Hair Loss and Herbal Extracts to Promote Hair Regrowth

Hair loss affects millions of people worldwide. For many losing one's hair is simply an acceptable part of growing older, and is not seen as a problem. Many others however find premature balding to be a distressing and upsetting experience, and indeed hair loss -- particularly premature hair loss -- is often linked to depressive disorders that in some cases can be quite severe and debilitating.

There are several natural and synthetic remedies available that can help to arrest or reverse hair loss, so long as the problem is tackled fairly early. Some of these remedies are more effective than others, as you might expect. In this article we will examine some of the more popular herbal and natural remedies, and offer reasons as to why choosing a natural, herbal product is often preferable to using a synthetic one.

Herbs and their extracts hold an obvious appeal for many people because in most cases they are found to support the body's natural healing mechanisms and to target the cause of the problem, rather than merely tackling the symptoms. It would be quite wrong to attempt to present herbal remedies as a miracle cure-all for all sufferers, but there is mounting evidence to support the view that some herbal remedies really are helpful and effective.

Let us briefly examine the cases that have been put forward for some of the more popular herbal remedies, to better assess whether they really can help.

Ginseng - this popular herb is thought to improve blood circulation to all areas by reducing the constriction of capillaries. Increasing the flow of blood to the scalp ensures that more nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the hair follicles, thus reducing hair loss caused by a lack of nutrients. The recommended dose is 120-160mg of dry extract each day, spread over three doses.

Green tea (Camellia sinesis) - catechins found in green tea may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase that converts testosterone into hair-unfriendly dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is believed to be effective in preventing and treating normal male-pattern baldness. You should drink several cups of green tea each day or take it in capsule form as instructed by the manufacturer.

He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) - also known as Fo-Ti. This Chinese herb has traditionally been used to reduce hair loss. It is found in many commercial preparations, or in infusion and capsule forms.

Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) - derived from the bark of an evergreen shrub, it works in a similar way to green tea. It is widely used to treat prostate problems and male pattern baldness. Users should take 60-500mg per day in pill or capsule form.

Saw palmetto (Seranoa repens) - this treatment is becoming increasingly popular for many men due to its multiple effects. It helps to protect the prostate gland, slow hair loss and even encourage hair re-growth. One of the key ingredients in our own product, Hair Again, it also forms the core element of many other commercially prepared hair loss treatments too. The recommended dose is 160mg twice each day.

Stinging nettle (Urtica diocia) - has long been favoured as a means of preventing hair loss due to its ability to block the conversion of testosterone into DHT. It can be taken in pill or capsule form with an optimum dose of 50-100mg per day. It is particularly effective when combined with pygeum and Saw palmetto.