Herbs for hair loss

Herbal hair loss remedies helped both women and men stop hair loss and even re-grow natural hair, safely and permanently. It is 100% natural hair loss remedy has no side effects and works locally in the scalp area only. It works by reversing the buildup of DHT residue on the scalp which blocks blood supply to the hair roots. As long as there is hair, or hair root still present in the scalp, consistent use of it will re-grow that hair strong and healthy.

There are three major approaches to topical treatment with herbs:

Use strong circulatory stimulants, such as hot pepper or ginger, to try and restore the scalp circulation.
Use blood-vitalizing herbs, such as those used in internal therapies, to promote microcirculation.
Employ herbs with a reputation for benefiting the hair, such as ho-shou-wu, morus fruit, or ligustrum.

Increasingly people are turning to herbal hair loss remedies as they seek an alternative cure for thinning hair. Many of the products available commercially contain one or more herbs.

Herbs have an obvious appeal for many people because, rather than attempting to suppress symptoms, they work with the body's natural healing mechanisms to tackle the cause of the problem. There is growing evidence to support the view that some herbal hair loss remedies offer hope to many people.

Herbal Hair Loss Remedies for Internal Use

Ginko Biloba - this is a popular herb that is thought to improve blood circulation to the brain and skin. It is recommended by practitioners for the treatment of headaches, tinnitus and memory loss.

Herbalists believe that the increased flow of blood to the brain area delivers more nutrients to the hair follicles thus promoting hair regrowth.

Recommended dose - 120-160 mg of dry extract each day spread over three doses.

Green Tea (Camellia sinesis) - it is thought that natural chemicals called catechins found in green tea may inhibit the enzyme Type I 5-alpha-reductase which converts testosterone into hair-unfriendly DHT (click here here to find out more about this process).

Green tea is therefore believed to effective in preventing and treating male pattern type baldness.

Recommended dose - you can either drink several cups of green tea each day or take it in the form of capsules as instructed by the manufacturer.

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) - also known as Fo-Ti, this Chinese herb has traditionally been used to combat hair loss and graying.

Its use is based on the premise that the herb helps to counter destructive imbalances in the kidneys, liver or blood. Ho Shou Wu is found in many commercial preparations, or in tea and capsule form.

Recommended dose - follow the manufacturer's instructions

Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) - this herb is derived from the bark of an evergreen and works in a similar way to green tea. It inhibits the enzyme Type I 5-alpha-reductase which converts testosterone into follicle-harming DHT.

It is widely used to prevent and treat both prostate problems and male pattern baldness.

Recommended dose - take between 60 and 500 mg per day in pill or capsule form. Make sure that the product's beta sterol count is 13% otherwise it will be ineffective.

Saw Palmetto (Seranoa repens) - this herb has become the treatment of choice for many men suffering from male pattern baldness. It has been tested extensively in Europe with very encouraging results. Several promising commercial preparations utilize saw palmetto as the major ingredient.

It has the effect of protecting the prostate, slowing hair loss and encouraging hair regrowth by reducing the uptake of DHT by the hair follicles. Saw palmetto achieves this by preventing DHT from binding to the receptor sites in the prostate and the hair follicle.

Recommended dose - take one 160 mg capsule twice each day. Ensure that the capsules are made from the berry extract, not the dried berries themselves. Saw palmetto's effect can be enhanced by combining it with pygeum and stinging nettle.

Stinging Nettle (Utica diocia) - tea made from stinging nettle has long been heralded as a means of preventing hair loss.

As is the case with other herbs mentioned here, it is thought to block the conversion of testosterone into harmful DHT.

Recommended dose - it can be taken in pill or capsule form with an optimum dose of 50-100 mg per day.

Herbal Hair Loss Remedies for External Use

Aloe Vera - some Indian tribes of Mexico claim that their thick, healthy hair is due in part to their regular use of aloe vera gel which they rub into the scalp and hair each night.

What is known is that the herb activates the production of nitric oxide and contains an enzyme called superoxide dismutane. Some experts feel that these two substances may work together to stimulate hair regrowth in those suffering from male pattern baldness.

Onion (Allium cepa) - has a high sulfur content which is believed to be a hair-healing mineral.

Some herbalists believe that rubbing the scalp with half an onion prior to washing hair helps to alleviate problems and encourages hair growth.

Red Pepper (Capiscum) - a popular folk remedy involved the application of a red pepper or cayenne pepperpoultice to the scalp.

This acted as a skin irritant to draw blood and nutrients to the scalp and also encouraged the release of histamines that stimulated cell division and hair regrowth.

Safflower Oil (Carthamus tinctorious) - Eastern health practioners believe that safflower applied to the scalp acts as a vasodilator that dilates blood vessels. This allows more blood to deliver nutrients to the hair follicles.

Other Herbs for Healthy Hair

Sage: Excellent for weak hair.
Rosemary: Enhances dark hair.
Chamomile: Promotes healthy hair growth.
Catnip: Promotes hair growth.
Burdock Root: Promotes hair growth and reduces hair from falling out.