Which Three Traditional Chinese Herbs Can Improve Premature Graying of Hair?

Black sesame seeds, Fo-ti (Polygonum multiflorum), and Eclipta prostrata are three traditional Chinese medicinal herbs known to have therapeutic effects on premature graying of hair.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, premature graying is commonly attributed to deficiency of kidney essence and insufficiency of qi and blood. Therefore, treatment typically involves herbs that nourish the liver and kidneys, replenish essence, and tonify qi and blood. The underlying therapeutic mechanisms are as follows:

Black Sesame Seeds: In TCM, black-colored foods enter the kidney channel and thus help replenish kidney essence and promote hair darkening. From a Western medical perspective, sesame seeds contain vitamins, iron, and proteins; iron-containing proteins can enhance red blood cell production.

Fo-ti (Polygonum multiflorum): In TCM, Fo-ti enters the kidney and liver channels and functions to nourish the blood, enrich yin, and tonify the liver and kidneys. From a Western medical perspective, Fo-ti contains C21 steroidal glycosides (types II and V), which activate tyrosinase—thereby stimulating melanocytes to produce increased amounts of melanin granules and achieving therapeutic effects.

Eclipta prostrata: In TCM, Eclipta prostrata enters the liver and kidney channels and functions to tonify the kidneys and nourish the liver, while also cooling the blood and stopping bleeding. It is particularly effective for treating premature graying caused by kidney essence deficiency.