Hair Loss May Signal Deeper Problems, and Natural Remedies Could Help

‘The human body is like a miniature universe,’ said Shu Rong, certified TCM practitioner.

Illustration by Lumi Liu

In ancient Chinese mythology, Pangu is said to have created the heavens and the earth. His muscles became the land, his blood formed the rivers, his breath turned into wind and clouds, and his skin and hair transformed into the flowers, grasses, and trees that cover the earth.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regards hair in a similar way—growing from the body like plants from the soil.

“The human body is like a miniature universe,” said Shu Rong, certified TCM practitioner and director of Doctor Rong TCM Clinic in Cambridge, England. Conventional medicine often sees the body as a machine, while TCM views it as a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem. Symptoms that appear on the surface may be signs of deeper imbalances inside the body.

“In TCM, treating hair loss isn’t just about growing more hair—it’s about fixing the root cause of the problem,” Shu told The Epoch Times. As a result, patients often experience broader improvements in their overall health. Shu and other TCM practitioners have observed a growing number of Western patients turning to TCM as a complementary approach to conventional care.

Underlying Causes of Hair Loss

According to TCM, hair loss typically stems from one or more of the following underlying causes:

Kidney Essence Deficiency: Genetic Problems

What do the kidneys have to do with hair loss?

In TCM, the concept of kidney essence (Jing) differs from the kidney function described in conventional medicine. It refers to the original life essence—the vital energy passed down from one’s parents.

As a person matures and ages, their essence is gradually used up—by the age of 40, about half of the kidney essence is typically depleted, said Shu.

“Hair is considered one of the most visible indicators of the body’s kidney essence levels,” Shu noted. In youth, when kidney essence is abundant, the hair tends to be thick, glossy, and smooth like silk. While some older adults may maintain a full head of hair and appear younger than their age, their hair often lacks the vibrant luster seen in younger people.

Hair loss is a symptom of underlying problems. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Male pattern baldness typically falls into the kidney essence deficiency category.

“Male pattern baldness, which is driven by genetics, is one of the most difficult types of hair loss to treat,” Chou Tsung Han, attending physician at Han Ming Tang Chinese Medicine Clinic in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times.

Those born with a deficiency in kidney essence may struggle to maintain sufficient kidney qi—vital energy—as they age. Without the support of vital energy, the hair follicles gradually shrink. These patients often exhibit other signs of deficiency, including rough skin, darkened lower eyelids, and oily hair caused by excess androgens.

In addition to male pattern baldness, which can begin as early as young adulthood or middle age, hair loss is also common among older adults without a genetic predisposition—often due to the natural decline of kidney essence brought on by aging.

Shu recalled treating a man in his seventies with persistent leg pain. Upon examination, she found signs of poor blood circulation and a marked deficiency in kidney essence.

Through a course of therapies—including acupuncture and herbal medicine—she worked to restore balance. As the patient’s leg pain gradually improved, his daughter noticed an unexpected change: A new layer of hair had begun to grow on his scalp.

Qi and Blood Deficiency: The Body’s Trade-Off

Just as plants need nutrients and water to grow, TCM holds that qi and blood are essential for nourishing the hair.

“When water and nourishment are insufficient, plants struggle to thrive—and in the same way, people begin to lose their hair,” Esther Huang, a certified TCM practitioner at Seaford Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine in Melbourne, Australia, told The Epoch Times. She often uses this analogy to help Western patients better understand the concept.

In TCM theory, the human body contains an invisible network of meridians—channels through which energy flows. These pathways are responsible for transporting qi and blood throughout the body. Qi refers to the vital energy that sustains life, while blood is a broad term encompassing the nutrients that nourish and support bodily functions.

Many people experience a sudden increase in hair loss after major surgery, chemotherapy, serious illness, or childbirth. TCM attributes this to a significant depletion of qi and blood, which disrupts the hair’s growth cycle and causes large numbers of hairs to enter the resting (telogen) phase prematurely.

This view parallels the Western conventional medical understanding of telogen effluvium—a condition in which the body prioritizes vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys when under considerable physical stress. As a result, hair growth—a nonessential function—receives reduced support, leading to increased shedding.

“When the body is out of balance, it is like the arrival of autumn,” said Shu. As temperatures drop and rainfall decreases, plants begin drawing nutrients back into their roots, causing leaves to dry up and fall. “Our bodies are remarkably intelligent—they know how to redistribute energy when needed.”

Increased shedding can be seen as the body’s response to internal imbalance. Shu emphasized that when dealing with hair loss, the focus should not be solely on preserving the hair. Without addressing the root issue, treatment is unlikely to be effective.

