Herbs to rescue your thinning Hair
Though prescription drugs, such as Rogaine, and assorted herbal remedies may help
some individuals, nothing is universally effective for reversing thinning hair.
A few natural remedies may work on the underlying causes--but first you must identify
the reasons behind the disappearing tresses.
A healthy balance of male and female sex hormones is integral to hair growth,
but it's the male hormone testosterone (produced by both men and women) that is
associated with hair loss. "The hair follicle responds to hormonal levels,"
Brice explains. "Testosterone seems to cause scalp hair loss while encouraging
hair growth in the pubic and underarm areas." So at the onset of menopause,
when the body makes fewer female hormones to counter the body's existing levels
of testosterone, many women experience hair loss. Supplemental estrogen can help
correct the imbalance and promote hair growth, says Brice.
If your hair loss begins around the onset of menopause, you can maintain hormonal
balance (and hence hair thickness) with herbs containing plant-based estrogens,
such as dong quai (Angelica sinensis) or ashwaganda (Withania somnifera), suggests
Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D., a naturopath and author of Healthy Healing (Healthy Healing
Publications, 1997). Other herbs that exert mild estrogenic effects include damiana
(Turnera diffusa), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and sage (Salvia officinalis).
Another good choice is saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) because it blocks the formation
of a type of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which seems to be
the culprit in hair loss, according to James Duke, Ph.D., in Green Pharmacy (Rodale
Press, 1997). See a knowledgeable health practitioner to determine whether these
herbs are appropriate for you.
A simple test done at the doctor's office can reveal an additional hormone-hair
loss link: an underactive thyroid. During menopause, the thyroid often becomes
sluggish. Adding iodine-rich sea vegetables like kelp to your diet helps boost
thyroid function and supplies minerals needed for proper hair growth, says Page.
It's not uncommon for women who've undergone sustained periods of emotional strain
to notice their hair thinning. "When you've had a severe psychological stress,"
says Brice, "a number of hairs shift from the anagen to telogen stage prematurely,
and they all get shed over a period of just a couple of months." Stress may
trigger this type of hair loss by weakening the thyroid and adrenal glands, according
to herbalist Phyllis Light, coordinator of herbal studies at Clayton College of
Natural Health in Birmingham, Ala. She recommends taking a vitamin B-complex supplement
to support the nervous system during and immediately after trying times. To nourish
the adrenals and act as an adaptogen to help the body better cope with physiological
or emotional stress, try yucca (Yucca spp.) or the Chinese herb fo ti, or he shou
wou (Polygonum multiflorum).
Sometimes thinning hair can be a result of malnutrition. A lack of the essential
fatty acids (EFAs), needed for healthy cell membranes, can contribute to hair
loss, skin diseases and depressed immune response. Fish oils are the most common
dietary sources of EFAs, but vegetarians can supplement with flaxseed oil to prevent
hair from becoming dry and brittle.
Treat your hair right
The strands you do have should be handled with care. Avoid shampoos with detergents
such as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and cocamide DEA, which
dry the scalp and hair. Instead, choose products with gentler cleansers, such
as castile (made from olive oil) and decyl polyglucose (derived from corn).
Other good ingredients to look for in products include the nourishing botanicals
jojoba, rosemary, nettle, horsetail, sage and chamomile.
To keep from doing further damage, opt for an easy-to-maintain hairstyle (but
no ponytails), limit shampooing to two or three times a week, blot hair dry
with a super-absorbent towel, detangle with a wide-tooth wooden comb and avoid
blow-drying. If you need to use styling products, go for sprays or gels with
natural ingredients, such as flaxseed or guar gum, instead of with high isopropyl
and ethyl alcohol contents. Consider installing a shower filter to reduce chlorine,
which dries the hair and scalp. And definitely forgo curling irons, hot rollers,
dyes and perms.
In the meantime, rather than obsessing about getting your hair to grow back,
maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your spirits up. That's the strategy Donna
Karr has adopted, though, she admits, it's challenging. "With hair loss,
you must be patient," advises Light. "Hair doesn't grow fast to start
with, so when you're correcting a problem, you have to realize it will take
months--or years--to catch up."
Other Pages
Natural Remedies 1
Natural Remedies 2
