Natural Therapies

While there is no science to support "natural" or "herbal" hair loss treatments many people have seen results with them , noting that in scientific studies there have been reported a 11-37% "placebo" affect in self report hair regrowth.

It is important to be informed and the following information is freely available from the web to help understand the substances that have been utilised over time:

AZELAIC ACID

AZELAIC ACID is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye and barley. It is commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. In one laboratory study, azelaic acid (and zinc sulphate) was proven to be a potent inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase. This ability has yet to be confirmed in vivo (in humans). Nonetheless, numerous generic products combining minoxidil and azelaic acid are already available on the market.

RETINOIC ACID

RETINOIC ACID also called tretinoin, is the acidified form of vitamin A and the generic name for a drug found in several products, such as Retin-A and Renova, which are used to treat acne. Retinoic acid can also be used to remove fine skin wrinkles and roughness. It works essentially as a chemical peel, enabling better penetration of the minoxidil into the scalp. Instead of burning the skin with retinoic acid, you can increase minoxidil’s absorption into the scalp by applying it shortly after washing your hair or using a minoxidil foam. This substance cannot be recommended for long term use.

PROCYANIDIN

PROCYANIDIN also called proanthocyanidin, is a flavonoid occurring in green tea, grape seeds and skin, and is abundant in red wine. Procyanidin is a strong antioxidant. Besides its many therapeutic properties, it is assumed to promote hair growth. In one small clinical study, topical procyanidin B-2 extracted from apples was shown to grow hair and increase their diameter.

ADENOSINE

- this nucleoside plays an important role in biochemical processes, such as energy transfer and signal transduction. In one clinical study, topical adenosine was proven to considerably thicken vellus hair but it could not change hair density. Adenosine is approved as a hair growth cosmetic in Japan and sold under the brand name Adenogen.

CAFFEINE

CAFFEINE is used as the principal agent in Alpecin. The manufacturer of Alpecin claims that caffeine protects the hair roots from dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attacks and provides them with the necessary growth energy. No substantial evidence can be found to support the manufacturer’s claim that caffeine could promote hair growth. Independent research is lacking.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

BETA-SITOSTEROL is one of several phytosterols with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It is found in saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds, pygeum africanum, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, soybeans, etc. Beta-sitosterol reduces levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream and it is believed to be a natural DHT blocker and plays some role in the possible benefits of herbal therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There have been no clinical trials to study its effects on male pattern baldness. Beta-sitosterol, being one of the assumed active substances of many DHT blockers of herbal origin, might be a stronger DHT blocker than its herbal peers. However, there is a lack of evidence that it works. Nevertheless, if one wishes to try some natural DHT blocker, this should be a safer and more powerful option than either saw palmetto or pygeum africanum. ZINC, IRON, SILICON, MAGNESIUM, SULPHUR, VITAMINS B (PANTOTHENIC ACID, BIOTIN, FOLIC ACID, PABA, etc.), ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS, AMINO ACIDS and other nutrients are responsible for hair growth. Though a diet poor in essential nutrients may contribute to hair loss, it is not likely to happen to an average healthy person living anywhere in the civilised world. The occasional intake of nutritional supplements will not hurt but used alone it will not reverse one’s hair loss either.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

are a key component to healthy skin, hair and nails. They have been shown to inhibit 5-alpha reductase in rats and thus reduce DHT levels. However, no clinical studies in humans have yet been conducted. Many herbal remedies such as saw palmetto or pumpkin seeds derive their hair claims among other things from the fact that they are rich in essential fatty acids.

METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE (MSM)

METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE (MSM) is an organosulphur compound that occurs naturally in fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, fish and grains. Amongst other things it plays a major role in the structural maintenance of the scalp capillaries. MSM will help your hair grow about as fast as it is able to.