In TCM, breast milk is believed to be closely connected to blood, which is why women are prone to hair loss after childbirth and while breastfeeding. New mothers are often encouraged to replenish qi and blood to support recovery and reduce postpartum shedding.

“Many women come to me for help with postpartum hair loss,” Huang said. One 32-year-old mother had experienced severe bleeding during childbirth. After leaving the hospital, she continued to suffer from excessive hair loss, visibly thinning hair, low milk supply, and frequent lightheadedness.

To aid her recovery, Huang administered weekly acupuncture and prescribed a daily herbal tea made with red dates, black dates, and longan fruit. She also advised her to eat more iron-rich, blood-nourishing foods such as red meat and dark leafy greens.

“After one month, her hair loss stopped. After three months, her hair volume returned to normal,” Huang said.

While chemotherapy is widely known to cause severe side effects—including complete hair loss—Shu shared a case in which a patient retained her hair throughout treatment. The patient, a middle-aged woman with breast cancer, had sought Shu’s help to strengthen her body before and during chemotherapy.

Unlike two other patients in the same treatment group who lost their hair and appetites, this woman maintained her appetite and her hair. She was even able to continue working throughout her treatment, which Shu attributed to her stronger reserves of qi and blood.

Hair loss due to kidney essence deficiency and qi and blood deficiency is generally considered an internal factor. The following two, to some extent, arise from external influences.

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Damp-Heat Accumulation–Linked to Poor Diet

Damp-heat syndrome, a TCM concept, is closely linked to modern unhealthy eating habits.

When you eat excessive amounts of food, especially sugar or fat, your body may struggle to digest, causing symptoms such as an oily, itchy scalp and hair loss.

“When food enters the body but cannot be properly digested and transformed into energy, it turns into waste—what we refer to in TCM as damp-heat,” Shu said.

Like a plant with roots trapped in sticky, overheated mud—unable to breathe—the body begins to wither. Similarly, when the scalp—the “soil” where hair grows—accumulates internal waste and becomes clogged and overheated, hair struggles to grow and eventually falls out.

Huang shared a typical case of hair loss caused by damp-heat syndrome. The patient, a 25-year-old man, was overweight, often stayed up late, and followed an irregular diet high in fried and processed foods. Over the course of a year, he began experiencing an oily, itchy scalp, excessive dandruff, and noticeable hair thinning.

Huang administered weekly acupuncture sessions and advised him to cut back on ultra-processed and dampness-inducing sugary foods.

She also encouraged him to eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, and anti-inflammatory foods, exercise regularly, sweat more, and maintain a consistent sleep schedule—ideally, going to bed between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.

After about three months, his scalp condition had significantly improved. One year later, his hair had grown back fully, and his weight had steadily returned to a healthy range.

Blood Heat and Blood Stasis–Often Caused by Chronic Stress

Hair loss caused by stress is closely linked to the liver system in TCM. Just as kidney essence does not refer to the physical kidneys, the liver in this context refers not to the anatomical organ but to a broader functional system.

In TCM theory, the liver is directly connected to emotional health.

Shu likened emotional stress to waves of dry, scorching wind—under such conditions, plants lose moisture and begin to wither. In TCM, emotional agitation and chronic stress are believed to obstruct the smooth flow of qi and blood, which in turn generates internal dry heat.

When pathological heat enters the blood—a condition TCM refers to as blood heat—the body begins to show outward signs of excess heat. Symptoms may include constant thirst, dry and itchy skin, dark yellow urine, and hard or dry stools. For people with blood heat, the scalp becomes like scorched earth—dry, inflamed, and inhospitable to hair growth.

Blood heat can also lead to a loss of moisture in the blood, resulting in poor circulation and increased viscosity—a condition referred to as blood stasis in TCM.

In addition to stress, smoking and alcohol consumption are also considered in TCM to directly increase internal heat in the body.

Under intense pressure, abnormal immune responses can occur, sometimes resulting in alopecia areata, a condition marked by patchy hair loss.

Shu recalled treating a man in his 30s—a postdoctoral researcher in medical science—who was under considerable stress from career pressures and the sleepless nights of caring for a newborn. He began losing large patches of his once-thick hair and beard. Concerned about his appearance, he opted for steroid injections into the scalp, a treatment for hair regrowth, but the results were disappointing.

Shu treated him using a combination of acupuncture, plum blossom needling, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. After three months, both his scalp and facial hair had grown back. As a medical researcher, the patient later wrote a letter of thanks, expressing his amazement at the effectiveness of TCM in treating hair loss.

While TCM recognizes multiple contributing factors to hair loss, Shu emphasized that “it is rare for a patient’s condition to be the result of just one isolated cause.” Most patients also present with other signs of imbalance, she noted.

