3 Tips to Reduce Stress-Induced Gray Hair

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The color of hair is determined by the pigment produced in hair follicles. If the pigment cells are damaged and produce less pigment, gray hair will appear. In addition to genetics and aging, stress can also cause gray hair. Dr. Ya-Wen Yu, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner at the Royal Jade TCM Clinic in Taiwan, outlined ways to reduce stress-induced gray hair on a program of The Epoch Times.

Dr. Yu explained that stress-induced premature graying often causes the hair to turn gray strand by strand, accompanied by symptoms such as hair loss, thinning, or dryness. A study published in the journal Nature found that under stress conditions, melanocyte stem cells rapidly proliferate, become depleted, and ultimately lead to permanent loss, resulting in gray hair.

If no improvements are made to stress or physiological conditions, plucking out gray hairs will not alter the color of regrown hair from the same follicles. Moreover, frequent plucking of gray hair can damage the follicles.

Dr. Yu noted that the condition of the hair, nails, and skin can serve as indicators of internal organ health. According to TCM, the health of the kidneys can be reflected in the condition of the hair. Additionally, the kidneys are believed to be associated with the emotion of fear. When a person is frequently in a state of fear or stress, the over-secretion of the adrenal glands can deplete kidney qi .

According to TCM, meridians are channels through which energy flows in the human body. They are responsible for transporting qi and blood throughout the body. Qi is the energy or power that constitutes life within the body, and in TCM, all nutrients that supplement the body are collectively referred to as blood. When there is an imbalance or deficiency of qi and blood in the body, diseases or other conditions may occur.

The kidneys are an important source of the body’s energy, which drives the circulation of qi and blood. When qi and blood are abundant, hair appears thick and healthy—when they stagnate, phlegm and dampness accumulate. Dr. Yu explained that in TCM, phlegm and dampness refer to pathological products of the body. Therefore, cases of gray hair or hair loss related to phlegm and dampness often present with other conditions such as folliculitis (inflamed follicles) and excessive scalp oiliness.

3 Approaches to Reduce Stress-Induced Gray Hair

Dr. Yu recommends three lifestyle choices to reduce stress-induced gray hair:

1. Ensure adequate sleep: Research has found a close association between shorter sleep duration and a faster decline in renal function. Additionally, sleep affects the body’s ability to repair itself, making it a crucial factor in reducing stress-induced gray hair.

2. Engage in regular exercise: Exercise promotes the secretion of endorphins, enhancing feelings of happiness and relieving stress. It also helps improve qi and blood circulation, aiding in the metabolism and elimination of waste from the body.

3. Ensure adequate nutritional intake: The nutrients provided by food play a vital role in nourishing the hair. Specifically, you can promote healthy hair with the following suggestions:

• According to traditional Chinese medicine, black-colored foods are associated with the kidneys. Eating more black-colored foods, such as black beans, black sesame seeds, and black fungus, as well as the Chinese herb Fo-Ti (He Shou Wu), can help nourish the hair by supplementing qi and blood.
• Hair is made of protein—so eating high-quality proteins like fish, pork, and chicken can help maintain healthy hair.
• Anthocyanins possess potent antioxidant properties, which help protect melanocytes in the hair follicles. It is recommended to eat foods rich in anthocyanins, such as blueberries and grapes. Additionally, these foods align with the TCM concept of black-colored foods for nourishing the kidneys.
• Ensuring an adequate intake of zinc is essential, as it supports keratin synthesis. Zinc can be easily obtained from seafood and other high-quality proteins. A deficiency in keratin can impact hair health, resulting in thinning hair and increased hair loss.

Maintaining a Healthy Scalp With Massage

Scalp acupoints for enhancing blood circulation. The Epoch Times

Dr. Yu pointed out that scalp health is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. There are multiple meridians running through the head, including the Governing Vessel, Bladder Channel, Gall Bladder Channel, and Triple Burner Channel, which are covered with acupuncture points. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the internal organs are connected to the body’s surface through these meridians. Along the meridians are specific points known as acupoints, which possess unique functions. By stimulating the corresponding acupoints through techniques like acupuncture and massage, it is possible to treat diseases related to specific organs.

The Governing Vessel includes the Shenting, Baihui, Houding, Fengfu, and Yamen acupoints; the Bladder Channel includes the Cuanzhu and Tianzhu acupoints; the Gall Bladder Channel features the Fengchi and Shuaigu acupoints, while the Triple Burner Channel has the Jiaosun and Yifeng acupoints.

Dr. Yu recommends massaging these acupoints on the scalp with a combing motion. It is suggested to spend 10 minutes before bed combing the hair with your fingers in different directions. This relaxes the scalp, promotes sleep and enhances the circulation of qi and blood, thereby promoting the delivery of nutrients to the scalp and improving hair health.

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