SAW PALMETTO

SAW PALMETTO is an extract made from the fruits of a small palm tree called serenoa repens, which is endemic to the southeastern US. It is the primary active ingredient in almost every natural hair loss remedy, including Provillus, Procerin, Advecia, Avacor, Revivogen, Scalp Med and many others. Saw palmetto has long been used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols and it is often claimed to be able to block dihydrotestosterone (DHT). There are plenty of research papers claiming saw palmetto is beneficial in treating BPH but only one piece of research to prove that it can reduce the level of DHT in the prostate. However, the latest research contradicts this claim by showing that saw palmetto may not have any effect on the plasma concentration of DHT. In addition, one recent clinical study claims that saw palmetto does not shrink enlarged prostates either. Despite the fact that saw palmetto has been used to treat BPH for decades there is no conclusive proof that it is effective. Saw palmetto has never been clinically tested as a hair loss treatment and its efficacy and mechanism of action are not known. In addition, it is suspected its side effects might be more severe than those of finasteride but they have been poorly documented to date. Saw palmetto cannot be recommended as a hair loss remedy.

STINGING NETTLE

STINGING NETTLE is a perennial plant and common weed that grows in temperate climates throughout the world. It is among the most common herbs used in traditional folk medicine. Both the leaves and the root are used in various cures. The nettle root is often found in natural medicines to relieve the symptoms of BPH. It is therefore assumed it could prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT but no clinical studies have been conducted yet on the use of nettle in treating DHT-related hair loss. Although no one is certain whether it really helps against baldness, nettles are frequently used as one of the active ingredients in many commercial hair loss remedies.

PYGEUM AFRICANUM

PYGEUM AFRICANUM is a large evergreen tree found in central and southern Africa. The extracts from the pygeum bark contain several compounds thought to be helpful in prostate health and have been used for decades to treat prostate enlargement (BPH). Like saw palmetto and nettle root, pygeum is also believed to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which converts testosterone to follicle-harming DHT. Despite the lack of clinical evidence of any positive impact on male pattern baldness, pygeum can be found in a number of natural hair loss remedies.

GINKGO BILOBA

GINKGO BILOBA is a large tree, originally from East Asia, that can be now found in many parks in the temperate zones around the world. The extract is thought to improve blood circulation to the brain and skin and is frequently used as a memory and concentration enhancer. No clinical studies on its efficacy in treating hair loss have been conducted yet. Nonetheless, ginkgo is used as an active ingredient in some commercial hair loss remedies. Given its many suspected side effects, ginkgo should be used with caution.

ELEUTHERO ROOT

ELEUTHERO ROOT also called Siberian ginseng, is a distant relative of Asian ginseng. It is a popular folk medicine in Russia and China. Eleuthero is a herbal antioxidant and it is believed to be anti-inflammatory and to be able to increase endurance, improve memory, boost the immune system and help protect cells from damage due to environmental conditions. Eleuthero is often used as one of the substances in natural hair loss cures, although there is no clinical proof of its positive effect on human hair.

GOTU KOLA

GOTU KOLA is a perennial plant native to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. It has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years in India, China and Indonesia. It used to be a popular youth tonic and was believed to improve mental clarity. Because of its ability to heal wounds, combat inflammation and treat various skin conditions, it can be found in many natural topical products for treating hair loss.

GREEN TEA

GREEN TEA is made from the dried leaves of the tea plant. Black tea is made from dried tea plant leaves that have been through a fermentation process. Green tea has been credited with providing a wide variety of health benefits, many of which have not been validated by scientific evidence (e.g. its potential for treating male pattern baldness). It is tasty, it might be healthy, too, but it should not be expected to grow new hair.

PUMPKIN SEED

PUMPKIN SEED oil is pressed from pumpkin seeds and is rich in iron, zinc and essential fatty acids. It has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for prostate problems as it has been shown to improve the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate due to BPH. Therefore, pumpkin seed oil is believed to be a natural DHT blocker. However, no clinical study exists regarding its potency to block DHT or its effectiveness in treating baldness.

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