Herbal Shampoos Must Be Used According to Condition
In the market, countless shampoos contain herbal ingredients. In Beijing, a reporter briefly surveyed shampoos at a supermarket: among ten varieties of one brand, eight contained herbal components; among eight varieties of another brand, five included herbal ingredients. Among these herbal shampoos, Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu), black sesame seeds, ginseng, soapnut (Zao Jiao), and mint are the most common ingredients—nearly every brand includes at least one.
Do these herbs really benefit hair health? How should consumers choose shampoos with different ingredients? Dr. Ni Qing from the Endocrinology Department of Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, addressed these questions.
Dr. Ni Qing believes choosing herbal shampoos should depend on your hair type and constitution. Those with dry hair should select shampoos containing ginseng, which supplies nutrients needed for hair growth. Elderly individuals or those with premature graying should choose shampoos with Polygonum multiflorum, which nourishes blood and kidneys and treats gray hair. Black sesame seeds also nourish the kidneys and blood, promote hair growth, darken hair, and moisturize strands. For oily hair, especially those with seborrheic alopecia, soapnut shampoo is recommended—it removes oil and relieves itching.
From a medicinal perspective, ginseng, processed Polygonum multiflorum, and ginger are warming herbs with tonifying properties, nourishing hair. Conversely, soapnut, raw Polygonum multiflorum, and mint are cooling herbs that clear stomach and blood heat, eliminate fat, and treat seborrheic alopecia. Thus, to “supplement” your hair with herbs, understand both your hair type and herb properties. For example, postpartum women should avoid shampoos with cooling herbs like mint; ginger-based shampoos would be more suitable.
Some readers might ask: If we want to nourish and protect hair via herbs, wouldn’t eating them directly be more effective? Dr. Ni Qing explains that these herbs can be absorbed both through the gastrointestinal tract and through the skin. While absorption differs between routes, both are effective. Generally, any herb safe for oral intake can also be used externally, though the reverse isn’t always true. If desired, consider eating more black sesame seeds daily, or brewing rose petals and Polygonum multiflorum directly in water—both nourish the body and promote hair health.
One caution: Due to technical limitations, some shampoo manufacturers fail to properly purify herbal extracts. These products may not deliver hair benefits and could even cause side effects. Consumers should therefore prefer well-known, reputable brands.