bubble_chart Concept

Premature graying of hair refers to the symptom of hair turning white prematurely during adolescence or middle age, commonly known as "youthful white hair."

It is a normal physiological phenomenon to see a few white hairs in middle age and graying hair in old age. Skin diseases such as vitiligo occurring within the hairline, where the hair in the affected area turns white, are not within the scope of discussion for this condition.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Liver-kidney Depletion︰The hair gradually turns from gray to completely white, some may become sparse and fall out, or symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, hearing impairment, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, frequent nocturia, a pale-red tongue texture, and a deep, thin, weak pulse may appear. This may be due to congenital deficiency, inherent liver-kidney depletion, or excessive indulgence in sexual activities, injuring liver and kidney essence and blood, leading to poor hair nourishment and premature graying. It may also be accompanied by manifestations of liver-kidney depletion, such as dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, hearing impairment, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, frequent nocturia, a dark-red tongue texture, and a deep, thin, weak pulse. The treatment should focus on nourishing the kidneys and tonifying the liver, replenishing essence and blood, and blackening the hair. The recommended prescription is Seven-Jewel Beard-Blackening Pill, or Shouwu Yanshou Dan (Polygonum Multiflorum Longevity Pill).
2. Ying-blood Deficiency Heat︰The hair is often graying, with a significant amount of white dandruff shedding from the scalp. There may also be signs of emaciation, palpitation, restlessness, insomnia with dreamfulness, and memory decline. The tongue texture is red, and the pulse is thin and rapid. This condition is mostly caused by excessive contemplation, overexertion injuring the heart blood, blood deficiency generating heat, and deficient heat scorching, leading to inadequate nourishment of the hair and beard, thus turning them white. It is also accompanied by signs of nutrient-blood deficiency-heat, such as emaciation, palpitation, restlessness, insomnia, dreamfulness, forgetfulness, feverish sensation in the palms and soles, a red tongue, and a thin, rapid pulse. For cases where the accompanying clinical symptoms are not obvious, pattern identification and treatment can be based on age. For example, premature graying in adolescents is often approached from the perspective of nutrient-blood deficiency, while in middle-aged individuals, it is commonly treated as liver-kidney depletion. The treatment principle should focus on tonifying blood to nourish the nutrient aspect and enriching yin to darken the hair. Prescriptions such as Four Ingredients Decoction combined with Two-Solstice Pill may be selected for treatment.
3. Liver Qi Depression︰A sudden and significant graying of hair in a short period, accompanied by emotional depression, chest and abdominal fullness, frequent sighing, irritability, loss of appetite, red tongue texture, and wiry-rapid pulse. This condition is often caused by excessive worry, overthinking, or intense emotional trauma, leading to the liver qi losing its dispersing function. The qi depression transforms into heat, depleting nutrient-blood, resulting in the hair losing its nourishment and thus rapidly turning gray or even completely white. The clinical hallmark is sudden, extensive graying of hair shortly after emotional distress, along with manifestations of liver depression qi stagnation, such as distending pain in the chest and hypochondrium, frequent sighing, irritability, etc. Treatment should focus on soothing the liver and relieving depression, clearing heat and cooling blood. The recommended formula is Peony and Gardenia Peripatetic Powder combined with Unprocessed Rehmannia Root, Fleeceflower, and black sesame.

Premature graying of hair can be attributed to both deficiency pattern and excess pattern, with deficiency pattern being more commonly observed in clinical practice. Premature graying due to nutrient-blood deficiency and heat is often seen in adolescents, while premature graying caused by liver-kidney depletion typically occurs in middle-aged individuals.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Zhubing Yuanhou Lun．White Hair Syndrome: "The Shaoyin Kidney Meridian governs the kidneys, which are responsible for the bone marrow, and their vitality is reflected in the hair. If the blood and qi are abundant, then the kidney qi is strong, and the bone marrow is full, hence the hair is moist and black. If there is a deficiency of blood and qi, then the kidney qi is weak, and if the kidney qi is weak, the bone marrow becomes depleted, hence the hair turns white."