While hair loss is not life threatening, losing ones hair can be a traumatic life experience. Hair loss is a common result or side effect of numerous diseases, but it can also be caused by stress, injury, or as a result of cancer treatments.
Common hair loss treatments include messy creams and sprays that can often contain dangerous chemicals, but you should know that there are other alternatives. Several herbs are thought to help regrow hair. If you are interested in learning more about herbal remedies that aid in hair regrowth, then try the following ideas:
Ginkgo biloba: Patients who suffer from hair loss are often told to try this herb as a treatment, because of its stimulating properties. Ginko stimulates blood flow to the skin and brain. The hair regrowth theory is that this increased blood flow brings more nutrients to hair follicles, thereby aiding in their regrowth.
Saw palmetto: This plant, commonly used as a natural remedy to prostate enlargement, can also be used as a treatment for hair loss. Saw palmetto has been shown to be most effective at treating male/female-pattern baldness, which typically effects the top of the head.
While it is not exactly known how saw palmetto prevents certain forms of hair loss, the most commonly accepted theory is that saw palmetto helps prevent the formation of dihydrotestosterone. This is a hormone that can cause several hair loss conditions like androgenic alopecia, a.k.a. male/female-pattern baldness.
Green tea: In addition to being the perfect drink to relax with at the end of the day, green tea is said to be a natural remedy to hair loss. Green tea has been shown to help hair regrowth and prevent hair loss in men and women. Studies have shown that it helps to combat male-pattern baldness by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is associated with hair loss.
Green tea can also promote hair regrowth and prevent hair loss in women. Studies from Japan have shown that green tea can increase the production of the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG can attach itself to testosterone and prevent women from producing excess amounts of it. In many instances, excess amounts of testosterone can lead to hair loss in women.
Chamomile: This plant, most commonly consumed by drinking chamomile tea, is traditionally used to combat stress, and promote relaxation. Stress is one of the most common causes of hair loss, so chamomile’s calming properties can prevent hair loss and promote hair regrowth.
Pelvetia canaliculata (channelled wrack): Channelled wrack, a form of brown algae, has been shown to have antioxidant properties that revitalize the scalp. These properties can promote hair regrowth, and even help increase hair’s thickness. Like green tea, it can also inhibit the production of testosterone in women.
If you are like so many others looking for natural herbal remedies to combat your hair loss and regrow your own hair, then you should find these ideas useful. As always, before trying any of these herbal treatments for hair loss, consult your physician or primary care provider.
