Restoring Healthy from Hair Loss, Beautiful Hair with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Rebalance Your Body, Regain Your Confidence

Have you noticed more hair on your pillow each morning?

Does your shower drain clog easily with fallen hair?

Or perhaps your hairline seems to be receding and your crown growing thinner?

You’re not alone. Studies show that nearly half of all adults worldwide experience some degree of hair loss, which can impact not only appearance and self-esteem, but also emotional wellbeing and social confidence. Research also indicates that individuals with hair loss are significantly more prone to anxiety and depression.

Understanding Hair Loss from a TCM Perspective

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine standpoint, hair health reflects the internal state of the body — particularly the common causes of Hair Loss in Men

1. Androgenetic Alopecia (Hereditary Hair Loss): Characterized by receding hairlines and thinning at the crown (the typical “M” or “O” pattern).

2. Hormonal Sensitivity: Often linked to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and may begin in the 20s or 30s.

3. Kidney Deficiency and Damp-Heat: In TCM, an imbalance of kidney essence and internal heat can weaken hair growth.

   
   

Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women

1. Diffuse Hair Thinning: Overall reduction in hair volume, especially along the parting line, though the hairline usually remains intact.

2. Hormonal Changes: Hair loss may occur after childbirth or during menopause, often related to qi and blood deficiency, endocrine imbalance, or thyroid disorders.

Why Young Women Are Experiencing Hair Loss

Hair loss is becoming increasingly common among younger women, largely due to modern lifestyle pressures. Beyond aesthetics, this issue often brings emotional stress and self-consciousness.

In TCM, the major contributing factors include:

• Emotional Stress: Long-term anxiety, emotional tension, or overwork leads to stagnation of liver qi. This blocks circulation, reduces nourishment to the scalp, and causes hair to shed.

• Qi and Blood Deficiency: Overexertion, late nights, irregular menstruation, crash dieting, or postpartum depletion can all reduce qi and blood production. In TCM, “the hair is nourished by the surplus of blood” — when blood is insufficient, hair becomes dry, thin, and brittle.

• Kidney Essence Deficiency: Excessive mental strain, lack of rest, or sexual overindulgence can weaken the kidneys and deplete the body’s vital essence, slowing new hair growth.

• Poor Diet: Frequent consumption of fried, spicy, or greasy foods harms the spleen and stomach, creating damp-heat and excessive oil production. This can block hair follicles and trigger seborrheic hair loss.

Other factors such as genetics, hormonal fluctuations, frequent coloring or perming, and scalp inflammation can further aggravate the condition.

Case Study: Female Patient

Emily, 28, a skinny investment banker, came to my clinic reporting significant hair loss. Her work was highly stressful; she often stayed up late and suffered from fatigue. She noticed increased hair shedding when washing or brushing her hair.

After diagnosis, she was found to have liver qi stagnation and deficiency of blood and kidney essence. Treatment involved herbal prescriptions to soothe the liver, relieve stress, nourish blood, and strengthen the kidneys. She was also advised to rest more on weekends, use an herbal shampoo to stimulate hair growth, and follow a customized dietary plan.

After four weeks, Emily’s hair shedding had noticeably decreased, and she reported improved energy and mood.

Alopecia Areata (“Ghost Shaving”)

Alopecia areata — known in Chinese as “ghost shaving” (鬼剃頭) — affects about one in every thousand people. It’s believed to be an autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to rapid, patchy hair loss. In severe cases, it may progress to total baldness.

From a TCM perspective, the key causes include:

1. Emotional Imbalance and Liver Fire: Stress obstructs qi and blood flow, resulting in scalp stagnation.

2. Deficiency of Qi, Blood, and Kidneys: The scalp and follicles lack proper nourishment.

3. Damp-Heat and Blood Stasis: These block follicular nutrition, worsening inflammation and hair loss.

   
   

Case Study: Male Patient

Mr. Ku, 66, worked night shifts and was under prolonged stress due to business challenges. A month before visiting the clinic, he developed several bald patches — one large coin-sized spot in the center and several smaller ones on the sides. He also experienced insomnia, internal heat, and dry mouth.

He was diagnosed with damp-heat type alopecia areata aggravated by emotional stress. Treatment included herbal formulas to clear damp-heat, soothe the liver, detoxify, and nourish yin and blood to support the liver and kidneys.

We also performed plum-blossom needle therapy, a gentle tapping technique on the affected areas to stimulate local circulation and awaken dormant follicles.

After one month of treatment, Mr. Ku experienced visible hair regrowth across the bald patches, better sleep, and improved complexion.

The TCM Approach: Treating Root and Branch

Unlike topical or cosmetic treatments that only address the surface, TCM aims to treat both the root cause and the symptoms. By restoring balance to the internal organs and improving qi and blood circulation, TCM helps the body naturally resume healthy hair growth.

A typical treatment plan may combine:

• Customized herbal prescriptions (internal medicine)

• Scalp acupuncture or plum-blossom needle therapy

• Herbal hair rinses or shampoos

• Nutritional and lifestyle guidance

  
  

This holistic approach is gentle, safe, and effective for long-term care, making it suitable for both men and women.

Everyday Hair Health Tips

• Sleep early: Ideally before 11 p.m., to reserve sufficient time for better self-healing.

• Avoid frequent hair dyeing, perming, or heat styling.

• Massage key scalp points: Baihui (GV20) and Fengchi (GB20) to promote blood flow.

• Eat hair-nourishing foods: Black sesame, walnuts, and black beans help strengthen the kidneys and enrich the blood.