General Formula for Blackening the Beard，*Yi Tong*, Volume 66.，
General Formula for Blackening the Beard
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All references in this article to TCM syndrome differentiation, herbal medicines, teas, and decoctions are intended to promote TCM culture and are provided solely for educational and reference purposes.
Formulas Name : General Formula for Blackening the Beard
Chinese Name : 通用乌须方
Drug Formulation
Gallnut (use large ones from Sichuan; crush them to the size of a bean; roast in a wok until black; when white smoke rises, they will naturally clump together; remove, wrap in damp blue cloth, and press into a cake; weigh down with a stone, sun-dry, and store for later use); Red Copper Flower (calcine fine red copper wire over charcoal fire and quench it in vinegar; repeat as many times as necessary until completely dissolved;drain off the vinegar, retrieve the copper flowers, and sun-dry them), 3 fen of soapstone alum, 3 fen of alum, 1 fen of malachite, 2 fen of table salt, and 1 fen of borax (purified).
Source
*Yi Tong*, Volume 66.
Instructions for Use
Each time dyeing is performed, prepare a fresh batch of Bi Zi powder on the spot, using 2 qian as the standard; add 4 fen of copper flowers, and 1–2 fen of each remaining ingredient. Mix thoroughly to make one set. Use rice wine or strongly brewed tea in a porcelain wine cup to mix the mixture into a thin paste. Simmer it in a pot of hot water; it is considered optimal when a green vapor rises from the surface of the mixture in the cup.First, wash the beard thoroughly with soapberry decoction and wipe it dry. Apply the mixture by stroking it along the hair shaft, then wrap it in damp rice paper or place it in a blue cloth pouch and leave it overnight. The next morning, wash it with warm water; if it feels dry, moisten it by rubbing walnut oil between your fingers. Repeat the dyeing process for two consecutive nights, and the hair will turn as black as lacquer. If done correctly, the black color will last for one month.
Copyright: Excerpt from *Yi Tong*, Volume 66., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 31, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 31, 2026
Correct Content Errors: Errors may occur during the writing, editing, translation, and publication of website content. If you find any errors or inaccurate information in this article, please feel free to Contact Us to report them, and we will correct them promptly.
FDA Disclaimer: The descriptions of the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines, herbal teas, decoctions, and formulas, as well as the content on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic theory and traditional TCM therapies contained on this site, are intended solely for the purpose of popularizing TCM culture and serving as an educational reference; they do not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment advice. Please do not attempt to use these products on your own without proper guidance. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are experiencing any physical discomfort, please consult a licensed healthcare professional and seek treatment at a reputable medical institution. This platform assumes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of herbs or formulas by any individual based on the information provided on this site. Please read Medical Disclaimer.
General Formula for Blackening the Beard