Platycladus orientalis (Chinese arborvitae) leaf promotes hair growth and darkens hair while also stopping bleeding, making it a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine.

Platycladus orientalis leaf is the dried branch and leaf of Platycladus orientalis, a plant in the Cupressaceae family. Platycladus orientalis has strong adaptability and tolerates drought and poor soil, and it is widely cultivated in both northern and southern China. It is a common tree species for landscaping and afforestation of barren hills, and it is also a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Its scale-like leaves are small and densely packed, and its branchlets are flat and spread upright, remaining evergreen all year round. The medicinal part is mostly harvested in summer and autumn and dried in the shade for later use. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is considered bitter and astringent in taste and cold in nature.

The effects of Platycladus orientalis leaf are mainly summarized in three aspects: cooling blood and stopping bleeding, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, and promoting hair growth and darkening hair. Stopping bleeding is mostly aimed at hematemesis, nosebleeds, blood in the stool, and other conditions caused by blood heat; after being stir-fried into charcoal, its bleeding-stopping power is valued more by physicians. For resolving phlegm and relieving cough, it is often used in combination with other medicinal materials.

Promoting hair growth and darkening hair is the use of Platycladus orientalis leaf that attracts the most attention, and it is suitable for people with hair loss due to blood heat and premature graying of beard and hair. In folk practice, fresh Platycladus orientalis leaves are often boiled in water, left until warm, and then used to wash the hair. Some people also soak Platycladus orientalis leaves in baijiu and apply the medicinal liquid to the scalp. It needs to be persisted with for a period of time before changes can be seen. In formulas, it is also often combined with medicinal materials such as He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) and mulberry leaf, with internal use and external application combined for conditioning.

When using it, note that Platycladus orientalis leaf is cold in nature, so people with weak and cold spleen and stomach should not use much of it internally. Specific dosage and compatibility should be consulted with a doctor. The causes of hair loss are complex and are related to genetics, nutrition, daily routine, and mental state, so external washing alone is difficult to cure it fundamentally. Although external use is relatively mild, people with sensitive skin should also try it on a small area first, and stop using it immediately if discomfort occurs.