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Herbs Preventing Hair Loss -
Herbs Ensuring Complete Hair Care
The medicinal properties of many herbs have been gainfully utilized over thousands of years to prevent hair loss. In every civilization that evolved in the course of history there were the use of herbal formulations for checking hair loss, promoting hair growth and keeping hair thick, strong and luxuriant. Such formulations could have been simple hair oils or hair cleansers or even some complex hair tonics and hair packs.
The time tested herbs that are used in providing hair care and for treating hair problems like hair loss, baldness, premature graying of hair and poor hair health have also been found to be free from side effects. Being readily available from nature these also do not involve much cost as compared to other cosmetic hair loss treatment procedures available.
The herbs used in the treatment of hair are either used as hair oil, hair cleanser/wash (shampoo) or hair tonic. These have proved to be worthwhile in preventing hair loss, checking hair loss and re-growing hair. They also nourish the hair and impart to it a beautiful and healthy look, shine and bounce. The popular hair loss preventing herbs from all over the world are- rosemary, Dong Quai, Aloe Vera, Saw Palmetto, lemon grass and Amla (Indian gooseberry). All these are used externally for effecting hair treatment.
The rosemary or Rosmarinus stimulates hair growth. It is also known to enhance the darkness of hair. Dong Quai is a traditional Chinese herb. This contains phytoestrogens which bring about a reduction in the formation of Di-hydro testosterone (DHT) hormones thus stopping hair loss. It even facilitates hair re-growth.
The small creeping palm Saw Palmetto contains free fatty acids and phytosterols. This blocks the DHT formation and checks hair loss. It also inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase contributing to androgenetic alopecia. Again, the mucilaginous juice of the Aloe Vera plant having a gel like consistency has the property to calm irritated skin. This protects the scalp and hair while acting as an alopecia remedy.
The pale green stalk of lemongrass (around 18 inches in length) stabilizes oil production in the glands lying in the scalp. This imparts fullness, gives body and adds sheen to the hair alongside stopping excess hair fall. Amla or Indian gooseberry is an Indian herb which promotes hair growth and stops hair fall. The abundant amount of vitamin C, calcium minerals and antioxidants present in it make it an important hair nutrient source and its application as oil or otherwise on hair produces tonic effect on hair.
In case of hair loss and thinning of hair herbs can indeed prove to be effective remedies. Not only does the external application of herbs helps. Even intake of the nutrient enriched herbs ensures better health and enhanced luster of hair and keeps excessive hair fall in check. Green tea, for example, is abundant in nutrients and useful compounds (having therapeutic properties). Its regular intake has been found to produce a positive impact on hair health.
It may be noted that it is normal to lose some 50-100 strands of hair daily. It is only when hair falls off at an alarming rate that alopecia conditions are detected and hair loss herbal medication are to be resorted to.