He Shou Wu, Chinese Yam & Black Sesame Paste

Why people make this paste

Going grey early is something many people accept as simply “how they are” — and for some, it is indeed genetic. But in traditional Chinese food therapy, premature greying and hair thinning are often linked to an underlying depletion of the liver and kidney systems, which are said to govern blood production and hair vitality. Nourilo’s recipe addresses this with three time-honoured ingredients: processed he shou wu root, Chinese yam, and black sesame — all deeply associated in Chinese herbal tradition with nourishing the blood, strengthening the kidneys, and feeding the scalp from within.

This paste is ground into a fine powder and stirred with hot water into a porridge-like consistency each morning or evening. It has a mild, slightly herby flavour — not bitter — and is easy to work into a daily routine. One batch makes about ten servings.