SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

Polygonum multiflorum: A traditional herb for androgenetic alopecia

KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.

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Schematic illustration of the multi-target mechanisms by which Polygonum multiflorum counteracts androgenetic alopecia.

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Credit: Han B, Xiao M, Xin T, et al

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common form of hair loss, affects millions worldwide.  While drugs like finasteride and minoxidil are commonly used, many patients seek safer, more holistic options. A new scientific review now shows that Polygonum multiflorum—a root used in traditional Chinese medicine for over a thousand years to “blacken hair and nourish essence”—may offer a powerful, multi-targeted alternative for treating AGA.

Unlike conventional treatments that focus on just one pathway, the herb works through several mechanisms at once: it helps block the dihydrotestosterone that shrinks hair follicles, protects follicle cells from dying, switches on key regrowth signals like Wnt and Shh, and even improves blood flow to the scalp to deliver more nutrients.

“Our analysis bridges ancient wisdom and modern science,” said Han bixian, the first author of a review on the topic recently published in the Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy. “What surprised us was how consistently historical texts—from the Tang Dynasty onward—described effects that align perfectly with today's understanding of hair biology. Modern studies now confirm that this isn't folklore; it's pharmacology.”

The review synthesizes evidence from lab studies, clinical reports, and centuries-old herbal records. It highlights that Polygonum multiflorum doesn't just slow androgenetic alopecia—it actively promotes regeneration through a network of growth factors and signaling pathways, offering a more comprehensive approach than single-action drugs.

“When properly processed—a key step in traditional preparation —the herb shows a favorable safety profile, making it more acceptable to patients wary of side effects like sexual dysfunction or scalp irritation linked to current medications”, This article highlights.

While high-quality clinical trials are still needed, this review shines a new light on how traditional remedies, when studied rigorously, can inspire next-generation therapies for common conditions like androgenetic alopecia.

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Contact the author:  Xu Bingqiang, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences; South China National Botanical Garden, Guangzhou 510650, China, bqxu@scbg.ac.cn

The publisher KeAi was established by Elsevier and China Science Publishing & Media Ltd to unfold quality research globally. In 2013, our focus shifted to open access publishing. We now proudly publish more than 200 world-class, open access, English language journals, spanning all scientific disciplines. Many of these are titles we publish in partnership with prestigious societies and academic institutions, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

 

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Journal

Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy

DOI

10.1016/j.jhip.2025.12.005 

Article Title

Research progress on the application of Polygonum multiflorum in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia