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Natural Hair Loss Treatments - Introduction
Nature usually has a solution for most health ailments and the problem with hair loss in no exception. As with all treatments that you try, if you have a medical condition or are in doubt about your reaction to anything always consult your doctor. Normally natural treatments do not have the side effects that certain drugs have. These treatments will not work for everyone, and no two people react the same to certain treatments. Consult your doctor if in doubt about trying anything. Saw Palmetto Propecia as Proscar was first developed for treating prostate problems in males. Natures answer to this treatment is Saw Palmetto. Serenoa repens is the medical name for the herb saw palmetto.The deep red fruit of this small palm grows wild in warm climates such as those found in the Southeastern United States. Saw Palmetto is found as a main ingredient in most of the commercial hair loss treatments such as Revivoen. Saw palmetto has been used in Europe for generations, that its safety "has never been seriously questioned," and with the exception of occasional stomach upset, no side effects have been reported. "In particular, use of the extract has not been associated with erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disturbance, or altered libido as you may get with Propecia. Proanthocyanidins Below is a quote from a clinical trial on proanthocyanidins. They also determined that proanthocyanidins converted the telogen (non-growing) phase of hair growth into the anagen (growing) phase of hair growth. In this experiment, proanthocyanidins displayed hair-cycle-converting activity which was similar to that of minoxidil. The result being recorded with proanthocyanidins on some treatments is amazing, however trials on hair loss are still at early stages, but well worth checking out. Although Cayenne Pepper and Capsaicin are very similar I have put them under seperate headings because there is a quite a bit of information about Cayenne which is a very interesting plant. Tea Tree Oil The Tea Tree (melaleuca alternifolia) is a member of the Myrtaceae family and is an indigenous species to Northern New South Wales, Australia. The oil is found within the cells of the leaves, and as the Tea Tree is extremely fast-growing it is constantly renewable, ensuring that no trees are harmed or destroyed. Tea Tree Oil was used as a general antiseptic by the aborigine tribes for thousands of years. Stories were told of a magical lagoon into which tea tree leaves had fallen, where the local tribe bathed in the naturally created bath. Famous British explorer Captain Cook is held as the man responsible for the name 'tea tree'. In 1770 when he and his men landed at Botany Bay, Cook brewed the leaves of the tree for his men to drink to prevent scurvy. Tea tree oil can help with deep hair cleansing and dandruff. Dry hair requires a gentle, non-detergent based product; a 2% solution of tea tree oil in a moisturizing shampoo will help to unblock sebaceous glands and encourage the flow of the body's own moisturizing oils, while clearing away unsightly dead skin cells. For oily skin, a gentle tea tree oil moisturizing shampoo will help cleanse the scalp of bacterial and fungal irritations and help to disperse dead skin cells. Tea tree oil mixed with other essential oils is especially good as a scalp treatment for relieving dandruff. Medical professionals list infection, poor diet, blood circulation and inadequate nerve stimulation as some of the causes of dandruff. A yeast that lives on the scalp, Pityrosporum ovale, and a fungus called trichoplyton spp also contributes to dandruff conditions. While there are many anti-fungal and bacterial soaps and shampoos on the market, tea tree oil offers a natural alternative. A recent study indicates that a pharmaceutical grade of a tea tree oil in low concentrations helps to eliminate bacteria and fungus on the scalp. There have also been reports that by massaging the oil into the scalp, new hair growth is promoted. Honey This is a recipe for hair loss using honey and cinammon Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes. Aromatherapy Just a quick extract on aromatherapy trials which produced interesting results. A trial group massaged essential oils (thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood) in a mixture of carrier oils (jojoba and grapeseed) into their scalp daily. The results show aromatherapy to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for alopecia areata. More Aromatherapy Isabelle C. Hay and colleagues from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland saw several cases of alopecia areata, a type of hair loss that causes patchy baldness, improve after patients used herbal treatments. Unlike male pattern baldness or hair brittleness, alopecia is a condition that affects men and women of all ages, and is most likely caused by an immune system inflammation that affects areas of the scalp. Stress often precedes an alopecia outbreak. Standard medical therapies, including corticosteroid injections, are only modestly helpful. Most, but not all, patients eventually improve or recover. External application of various herbal essences is believed to benefit those who suffer hair loss due to alopecia. Among these are cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris), all of which have been used to treat alopecia for more than a century. However, no double-blind studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these herbs until now. Hay and researchers recruited 84 people with diagnosed alopecia areata. During the seven-month trial, participants suspended use of topical or oral alopecia medications. Instead, half used a blend of cedarwood (2 drops, 94 mg), lavender (3 drops, 108 mg), rosemary (3 drops, 114 mg) and thyme (2 drops, 88 mg) in a carrier oil mix of jojoba (3 mL) and grapeseed (20 mL). The placebo group used just the carrier oils. Subjects were taught to rub the oil into the bare areas of their scalp for two minutes each evening and then to wrap a warm towel around their head to enhance absorption. Professional photographs of each patients' scalp were taken at baseline, three and seven months. Changes as seen in the photographs served as the primary outcome measure. Outcomes were also measured by mapping bald patches and measuring severity of alopecia with a four-point scale. Of the 84 patients who entered the trial, only 63 completed it--35 from the active group and 28 from the control group. Of those receiving active treatment, 44 percent (16 of 35 patients) significantly improved, while 15 percent (6 of 28 patients) using placebo improved. The essential oils had a statistically significant advantage (P = 0.008). The average area of hair regrowth with the essential oils was 104 square cm compared with nearly zero for those using placebo.1 One male patient with alopecia areata as well as severe male pattern hair loss saw improvement in both areas after using the essential oil blend. These results suggest that one or more of the essential oils are biologically able to promote hair growth. While promising, confirming studies are needed before we can be sure. However, is a 44 percent response rate worth the effort? According to the authors, this is about the same response rate dermatologists expect with standard medical therapies. To the herbs' benefit, however, they are less expensive, require fewer doctor visits and have a low risk of side effects. Future research must explore which of the four herbs had the most effect or if they work in tandem. Also open for exploration is whether increasing the concentration of the most active constituents would increase response rates. Dose is also worth researching. Perhaps twice daily treatment would be more effective than once daily. Further Reading Introduction Nature usually has a solution for most health ailments and the problem with hair loss in no exception. Saw Palmetto Natural Propecia Nettles Applying an extract of Nettles to the scalp was said to stimulate hair growth, and chronic rheumatism was treated by placing nettle leaves directly on to the afflicted area. Capsaicin Capsaicin induces the release of substance which is believed to play an important role in murine hair growth and cycle. Soy Extract An American Herb company was recently issued a patent for the use of soy extract for the treatment and prevention of hair loss. Cayenne Pepper Excellent results have been seen with alopecia, male pattern baldness and excellent results also in women that have lost their hair. Proanthocyanidin Natures Minoxidil Pygeum Bark Pygeum africanum a herb derived from the bark of the African evergreen,which inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, is widely used in Europe to prevent and treat prostate problems and to prevent and treat male pattern baldness. Sapote In Santo Domingo, the seed kernel oil is used as a skin ointment and as a hair dressing believed to stop falling hair. Aromatherapy Evidently, one or more of the essential oils is able to promote hair regrowth.
The liposerolic extract of the fruit of Saw Palmetto is the most popular herbal supplement for the promotion of prostate health in Europe.