ChinaMed Hair Growth Formula 78c

Description

This formula was first recorded in the 'Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas' (yi fang ji jie) by Wang Ang, 1682. However, it was originally developed by Shao Ying-jie during the Ming dynastic period. Over the subsequent centuries it has been widely used both in its original form and also as the basis for a variety of different formulas aimed at restoring hair growth and reversing premature greying of the hair.

Alopecia is mostly caused by deficiency of the Liver and Kidney, leading to failure of the Blood to nourish the hair. The striae (cou li) of the scalp subsequently become loose and Wind may then invade the skin of the scalp. Therefore, Blood deficiency, together with invasion by exogenous Wind are the main underlying factors in hair loss.

The original formula name means the 'seven treasures elixir for beautiful hair (or beard)', as it was composed of seven ingredients. The ChinaMed variant is enhanced with several additional ingredients:

• Ginseng root (ren shen) & Astragalus root (huang qi): which strongly tonify the Qi
• Rehmannia glutinosa, root (shu di): nourish the Liver and Kidney Yin, enrich the Kidney Essence and nourish the Blood.
• Cornus, fruit (shan zhu yu): stabilizes the Kidney & contains the Kidney Essence
• Morus fruit (sang shen): substitute for Fallopia root (he shou wu), nourishes the Blood, nourishes the Liver and Kidney.

TCM ACTIONS
Nourishes the Kidney and Liver, tonifies the Qi and nourishes the Blood.

TCM SYNDROMES

• Kidney and Liver deficiency
• Qi and Blood deficiency

INDICATIONS
Hair loss, alopecia.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS (Key clinical features in bold)

• Thinning of the hair
• Bald patches
• Fatigue
• Muscular weakness
• Postural dizziness
• Dry and lacklustre skin
• Dry mouth and throat
• Excessive thirst
• Low back pain
• Irritability
• Normal or light red tongue with little coat
• Thready pulse that may also be weak or rapid

Each 300 mg capsule contains extract equiv. to dry:
Morus alba, fruit (sang zhen zi)	174.6mg
Wolfiporia cocos, hyphae (fu ling)	174.6mg
Angelica polymorpha, root (dang gui)	174.6mg
Achyranthes bidentata, root (huai niu xi)	174.6mg
Lycium barbarum, fruit (gou qi zi)	174.6mg
Cuscuta hygrophilae, seed (tu si zi)	174.6mg
Rehmannia glutinosa, root (shu di huang)	174.6mg
Astragalus membranaceus, root (huang qi)	174.6mg
Cullen corylifolium, seed (bu gu zhi)	133.2mg
Panax ginseng, root (ren shen)	90mg
Anemone altaica, rhiz. (shi chang pu)	90mg
Polygala sibirica, root (yuan zhi)	90mg

• Caution for those on anti-coagulant medications (i.e. heparin, warfarin or aspirin), cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin), oral hypoglycaemic agents, insulin and MAO inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine).
• Contains Panax ginseng; do not take caffeine containing beverages (e.g. tea, coffee, cola, gaurana) or radishes concurrently with this formula.

TGA Listed product with Aust L 342376.

 Download TGA Public Summary for TGA published information including excipients, which are listed under 'Other Ingredients'.