Hair Loss in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different hair loss patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Hair loss, medically known as alopecia, encompasses various conditions resulting in the partial or complete loss of hair. It is also referred to as baldness, excessive hair shedding, alopecia areata, receding hairline, telogen effluvium, or traction alopecia. This condition affects individuals of all genders and can have different causes and manifestations.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on hair loss compared to Western medicine. While Western medicine often attributes hair loss to genetic factors or external influences, TCM delves deeper, focusing on patterns of disharmony within the body.
TCM recognizes that hair loss can be a symptom of underlying imbalances and emphasizes the importance of identifying the specific pattern of disharmony before initiating treatment.
TCM Patterns for Hair Loss
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Alopecia, Hair loss
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Alopecia
Along with: Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Contact dermatitis, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Hair loss
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Hair loss
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
Hair loss
Along with: Sore knees, Lower back pain, Knee weakness, Dry mouth, Dry tongue, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Hair graying
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Hair loss
Along with: Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Hot palms and soles, Red skin eruptions, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue
Essence Deficiency
Causes: Hair loss
Kidney Essence Deficiency
Hair loss
Along with: Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Lower back pain, Infertility, Primary amenorrhea, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Absentmindness
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Hair loss
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Hair loss
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Wind
Causes: Alopecia
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Alopecia
Along with: Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Contact dermatitis, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin
Heat
Causes: Hair loss
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Hair loss
Along with: Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Hot palms and soles, Red skin eruptions, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue
Herbal Formulas for Hair Loss
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address hair loss
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Moistens Dryness
- Clears Heat
- Dispels Wind
- Relieves itching
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
How it manifests:
Alopecia
Accompanying symptoms:
Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis...
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Tong Ru Dan
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi and Blood
- Removes Stagnation from the breast connecting Meridians
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Er Zhi Wan
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver Yin
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
Sore knees, Lower back pain, Knee weakness, Dry mouth, Dry tongue, Dizziness...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Strengthens the Essence
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Tu Si Zi Wan
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Huan Shao Dan
Addresses these hair loss patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Spleen, Heart and Kidneys
- Nourishes Yin and Blood
- Augments Qi
- Tonifies Yang
- Promotes Longevity
Addresses These Hair Loss Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hair loss
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Lower back pain, Infertility...