The 3,000-Year-Old Chinese Medicine Secret for Grey Hair

While there’s no magic food that can reverse greying overnight (aging is a beautiful and natural part of life), there is one ingredient that has been cherished in Chinese medicine for thousands of years: black sesame.

In Chinese medicine, black sesame is used to nourish Liver Blood and Kidney Yin, two of the foundations of healthy, strong hair. We even have a saying: “Hair is the extension of the Blood.” In other words, the health of your hair reflects how well your body is nourished from the inside out.

Modern nutrition gives us another reason to love it. Black sesame is naturally rich in iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, and healthy fats—all nutrients that play a role in supporting healthy hair and overall wellness.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is in these black sesame chili oil noodles. They’re nutty, chewy, creamy, a little spicy, and yes... they’re almost completely black. They don’t look like your average bowl of noodles, but trust me—they’re so good.

One little Chinese medicine tip: black sesame is deeply nourishing, but because it’s such a rich food, it can feel a little heavy for people with weaker digestion or if you’re prone to bloating. That’s why I love pairing it with warming ingredients like chili oil, fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions to help support digestion and keep your Qi moving.

I think that’s one of my favorite things about Chinese medicine. It’s rarely about one “superfood.” It’s about understanding the nature of a food and learning how to prepare it in a way that works with your body.

So if you’re looking for a delicious way to nourish yourself from the inside out, give these black sesame chili oil noodles a try.

Happy slurping, and here’s to healthy hair.

Serves: 1

• 1 pack (7–8 oz) fresh or frozen udon noodles

• 2 tbsp black sesame paste (or Chinese black sesame paste)

• 1–2 tbsp chili crisp or chili oil (adjust to spice preference)

• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil

• 1–2 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for brightness)

• 1–2 tbsp hot noodle water (to loosen the sauce)

Toppings

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp furikake

• Optional: chili flakes, microgreens, crispy garlic, soft-boiled egg, or steamed bok choy

1. Cook the udon according to the package directions. Reserve 2–3 tablespoons of the noodle cooking water before draining.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the black sesame paste, chili oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and 1–2 tablespoons of hot noodle water until smooth and creamy.

3. Toss the hot udon into the sauce until every noodle is well coated.

4. Top with scallions, white sesame seeds, and furikake.

5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Chinese medicine tip: Black sesame is deeply nourishing and traditionally used to support Liver Blood and Kidney Yin. Pairing it with warming ingredients like chili oil and scallions helps balance its rich nature and supports digestion.

xoxo

Dr. Felice