Lily Bulb and Ginger Peel External Wash (Bai He Jiang Pi Shui)

Why people use this rinse

Seborrheic dermatitis — a condition that causes flaking, oiliness, and sometimes thinning at the scalp — is one of those problems where people try many products without finding lasting relief. A friend approached Bro Niu with exactly this situation: her husband had developed seborrheic dermatitis that was causing his hair to thin, and she was looking for something to try alongside whatever the doctor prescribed.

Bro Niu was initially candid: he didn’t have deep expertise in dermatology and recommended seeing a specialist, particularly because male hair thinning often has hormonal roots that are unrelated to scalp condition. But he offered some supportive suggestions, and later, while browsing a food-therapy reference, came across an interesting note on dried lily bulb: in addition to its well-known use as a soothing respiratory herb, lily bulb has a traditional application in treating skin swellings and sores when used externally. Combined with ginger peel — which in Chinese medicine is considered specifically adept at dispelling wind and surface dampness — the combination became this simple rinse.

It is worth emphasising: this is an external rinse, not a treatment for the underlying hormonal or immune causes of hair thinning. But for an oily scalp or dandruff, it may provide a gentle, natural alternative to chemical-heavy commercial shampoos.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for adults and teenagers with an oily scalp, dandruff, or seborrheic dermatitis-related hair concerns
• May be used every other day as a hair rinse
• Do not use on infants or very young children — their skin is too delicate
• If any irritation or redness develops, stop use immediately
• This is a complementary remedy; severe seborrheic dermatitis requires medical evaluation

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Dried medicinal lily bulb (bai he): Used internally to moisten the lungs and calm the spirit; externally, it has a traditional application in soothing inflamed, non-healing skin — considered to reduce surface heat and swelling
• Fresh ginger peel (sheng jiang pi): The skin of fresh ginger has different properties from the flesh — it is specifically considered in Chinese medicine to dispel wind, reduce surface dampness, and support skin conditions of the scalp and surface; ginger flesh is warming and drying, but the peel is more dispersing

Ingredients (1 pot / 1–2 rinse sessions)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried medicinal lily bulb (bai he)	50 g	Use DRY medicinal lily bulb only — fresh culinary lily bulb is not effective here
Fresh ginger peel (sheng jiang pi)	6 g	Peel scraped from fresh ginger; some Chinese herbal shops also sell dried ginger peel separately
Water	8 bowls (~1.6 L)

Method

1. Rinse the dried lily bulb and ginger peel briefly under running water.
2. Place in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Strain out the solids and let the liquid cool.
5. Add sufficient cool water to bring the temperature to a comfortable level for rinsing the scalp and hair.
6. After washing your hair as normal (you may omit shampoo or use a minimal amount), pour the cooled herbal liquid over your scalp and hair, massaging gently into the scalp.
7. Rinse clean with plain water. Use every other day.

Bro Niu’s tips

The key detail with this recipe: use dried medicinal lily bulb (bai he), not fresh lily bulb sold for eating in dishes. Fresh culinary lily bulb is for cooking — the dried medicinal form is what has the relevant properties for external skin use.

Ginger peel is the most wind-dispelling part of ginger. Some Chinese herbal shops carry it dried; if yours does not, simply peel fresh ginger and use the skin directly.

In parallel with this rinse, Bro Niu also suggests paying attention to diet: reducing fried, oily, and sugary foods, and eating more fresh vegetables and fruit. These changes can meaningfully reduce seborrheic activity over time.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Candy): My 13-year-old daughter has been getting a lot of dandruff. Can she use this rinse? Bro Niu: Yes, she can use this rinse — apply every other day. At the same time, encourage her to eat less fried and oily food and more fresh vegetables and fruit. That dietary change often makes a real difference with dandruff at her age.

• Q (reader): How often should I use this rinse, and do I still need to use shampoo? Bro Niu: Use it every other day. You do not need to use shampoo when using this rinse — just apply the herbal water, massage it in, then rinse clean with plain water.

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Published December 25, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.