TCM and Hair Loss: A Small Study in a Larger Integrative Approach
When clients ask about natural options for hereditary hair thinning, I explain that effective care is rarely one thing. The best results usually come from an integrated plan that addresses internal drivers, scalp circulation, stress, sleep quality, and nutrition. In my clinic, I combine acupuncture with evidence-informed herbal strategies and practical lifestyle steps so we can support the hair cycle from multiple angles.
As an acupuncturist and TCM practitioner in Vancouver, BC, I help people address both the outer signs and the inner root’ causes of hair loss. Treatment often focuses on improving scalp blood flow, calming the nervous system, and restoring healthy sleep and digestion. Alongside acupuncture and herbal support, I also draw on TCM diet therapy principles to guide food choices that strengthen the body from within. For more detailed nutritional strategies, I work in collaboration with a holistic nutritionist to ensure clients receive well-rounded support. The aim is always the same: to create an individualized plan that is sustainable and effective.
Research Spotlight: Can TCM Herbs Support Hair Growth?
A small study published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine explored the effects of a six-herb Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, called BeauTop, for androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). The formula combined classic TCM herbs including Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, Dang Gui, Ligustri Fructus, Rehmannia glutinosa, and Eclipta prostrata, all traditionally used to nourish the blood, strengthen Qi, and support hair and scalp health.
After 6 months, here’s what researchers observed:
In the BeauTop group (17 participants):
52.9% showed increased hair growth
17.6% significantly improved
29.4% moderately improved
5.9% minimally improved
47.1% experienced no change
In the placebo group (15 participants):
Only 13% showed any improvement
The BeauTop group clearly outperformed placebo, and importantly, no side effects were reported. Bloodwork and hormone levels remained stable throughout the study.
Because testosterone and other hormone markers didn’t change, researchers suggest that BeauTop may support hair growth through a different mechanism than medications like finasteride, possibly by influencing growth factors that help keep hair follicles active and healthy.
While it was a small study, the findings add to a growing body of evidence that TCM formulations may offer a gentle, holistic support option for individuals experiencing pattern hair loss.
How to place this evidence in the larger puzzle
This trial is one very small piece of a much larger picture. It is encouraging, but it is a pilot with a small sample and a six-month time frame. It supports the idea that certain herbal combinations may help some people and appear well tolerated, yet it does not replace larger, longer studies or individualized care. For real-world results, I treat it as a signal to consider, not a standalone solution.
Building a practical, integrative plan
Here is how I fold findings like this into comprehensive care:
Assess the pattern and contributors
Confirm androgenetic alopecia versus other causes. Review overall symptoms through TCM pattern differentiation. Align expectations with timelines for the hair cycle.A series of acupuncture sessions
Target circulation to the scalp, neck, and upper back, reduce myofascial tension, and calm the sympathetic stress response. Many clients report warmer scalp sensation, less tightness, and better sleep within a few visits.Nutrition and recovery basics
Support nourishment and balance alongside healthy sleep and nervous system regulation through TCM diet therapy and collaboration with a holistic nutritionist.Topical and scalp care
Use consistent, evidence-aligned topicals and mechanical stimulation that your scalp tolerates. The aim is to create a receptive local environment while internal systems improve.Internal herbal options
If a client is interested in a TCM formula, we discuss potential benefits and individual constitution.
What This Means for You
Hereditary hair loss is multifactorial. A small herbal trial suggests potential benefit and good short-term tolerability, but it is only one piece of the strategy. Lasting progress tends to come from integrating several supports at once, matched to the person in front of me. If you want a plan that brings together acupuncture, targeted herbal options, nutrition, and holistic recovery, book a visit. I will map your pattern, set priorities, and build a path you can sustain.
Meet Gavin
Gavin Larsen is an Acupuncturist and TCM Practitioner who helps clients improve range of motion, reduce pain, and speed up recovery. With over a decade of clinical experience and 20 years in strength training, Gavin bridges ancient healing practices with cutting-edge sports medicine. His approach integrates acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, cupping, and Gua Sha to help clients move better and feel stronger.
