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3 Major Causes of Hair Damage According to TCM
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, gray hair is likely due to the following three causes:
1. Kidney Deficiency
TCM classics state that “The luster of hair is the manifestation of the kidneys,” meaning that hair is like a flower blooming from the kidneys. Unlike how the kidneys are viewed in Western medicine, the “kidney” in TCM is considered the center of an energy system, containing the essence and energy related to the origin of life and determining a person’s growth, reproduction, and aging. Sufficient kidney qi (vital energy) results in thick hair; deficient kidney qi leads to thin, soft, dry, and brittle hair, even premature hair loss.
Besides gray hair and hair loss, lower back pain, memory decline, and frequent urination at night are also warning signs of kidney deficiency.
2. Blood Deficiency
One TCM saying is, “Hair is the excess of blood,” meaning that a sufficient blood supply is essential for healthy hair growth. A lack of blood supply to the hair will cause it to lose its luster and to turn gray more easily. Blood deficiency is analogous to dry soil for hair follicles; when hair stops growing, hair loss will follow.
