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Photo of Hemp Flower

Hemp Flower

麻花 · Má Huā

Classical herb for hair growth and circulation

Properties

WarmingWarming botanicalBitter, Acrid

What it does

Hemp flower has a niche TCM use for hair regrowth and skin numbness, and it's a classical blood-mover for missed periods. In TCM, it dispels wind, quickens blood, and 'engenders hair,' a phrase tied to scalp circulation. Different from hemp seed (Huo Ma Ren), used for constipation. Hemp flower is a controlled substance in most countries.

How to take it

Topical

Where legal, used in topical hair-growth preparations. Internal use is rare in modern TCM. Always check local regulations before sourcing.

Where legal, look for practitioner-formulated topical preparations

Safety

  • Controlled substance in most countries due to cannabis source
  • Toxic at high doses. Stay within prescribed amounts
  • Skip during pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Skip if you have psychiatric conditions or operate machinery
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) has been cultivated in China for over 6,000 years, originally for fiber, oil, and food. The plant produces several distinct TCM herbs from different parts: hemp seed (Huo Ma Ren) for constipation, hemp leaf for malaria, and hemp flower (Ma Hua) covered here. Use of the flower is legally restricted in most countries due to THC content. Classical TCM applications focused on hair rather than psychoactive effects.