Alopecia Areata - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Alopecia Areata · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Skin

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in alopecia areata, characterized by telogen effluvium or recovery phase, shortened hair growth cycle, premature entry into telogen, fatigue, and pale complexion. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Qi and Blood failing to nourish the hair follicles, leading to shortened hair growth cycle and premature hair loss.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Telogen effluvium, recovery phase, fatigue, pale complexion |

| Associated Symptoms | Shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, poor sleep, cold limbs |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale tongue with thin white coating, thready and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the hair follicles |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, poor nutrition, postpartum weakness, overwork, blood loss |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi and Blood |

| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen-Qi |

| Qihai (RN6) | 1.5 cun below the umbilicus | Tonifies Qi and strengthens the body |

| Xuehai (SP10) | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella | Nourishes Blood and promotes hair growth |

| Baihui (GV20) | On the midline of the head, 5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline | Lifts Qi and promotes hair growth |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Qihai to warm and tonify Qi and Blood.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤) or Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (十全大补汤)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Angelica (Dang Gui), White Peony (Bai Shao), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Supplements Qi and Blood, strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Telogen effluvium | Add Dang Gui, Shu Di to nourish Blood |

| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |

| Cold limbs | Add Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang to warm the meridians |

Western Mechanism Reference

Telogen effluvium or recovery phase with shortened hair growth cycle, and premature entry into telogen phase. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to telogen effluvium, where inadequate nutrient supply to the hair follicles contributes to premature entry into the telogen phase and hair loss.

References

  1. Dermatology of TCM - Alopecia Areata with Qi-Blood Deficiency.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Qi-Blood Deficiency → Cross-layer Nourishment.

  3. WHO. (2023). Skin health. World Health Organization.

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