Alopecia (hair loss)
Also known as: alopecia, hair loss, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia
Hair loss has many causes — autoimmune (alopecia areata), hormonal (pattern hair loss), or shedding after illness, childbirth or stress (telogen effluvium). Chinese medicine links hair to the Blood and Kidneys, treating patterns of Blood deficiency, Blood heat, or Kidney deficiency. A GP should check for thyroid, iron and hormonal causes first.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •See the GP for blood tests first — iron, thyroid and vitamin D are common fixable causes.
- •Avoid tight hairstyles and harsh chemical treatments while hair is fragile.
- •Manage stress; telogen effluvium often follows a stressful event by 2–3 months and usually recovers.
- •Be wary of expensive 'miracle' hair products — most shedding recovers on its own once the cause is addressed.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Prepared He Shou Wu requires liver-safety caution; never use raw product and stop with any signs of liver upset.[]
- •Scarring alopecias need dermatology care urgently to prevent permanent loss.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review every 6–8 weeks with photos. Track shedding count and regrowth. Confirm GP blood tests done; refer to dermatology for patchy or scarring patterns.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- ACD · 2024
- NICE · 2023
- AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.