On the day of Qixi Festival in ancient times, in order to see their loved ones, girls would bathe and dress up. The "Youxian Zhi" in Hunan records that on the seventh day of the lunar calendar, women would gather cypress leaves and peach branches and make a soup to wash their hair. Washing hair is one of the special customs of Qixi Festival. In ancient times, unmarried girls in some areas liked to use a mixture of peach branch juice and water, as well as soapnut and cypress leaves to make a soup to wash their hair, wishing for youth and beauty.
With the accelerated pace of modern life, increasing study and work pressure, mental tension, lack of sleep, and the consumption of greasy and spicy food, the incidence of androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata is gradually increasing, and the age of onset is becoming younger. Thinning hair and receding hairline have caused great distress to people. If you have scalp itching and discomfort, yellow or white flakes, greasy and dull hair, and significant hair loss every day, it is recommended that you consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner and try the following herbal hair washing methods.
Soapnut: Antibacterial and Anti-dandruff
Soapnut, also known as soap pod, was first recorded in the "Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica". It has the effects of dispelling wind, drying dampness, killing insects, and relieving itching. As early as the Qin and Han Dynasties, people used soapnuts to wash clothes and hair. Soapnuts contain rich saponins and are a natural and safe cleansing agent that can effectively remove various bacteria and fungi on the scalp and inhibit dandruff.
Soapnuts can also nourish the hair, making it black and shiny. The branches and leaves of the soapnut tree can also be used to make a soup for washing hair, which can clear heat, remove dampness, and prevent hair loss and blacken the hair. It does not irritate the scalp, and many anti-dandruff shampoos contain soapnut. Homemade soapnut decoction can be used instead of shampoo to wash hair.
Preparation: Take 50-100 grams of soapnut, wash it, crush it, wrap it in gauze, and boil it with 500-1000 milliliters of water to extract the decoction.
Washing method: First wash the hair with warm water, then wash it twice with soapnut decoction, and finally rinse it with clean water. Use it 2-3 times a week, persist for 4-8 weeks, and dandruff will decrease.
Fresh Cypress Leaves: Promote Hair Growth and Blacken the Hair
Cypress leaves, also known as cypress leaves, are the dried young twigs and leaves of the cypress plant in the Rosaceae family. It was first recorded in the "Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica" and was listed as a top-grade herb in the book. Many ancient documents record its main functions as promoting hair growth and blackening the hair. For example, the "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "Burn it and apply the juice to the head, blacken and moisturize the hair", and it also says "Soak it in oil, promote hair growth; burn it and extract the juice, blacken the hair. Mix it with lard, wash the hair and it will grow black." Cypress leaves are very fragrant and also have the effects of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, and resolving phlegm and relieving cough. They are generally used for hot-blooded hair loss and premature graying of hair. Homemade cypress leaf decoction can be used instead of shampoo to wash hair.
Preparation: It is better to use freshly picked cypress leaves. Take 100 grams each time, wash them with clean water twice, cut them into small pieces, and boil the processed cypress leaves with 2000 milliliters of water over low heat for 30 minutes. After natural cooling, filter out the decoction with a fine gauze.
Washing method: Lie flat when washing hair, soak the hair (including the roots) in the decoction for 15-20 minutes. The water temperature should be comfortable, but not too high, and avoid scalding. Alternatively, pour the decoction into the palm of your hand and gently rub it on your hair, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes, and finally rinse it off with clean water. Before using the decoction, you can first clean your hair with regular shampoo. If you have excessive oiliness, you can also add 30 grams of lotus leaf and 30 grams of cassia seed to the decoction for better oil control effects. Wash hair 2-3 times a week, persist in using it, and you can achieve the effects of dispelling wind, clearing heat, relieving itching, promoting hair growth, and blackening the hair.
Peach Branch: Anti-dandruff and Anti-hair Loss
Peach branches come from the dried branches of the peach tree in the Rosaceae family. Peach branches have the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing toxins, and killing insects. They are generally used for abdominal pain, rheumatism, bruises, sores, and other conditions. Homemade peach branch decoction can also be used to wash hair and achieve good results.
Preparation: Use 50-100 grams of peach branches each time, cut them into small pieces, and boil them with 1000-2000 milliliters of water over low heat for 30 minutes.
Washing method: Use the decoction to wash the hair. Use it 2-3 times a week to reduce dandruff and prevent hair loss. If you have excessive oiliness, you can also add 30 grams of lotus leaf and 30 grams of cassia seed to the decoction for better oil control effects.
These herbs can also be used in combination with other herbs to make decoctions for washing hair. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "hair is the surplus of blood", and the hair reflects the overall health status of a person. In order to have beautiful and healthy hair, besides using the above herbal hair washing methods, it is also important to maintain a regular daily life, moderate diet regulation, and a joyful mood.