TCM practitioners assess each patient’s unique presentation of hair loss to determine its primary cause. As part of a holistic treatment plan, they also address related health issues.

Herbal Scalp Care for Hair Growth

Shu shared several traditional Chinese medicinal herbs that are easy to find and simple to use.

The following herbs can be boiled in water and used as a hair rinse or applied directly to the scalp. Each herb has unique properties that target specific types of hair loss, and they can be easily prepared at home as topical treatments.

Common herbs can be used as a natural hair rinse or scalp application. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Biota Leaves

Biota leaves, or Ce Bai Ye, are a common ingredient in many herbal shampoos. They help clear internal heat and dampness. It is suitable for a wide range of hair loss types, including those associated with damp-heat accumulation, blood heat with blood stasis, and kidney essence deficiency.

Preparation

1. Weigh out 30 grams of dried biota leaves or 40 grams of fresh herb
2. Place the leaves in a pot and add enough water to submerge them fully
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, then simmer for 30 minutes
4. Remove from heat and allow the liquid to cool to a comfortable temperature for scalp application

For people with oily hair, it is recommended to shampoo first before applying the herbal water as a final rinse. For those with normal or dry hair, the herbal water can be used on its own as a natural rinse, without shampoo. After rinsing, towel- or air-dry the hair as usual.

Szechuan Pepper

Szechuan pepper (chuan jiao) is widely available in Asian grocery stores. As a warming spice and herb, it helps dispel dampness and is particularly useful for people with scalp dampness, often manifesting as persistent itchiness or greasiness.

Notably, Szechuan pepper can enhance the absorption and effectiveness of other herbal ingredients. When used in combination with biota leaves, it strengthens its therapeutic effects.

Additionally, its warming nature helps balance the cooling properties of biota leaves, making the formula suitable for a wider range of people—particularly those with a cold-prone body type—for whom biota leaves alone may not be ideal.

For people with damp-heat syndrome, 1 gram of Szechuan pepper can be added to the biota leaves herbal water above. For those with pronounced scalp dampness but less internal heat, up to 5 grams of Szechuan pepper may be added to 30 grams of biota leaves during preparation.

Female Ginseng

In TCM, female ginseng (Dang Gui) is regarded as a premier herb for nourishing the blood. It also invigorates the blood and is commonly used for people experiencing hair loss related to postpartum hemorrhage, major surgery, or chronic illness.

Preparation

1. Weigh out 5 grams of female ginseng. You may also add 5 Sichuan peppercorns, if desired.
2. Combine with 40 milliliters of water.
3. Simmer until the liquid is reduced to about 20 milliliters.
4. Strain the mixture.

Note: This preparation is intended for scalp application, not as a hair rinse.

Shu recommends making a larger batch using the same proportions. Once cooled, pour the liquid into an ice cube tray and freeze. When needed, take one cube, allow it to melt, and apply the liquid directly to the scalp.

Tuber Fleeceflower

TCM practitioners often recommend tuber fleeceflower (he shou wu, or fo-ti) to support hair health, promote black hair, and help reduce hair loss. In cases where hair loss is linked to kidney essence deficiency, fo-ti can be boiled in water and applied directly to the scalp. The preparation method is the same as that used for female ginseng.

Herbal Teas and Soups as Dietary Remedies

Lo Kowen, attending physician at Yuan Fu Yuan Chinese Medicine Clinic in Taiwan, has developed a series of herbal teas and dietary remedies drawn from classical formulas.

“They taste more like everyday tea and are easy to incorporate into daily life, making them more suitable for modern lifestyles,” Lo told The Epoch Times.

For readers who may be unfamiliar with the herbs listed below, Lo recommends consulting a qualified TCM practitioner before use. “These are medicinal substances with therapeutic effects,” she noted. If the herbs are incompatible with your body type, they “may cause adverse effects.”

Most of the ingredients used in these recipes can be found at Asian grocery stores or TCM herbal shops.

Herbal soups and teas that can help with hair loss. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Qi-Nourishing Female Ginseng Soup

This soup is recommended for hair loss associated with qi and blood deficiency. These patients often exhibit fine, weak hair, dizziness, lower back soreness, palpitations, a pale complexion, and a light-colored tongue.

Ingredients

• 6 grams codonopsis root (dang shen)
• 6 grams astragalus root (huang qi)
• 12 grams female ginseng (dang gui)
• 9 grams tuber fleeceflower (he shou wu)
• 8 dried jujube (da zao)

Preparation

Add all ingredients to 600 milliliters of water. Chicken or pork ribs can be added to enhance the nutritional value and the taste. Simmer for 30 minutes, then serve warm.

