Hair Growth / Alopecia

Hair loss can be caused by poor diet, poor circulation, genetic disposition, and certain medical conditions.

Diet

Related to diet, dry hair can be due to a lack of essential fatty acids.  Oily hair can be related to low amounts of the B vitamins.  Poor color can be related to a zinc deficiency.

Hair Loss Tips

• Eat well.
• Consider a biotin supplement.
• Massage the scalp to improve circulation.
• Certain herbs and essential oils may help improve circulation to promote hair growth.

At Home Recipes for Your Hair

Happy Hair Hot Oil Treatment Recipe

Salty Hair Thickener Recipe

Blog Articles

Happy Hair Hot Oil Treatment Recipe

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

GENERAL

• A review of plants used for hair growth is provided.  From: Rathi, V., Rathi, J., Tamizharasi, S., & Pathak, A. (2008). Plants used for hair growth promotion: A review. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 2(3), 185.
• Bazemore, J. (2016). Making Natural Hair Care Products-A Beginner’s Guide. Lulu. com.

BERGAMOT

• The extract from bergamot and boxthorn improved skin and  hair growth in mice.  From:   Shao, L. X. (2003). [Effects of the extract from bergamot and boxthorn on the delay of skin aging and hair growth in mice]. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi= Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi= China journal of Chinese materia medica, 28(8), 766-769.

BOXTHORN

• The extract from bergamot and boxthorn improved skin and  hair growth in mice.  From:   Shao, L. X. (2003). [Effects of the extract from bergamot and boxthorn on the delay of skin aging and hair growth in mice]. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi= Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi= China journal of Chinese materia medica, 28(8), 766-769.

CAROB

• This was a 6 month randomized, placebo-controlled study with 120 patients with androgenetic alopecia. An herbal shampoo containing extracts from Urtica urens leaf, Urtica dioica root, Matricaria chamomilla flower, Achillea millefolium aerial parts, Ceratonia siliqua fruit, and Equisetum arvense leaf was more effective than the placebo in preventing hair loss. From: Pekmezci, E., Dündar, C., & Türkoğlu, M. (2018). A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: A placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study. Acta Dermatovenerologica APA, 27(2), 51-57. 

CEDARWOOD

• The active group massaged a blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in a carrier oil on their scalp daily, and had reduced hair loss.  From:  Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1349-1352.
• In a study of 40 patients with alopecia, the essential oil treatment in a carrier oil (with thyme, rosemary, lavender, evening primrose oil and cedarwood) was significantly more effective than the placebo.  From:  ÖZMEN, İ., ÇALIŞKAN, E., Ercan, A. R. C. A., AÇIKGÖZ, G., & Erol, K. O. Ç. (2015). Efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: A double-blind placebo controlled study. Gulhane Medical Journal, 57(3).

CHAMOMILE, GERMAN

• This was a 6 month randomized, placebo-controlled study with 120 patients with androgenetic alopecia. An herbal shampoo containing extracts from Urtica urens leaf, Urtica dioica root, Matricaria chamomilla flower, Achillea millefolium aerial parts, Ceratonia siliqua fruit, and Equisetum arvense leaf was more effective than the placebo in preventing hair loss. From: Pekmezci, E., Dündar, C., & Türkoğlu, M. (2018). A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: A placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study. Acta Dermatovenerologica APA, 27(2), 51-57. 

CLOVER, RED

• Topical application of red clover extract and biomimetic peptide increased hair growth in those with alopecia.  From:  Loing, E., Lachance, R., Ollier, V., & Hocquaux, M. (2013). A new strategy to modulate alopecia using a combination of two specific and unique ingredients. J. Cosmet. Sci, 64(1), 45-58.

COCONUT OIL

• In an 8 week study with 44 females, a product containing coconut oil helped reduce hair fall out, dandruff, and improve conditioning of hair. From: Kura, M. M., Gupta, A., Srivastava, R., & Luthra, S. K. (2017). A randomized double blind controlled study evaluating efficacy & Safety of vatika enriched coconut hair oil on hair health in women with hair fall and dandruff. Ancient Science of Life, 37(1), 45.

