herbs for hair loss

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Baldness

General characteristics

Hair Loss can be a very distressing condition and can be temporary as in alopecia or be more permanent as in 'male pattern baldness'.

Alopecia is often caused by extreme stress levels or emotional shock and is usually temporary. Herbs that treat the nervous system and herbs for stress are often more use in this instance. See also 'hair (general health)' and 'stress' in the common ailments section of the site.

Male pattern baldness has quite complicated possible causes and many experts disagree on its origin and treatment. Some believe it is hereditary, others that it is linked to testosterone levels, stress and over-worrying or thinking, poor hair hygiene and general poor health, adverse drug reactions, after serious illness or from severe nutritional deficiencies.

If hair loss occurs rapidly with no discernible cause, consult with your doctor.

Diet and lifestyle

A varied diet base on fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds is important as your base to provide essential nutrients needed for healthy hair and scalp.

Sprouted seeds and grains are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals as well as protein and fibre. Soak a handful of mixed seeds or grains ( eg. sunflower, sesame, chickpeas, mung beans, wheat-grain ) in a little water overnight or until a tiny aprouted'tail' forms from the seeds. Strain off the water and eat with a spoon. As a supplement to breakfast they supply good slow release energy for several hours too.

Regular exercise is valuable for the general good health of hair and for cleansing the body whilst improving vitality.

A juice of fresh beetroot, carrot and apple is said to be beneficial.

Protein, silica, sulphur, iron, B vitamins amongst others are key components of hair. See the appropriate entries in the 'natural healing' section of this site.

Useful herbs

Try one recipe for a few weeks before trying another.

Nettle and burdock root paste. Take a bunch of fresh stinging nettle and a freshly dug burdock root and blend in a blender. Apply the paste to your head and cover with an old towel. Leave on for an hour or so then rinse clean with warm water. Try this a few evenings a week for a month. You can use dried nettle and burdock root, just soak the herbs in hot water until the burdock is soft then blend and use in the same way. You can also try adding other hair tonic herbs such as horsetail, rosemary and yarrow to the paste mix.

Take 100ml of good quality olive or almond oil for example and add 5 drops of rosemary essential oil, a teaspoon of sage tincture. Massage into the scalp for several minutes until the scalp is warmed. Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off with a mild shampoo and dry the hair properly.

Burdock seed oil is reputed to be effective. Massage into scalp and leave on overnight, rinsing off in the morning.

Strong yarrow, burdock root, horsetail and nettle tea can be used as a stimulating rub. Use a heaped teaspoon of each, add boiling water and stand until warm enough to apply. Rub the whole cup of herbal tea into the entire scalp, waiting for it to dry before applying another dose. Leave on overnight and rinse with water in the morning.

An old remedy can be made using maidenhair fern and willow leaves. A handful of each is placed in a pan with half a pint of olive oil and warmed over a gentle heat for 20 minutes. Leave to cool and add a pinch of chilli powder before straining off the herbs and discarding them. Apply a little as a rub every night. Rinse off after half an hour or so. Store the remainder in an airtight jar in a cool dark cupboard.

Reishi mushroom may help with male pattern baldness it can reduce the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Higher levels of DHT are associated with male pattern baldness.

Natural healing

Ayurvedic medicine suggests good results can be gained from inversion therapy. Hang upside down or use a slant board for 5 minutes a day to encourage blood flow to the head and scalp.

Regular massage of the head, with or without herbal agents, is very beneficial to the overall health of the scalp and hair.

Massage castor oil into the scalp every other evening.