9/11/2018 19 Herbs for Hair Growth

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19 Herbal Remedies for Hair Growth

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC,
AHN-BC, CHT on October 23, 2017 — Written by Annette McDermott

Herbal hair oils Polyherbal ointments Herbal creams Herbal gels

Cubosomal suspension Side effects and risks Takeaway

Does it really work?

Hair loss is a common concern for many men and women. There are
many reasons your hair may fall out, from genetics and vitamin
deficiencies, to hormone changes. Some medical conditions, such as
thyroid disease, may also cause hair to thin or fall out.

There’s no magic bullet for growing hair, but research has shown some
herbs may slow hair loss or help promote new growth. It’s important to
note however, that much of the research has been done on animals.
Additional studies are needed to prove their effectiveness on humans.

Keep reading to learn how herbal remedies may be used to help improve
your hair growth. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding herbs to
your daily routine, especially if your hair loss is caused by a medical
condition.

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Herbal hair oils

Hair oils, also called hair tonics, are herbal extracts mixed in a carrier oil
base. Some hair oils include multiple herbs and carrier oils.

Popular carrier oils used to make herbal oils are:

coconut oil
sweet almond oil
walnut oil

olive oil
mineral oil

jojoba oil

wheat germ oil

Some herbs used in herbal hair oils are:

Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis): Chinese hibiscus is an

evergreen shrub. Its edible, vibrant flowers are often used to make
herbal tea. Hibiscus is thought to help stimulate hair follicles,
increase follicle size, and increase hair growth.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): Brahmi, also called bacopa, is a

creeping herb used in Ayurveda medicine. It contains alkaloids
thought to activate proteins responsible for hair growth.

Coat buttons (Tridax procumbent): Coat buttons is a creeping

Ayurvedic herb and member of the daisy family. It contains
antioxidants and promotes hair growth on its own and in synergy
with other herbs.

Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi): Jatamansi is a small shrub

whose rhizomes
A D V E R T I S Emay
M E N T speed hair growth. It’s been shown to


increase hair growth in alopecia caused by chemotherapy.

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Ginseng (Panax ginseng): Ginseng is an age-old natural remedy for

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many conditions, including hair loss. It contains saponins, which are
believed to encourage hair growth by inhibiting 5a reductase. This
is an enzyme related to hair loss in men.

How to use

Some hair oils are formulated to use as a shampoo or a leave-in hair

treatment, so take note of the manufacturer’s instructions. The label will
advise you on whether to apply to damp or dry hair.

Using clean hands, massage the hair oil directly to your scalp and rinse as
directed.

Polyherbal ointments
Herbal ointments, sometimes called herbal salves, are usually made by
combining herbs with an oil like lanolin or petroleum jelly and water.
Other ingredients may include beeswax or cocoa butter. Polyherbal
ointments typically contain multiple herbal extracts.

Some herbs used in polyherbal ointments are:

Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis): Gooseberry is an Ayurvedic herb.

It’s used to strengthen hair and promote hair growth. It’s also known
to contain several antioxidants.

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica): Gotu kola is one of the most popular
Ayurvedic herbs. It’s thought to increase hair length and stimulate
hair growth, possibly by increasing blood circulation to the scalp.

Aloe vera (A. Barbadensis Mill.): Aloe vera is a tropical plant and a
popular folk remedy for burns and digestive problems. It may be
also used to keep the scalp conditioned and healthy which can
support healthy hair growth.

Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum): Holy basil is a fragrant, adaptogenic

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herb known for its healing properties. It may help prevent hair loss
caused by dandruff and itching or changes in hormonal levels.

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How to use NEWSLETTER

Polyherbal ointments are usually applied directly to your scalp. With clean
hands, massage the ointment into your scalp until absorbed as per
manufacturer’s instructions.
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Herbal creams
Herbal creams are also made from herb-infused oils and water. They
contain less oil and more water than herbal ointments and are easily
absorbed by your skin.

Some herbs used to make herbal creams are:

Giant dodder (Cuscuta reflexa Roxb): According to a 2008 study,

giant dodder — a sprawling, Ayurvedic plant — helps treat alopecia
caused by steroid hormones by inhibiting the 5a reductase enzyme.

Bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis): Bitter apple is a desert, fruit-

bearing plant used in Ayurveda. Its dried fruit pulp is used to treat
hair loss. Bitter apple contains glycosides, which are compounds
thought to initiate hair growth.

False daisy (Eclipta alba): False daisy is an herb used in Ayurveda

to increase hair growth. According to a study from 2014, false daisy
helps stimulate hair follicles and provokes a faster hair growth stage 
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in nude mice.

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Night-flowering jasmine (Nyctanthes arbortristis): This small,

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flowering shrub is native to South Asia. According to 2016 research,
night-flowering jasmine initiated hair growth in rats and may be
effective against alopecia.

How to use

With clean hands, massage the hair cream into your scalp or apply to hair
from roots to tips as per manufacturer’s instructions.

Herbal gels
Herbal gels contain herbal extracts in a gel base. They typically don’t
contain oil.

Herbs used in herbal gels to support healthy hair may include:

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Fenugreek is a member

of the pea family. It’s a popular cooking spice with potential hair-
growing benefits. According to research from 2006, fenugreek
seed extract improved hair volume and hair thickness in men and
women with moderate hair loss.

Marking nut (Semecarpus anacardium): This plant is found in the

sub-Himalayan area and used in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine to
help hair grow. More research is needed on marking nut to
determine its effectiveness and safety.

How to use

Using clean hands, massage the gel into your scalp or apply to your hair
from roots to tips as per manufacturer’s instructions.

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Cubosomal suspension
Cubosomes are liquid, crystalline nanoparticles. Cubosomal suspensions
are used to target the delivery of drugs and, in some cases, herbal
remedies.

Some herbs used in cubosomal suspensions for hair growth are:

Oriental arborvitae (Thuja orientalis): Oriental arborvitae is an

evergreen tree and member of the cypress family. It’s a traditional
remedy for baldness. According to a 2013 study, the herb helps hair
grow by stimulating the growth stage in resting hair follicles.

Espinosilla (Loeselia mexicana): Espinosilla is grown in Mexico. It’s

used to strengthen hair follicles and help maintain a healthy scalp.
According to a 2014 study, espinosilla showed some hair growth in
male mice.

Goji berry (Lycium chinense Mill): This fruit-bearing shrub is used

in traditional Chinese medicine to promote hair growth. Goji berry
contains zinc, a mineral thought to infuse the scalp with oil to help
prevent dandruff which can lead to hair loss.

Tuber fleeceflower (Polygonum multiflorum): This tuber is a

traditional Chinese medicine remedy for hair loss. It contains
compounds that inhibit 5a reductase enzymes. It also helps
stimulate the growth stage in hair follicles.
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How to use
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Using clean hands, comb in or apply to your hair from root to tip, or as
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otherwise instructed. Use herbal cubosomal suspensions as directed by
your doctor.

Possible side effects and risks

The main risk of herbal hair growth products is allergic reaction. You
should always do a patch test to check for an allergic reaction before
using any herbs.

To do this:

1. Apply a small amount of product to the inside of your wrist.

2. Leave on for at least 24 hours.

3. If you haven’t experienced any irritation within a day, it should be

safe to apply elsewhere.

If you do develop an allergic reaction, you may experience:

rash

hives

redness

itching

difficulty breathing

dizziness
headache

Potential side effects of topical herbal hair growth products include:

thinning hair
increased hair loss

dry scalp

scalp redness
A D V E Ror
T I S Eirritation
MENT
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The side effects of most herbs for hair growth aren’t well-studied in
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humans. There’s not enough information to standardize dosing
recommendations.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t use herbs to grow

hair unless under the supervision of a doctor or a qualified natural health
practitioner.

The bottom line

No herbal remedy can regrow a full head of hair. You should be wary of
herbal products that claim to be a hair growth sensation.

Research has shown that some herbs may help strengthen hair, support
scalp health, improve hair thickness, or stimulate the hair growth cycle.
Still, more clinical trials on humans are needed before herbal remedies
become a mainstream hair growth treatment.

Any herb may be used in all types of herbal hair product preparations. But
it may be difficult to find over-the-counter hair growth products that
include the herbs used in research. Your doctor or natural health
practitioner may be able to help you find a remedy that best suits your
needs.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before use. They can walk you through
your treatment options and advise you on any next steps.

Article resources

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