Do Natural Remedies for Thinning Hair Work?

There are many natural remedies for thinning hair and hair loss that you can try. This article details various exercises that help relieve stress and reduce your body's levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which has a strong connection with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness and female diffuse thinning). Herbal remedies for hair loss are also included.

Exercises for hair health

These are the sorts of things you can do that, over time, may give slight improvements to the health and growth of your hair. However, like any holistic approach, these home-made natural remedies for thinning hair and hair loss will take time. So it's important that, if you do decide to try some or all of these ideas, you must commit yourself to doing them regularly for several months.

1. Slow deep breathing

It might sound unlikely, but deep breathing can increase your energy levels by delivering more oxygen to your blood. This can help nourish your scalp follicles.

2. Neck stretches

Tilts - keep your head facing forwards and tilt left then right. Turns - turn your head as far left, then as far right as you can without straining. Nods - nod your chin down to your chest. Then lift your head back and up.

Combined with slow deep breathing, these exercises will help relieve tension in the neck and improve circulation to some extent. You will need to repeat each exercise several times.

3. Head and neck massage

These feel good and can probably encourage an increase in circulation to the scalp for a short period of time. Importantly, they'll also reduce stress too, which again should help scalp circulation slightly.

4. Gravity exercises

Another home remedy for thinning hair involves the use of gravity. Various ideas exist, but shoulder stands (with or without a wall to prop yourself up) are probably the fastest way to increase blood flow to the scalp. A less extreme version would be to simply lying on your back and lifting your legs up against a wall. You could even lie on a bed with your head over the side.

5. Aerobic exercise

Cycling, swimming, jogging, walking, etc tend to lower testosterone levels. This, in turn, lowers DHT levels which might mean less hair loss. Note: Heavy weightlifting exercises will make DHT levels increase (which is why bodybuilding has been linked to hair loss).

Herbs and Plant Extracts

Herbal hair loss products usually take the form of topically (externally) applied creams, lotions and ointments. These are usually promoted as natural remedies for thinning hair and hair loss since many people prefer to avoid drug products that can cause side effects. However, most of these products also contain man-made chemicals within the ingredients list.

Many herbs and plant extracts can be taken internally too so you can address your hair loss problem from both the outside and inside.

But these products can be quite expensive when you consider that you'll need to keeping using them long-term or even permanently to produce and keep any benefits you see in your hair.

Given that some of these plants might be growing in your backyard, you might like to try harvesting them yourself when the season is right - for example, you can collect nettles in the spring and make your own nettle tea or topical application.

Clearly, many natural remedies for thinning hair, hair loss and alopecia will also involve the foods you eat and supplements you take. To find out what vitamins for hair loss you need, click here.

Examples of symptomatic factors include an increase in DHT and 5 alpha reductase levels within the hair loss region of the scalp. and so herbs and plants that are 5 alpha reductase inhibitors and DHT blockers will typically be used in both topical and oral products.

Herbs and plant extracts that are said to help hair loss include:

• Basil
• Burdock
• Chinese herbs (e.g., He Shou Wu, Ginseng and Dong Quai)
• Ginkgo biloba
• Gotu kola
• Green tea
• Lavender
• Nettle
• Parsley
• Pygeum africanum
• Rosemary
• Saw palmetto
• Seaweeds and sea vegetables

Essential oils

Essential oils are associated with many beneficial effects for both the mind and body. Over the years, many have been used as natural remedies for thinning hair, hair loss as well as other skin and hair conditions. They are extremely concentrated and should normally be applied using a base or carrier oil (olive oil is especially good for healthy hair growth and removing residues from your scalp). Methods of application include: hair oil, rinse and massage.

These are the essential oils which, amongst others, are said to be beneficial for your hair:

• Baldness and hair loss - Basil, Clary Sage, Lavender and Rosemary.
• Poor circulation - Basil, Lemon, Orange and Rosemary.
• Dandruff - Cedarwood, Lavender and Rosemary.
• Greasy hair - Clary Sage and Lemon.
• Dry hair - Lavender, Rosemary and Sandalwood.
• Grey hair - Rosemary, Lavender, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Thyme.

Essential oils have an extremely pungent smell, so application at night and washing out in the morning is probably the best option. (Note: some oils such as Lavender are also good for relaxation, so they might also help you sleep, whereas others such as Basil are stimulants and so might keep you awake).

Note: If you have any existing condition that might be affected by any of the exercises or herbs mentioned (e.g. hypertension, heart condition, glaucoma, detached retina, etc) you should consult with a doctor before trying them.

So, will any of these ideas provide you with a real cure for thinning hair?

Unfortunately it's most likely that none of the natural remedies for thinning hair described on this page will solve your hair loss problem on their own. But, by trying several approaches for several months, you might notice some benefit in the health of your hair.

A new natural remedy for thinning hair that works:

I myself very much believe a natural approach can produce results as good as any hair loss drug, and in some cases, far exceed what you might achieve from these potentially harmful pills and topical lotions.