When it comes to beauty problems, hair loss is alarming. But the good news is you don't have to add chemical exposure to the list of shedding frets.
A scientific review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology evaluated natural treatments for hair loss. Not only did it reveal that there are plenty of effective options, but that people have been experimenting with natural fixes for centuries. “The earliest written remedy for hair loss dates back to the ancient Egyptians,” says Alan Bauman, MD, board-certified hair restoration physician. “They prescribed an unusual combination of herbs: a mixture of iron oxide, red lead, onions, alabaster, honey, and animal fats.”
While research has evolved, the desire for natural remedies remains. Here are five simple (animal fat-free) fixes you can try now.
Onion juice
In a small study published in The Journal Of Dermatology, 20 of the 23 people who applied onion juice to their scalps twice a day saw hair regrowth in six weeks. Pick up a bottle at your nearest grocery store; researchers believe the flavonoids may have anti-inflammatory effects.
Hot peppers
A supplement of capsaicin, the compound in peppers that make them hot, was found to stimulate a growth factor associated with hair growth after 5 months, says a study published in Growth Hormone & IGF Research. (People took a 6mg supplement daily.) Talk to your doctor about incorporating the supplement into your diet, or try your hand at the spicy recipes in our Healthy Recipe Finder.
Sage, rosemary, and aloe vera
Sage has been shown to increase hair density, rosemary has been shown to stimulate hair growth, and aloe vera has been used to promote hair growth for centuries, says the Thai review. Find them all in John Masters Organics Zinc & Sage Shampoo with Conditioner.
