Here are some traditional Chinese herbs that can help you achieve a luscious head of hair (and more)
Fretting about grey hairs? Go back to black with He Shou Wu. This herb is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to prevent ageing effects such as prematurely greying hair, earning it a rep as a ‘longevity tonic’. It also aims to improve the health of the kidney and liver, so that toxins will be eliminated faster, and your body has more capacity to perform other functions. Hopefully, it’ll grow those locks.
Dang Gui Pian is known as a blood tonic, and for good reason. The herb contains iron, a mineral associated with improved oxygen absorption in the bloodstream. This means you’ll have enough steam for a night out with friends, even after a long day at work. It’s also packed with coumarin, a compound believed to dilate blood vessels and reduce muscle spasms. The herb’s blood-boosting properties also means high-quality, nutrient-filled blood will reach your hair follicles.
Have a lingering flu for weeks? Try Dang Sheng (also known as Codonopsis root), an affordable herb often used by TCM practitioners as a cold remedy. Even if you’re not sniffly, you can protect yourself from the bug that’s making its rounds in the office – Dang Sheng is believed to aid the immune system on the whole. It’s also known as a herb that regulates blood circulation, so you’ll feel revitalised, too.
Not all mushrooms are equal – and we’re not talking about the ‘magical’ kind. While those of the garden variety are considered pretty nutritious and low in calories, Ling Zhi (Reishi mushroom) takes it up a notch with immune system-boosting properties. The herb’s antioxidants and alkaloids are said to prevent signs of ageing, too: the former protects cells from free radical damage while the latter causes blood vessels to dilate. This means more blood, oxygen and nutrients get around the body, which is good news for those who aspire to radiant, glowing skin.
Stress is, apparently, a major contributing factor to hair loss. Try out some ginseng, which is widely known to lower stress levels and get you to the zen zone. But you’ll stay alert, too, as eating ginseng is believed to improve mental performance. If you’re troubled with frequent sneezing, ginseng is also said to reduce the nasty reaction your nose develops when your allergies are triggered.
Now that you’re acquainted with the benefits of these herbs, why not use them to curb a prevalent problem? We’re talking about hair loss and thinning hair, an ailment faced by many. Certain hairstyles or inappropriate hair products are also culprits of shedding locks. Other causes are hereditary: many men suffer from male pattern baldness, which can strike as early as your 20s.
This is where Beijing 101 comes in. With more than four decades of hair care experience in Singapore, the brand prides itself on using premium TCM herbs such as ginseng, Ling Zhi and He Shou Wu to stimulate hair growth and improve scalp health.
And according to a Nielsen Company survey conducted in October 2016, nine out of ten Beijing 101 customers noticed an improvement in hair growth and reduction in hair loss after attending regular treatments. They also reported no side effects or irritation post-session – no walking around in public with an itchy, red scalp, here. You’ll enjoy the bespoke treatment, too. After a consultation to identify your hair and scalp profile, you’ll get an individually customised blend of herbs to nip the problem at its, well, root.
Find out more about what Beijing 101 can do for you here.
