Herbs hold an obvious appeal for many people because they support the body's natural healing mechanisms to target the cause of the problem, as opposed to merely tackling the symptoms. It would be wrong to present herbal hair loss remedies as a miracle solution for all sufferers - there is however growing evidence to support the view that some herbal remedies offer real hope to many people.
Let's examine the case for some of the more popular remedies to determine if they're worth trying.
Ginkyo biloba - this popular herb is thought to improve blood circulation to the brain and skin. Herbalists believe that the increased flow of blood to the brain area delivers more nutrients to the hair follicle thus promoting hair regrowth. The recommended dose is 120-160mg of dry extract each day spread over three doses.
Green tea (Camellia sinesis) - it is thought that catechins found in green tea may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase that converts testosterone into hair-unfriendly DHT. It is therefore believed to be effective in preventing and treating male pattern type 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 tea and capsule form.
Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) - derived from the bark of an evergreen, 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 is the current treatment of choice for many men due to its ability to protect the prostate, slow hair loss and encourage hair regrowth. It forms the core element of many commercially prepared hair loss treatments but can easily be obtained in its pure form. The recommended dose is a 160mg capsule twice each day, but make sure the ingredients are made from the berry extract not the dried berries themselves.
Stinging nettle (Urtica diocia) - this has long been favored 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.
Help With Hair Loss
Most people dismiss the effects of hair loss and it is made fun of. But it can be extremely upsetting. The upsetting effects of hair loss are often dismissed because they are associated with vanity. People that are upset by their own loss of hair are often considered vain and as a result they are ridiculed for taking their hair loss seriously. It is a shame because losing hair can be extremely upsetting to people. It is similar to the news reports that cover stories of people that have had cosmetic surgery that has gone wrong.
The subtext to these stories is that people that undergo these surgical procedures do so because they are vain and therefore deserve the perceived punishment that they have received. This is a grossly unfair accusation to lay at the foot of someone that has had the misfortune to experience a surgical procedure that has gone wrong. It does not recognise the pain that that person has gone through.
It is not a case of attempting to sympathise with the people that have had a terrible experience but rather blame them for it. The same applies to people that have lost their hair. But despite the lack of sincerity with which hair loss is treated it is a serious problem that does have damaging effects to self esteem and other people's perceptions of a person suffering from hair-loss. So how can you cope with the effects of hairloss?
Ignore it
Undoubtedly the cheapest way of coping with loss of hair is to ignore it. If you can accept hairloss as something that is unavoidable and remember that you are still the same person underneath and move on with your life then you will save a lot of time and money. Nevertheless this is of course not that easy. Losing your hair can be an extremely upsetting event especially in cultures that see hair as a sign of fertility.
Wear a wig
Wearing a wig can be a very good way of coping. It is a non invasive option. Wig technology is extremely good and these days wigs can be entirely convincing. Good wigs can cost a lot of money but will provide you with a natural looking head of hair instantly.
Use drugs
There are a number of bogus therapies on the market that claim to help you keep your head of hair. It is nevertheless recognised by doctors that a mixture of the drugs Minoxidil and Finastride do have a significant effect. Finastride is taken orally and Minoxidil is applied directly to the scalp. These formulas need to be prescribed by a doctor but will improve the thickness of the hair and reduce loss of hair.
Have surgery
Hair replacement surgery and hair transplant surgery has improved a great deal over the years and the results that can be achieved by this type of surgery are impressive. The best surgeons can achieve natural looking results for their patients. This is great for people that can afford the surgery.
Both Jarred Sadler & Shaun Parker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jarred Sadler has sinced written about articles on various topics from Environment, Food and Drink and Environment. To read about and. Jarred Sadler's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Shaun Parker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Marketing, Auto Insurance and Wedding Bells. Shaun Parker has researched the various types of that exist and the hair replacement and hair transplant techniques that are available to combat them.. Shaun Parker's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.