Your hair is not just a beauty feature in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is a visible reflection of what is happening inside your body, especially in your liver, kidneys, blood, and overall Qi (vital energy).
How TCM “reads” your hair
In TCM, hair is considered an extension of blood and is closely linked to the strength of your Kidney essence (Jing) and Liver blood, which nourish the scalp and follicles. Thick, shiny hair suggests abundant blood and balanced organ systems, while thinning, dry, or brittle hair can signal deeper imbalances rather than just a cosmetic issue.
What different hair changes may signal
A TCM doctor may see excessive shedding, rapid thinning, or early greying as a sign that areas such as digestion, rest, stress regulation, or hormonal balance need attention, not just a new shampoo. Patterns like diffuse thinning, crown loss, or premature greys are often linked to issues such as Kidney deficiency, Liver blood stagnation, or Blood deficiency that affect circulation and nourishment to the scalp.
How a TCM doctor assesses you
Hair is never looked at in isolation: a practitioner will typically examine your tongue and pulse, ask about sleep, stress, digestion, and periods, and then connect your hair concerns to an underlying pattern of imbalance. From there, they may recommend individualized herbal formulas, acupuncture, diet changes (to build blood and Kidney essence), and lifestyle shifts to support both hair and overall health over time.
Practical takeaways for hair and health
From this lens, caring for your hair means caring for your whole system: supporting liver and kidney health, managing stress, sleeping well, and eating blood‑nourishing foods is just as important as topical care. If your hair suddenly changes more shedding, dryness, breakage, or greying, it can be an early nudge to check in not only with your dermatologist, but also with a holistic practitioner to explore what your body is trying to say.