Everyone experiences some degree of hair issues—hair loss, graying, widening part lines, receding hairlines...
Among hair loss conditions, androgenetic alopecia is the most common, which is related to androgen metabolism.
Additionally, factors such as scalp trauma, psychological stress, sleep, diet, and microbial infections can also contribute to hair loss.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is believed that "the essence of the kidneys manifests in the hair." Healthy, thick, and lustrous hair is closely linked to the proper functioning of the kidneys' ability to store essence. The kidneys store two types of essence:
Reproductive essence (congenital, inherited from parents)
Essence from the five organs (acquired, derived from the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys)
When the kidneys store sufficient essence, it nourishes the hair, resulting in healthy hair growth.
Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert, a TCM expert from Singapore’s Gong Fang Tang TCM Clinic, explains that TCM emphasizes a healthy lifestyle as the foundation. Secondly, TCM dermatology uses oral herbal medicine to tonify kidney essence, which is akin to providing nutrients for hair growth.
Furthermore, localized treatments like acupuncture are applied to promote blood and qi circulation in the affected area. This principle is similar to how plants not only need fertilizer but also loosened soil for optimal growth.
For example:
Plum-blossom needle tapping activates blood circulation and removes stasis.
Fire needle puncturing warms the meridians and dispels cold.
Through internal herbal therapy and external treatments, hair regrowth can be effectively stimulated.
Case Study
Patient: Mr. Liu, 36 years old
Chief Complaint: Severe thinning at the crown of the head. Despite having parents with thick hair, he loses over 100 strands daily with no regrowth (confirmed as significant hair loss).
Patient’s Self-Assessment: "I must have kidney deficiency, which is causing this."
Self-Treatment: Took Jinkui Shenqi Wan (Golden Chamber Kidney Qi Pills) for kidney tonification but experienced heatiness (excessive internal heat) after consumption.
Detailed Examination:
Diet: Eats sparingly, prone to bloating.
Other Symptoms: None significant.
Tongue Diagnosis: Pale tongue with a midline crack.
TCM Pattern Differentiation: Hair loss due to spleen deficiency and insufficient qi-blood, with additional kidney essence depletion (age-related).
Explanation for Adverse Reaction to Jinkui Shenqi Wan:
The formula is yang-tonifying, warming kidney yang.
The patient’s condition involves spleen deficiency and kidney yin deficiency, making the remedy mismatched and causing discomfort.
Treatment Plan for the Patient
For effective hair regrowth, both internal regulation and external treatment are essential.
Goal: Tonify liver-kidney, strengthen spleen-stomach, and replenish qi-blood.
Prescribed Granule Formula:
Polygonatum (Huang Jing)
Rehmannia (Shu Di)
Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuan Xiong)
Red Peony Root (Chi Shao)
Codonopsis (Dang Shen)
Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
Salvia (Dan Shen)
Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo)
Processed Polygonum Multiflorum (Zhi He Shou Wu)
Eclipta (Mo Han Lian)
Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Morinda (Ba Ji Tian)
Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi)
Achyranthes Root (Niu Xi)
Fleeceflower Stem (Shou Wu Teng)
Psoralea (Bu Gu Zhi)
Stir-fried Atractylodes (Chao Bai Zhu)
Licorice (Gan Cao)
Costus Root (Mu Xiang)
Rapid Anti-Hair Loss & Regrowth Protocol:
Topical herbal applications
Specialized tool-assisted therapy
Exercise
After One Month: The patient reported visible improvement with excitement.
Herbal Hair Rinse:
Boil a decoction of Cypress Leaves (Ce Bai Ye), Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuan Xiong), Sophora Flavescens (Ku Shen), Polygonum Multiflorum (He Shou Wu), and Soapberry (Wu Huan Zi).
Benefits:
Cleanses the scalp
Reduces follicular inflammation
Creates a healthy hair growth environment
Repairs damaged follicles