CYPRESS

• Chinese thuja, of the cypress family, and its isolated constituent of cedrol, demonstrated hair growth in vivo. From: Zhang, Y., Han, L., Chen, S. S., Guan, J., Qu, F. Z., & Zhao, Y. Q. (2016). Hair growth promoting activity of cedrol isolated from the leaves of Platycladus orientalis. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 83, 641-647.

HORSETAIL

• This was a 6 month randomized, placebo-controlled study with 120 patients with androgenetic alopecia. An herbal shampoo containing extracts from Urtica urens leaf, Urtica dioica root, Matricaria chamomilla flower, Achillea millefolium aerial parts, Ceratonia siliqua fruit, and Equisetum arvense leaf was more effective than the placebo in preventing hair loss. From: Pekmezci, E., Dündar, C., & Türkoğlu, M. (2018). A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: A placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study. Acta Dermatovenerologica APA, 27(2), 51-57. 

LAVENDER

• The active group massaged a blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in a carrier oil on their scalp daily, and had reduced hair loss.  From:  Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1349-1352.
• In a study of 40 patients with alopecia, the essential oil treatment in a carrier oil (with thyme, rosemary, lavender, evening primrose oil and cedarwood) was significantly more effective than the placebo.  From:  ÖZMEN, İ., ÇALIŞKAN, E., Ercan, A. R. C. A., AÇIKGÖZ, G., & Erol, K. O. Ç. (2015). Efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: A double-blind placebo controlled study. Gulhane Medical Journal, 57(3).

NETTLE

• This was a 6 month randomized, placebo-controlled study with 120 patients with androgenetic alopecia. An herbal shampoo containing extracts from Urtica urens leaf, Urtica dioica root, Matricaria chamomilla flower, Achillea millefolium aerial parts, Ceratonia siliqua fruit, and Equisetum arvense leaf was more effective than the placebo in preventing hair loss. From: Pekmezci, E., Dündar, C., & Türkoğlu, M. (2018). A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: A placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study. Acta Dermatovenerologica APA, 27(2), 51-57. 

PEPPERMINT

• A diluted peppermint oil applied topically over four weeks induced hair growth in mice without adverse effects.  From: Oh, J. Y., Park, M. A., & Kim, Y. C. (2014). Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicological research, 30(4), 297-304.

ROSEMARY

• Alopecia patients who used a 2% rosemary treatment, showed more hair growth than the control group.  From:  Panahi, Y., Taghizadeh, M., Marzony, E. T., & Sahebkar, A. (2015). Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed, 13(1), 15-21.
• The active group massaged a blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in a carrier oil on their scalp daily, and had reduced hair loss.  From:  Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1349-1352.
• In a study of 40 patients with alopecia, the essential oil treatment in a carrier oil (with thyme, rosemary, lavender, evening primrose oil and cedarwood) was significantly more effective than the placebo.  From:  ÖZMEN, İ., ÇALIŞKAN, E., Ercan, A. R. C. A., AÇIKGÖZ, G., & Erol, K. O. Ç. (2015). Efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: A double-blind placebo controlled study. Gulhane Medical Journal, 57(3).

THYME

• The active group massaged a blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in a carrier oil on their scalp daily, and had reduced hair loss.  From:  Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of dermatology, 134(11), 1349-1352.
• In a study of 40 patients with alopecia, the essential oil treatment in a carrier oil (with thyme, rosemary, lavender, evening primrose oil and cedarwood) was significantly more effective than the placebo.  From:  ÖZMEN, İ., ÇALIŞKAN, E., Ercan, A. R. C. A., AÇIKGÖZ, G., & Erol, K. O. Ç. (2015). Efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: A double-blind placebo controlled study. Gulhane Medical Journal, 57(3).

YARROW

• This was a 6 month randomized, placebo-controlled study with 120 patients with androgenetic alopecia. An herbal shampoo containing extracts from Urtica urens leaf, Urtica dioica root, Matricaria chamomilla flower, Achillea millefolium aerial parts, Ceratonia siliqua fruit, and Equisetum arvense leaf was more effective than the placebo in preventing hair loss. From: Pekmezci, E., Dündar, C., & Türkoğlu, M. (2018). A proprietary herbal extract against hair loss in androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium: A placebo-controlled, single-blind, clinical-instrumental study. Acta Dermatovenerologica APA, 27(2), 51-57. 

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 11/14/2020