Dealing with hair loss can be stressful. Your locks are a big part of who you are! And if you have alopecia areata, you’re probably looking for a cure.
As an autoimmune condition, alopecia areata makes hair fall out in round patches. It mostly affects the scalp but can happen on other body parts too. The hair can grow back, but it usually falls out again. Men, women, and children can all develop alopecia areata.1
A drug called minoxidil can treat hair loss. It’s the main ingredient in products like Rogaine, but it can cause itching and scaly skin.2
Instead of using chemicals, use these nine homeopathic remedies for alopecia.
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil can do more than just treat nausea. It doubles as a homeopathic remedy for hair loss, but doesn’t have the toxic effects of minoxidil.
This oil works by promoting the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme that’s linked to hair growth. It also thickens hair by boosting the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). To top it off, peppermint essential oil stimulates blood circulation, which is great for your skin and hair.3
2. Lavender Essential Oil
As a popular sleep aid, lavender oil can also be used for hair growth. It can do wonders for hair and skin thickness! Even your hair follicles will deepen, allowing new hair to grow.
Lavender oil also reduces the number of mast cells. These cells are responsible for inflammatory reactions and can speed up the life cycle of a hair follicle. But thanks to lavender, there will be fewer mast cells around.4
3. Japanese Cypress Essential Oil
Also known as hinoki oil, Japanese Cypress oil is a great homeopathic treatment for baldness. It can induce the division of hair follicle cells while extending each follicle’s life cycle. ALP activity will also get a boost.
Japanese Cypress oil’s most noteworthy effect is on IGF-1 mRNA expression. It can increase it by 426 percent – more than double of minoxidil, at 204 percent.
Furthermore, this oil also increases collagen and elastic synthesis around the hair follicles, providing enough support for re-growth.5
4. Propolis
Bees are known for their honey. But have you ever heard of propolis? This resin-like material comes from the buds of trees, which bees collect for their hives.6 It’s often called “bee glue.”
Propolis is also teeming with polyphenols and flavonoids. When applied to the skin, these substances nourish the hair follicles while increasing blood flow.
Sometimes, hair loss is caused by inflammation or fungal infection. Propolis can relieve both, making it a viable homeopathic medicine for baldness.7
5. Taramira Oil
To make propolis even more effective, add taramira oil. This homeopathic extract is actually from the seed of arugula, and is also known as jamba oil.
Ancient Iranian medicine honors taramira oil as a natural remedy for hair loss, along with lice and skin infections. As an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anti-bacterial agent, it can banish multiple causes of alopecia.
Together, propolis and taramira oil can be used as a hair wax.8
6. Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seeds aren’t just a tasty snack. The oil has phytosterols that can block 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This powerful androgen plays a key role in hair loss.9
Pumpkin seed oil can slow down DHT accumulation. According to a study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a 24-week treatment can yield a 40 percent increase of hair without any toxic effects.10
The experiment only involved men, but women can also benefit from pumpkin seed oil.
7. Green Tea
Green tea is known for its antioxidative polyphenols. It’s mostly made of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or ECGC. This particular chemical promotes hair growth by blocking 5-alpha reductase activity, just like pumpkin seed oil.11
EGCG can also hinder cellular pathways that stop hair growth.12 It’s a great reason to brew a cup.13
8. Saw Palmetto
Similarly, saw palmetto has the ability to inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity. This means that it can encourage hair regrowth by controlling DHT levels.
Supplements are made with the berries of a saw palmetto plant. So if you’re looking for a convenient alopecia treatment, take saw palmetto capsules.14
9. Ginseng Root
For centuries, Chinese medicine has honored ginseng as a powerful healing plant. It’s a potent anti-inflammatory agent that promotes blood circulation. And like many of the remedies on this list, ginseng can also stop 5-alpha reductase activity and keep bald spots at bay.
Its effects are just as good as minodoxil. Plus, hair growth from ginseng will grow faster, making it an ideal holistic alopecia treatment.15 If you can’t find fresh ginseng, it’s also available as tea, essential oil, and capsules.
How To Use
Scalp Oil
Dilute five drops of essential oil in one tablespoon of carrier oil. Coconut, avocado and jojoba oils are popular options. Massage a small amount on your scalp and rinse after 30 minutes. Do this before your daily shower or several times a week.
You can mix and match the essential oils on this list. For even more benefits, use pumpkin seed or taramira oil as a carrier.
Scalp Spray
In a spray bottle, dilute five drops of essential oil for every one tablespoon of witch hazel or water. Apply directly to your scalp, but be careful near your eyes.
Consumption
Natural hair growth supplements include propolis, pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto, and ginseng capsules. Tinctures and extracts can be added to your favorite drinks. Love to cook? Use pumpkin seed oil and ginseng in a recipe.
References
