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. Bro Niu’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.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suited to people experiencing premature greying, hair thinning linked to fatigue, pallor, dizziness, or cold limbs; also traditionally used for nutritional-deficiency anaemia
• Pregnant women may use this preparation
• People with chronic loose stools or very cold, weak digestion should use in moderation (yam and black sesame are warming-neutral, but he shou wu can be slightly warm and drying for some)
• If you prefer not to use Chinese yam, you can substitute walnut powder for added anti-inflammatory benefit

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Processed he shou wu (zhi shou wu): One of the most celebrated tonic herbs in Chinese medicine, traditionally associated with strengthening the liver and kidney, nourishing the blood, and “darkening” hair that has lost its colour due to internal deficiency; always use the processed (steamed with black bean) form
• Chinese yam (huai shan / shan yao): Gently tonifying to the spleen and kidney; supports healthy digestion and energy production; neutral in nature — suitable for most people
• Black sesame (hei zhi ma): Rich in minerals including calcium and iron; in food therapy associated with nourishing the kidneys and liver, moistening the intestines, and supporting hair and scalp vitality

Ingredients (~10 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Processed he shou wu (zhi shou wu)	300 g (half jin)	Buy from a reputable Chinese herb shop; must be the processed (zhi) form
Chinese yam (huai shan)	300 g (half jin)	Dried slices or powder
Black sesame seeds (hei zhi ma)	300 g (half jin)	Lightly toasted before grinding

Method

1. Dry all three ingredients thoroughly: toast the black sesame seeds in a dry pan over low heat until fragrant (about 5–8 minutes, stirring often — do not let them burn). Dry the he shou wu and Chinese yam in an oven at low heat (about 150°C / 300°F) for 20–25 minutes.
2. Once completely cooled and dry, grind each ingredient separately into a fine powder using a blender, spice grinder, or food processor.
3. Combine all three powders in a large bowl and mix thoroughly until evenly blended.
4. Store in a clean, airtight jar away from moisture.
5. To serve: measure out about 30 g (approximately 8 qian / 2.5 tablespoons) of the blended powder per serving. Add to a small pot with enough warm water to form a loose paste, then heat gently until it bubbles and thickens to your liking. Stir well and eat while warm. You may sweeten with a small amount of honey if desired.

Bro Niu’s tips

This paste can be eaten either in the morning or evening — both are effective. If you find the flavour slightly dry or intense, a drizzle of honey works beautifully to balance it. If you’d rather not grind your own powder, look for ready-made he shou wu black sesame paste sachets at Chinese supermarkets or health food shops — about half a sachet per day is a good starting dose. Black sesame must be toasted and ground before eating; whole raw sesame seeds pass through the digestive system largely unabsorbed and provide little benefit. The batch makes about 10 servings, so it’s convenient to prepare in advance and dip into daily.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Yoyo): If I buy ready-made Chinese yam powder, he shou wu powder, and black sesame powder separately from the shop, do I still need to dry-fry them? And how much should I use per serving? Bro Niu: Ready-made powdered products from the shop are already processed and sterilised — no need to toast them again. Use about 2 teaspoons of each powder per serving, and you can take it twice daily.

• Q (Renee): I have lupus and have been on steroids for ten years. My hair loss has become severe this year with very little regrowth. Can I take the he shou wu black sesame paste? Can I leave out the Chinese yam? Bro Niu: You can use the he shou wu black sesame paste. Leaving out the yam is fine — if you like, substitute walnut powder, which has helpful anti-inflammatory properties.

• Q (Bobo): My daughter is 9 years old with inherited grey hair and also suffers from constipation. Is there a remedy for her? Bro Niu: For children, try toasted black beans (1 tablespoon) with dried mulberries (1 tablespoon) brewed as a tea — it helps support hair colour and keeps the bowels moving. Make sure she drinks plenty of water and eats fibre-rich foods like sweet potato, black wood ear fungus, figs, papaya, and spinach. The first-shou-wu black sesame paste is also suitable for her — about 3–4 servings per week.

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Published May 23, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.