{"id":11915,"date":"2024-09-25T12:54:06","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T12:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/health-advice\/?p=11915"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:51:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:51:30","slug":"natural-remedies-for-hair-loss-separating-myth-from-fact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/health-advice\/hair-loss\/natural-remedies-for-hair-loss-separating-myth-from-fact\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Remedies for Hair Loss: Separating Myth from Fact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hair loss is a common problem, and there are currently lots of treatments available to promote hair growth and reduce thinning hair and hair loss. Finasteride<\/a> and Regaine<\/a> (minoxidil) are popular hair loss treatments, both of which can be prescribed by a pharmacist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some people might prefer to explore natural hair remedies for hair loss. Dietary changes, herbal treatments and essential oils all have the potential to improve hair regrowth over time; however, the evidence for some of these treatments is weak at best. Here we review some of these treatments, the evidence behind them and how to approach natural remedies to promote hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Science of Hair Growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hair grows from structures in the skin known as hair follicles. These follicles undergo three different stages in the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen and telogen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anagen is the growth phase. During anagen, the hair follicle produces the hair fibre itself. Anagen is the longest phase of the hair growth cycle and lasts for several years. At any one time, around 90% of the hairs on your scalp are in the anagen phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second phase of the growth cycle is catagen. Catagen is also known as the transition stage, because it falls between the growth stage and the resting phase. During catagen, hair growth slows down and the follicle starts to shrink in size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resting phase of the hair growth cycle is called telogen. During telogen, the hair follicle is resting. The hair is not actively growing, but often remains embedded within the hair follicle. Towards the end of telogen, new hairs will begin to form inside the follicle. Telogen can last for several months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential Oils for Hair Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Essential oils have been used to treat hair loss for over 100 years, but it is only recently that studies have been undertaken to see if these traditional remedies are actually effective. A trial of 84 patients with a type of hair loss known as alopecia areata found that a scalp massage with essential oils did improve hair growth overall<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oils used in the study were cedarwood, lavender, thyme and rosemary. 2 drops of cedarwood and thyme oils, alongside 3 drops of rosemary and lavender oils were mixed into 3ml of jojoba oil and 20ml of grapeseed oil, to make it easier to use and to improve absorption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oils were massaged into the scalp for 2 minutes before the head was wrapped in a warm towel to help the oils be absorbed. The patients in the study were advised to do this every night. The results found that 44% of the patients experienced an improvement in their hair from using the essential oils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to try essential oils for hair growth, you could use the same quantities as outlined above, but there are many different methods available online. Some people use coconut oil or olive oil, which can be easier to get hold of than jojoba and grapeseed. Some people have even reported that onion juice can be used for the same purpose<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before using any essential oil, you should be aware that some people do experience allergic reactions to these substances. If you have sensitive skin, or have a known allergy to certain substances or fragrances, you should consult your doctor before using essential oils for hair loss. Before applying essential oils to your scalp, you should do a patch test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This involves placing a small amount of the essential oil onto your skin – the skin in the fold of your elbow may be a good place to try. Reapply the oil in the same place a few times a day for a few days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there are no signs of an allergic reaction by day five, you are unlikely to have an allergic reaction to that essential oil when used on your scalp. If you have any concerns about using essential oils for hair loss, please speak to your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herbal Remedies and Supplements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Various supplements and natural remedies for hair loss are also available, but they don\u2019t always have much evidence behind them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biotin is a B vitamin found in foods such as egg, oats and spinach, but it is also available as a supplement. Research has shown that biotin deficiency is related to hair loss and biotin is rapidly absorbed from supplements<\/a>, so theoretically, biotin may be beneficial in hair loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are not currently any studies to assess the true effects of biotin on hair growth. If you have a known biotin deficiency, or if you have risk factors for biotin deficiency such as a low-biotin diet, bowel diseases or certain medications, biotin supplements may be a good option to try if you\u2019re experiencing hair loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ginseng is a natural hair loss treatment that has been the subject of several studies over the last few years. A few studies have found that ginseng helps to prevent hair loss and to encourage hair growth<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been some promising trials looking at the effect of topical ginseng in mice, however, overall, the research is still quite limited in this field, and so it is not widely