Lily, Lotus Seed, and Goji Berry Tea

This tea is recommended for hair loss associated with blood heat, characterized by symptoms such as irritability, dry mouth, constipation, and a red tongue.

Ingredients

• 15 grams dried lily bulbs (bai he)
• 10 grams lotus seeds (lian zi)
• 10 goji berries (gou qi)
•  Rock sugar, to taste

Preparation

Add all ingredients to 600 milliliters of water. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, then serve warm.

Szechuan Lovage Roots and Hawthorn Tea

This tea is recommended for hair loss associated with blood stasis, with symptoms such as headache, a dull or sallow complexion, dark reddish lips, and a purplish tongue with visible stasis spots. Regularly drinking this tea can help invigorate the blood and promote the circulation of qi.

Ingredients

• 10 grams Szechuan lovage roots (chuan xiong)
• 5 dried hawthorn berries (shan zha)
• Brown sugar, to taste

Preparation

Add all ingredients to 600 milliliters of water. Simmer over a steady low flame for 20 minutes, then serve warm.

In addition to the specialized herbs mentioned above, many everyday foods are also believed in TCM to promote hair growth and support overall hair health.

Chou outlined several foods that may help prevent hair loss, including black soybeans, carrots, spinach, shiitake mushrooms, and black fungus.

Fruits such as black dates, persimmons, mulberries, longan, and lychee are also thought to promote qi and blood circulation, contributing to healthier hair.

Plum Blossom Needling

When treating patients with hair loss, many TCM practitioners incorporate plum blossom needling therapy to help stimulate faster hair regrowth.

A plum blossom needle, also known as the seven-star needle, features seven fine needles arranged in a pattern like a plum blossom.

“Tapping the scalp with a plum blossom needle is like loosening the soil around a plant,” said Shu. “It allows more qi and blood to reach the hair roots, while also releasing excess heat and dampness from the scalp.”

TCM practitioners may use plum blossom needles to stimulate hair regrowth. Tyler Olson, enmyo/Shutterstock

Shu emphasized that for people experiencing hair loss due to qi and blood deficiency or kidney essence deficiency, relying solely on tapping the scalp to stimulate circulation is unlikely to produce meaningful improvement. Herbal formulas and dietary therapies should be used in combination for optimal results.

While plum blossom needling is less familiar in the Western world, many people are acquainted with microneedling, also known as skin needling or derma rolling. The two methods share similar mechanisms for stimulating hair regrowth.

Microneedling involves creating controlled micro-injuries on the skin’s surface, which trigger the body’s natural healing response and promote the release of growth factors that help revitalize hair follicles. While commonly used in clinical settings—often alongside growth factor injections—microneedling devices are also popular for at-home use.

In an interview with The Epoch Times, Dr. David Saceda-Corralo, a dermatologist at Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid and a researcher specializing in hair disorders, expressed caution regarding at-home use.

He said that microneedling “is a risky option as a home device,” which could lead to scalp scarring or more serious complications.

Dr. Jeremy Wetzel, a hair transplant surgeon at the Anderson Center for Hair, told The Epoch Times that while he does not oppose the use of at-home microneedling, patients must proceed with caution.

“Number one is you do not want to go too deep,” he said. Devices with 1.5 millimeter needles are popular online, but that’s too much, he said. Instead, he recommends 0.5 millimeter needles to minimize trauma. “You want there to be a tiny little pinpoint bleeding, not a lot of bleeding, just a little bit of redness.”

He also cautioned against overuse, recommending no more than once a week—or even once every two weeks—to allow adequate time for the skin to heal between sessions.

Restoring Inner Balance

“Western medicine emphasizes the visible, physical structures of the body—cells, tissues, organs, and physiological systems,” said Luo. As a result, it typically diagnoses patients with a specific disease and treats the condition directly.

By contrast, TCM approaches hair loss by regulating a range of deeper, interconnected systems within the body.

TCM does not focus solely on treating a specific disease, Luo said. “Instead, it focuses on identifying and correcting all of the patient’s abnormal symptoms,” thereby improving overall health. Hair loss, seen as one of many symptoms, often resolves naturally as the body regains balance.

Some conventional medical treatments for hair loss align with this holistic view, Shu noted. These include hormone regulation therapies, medications that promote blood flow to the hair follicles, and anti-inflammatory drugs used to reduce inflammation.

TCM originates from Dao, Shu said. “Ancient Daoist philosophy is ultimately about guiding people back to their original nature.” In the same way, the foundation of TCM is to restore internal balance—always with the premise of avoiding harm to the body or shortening one’s lifespan.