Pattern baldness is relatively less common among the Asian population than among Caucasians; many believe this may be related to diet, although the Asian hair type and heredity may also play a part. Asians have a diet rich in vegetables and herbs, some of which may help fight hair loss.
Researchers have found that a series of amino acids found in legumes and vegetables inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase Type II, which converts testosterone to DHT, the male hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.
Excess amounts of zinc taken in supplements can have the same effect. If these reports are accurate and reproducible, then the use of certain amino acids and zinc may slow down hair loss, much like the use of certain drugs such as finasteride and dutasteride. Roasted sesame seeds are an herbal food used for hundreds of years in Chinese medicine. They’re believed to decrease hair loss and possibly stimulate hair regrowth.
The following sections take a close look at two Chinese herbal remedies with long histories.
He Shou Wu
Many believe that the Chinese herb He Shou Wu, also known as Polygoni multiflori or Fo Ti, stimulates hair growth and also converts fine vellus hair to thicker terminal hair. It may also delay natural graying. Practitioners of Chinese medicine use He Shou Wu for other conditions, such as strengthening weak bones, decreasing high blood pressure, and treating constipation. It’s also thought to have anti-aging properties.
To obtain a benefit from He Shou Wu, you have to ingest the root powder for several months. Known side effects include headaches and diarrhea.
Recently, the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in London released a warning about potential liver damage from the use of He Shou Wu. The MHRA advises that anyone with elevated liver enzymes or liver disease avoid this product until they discuss it with their doctor.
In 2002, a controlled clinical trial was conducted using a combination of oral tablets and lotion containing He Shou Wu. While the final groups were of very small sample size, results did favor the group who received the active herbal ingredients. However, you can’t draw any definitive conclusions from such a small study, and further research is needed to confirm the results. Dabao
In 1991, researchers from the Netherlands studied the effectiveness of the Chinese herb extract Dabao for the treatment of male pattern baldness. In this study, 373 people with androgenic alopecia completed the full six-month trial. At the end of the study, the authors concluded that over a six-month period, Dabao has a (albeit modest) cosmetic effect superior to placebo.
Ayurvedic remedies
Ayurvedic medicine is an alternative medical practice based on the traditional medicine of India. The word Ayurveda is derived from a combination of two Sanskrit terms: ayu meaning “life,” and veda meaning “knowledge” or “science.” The practice of Ayurvedic medicine is believed to be over 5,000 years old in India, and it uses a number of herbs to help prevent hair loss, including Bhringaraj (Eclipta alba), which is believed to promote new hair growth and also bring back natural hair color in people who are graying.
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), very commonly used to treat hair loss as well as to stimulate brain cells, being believed to help with memory and longevity.
Tridax procumbens, amalaki, sandalwood (Santalum), and licorice (Hlycyrrhiza glabra), all of which may stimulate hair growth.
In 2007 researchers in India tested the combination of extracts from three traditional Indian herbs to see what affects they would have on hair growth in rats. The topical formulation sped up hair growth on shaved rats, and analysis of the hair growth cycle after treatment revealed more hair follicles in the anagen phase, when hair cells grow rapidly, compared with controls. Additional herbal remedies
Herbal tea: To treat hair loss, brew an herbal tea with a combination of nettle tea, sage, and rosemary. No time for a cup of tea? Apply the mixture directly to your scalp! (No, we’re not kidding.) No matter how you use it, herbal tea is thought to cause hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp.
Procyanidin B-2: This extract from apples has been shown to promote hair growth in a laboratory study. Perhaps the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” may soon change to “An apple a day keeps the hair loss away!”
Procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs): Extracts from the French maritime pine bark and grape seeds belong to this family of antioxidant substances. One POC may have the effects of stimulating hair growth, but more studies are needed to confirm this.
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06192010
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