Image thinking in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a way of thinking to establish connections with corresponding "images" and to explore the links between the essential laws of TCM and the material attributes

laws

and properties known in nature. Based on traditional image thinking

we compare hair to trees and combine TCM with the modern understanding of androgenetic alopecia to describe its pathogenesis. It is believed that plants and trees wither in dry conditions. This is similar to a lack of kidney essence; when blood can’t be transformed into essence

resulting in damage to emptiness of hair follicles

hair shrivels and falls off. Similarly

plants and trees can die due to excessive water over a long period of time

which is analogous to steaming on the parietal bone due to dampness-heat; the hair root is soaked

becomes soft

and dies. In other cases

because of soil hardening and poor permeability

the root cannot grow

which is analogous to blood stasis in the hair follicle; the flow of qi in the meridians is not smooth and the hair roots are not moistened

resulting in hair loss. The treatment of androgenic alopecia is therefore analogous to the treatment of natural plants and trees. Plants and trees need to be fertilized and irrigated; in analogy

the kidney should be nourished to secure the root so as to replenish yin and grow hair. Plants and trees need water drainage; similarly

turbidity and the fat should be transformed and reduced to strengthen the roots. Plants and trees need loose soil; in analogy

in the scalp

blood stasis should be removed to improve the blood supply of hair follicles. Furthermore

new hairs are like seedlings; therefore

we should pay attention to disease aftercare. This article discusses the treatment of androgenic alopecia based on image thinking in order to provide a new perspective for the clinical treatment of androgenic alopecia.