The Top Herbs for Hair Loss

Because hair is an important part of appearance, hair loss can result in loss of self-esteem and feeling unattractive, especially in women and younger men. Hair loss sufferers spend billion of dollars annually on remedies ranging from drugs to vitamins to special tonics and shampoos. Though drugs sometimes are effective, many people are wary of their potential side effects and concerned about the ongoing expense. This has led to increased interest in alternative remedies such as herbal medicine.

There are eight herbs that have long been believed to reduce the rate of hair loss and, at the same time, stimulate hair regrowth.

1) Dong Quai (Chinese Angelica)

Dong Quai is a traditional Chinese herb that is used to stop hair loss and even regrow hair. Dong Quai contains phytoestrogens, which reduces the formation of DHT, the main cause of hair loss in men.

2) Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is a very popular herbal remedy that is thought to help with many problems, among them improving the circulation of blood to the brain and skin. The majority of herbalists who recommend this herb for hair loss do so believing that the increase of blood to the brain and skin delivers more nutrients to the hair follicles and so promotes hair regrowth.

3)Green Tea (Camellia Sinesis)

Green tea is another popular herbal remedy because it is believed that the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is inhibited by the catechins found in the green tea. Some herbalists claim that you will reduce the risk of male pattern type baldness if you drink several cups of green tea or take it in capsule form on a daily basis.

4) He Shou Wu or Fo-Ti (Polygonum Multiflorum)

He Shou Wu is an ancient Chinese herb that has been used for centuries for hair loss and baldness. It is available in both tea and capsule form and is one of the main ingredients found in many commercial remedies for the treatment of hair loss. In a recent study published by American Botanical Council, the authors note that this Chinese botanical shows promise as a hair and color restorative and is capable of inducing terminal hair to grow instead of vellus hair (the fine baby hair growth associated with use of minoxidil).

5) Panax Ginseng

Used in Asia for thousands of years, Ginseng’s well known benefits include promoting vascular circulation and regulating cellular metabolism. When used in shampoo or hair tonic, Ginseng helps to nourish and strengthen hair.

6) Pygeum (Pygeum Africanum)

Pygeum is taken from the bark of the evergreen tree and works in a very similar way to green tea. It has been used to treat problems with the prostrate for many years in China and can be found in pill or capsule form.

7) Saw Palmetto (Seranoa Repens)

Saw palmetto is a very popular choice for treating hair loss. Not only does it slow down the loss of hair, it also encourages the hair to regrow. In addition, Saw Palmetto has the ability to protect the prostrate.

8) Stinging Nettle (Urtica Diocia)

Stinging Nettle blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. It can be bought in either pill or capsule form and is said to be more effective when used in combination with saw palmetto or pygeum.

The above eight herbs have been used by countless hair loss sufferers long before scientists started creating hair loss drugs or treatments. If you look around in a health food store or online, you will find that most herbal remedies for hair loss incorporate one or more of the above ingredients. These herbal hair loss solutions provide a feasible and safe option for men and women to treat their hair loss problem.

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