TCM Guide for Hair Loss Prevention

By YiTCM.com | For educational use only

In modern society, hair loss has become increasingly common due to stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, emotional strain, and frequent hair treatments. In Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), it is said that “hair is the surplus of blood, and the Kidney manifests in the hair.” The health of the hair is closely related to the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen. This guide aims to help readers prevent hair loss and nourish hair through holistic TCM methods.

TCM Theory

Hair growth depends on the harmony of the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen:

1. The Liver stores blood: when Liver blood is abundant, hair is glossy and strong; when

deficient, hair becomes dry and falls easily.

2. The Kidney governs the bones and nourishes the hair: abundant Kidney essence leads to

thick, dark hair; deficiency causes thinning and greying.

3. The Spleen is the source of Qi and Blood: improper diet and overthinking weaken the

Spleen, depriving hair of nourishment.

Thus, maintaining the health of the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen is essential for preventing hair

loss.

Pattern Differentiation

1. Qi and Blood Deficiency: Insufficient Qi and Blood lead to hair malnourishment.

Symptoms include dry, brittle hair, pale complexion, and fatigue. Treatment focuses on

tonifying Qi and nourishing Blood, using formulas such as Ba Zhen Tang or Gui Pi Tang.

2. Kidney Deficiency: Lack of Kidney essence results in thinning or greying hair, and

weakness of the lower back and knees. Treatment includes nourishing the Kidney and

essence, using Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.

3. Liver Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Emotional stress causes Qi stagnation and blood

stasis. Symptoms include patchy hair loss and scalp tension. Treatment aims to soothe the

Liver and invigorate Blood, with formulas such as Xiao Yao San or Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.

4. Damp-Heat in the Upper Body: Spleen dysfunction leads to dampness and heat rising to

the head, causing oily scalp, itching, and dandruff. Treatment includes clearing heat and

draining dampness with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Dang Gui Ku Shen Wan.

Hair Care and Nourishment

(1) Diet Therapy:

Eat more black sesame, goji berries, mulberries, walnuts, Chinese yam, black beans,

polygonum multiflorum, longan, and red dates. Recommended dishes: Black Sesame Walnut

Porridge, Goji & Yam Soup, Mulberry Longan Sweet Soup.

(2) Acupoint Massage:

Common points: Baihui (DU20), Fengchi (GB20), Shenshu (BL23), Zusanli (ST36),

Sanyinjiao (SP6). Massage for 3–5 minutes twice daily to promote scalp circulation.

(3) External Treatments:

Rub fresh ginger on the scalp, or rinse hair with decoctions of Platycladus leaves,

Polygonum multiflorum, mulberry leaves, or Sophora root. Moxibustion at Baihui and

Shenshu can also warm Yang, invigorate Blood, and promote hair growth.

(4) Lifestyle:

Sleep early, manage stress, avoid frequent dyeing or perming, and use mild shampoos.

Case Studies

Case 1: Female, 30, with Qi and Blood deficiency hair loss. Symptoms included pale

complexion and menstrual irregularities. After 3 months of TCM herbal therapy and diet

adjustment, hair condition improved significantly.

Case 2: Male, 35, with Kidney deficiency hair loss. Presented with low back pain and

frequent urination. After acupuncture and herbal treatment for 3 months, hair growth

increased noticeably.

Conclusion

Preventing hair loss in TCM emphasizes long-term internal balance. By nourishing the Liver

and Kidney, harmonizing Qi and Blood, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, one can

strengthen the foundation and preserve lush, healthy hair.