down from your parents. When hormones are imbalanced the essence depletes and therefore the Kidneys are weakened. Therefore, restoring essence of the Kidneys is important through daily life and diet.
One of the jobs of Kidney essence is that it is responsible for maintaining bright, shiny and healthy hair. Though this essence does deplete as we age, premature greying is a sign that your essence is draining. Essence depletion is usually accompanied by slower Blood flow and energy circulation which is why grey hairs appear brittle and fall easily. In addition to greying prematurely, a person with draining essence will usually have memory problems, backaches and weakness in the knees.
What could be the cause of early greying:
stress: It is a known fact that the more amount of stress you have, the higher the chances of your health getting affected. Those who are prone to getting stressed or take unnecessary stress show signs of premature hair greying earlier than others of their age.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: An important reason that leads to premature gray hair is the deficiency of Vitamin B12. The absence or lack of this vitamin allows the greying process to happen faster and earlier. Because of this, the grey hair begins showing up at a much younger age than would otherwise have happened.
Thyroid trouble: If you have been diagnosed with any major illness or are suffering from some health issue over a prolonged period, then you can expect to see some premature greys. Also, people who suffer from thyroid tend to grey earlier.
Smoking: If you have not been able to kick the butt yet, time to start thinking. Studies have proven that those who smoke stand four times higher chance of facing premature greying than those who don’t.
Nutrition deficiency: Being healthy is all about eating healthy and right. What you eat is what you will see, on your skin, on your hair, and on your overall health. The right kind of diet will give you all the nutrients that your body needs to function properly. If you are fit and healthy, your hair too will show the signs. And this will also help in post-poning the advent of the greys.
Treatment:
-Hijama cupping to the head in areas required.
-Acupuncture to build Blood and energy, strengthen Kidneys and Liver.
Chinese herbal medicine: I usually formulate plant based herbs for patients to keep hair nourished, shiny and prevent it from falling out by tonifying the energy going to the head, Liver Blood and Kidney essence. This tincture helps with alopecia, early whitening of beard and hair, frequent urination, osteoporosis, menopause syndrome, knee pain, dental problems, premature aging, anaemia, chronic infectious hepatitis, impotence, teenage children who are about to takes exams and much more
Base prescription is below and then other herbs added according to diagnosis:
He Shou Wu- A first class blood builder. It enhances circulation and strengthens red blood cells, thus bringing better blood flow to hair follicles. It also protects the structural integrity of the liver, improves brain function and memory, and enhances immunity.
Dong Quai - Rich in vitamin B12, folic acid, folinic acid, nicotinic acid, and biotin. Dong qui tonifies, invigorates and nourishes blood which is the main factor for beautiful hair.
Goji berry - One of the best ingredients for promoting liver, kidney and blood health. It can restore vitality and strengthen the overall well-being of the body. In TCM, goji berry benefits kidney essence which increases fertility and hair growth and the ability to reduce stress in balancing Yin and hormones.
Huai Niu Xi - Promotes blood circulation, dispels blood stagnation, strengthens the liver and kidneys, promotes hair growth, unblocks damp-heat in the body and reduces inflammation.
Or try this at home:
Sage: Sage is a favourite of mine due to the connection with Maryaam (AS) but not for this matter. Sage is a herb you can use to darken your hair naturally. This method darkens hair a few shades but needs to be repeated once a week for the best results. Put about a cup of sage in a pot filled with water. Let it boil for a couple of hours. Strain out the leaves. Apply the water to your hair. Leave in your hair for half an hour. Wash your hair. If you want a more intense colour, repeat the procedure.
Black tea: Black tea also has the same staining effect as coffee. Brew a pot of some strong black tea. Let it cool down and put it into a bowl. Rinse the black tea into your hair a few times. Rinse one last time, waiting ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing out completely. Shampoo and condition your hair.
Mustard oil: Before placing the oil on your hair, place it in a small bowl and warm it up slightly in the microwave or in a small pot on the cooker. Apply the mustard oil to your hair. Start with the ends of your hair. Once your ends are saturated with oil, work your way up towards your roots. Ensure that the oil is evenly applied to your hair as you go by gently massaging the strands between your fingers. Wrap your hair in a shower cap and leave the oil for at least 2 hours or overnight. Shampoo the next morning.
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