How to treat Hair Loss with Chinese Medicine

 Tiejun Tang

Hair loss is a common condition affecting millions of people worldwide. In the UK, approximately 50% of men over the age of 50 and 50% of women over the age of 65 experience hair loss.^[1] Androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and telogen effluvium are the most common types of hair loss. This condition can lead to significant psychological distress and social anxiety. According to the NHS, hair loss is often underreported, and many individuals seek treatment only after the condition has progressed significantly.^[2]

Western Medicine Approaches to Hair Loss

Western medicine offers several treatments for hair loss, but their effectiveness is often limited:

1.     Minoxidil: A topical solution that stimulates hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. It requires continuous use to maintain results; stopping treatment leads to hair loss recurrence. It is only effective for a subset of patients, with studies showing significant regrowth in about 30-40% of users. Side effects include scalp irritation, itching, and unwanted facial hair growth in some cases.

2.     Finasteride: An oral medication that inhibits the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is responsible for androgenetic alopecia. It is primarily effective for male pattern baldness and is not suitable for women. Side effects include sexual dysfunction, which can persist even after discontinuation (post-finasteride syndrome).

3.     Hair Transplant Surgery: A surgical option for advanced hair loss. This therapy is costly and invasive, carrying risks such as scarring, infection, and unnatural-looking results if not performed well. Additionally, it does not prevent further hair loss in non-transplanted areas.

The Chinese Medicine Approach to Hair Loss

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views hair loss as a manifestation of internal imbalances, particularly involving the kidneys, liver, and blood. According to TCM, healthy hair growth depends on the abundance of Qi (vital energy) and blood, as well as the proper functioning of the kidneys, which are believed to govern hair health. Common TCM treatments for hair loss include:

Herbal Remedies

 Heshouwu (Polygonum multiflorum):  A popular herb known for its hair-nourishing properties. Studies suggest it promotes hair growth by improving blood circulation and reducing oxidative stress. Research has shown that Heshouwu extract supports hair growth by prolonging the anagen phase and counteracting the effects of androgens in cultured human dermal papilla cells.^[3]

Ginseng: Enhances Qi and blood circulation, supporting hair follicle health. Treatment with Red Ginseng Oil (RGO) and its main components has been found to upregulate the expression of hair growth-related proteins, inhibit inflammation and apoptosis, and induce cytoprotective mechanisms, thereby preventing or treating hair loss and protecting the skin from UV radiation.^[4]

 Danggui (Angelica sinensis)：A commonly used herb for  nourishing blood, it containing glycoside active ingredients mainly promote hair follicle cells to enter the growth phase earlier or inhibit hair follicle cell apoptosis.^[5]

 BeauTop (BT): A traditional Chinese medicine compound composed of Ginseng, Angelica, and Astragalus. It has been shown to promote hair growth by increasing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a key mediator in the angiogenesis process involved in hair growth and development.^[6]

 Yangxue Shengfa Capsule (YSC): Clinically used for many years to improve androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Studies have demonstrated that five of its compounds significantly promote cell proliferation in cultured immortalized human dermal papilla cells. Ferulic acid and rhamnolide have shown promising pharmacological properties against AGA.^[7]

Acupuncture

Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the scalp to improve blood flow and balance Qi. Research has shown that acupuncture can be effective in treating alopecia areata.^[8]

Conclusion

Hair loss is a multifaceted condition with significant psychological and social impacts. While Western medicine provides effective treatments, these often come with limitations, including suboptimal results for some patients, side effects, and high costs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, on the other hand, aims to address the root causes of hair loss by harmonizing Qi and blood, regulating internal organ function, and taking a multi-target approach. This holistic strategy results in a stable and lasting therapeutic effect.

References

1.     https://www.alopecia.org.uk/androgenetic-alopecia-pattern-hair-loss

2.     Hunt, N., & McHale, S.  The psychological impact of alopecia. British Medical Journal. 2005; 331(7522), 951-953.

3.     Shin, J.Y.  Polygonum multiflorum extract supports hair growth by elongating the anagen phase and counteracting the effects of androgens in cultured human dermal papilla cells. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020; 20(1), 144.

4.     Van-Long Truong.  Red ginseng oil promotes hair growth and protects skin against UVC radiation. J Ginseng Res. 2021; 45(4), 498-509.

5.     Jinjin Dou. Exploring the effects of Chinese herbal ingredients on the signaling pathway of alopecia and the screening of effective Chinese herbal compounds. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2022; Volume 294, 115320.

6.     Chien-Ying Lee.  Observation of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and the potential effect of promoting hair growth treated with Chinese herbal BeauTop. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2021, 6667011.

7.     Justin J.Y Tan. Bioactives in Chinese Proprietary Medicine modulate 5α-reductase activity and gene expression associated with androgenetic alopecia. Front Pharmacol. 2017; 8, 194.

8.     Andraia R. Li.  Efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in alopecia: A narrative review. Front Med (Lausanne, 9), 2022; 868079.