The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Hair loss can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like hair loss here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here hair loss is often associated with dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision in the pattern “Kidney Essence Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause hair loss.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hair loss we’ve identified four herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat hair loss.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause hair loss
In Chinese Medicine hair loss is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
Kidney Essence (Jing 精) Deficiency usually involves Deficiency of Kidney Yin and, to some extent, Kidney Yang. Its symptoms are typically in relation to growth, development, reproduction, sexuality, bones, marrow, the brain, teeth, memory and hair.
In addition to hair loss, other symptoms associated with Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision.
Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to hair loss, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include dizziness, fatigue and blurred vision.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
Tongue color: Red
In addition to hair loss, other symptoms associated with Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin include dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia.
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin is often treated with Er Zhi Wan, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Glossy Privet Fruits - Nu Zhen Zi - as a key herb). Er Zhi Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Liver Yin".
Four herbal formulas that might help with hair loss
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with hair loss?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which hair loss is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with hair loss?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which hair loss is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Er Zhi Wan
Source date: 1534 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Liver Yin. Nourishes Kidney Yin.
Why might Er Zhi Wan help with hair loss?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin' of which hair loss is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Deficiency Of The Liver And Kidney Yin include dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia.
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Source date: 1550 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Kidney Yang. Strengthens the Essence.
Why might Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan help with hair loss?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which hair loss is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and blurred vision.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hair loss
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with hair loss?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hair loss as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Wan or Si Wu Tang for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Cuscuta Seed (Tu Si Zi) help with hair loss?
Because Cuscuta Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hair loss as a symptom, like Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or Zuo Gui Wan for instance.
Cuscuta Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with hair loss?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hair loss as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tong Ru Dan for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi) help with hair loss?
Because Goji Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hair loss as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Wan or Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan for instance.
Goji Berries is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Glossy Privet Fruit (Nu Zhen Zi) help with hair loss?
Because it is a key herb in Er Zhi Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin' (a pattern with hair loss as a symptom)
Glossy Privet Fruits is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes Yin of the Liver and Kidneys. Clears Yin Deficiency Heat (False Heat). Brightens the eyes and reduce premature graying hair.
Conditions associated with hair loss
Other symptoms often associated with hair loss
Dizziness Constipation Fatigue Irritability Premature graying Tinnitus Blurred vision Insomnia Hair Graying Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth