Arborvitae leaves — the dried twigs and leaves of Platycladus orientalis (L. Franco) — are widely recognized in folk medicine as a valuable herbal remedy 🌿.
According to the 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia, arborvitae leaves are bitter and astringent, cool in nature, and enter the lung, liver, and spleen meridians. They are traditionally used to cool the blood, stop bleeding, and promote hair growth and darkening, commonly applied for young and middle-aged adults with blood heat, post-illness hair loss, or premature graying.
Interestingly, the leaves grow sideways from the branch, and ancient herbalists likened this to being “full of hair-growing power,” reflecting the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine.
Modern studies suggest that arborvitae leaf extracts may improve local blood circulation, enhance follicle metabolism, and support scalp health. Additionally, its resin content may enhance tyrosinase activity, potentially benefiting hair health.
