This article looks at some of the most promising herbal remedies currently being used to tackle premature hair loss.
Herbs hold an obvious appeal for many people because they support the
body's natural healing mechanisms to target the cause of the problem,
as opposed to merely tackling the symptoms. It would be wrong to
present herbal hair loss remedies as a miracle solution for all
sufferers - there is however growing evidence to support the view that
some herbal remedies offer real hope to many people.
Let's examine the case for some of the more popular remedies to determine if they're worth trying.
Ginkyo biloba - this popular herb is thought to improve blood
circulation to the brain and skin. Herbalists believe that the
increased flow of blood to the brain area delivers more nutrients to
the hair follicle thus promoting hair regrowth. The recommended dose is
120-160mg of dry extract each day spread over three doses.
Green tea (Camellia sinesis) - it is thought that catechins found in
green tea may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase that converts
testosterone into hair-unfriendly DHT. It is therefore believed to be
effective in preventing and treating male pattern type baldness. You
should drink several cups of green tea each day or take it in capsule
form as instructed by the manufacturer.
He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) - also known as Fo-Ti, this Chinese
herb has traditionally been used to reduce hair loss. It is found in
many commercial preparations, or in tea and capsule form.
Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) - derived from the bark of an evergreen, it
works in a similar way to green tea. It is widely used to treat
prostate problems and male pattern baldness. Users should take 60-500mg
per day in pill or capsule form.
Saw palmetto (Seranoa repens) - this is the current treatment of choice
for many men due to its ability to protect the prostate, slow hair loss
and encourage hair regrowth. It forms the core element of many
commercially prepared hair loss treatments but can easily be obtained
in its pure form. The recommended dose is a 160mg capsule twice each
day, but make sure the ingredients are made from the berry extract not
the dried berries themselves.
Stinging nettle (Urtica diocia) - this has long been favored as a means
of preventing hair loss due to its ability to block the conversion of
testosterone into DHT. It can be taken in pill or capsule form with an
optimum dose of 50-100mg per day. It is particularly effective when
combined with pygeum and saw palmetto.
