Q. I am 37 years old and have thinning hair. How can TCM help me?

A. Hair loss is usually caused by medical conditions such as hereditary baldness and eczema.

In TCM, thinning hair is likely to be caused by a deficiency in the functions of the liver and kidney, as well as pathogenic factors such as 'blood heat', 'wind' and 'dampness'.

Chinese medicine (internal and external) and acupuncture can improve your condition by dispelling the pathogenic factors and enhancing the functions of the liver and kidney.

You should maintain good hair hygiene. Avoid long hours under the sun and do not wear a hat for too long.

Take high-protein food such as milk, eggs, fish, beans, vegetables and fruits. Abstain from tea as well as oily and spicy foods. Instead, have sufficient rest and avoid emotional stress.

Light exercises will be helpful in increasing your hair count.

Information provided by Lim Lay Beng, a TCM physcian at YS Healthcare TCM Clinic in The Adelphi.