Home > Basic Principles > Understanding Kidneys from a TCM Perspective > Kidneys manifest in the hair
I. Essence (jing) | II. Water | III Grasping of qi | IV. Bones | V. Hair | VI. Ears | VII. Anterior & posterior orifices

5. Kidneys manifest in the hair

Head hair depends on blood for its nourishment and TCM believes hair is the remnant of blood. Since the kidneys play a role in transforming stored essence into blood, they are thought to be the origin of hair. If the stored kidney essence and blood are abundant, hair will appear bright, shiny, and healthy. On the other hand, hair loss or other hair disorders can indicate a kidney or blood deficiency. For example the elderly or those with chronic diseases, who have a depletion of kidney essence, may have hair that appears withered and falls out easily. In these cases, the TCM physician will replenish the kidney essence and nourish the blood to amend the problem.