recommended. Ginseng is thought to work by triggering the anagen (growth) phase and delaying the catagen (transition) phase of the hair growth cycle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the lack of research, we also do not know what doses of ginseng would be effective for hair loss, but we do know that consuming excessive quantities of ginseng can have detrimental health effects, such as changes to your blood pressure, difficult sleeping and problems with your digestive system. With this in mind, it is recommended that you speak to a healthcare professional if you intend to use ginseng for this purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palmetto is another natural remedy for hair loss. Derived from the fan palm plant, Palmetto is available in capsules and tablets from health food stores. Whilst some studies have shown an improvement in hair growth when taking palmetto<\/a>, the research is still very limited and for this reason, it is not recommended by most doctors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are considering using any natural remedies for thinning hair and hair loss, it is recommended that you discuss this first with a medical professional. They will be able to help rule out any underlying cause to your hair loss, and other factors that may be contributing to your condition. They will also be best placed to give advice on which remedies and treatments may be most suitable for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Role of Diet in Hair Growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition is an important part of hair care<\/a>. A healthy diet will give you the vitamins and nutrients you need to maximise your hair growth. Vitamin E, iron, biotin and omega-3 fatty acids are all very important to ensure healthy hair. Many of these substances are available as nutritional supplements, but to ensure you get enough of them, it\u2019s usually best to integrate them into a healthy diet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iron is found primarily in red meat and liver, however, red kidney beans, chickpeas and some dried fruits are alternative sources of iron. Iron-deficiency can lead to anaemia, which is a condition in which you do not have enough healthy red blood cells. A blood test can tell you if you are low in iron and a doctor can prescribe iron supplements to help you top up the iron in your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuts, seeds and plant-based oils such as sunflower, olive and rapeseed oils are good sources of vitamin E. However, these foods are also high in fats, so you should be mindful about the quantities you consume them in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biotin is a type of B vitamin. It is commonly found in fish, meat, offal, egg yolks, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, nuts and seeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in high quantities in oily fish such as mackerel and salmon. You can also buy cod-liver oil, which is usually taken on its own as a dietary supplement. Flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts and soybeans are alternative sources of omega-3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integrating Natural Remedies with Professional Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just because natural remedies are often available through health food shops or online retailers, that does not mean that you wouldn\u2019t also benefit from working with healthcare professionals on your hair loss. GPs, dermatologists and nutritionists can all provide valuable insight into hair loss treatment. Your GP is often the best place to start. They can review your medical history and do some preliminary tests to work out what may be causing your hair loss and which treatments may be appropriate, such as finasteride and Regaine (minoxidil<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finasteride works by reducing the amount of testosterone your body converts into DHT; this hormone is one of the primary culprits in androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). Meanwhile, Regained active ingredient, minoxidil,  increases blood flow to the follicles, helping to slow hair thinning and increasing hair thickness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dermatologists are doctors who specialise in skin, and this includes hair follicles. They can help to identify and treat any underlying skin condition that is contributing to your hair loss. Nutritionists can also be very beneficial in hair loss, because they can help you to optimise your diet so your body has the resources it needs to promote healthy hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of different remedies for hair loss available including natural remedies, essential oils, dietary changes and medications. If you\u2019re considering alternative treatments for hair loss, it is important that you take a balanced and informed approach. Some herbal remedies, such as palmetto have very little evidence base and are not usually recommended by medical professionals. However, essential oils and dietary changes have more evidence behind them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before using alternative treatments, it\u2019s a good idea to discuss this with your doctor. They will be able to explore the evidence behind the treatments you are interested in using and make suggestions about what may suit you best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may also recommend medications such as minoxidil and finasteride, the UK\u2019s top treatments for hair loss. Most importantly, they may be able to make you aware of any potentially harmful side effects of the treatments you\u2019re interested in, and how they could interact with any other health conditions or medications you are taking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever treatment you use, you must be aware that hair regrowth takes time. People can respond very differently to different remedies and what works for one person may not work for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you find a treatment that works for you, you must be aware that it can take many weeks before you will see any noticeable results, so patience is crucial. By optimising your diet and working with your doctor on a personalised treatment plan, you should be able to maximise your hair regrowth and reduce hair loss as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n