Qibao Meiran Dan

Seven-Treasure Beautiful Whiskers Pill

[Composition] 500g each of Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata (white and red) , 500g each of Poria (white and red), 240g of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, 240g of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, 240g of Fructus Lycii, 240g of Semen Cuscutae, 120g of Fructus Psoraleae

[Usage] Soak red and white Polygonum multiflorum in rice-water for 3 to 4 days, scrape off the skin with a porcelain chip or bamboo knife, place 2000 g of cleaned black beans in a wooden steamer, spread a layer of black beans followed by a layer of Polygonum multiflorum, repeating this layering process until both ingredients are used up; fill a sandpot with water, place the steamer on top of the pot, apply heat, and steam the beans

Steam until cooked, discard the soybeans, replace with black beans and steam again using the same method as before. Repeat the process of steaming nine times and sun-drying nine times in total. Pound the sun-dried Polygonum Multiflorum Root (He Shou Wu) into powder. Remove the skins from the red and white Poria (Chi Bai Fu Ling), pound them into a fine powder, wash with water to remove the fibrous parts and floating impurities, then mix evenly with 2500 ml of human milk, sun-dry, and pound into powder. Remove the aerial parts of Cyathula Root (Niu Xi), soak in wine for one day, and steam it together with Polygonum Multiflorum Root during the seventh steaming until the ninth steaming, then sun-dry and pound into powder. Soak Chinese Angelica Root (Dang Gui) in wine, sun-dry, and pound into powder. Soak Chinese Wolfberry Fruit (Gou Qi Zi) in wine, sun-dry, and pound into powder. Soak Dodder Seed (Tu Si Zi) in water until sprouting, then soak in wine overnight, sun-dry, and pound into powder. Stir-fry Psoralea Fruit (Bu Gu Zhi) with black sesame seeds until fragrant, then pound into powder. Process honey into pills the size of a marble. Take 3 pills daily: in the morning, take with warm wine; at noon, take with ginger soup; before bed, take with saltwater. Avoid all types of blood, scaly fish, radishes, garlic, and green onions. Avoid using iron utensils during the preparation process.

[Functions] Blackens hair, tonifies the Kidneys, stabilizes the essence, invigorates yang, and prolongs life.

[Indications] Premature graying of hair, spermatorrhea, impotence, male infertility.

[Commentary] This formula was a commonly used prescription by Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Houxi. Li Shizhen wrote in Compendium of Materia Medica, “In the early years of Emperor Jiajing’s reign, the Immortal Shao Yingjie presented the formula for Qibao Meiran Dan (Seven-treasure Formula for Beautiful Beard). Emperor Shizong took it with good effect and fathered several princes consecutively. Since then, the formula containing Polygonum multiflorum became widely popular throughout the country.” This formula has been widely circulated in later generations and is a well-known prescription for blackening the beard and beautifying the hair. In the formula, Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) strongly replenishes Kidney essence, with blackening the beard and hair being its main function. Modern research shows that red Polygonum multiflorum, the root of a Polygonaceae plant, mainly contains anthraquinone compounds, etc., which can promote the vigorous growth and development of human embryo cells and have the effect of prolonging life. White Polygonum multiflorum is the root of Cynanchum auriculatum, a Asclepiadaceae plant, mainly containing cynaurin, etc. Experiments have proved that it can blacken hair and enhance cellular immunity. Combined with black sesame seeds and black beans for blackening hair, Achyranthes bidentata for stopping white hair, as well as Cuscuta chinensis, Psoralea corylifolia, Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, and human milk for nourishing the Liver and Kidney and replenishing essence and blood, this formula has a strong and effective hair-blackening effect. The use of red and white Poria in the formula aims to strengthen the Spleen and promote diuresis, helps maintain digestive impairment caused by tonics, and facilitate the absorption of tonics.

Q1: What is Qibao Meiran Dan?

A1: Qibao Meiran Dan, also known as the Seven-Treasure Beautiful Whiskers Pill, is a traditional Chinese herbal formula designed to nourish the liver and kidneys, enrich the blood, and promote healthy hair growth. It is commonly used to address premature graying, hair loss, and overall hair vitality by restoring internal balance.

Q2: What are the ingredients of Qibao Meiran Dan?

A2: The main ingredients of Qibao Meiran Dan include red and white Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata, red and white Poria, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Fructus Lycii, Semen Cuscutae, and Fructus Psoraleae. These herbs are traditionally prepared by soaking Polygonum multiflorum in rice water and steaming them with black beans to enhance their efficacy.

Q3: What are the benefits of Qibao Meiran Dan?

A3: The benefits of Qibao Meiran Dan include nourishing the liver and kidneys, replenishing blood and essence, and preventing premature graying of hair. It also strengthens bones and tendons, supports overall vitality, and improves hair texture and growth. These effects contribute to a more youthful appearance and better hair health.

Q4: How is Qibao Meiran Dan prepared?

A4: To prepare Qibao Meiran Dan, red and white Polygonum multiflorum are first soaked in rice water for 3 to 4 days, then scraped clean with a porcelain or bamboo tool. The herbs are layered with black beans in a wooden steamer and steamed, after which they are processed into pills. This method ensures proper activation of the herbs’ properties.

Q5: Does Qibao Meiran Dan help with hair loss?

A5: Yes, Qibao Meiran Dan is traditionally used to help with hair loss by nourishing the liver and kidneys and enriching the blood. By improving blood circulation to the scalp and supporting hair follicle health, it can reduce thinning and promote natural regrowth over time.