Silken Tresses is a faithful rendition of the classical formula Seven Treasure Special Pill for Beautiful Whiskers (Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan), used to replenish and stabilize the Essence, nourish Liver Blood and Kidney Yin, and support healthy bones, tendons and hair. Kidney Yin is responsible for moistening, stabilizing and softening the human body, and it weakens if subjected to dryness due to environmental or lifestyle factors such as living in a warm or hot, dry climate, insufficient intake of fluids, stressful or active lifestyle or excessive sexual activity. Over time, Kidney and Liver Yin, the basic reservoirs of true Yin in the body, become depleted. The Liver, insufficiently nourished by the Root, loses its capacity to store Blood and its ability to spread, ascend, and nourish all parts of the body, including hair. Silken Tresses nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin to support healthy sinews, bones and hair, contributing to the body’s overall vitality. Processed Polygonum multiflorum root, the chief herb, strongly stabilizes the Essence, supports healthy tendons and bones, tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes the Blood and augments the Essence. Dong quai root invigorates and harmonizes Blood. Lycium fruit nourishes Liver Blood, tonifies Lung and Kidneys Yin, and benefits the Essence. Chinese dodder seed tonifies the Yang, augments the Yin, secures the Essence and tonifies the Kidneys, Liver and Spleen without being cloying. Dry fried Black sesame seed, regarded as this formula’s envoy, nourishes the Yin and Blood, and tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Achyranthes root nourishes tendons and bones, particularly of the low back. Poria tonifies the Spleen, harmonizes the Middle Burner, supports healthy urination and leaches out Dampness. Psoralea fruit tonifies Kidney Yang, warms Spleen Yang, stabilizes the Essence and aids the Kidneys in grasping Qi. For additional Kidney Yin support, combine with Replenish the Left, Rehmannia Six or Nourish Jade Yin. For additional Spleen support, combine with Four Gentlemen or Six Gentlemen. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTSilken Tresses is a traditional formula based on Seven-Treasure Special Pill for Beautiful Whiskers (Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan), first created by Shao Ying-Jie, a Ming Dynasty master. Its usage was widespread by the time the late seventeenth-century author, Wang Ang, included it in his book, Analytic Collection of Formulas (Yi Fang Ji Jie).
