He Shou Wu, Walnut and Black Sesame Paste

Why people make this paste

Thick, lustrous hair is admired across cultures, but many people — including younger adults — struggle with premature greying or hair loss. Chinese food therapy has long paid attention to this issue. The causes are varied: genetics, hormonal imbalance, scalp inflammation, chronic stress, poor sleep, smoking and unbalanced diet all play roles. The first step is identifying the cause. If the underlying driver is emotional — stress, anxiety, or prolonged sadness — addressing that directly matters more than any food remedy. But where the problem is rooted in liver and kidney deficiency, nutritional insufficiency or blood quality, Chinese food therapy has a well-developed set of responses.

This warm, slightly nutty-tasting paste uses three celebrated ingredients: processed he shou wu (a prepared root associated with supporting hair and kidney health), walnut (warming to the kidneys and thought to nourish the brain) and black sesame (deeply nourishing to the liver and kidneys in Chinese tradition). Together they are traditionally regarded as one of the most effective food combinations for hair vitality.

Method

1. Cut or snip the processed he shou wu into small pieces.
2. Place the he shou wu pieces, walnut kernels and black sesame seeds in a dry wok over medium-low heat. Toast and stir continuously for about 7 minutes until fragrant and lightly coloured.
3. Allow to cool, then place all toasted ingredients into a blender and grind into a fine powder.
4. Store the powder in an airtight container.
5. Each serving: Take 2 tablespoons of powder and add to 450 ml of water in a small pot. Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring. Add sugar to taste. Mix a little cornstarch with cold water and stir in gradually to thicken the paste to a smooth, pourable consistency.
6. Take daily or every other day.

Nourilo’s Tips

The distinction between raw (sheng) he shou wu and processed (zhi) he shou wu matters: raw he shou wu is used medicinally for detoxification and as a laxative; processed he shou wu (prepared with black bean juice and yellow rice wine) is the form used in food therapy for supporting hair, liver and kidney health. Chinese herbal shops generally stock the processed form. For a very convenient alternative, look for ready-made he shou wu black sesame paste or powder sachets in Chinese supermarkets — brewing one sachet a day is an easy, tasty option if you do not want to make your own powder.