Have you been losing a lot of hair lately? Is your hair thinning with the passage of time? Many factors like stress, diet, injuries, improper lifestyle, etc. have a drastic effect on the hair, leading to hair thinning and hair loss. Experimenting with various products in the market further aggravates our hair conditions. With so many artificial provisions in today’s world, it’s a good idea to look for alternate options to treat hair loss naturally.
Clinically, common treatments include medication – minoxidil is the drug of choice – and surgical options, like hair transplant or surgical restoration. TCM approaches hair loss differently.
TCM practitioners believe that the main cause of hair loss is blood deficiency. Hair will grow well if there is sufficient blood in the body, and blood in the body is governed by the spleen and the liver. A well-functioning spleen and liver will allow healthy hair growth and shine.
The kidneys also play a very important role, The kidneys govern the essence of the body, and this kidney essence is needed to keep one’s hair black. Weakened kidney ‘qi’ and a lack of essence may cause hair to turn grey.
Conversely, healthy hair reflects healthy ‘qi’ in the liver, spleen and kidneys. That means that just by looking at a person’s hair, a TCM practitioner can get an idea of a person’s overall health. Dry and brittle hair, for example, might indicate a ‘yin’ deficiency or ‘heat’ in the blood, while hair growth in abnormal places, such as the chin, might indicate that blood is not flowing properly.
While hair type and volume are determined by our genes, overall hair condition is determined by our lifestyle. Many factors – both external and internal – can affect the condition of our blood, and consequently, the state of our hair. These include stress, anxiety, an unhealthy diet, lack of sleep and some medications.
By understanding the whole patient – beyond his or her hair problems – TCM practitioners seek to restore balance to the body, which ultimately restores hair health.
An alternative therapy, acupuncture, which is also one of the most widely recognized and respected Chinese medical practices, is one way to treat your hair follicles without the use of chemicals. The Chinese believe that this non-conventional method re-balances our body’s energy. This energy flow in our body is called “qi” (chi) and it is important for these energy pathways to remain clear for the body to function properly. When a blockage of energy occurs anywhere in the body, illness, diseases and bodily dysfunctions manifest.Acupuncture stimulates the qi and blood circulation, thereby clearing the blockages in the body and redirecting the nutrients to the appropriate places and allowing the body to function properly.
