The World’s Finest Formula for Blackening the Beard，*Shou Shi Bao Yuan*, Volume 6.，
The World’s Finest Formula for Blackening the Beard
Formulas Name : The World’s Finest Formula for Blackening the Beard
Chinese Name : 天下第一乌须方
Drug Formulation
1 jin of gallnuts (select whole ones; crack each one open, remove insects and soil; sort into three grades: the coarsest the size of soybeans, the next the size of red adzuki beans, and the finest the size of mung beans; place them in a new pot and roast until they turn the color of chestnut shells; wrap them in a damp blue cloth, press them into cakes with your feet, sun-dry them, and grind into a powder; store in a tin can,compact it firmly and seal the opening to prevent air from escaping; set aside for use), half a jin of red copper powder (wash away the skin and dirt until the water runs clear; let it dry; roast in an iron pot until very hot; pour in a little less than half a bowl of strong vinegar; mix thoroughly until thoroughly moistened; roast again; repeat adding vinegar seven times; grind into a powder; sift; wrap separately in cotton paper; set aside for use),4 liang of white alum (ground into a powder; wrapped separately), 4 liang of soapstone alum (ground into a powder; wrapped separately), 4 liang of Bai Ji (sliced, roasted until dry, chopped, ground into a fine powder; wrapped in paper).
Source
*Shou Shi Bao Yuan*, Volume 6.
Instructions for Use
Whenever dyeing is required, measure the amount of medicine according to the quantity of hair, add 9 qian of gallnut and 1 qian 8 fen of copper powder,9 fen of white alum, 9 fen of Bletilla, 9 fen of soapstone alum, and 9 fen of table salt. Place all ingredients in a bowl, grind them to a very fine powder, transfer to a small copper ladle, and mix with strong tea to form a thin paste. Place the mixture over a charcoal fire and simmer slowly, stirring constantly until it becomes a thick paste.Wash the beard and sideburns thoroughly with soapy water beforehand and let them dry. While the mixture is still hot, use a spatula to apply it to the beard and sideburns. Cover with oil paper, then wrap the area with a black cloth up to the crown of the head. Remove your clothes, protect your pillow, and go to sleep. Around midnight, check to see if the mixture has dried; if so, use your fingers to remove any residue. If it is too dry, moisten it with tea broth before removing the mixture;At daybreak, wash your face and lightly rinse your beard and sideburns. If there are dark patches on your skin, dip your finger in sesame oil and rub it in, then immediately wipe away the oil residue with soft paper. After dyeing, moisten the area with a small amount of sesame oil; the black color will be clearly visible. Apply the dye four times in the first month, then once every half-month, and your hair will never show any gray.
The World’s Finest Formula for Blackening the Beard,