Natural Hair Loss Remedies For Men

If you are a man, you may well see losing your hair as one of the inevitable consequences of growing old. This is also a problem that affects women, although to a lesser extent. The good news is that you can combat hair loss successfully with proven natural supplements, without having to suffer the unpleasant side-effects of drug-based treatments.

Individual hairs on your head grow about one centimetre a month for two to six years, then go into a resting phase for two to three months, before falling out to allow new hairs to grow in their place so its normal to lose some hair every day. However, some people experience more hair loss than normal and notice their hair receding or becoming thin or patchy.

Excessive hair loss is most commonly due to hormonal changes associated with ageing or often in the case of women, pregnancy. An overactive or underactive thyroid that is, too much or too little thyroid hormone being produced can also be a cause, as can fungal infection of the scalp, illness such as lupus and diabetes and physical trauma such as major surgery. Chemotherapy drugs are notorious for causing hair to fall out, but other medicines such as antidepressants, anticoagulants (blood thinners) and birth control pills can also have this effect. In addition, stress may play a significant role in hair loss (J Dermatol 2003; 30: 871-878).

Drug treatments for hair loss can cause palpitations or make you impotent and they may not even work!

In typical male pattern baldness, hair recedes from the front and top of the head, while a horseshoe of hair on the sides and back of the head remains unaffected. This appears to be due to conversion of testosterone to a more potent form called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) through the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

The process speeds up as men get older, but some lack the gene for producing the necessary enzyme and so never suffer from male pattern baldness. DHT binds to receptor sites in the hair follicles and interferes with the chemical signals that are normally sent to the cells responsible for hair growth.

Conventional treatments for hair loss dont inspire much confidence. An over-the-counter preparation to apply to your scalp (Regaine) contains minoxidil, a strong drug for treating high blood pressure that just happens to have the side-effect of promoting hair growth. But its other common side-effects are heart palpitations and fluid retention and only about 15 per cent of users actually find it causes noticeable regrowth of their hair (BMJ 1998; 317:865-869). Whats more, the new hair falls out once treatment is stopped (J Am Acad Dermatol 1987; 17: 97-101).

If you have male pattern baldness, your doctor may prescribe tablets of finasteride (Propecia), a drug that blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. But finasteride has the unacceptable side-effect of reduced libido or impotence and a major study showed that, even after taking it religiously for five years, more than a third of men failed to reduce their hair loss (American Academy of Dermatology 59th Annual Meeting 2001).

These natural plant extracts combat male pattern baldness and without side-effects

High levels of DHT are also associated with enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostate hyperplasia, BPH), so its not surprising that natural treatments for BPH are also showing promise for treating male pattern baldness. In a controlled study, 19 men aged 23 to 64 with mild to moderate hair loss took either a placebo or a supplement containing 400 mg of a standardised extract of the herb saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and 100 mg of the plant sterol beta-sitosterol. Both have been shown to effectively reduce levels of DHT.

After five months, hair growth had significantly improved in an impressive 60 per cent of men taking the supplement, but only in 11 per cent of those given the placebo (J Alt Complement Med 2002; 8: 143-152). Whats more, both saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol are very safe and virtually free from side-effects (the only one being occasional mild stomach upset).

Although the findings of this small study can not be taken as conclusive, they are sufficiently encouraging to suggest that saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol should be the first option for men with mild to moderate hair loss who do not want to risk the problems associated with conventional drugs. Take 200 mg of saw palmetto extract and 100 mg of beta-sitosterol, twice a day.

Another herb with a long-standing reputation for improving hair growth and quality and which is also used to treat BPH is nettle (Urtica dioica). Studies carried out in Germany have shown that nettle root extract not only interferes with the conversion of testosterone to DHT but also blocks the process by which DHT is transported to the hair follicles (Fortschr Med 1995; 113: 37-40).

DHT hitches a ride on a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) by plugging into receptor sites on its surface. Nettle contains compounds called lignans, which can also slot into the SHBG receptors, so that they are unavailable to DHT. Take 400 to 600 mg of standardised nettle root extract a day.

Proof that aromatherapy essential oils stimulate regrowth of hair in bald spots

Some essential oils used in aromatherapy also have the ability to stimulate hair growth. In a clinical trial at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland, 86 patients with alopecia areata a hair loss condition that results in patchy bald spots used either a combination of essential oils in a carrier oil, or just the carrier oil, for seven months (see box for details).

The group using the essential oils had an area of hair regrowth that averaged an amazing 104 square centimetres (about a four-inch square), compared with almost zero for the control group (Arch Dermatol 1998; 134: 1349-1352). Compare that with the paltry 15 per cent success rate with Regaine!

Try this aromatherapy blend to reverse hair loss

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary study, patients massaged their scalps for two minuites every evening with the following blend of oils. A warm towel wrapped around the head afterwards enhances absorption.

Cedarwood 2 drops
Thyme 2 drops
Lavender 3 drops
Rosemary 3 drops
Jojoba oil 1/2 teaspoon (carrier)
Grapeseed oil 4 teaspoons (carrier)