Hair Loss

How Chinese Medicine Addresses Hair Loss-Thinning-Graying

Chinese medicine is effective at treating hair loss by addressing the underlying imbalances and deficiencies that cause hair loss. Many Chinese herbs have a record of promoting hair growth that spans thousands of years as highly revered tonic herbs; he shu wu, or fo ti, being one of the most recognized. The herbs work to build Blood, balance hormones, restore Kidney Energy, and direct nourishing Blood to the scalp. For best outcomes using self-care, combine associated Aroma Acu-Sticks® to acu-points, topical remedies, and good lifestyle practices.

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Acupressure Points that Promote Hair Growth

Learn How to Effectively Use Pressure Points Linked Here!

essential oils for acupressure

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Kidney-Liver Imbalances and Hair Loss

In Chinese medicine, hair is a direct reflection of the Kidney energyLiver energy, and Blood: a lack of circulation or insufficient amounts of Blood can result in the loss of hair. The Kidney and Liver energetic organ systems influence the hormones strongly according to TCM, and hair loss is often attributed to hormonal imbalances. The conditions of the hair follicles can also be impacted by the toxicity of the blood; the Liver and Kidney are important organs of elimination of toxins. A substance called Jing or Essence is generally related to our familial patterns, or genetics, and maintaining Kidney Essence is pivotal in maintaining a healthy head of hair. It is no surprise that fo ti is one of only a handful of tonic herbs classified for hundreds of years to tonify Essence

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Stress Induced Hair Loss and Chinese Medicineessential oils for stress reduction

Hair loss and thinning hair can result from many causes including stresspoor nutrition (especially a Vitamin B and micro-mineral deficiency), hormonal imbalance, certain prescription drugs, thyroid disease, cancer (and more specifically cancer treatment), and genetics. All of these hair loss conditions can occur in both men and women. 

Ancestral Qi (or Genetic Pattern) Baldness and Chinese Herbs

Genetic pattern baldness is often attributed to the chemical DHT (5-alpha Di-HydroTestosterone). It has been found that increasing levels of DHT in hair follicles cause a reaction that reduces blood flow to the follicle and the impairs the growth cycle of hair. These results in follicle shrinkage and finer and shorter hairs, eventually the follicle dies and stops producing hair. Areas that are 'shiny bald' no longer have live follicles and herbal therapy is unlikely to have an impact at this stage. 

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Hair Loss in Aging and Chinese Herbs

Aging and decline is seen as a natural part of the life cycle, but many centuries of application of tonic herbs have proven their value in curbing impact of aging so that we can progress in to middle age and old age enjoying an increased quality of life. Wellness is not just the absence of disease in Chinese medicine; it is represented by a vibrant energy, free flowing mobility, and a sound peaceful mind. Someone who is truly well can sleep through the night, have calm energy through the day, be flexible, be free of pain, and have radiant skin and hair. Along with proper living habits such as good sleeping patterns, exercise such as walking, tai-qi or yoga, and organic whole foods.

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Premature Graying of the Hair and Chinese Herbs

The first step in treating hair loss naturally is to improve Qi and Blood circulation to the head/scalp, as well as improve the quality of the Blood. Early intervention is the key to limiting hair loss and promoting hair re-growth; in other words, if you just began to notice hair loss last week a course of herbal therapy is not going to last as long as someone who has been slowly losing hair for years. Herbal tonic treatment can last 6 months or longer depending on the severity of the condition and the length of time that the condition has existed. Kidney Essence may have to be re-enforced throughout a lifetime for those who have genetic dispositions towards Kidney Deficiency. 

Premature graying of the hair is also a key indication of Kidney Deficiency and tonic herbs such as fo-ti have long been utilized for graying of the hair. Many people are alarmed at losing hair or about graying prematurely and the impact on their outward appearance, but in traditional Chinese medicine the whole body must thrive in order to have luscious strong healthy hair. Chinese medical theory dictates that beauty comes from inner wellness and it is not enough to simply apply lovely creams and conditioners to the hair; one must strengthen the organ systems that insure blood circulation and nutrient delivery to the hair for lasting improvement. While Chinese herbs are no quick fix to hair loss, it is reassuring that addressing hair loss through TCM works towards true wellness, and is not just an attempt to gloss over what is likely a symptom of greater health imbalances.

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References

Zgonc Škulj A, Poljšak N, Kočevar Glavač N, Kreft S. Herbal preparations for the treatment of hair loss [published online ahead of print, 2019 Nov 3]. Arch Dermatol Res. 2019;10.1007/s00403-019-02003-x. doi:10.1007/s00403-019-02003-x

Dhariwala MY, Ravikumar P. An overview of herbal alternatives in androgenetic alopecia. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(4):966‐975. doi:10.1111/jocd.12930

Cho EC, Kim K. A comprehensive review of biochemical factors in herbs and their constituent compounds in experimental studies on alopecia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;258:112907. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112907

Anggraini DR, Feriyawati L, Hidayat H, Wahyuni AS. Risk Factors Associated with Premature Hair Greying of Young Adult. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(22):3762‐3764. Published 2019 Nov 14. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.498

Thompson KG, Marchitto MC, Ly BCK, Chien AL. Evaluation of Physiological, Psychological, and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Premature Hair Graying. Int J Trichology. 2019;11(4):153‐158. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_43_19

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.