What Herbs Can I Take to Enhance Hair Growth?

Hair loss can be a scary situation in many men's lives. Male-pattern baldness, called androgenetic alopecia, can cause a receding hairline or a balding crown that can be disheartening. Hair loss can also occur from illness or major surgery, hormonal issues, fungal infections and from certain medicines. In addition to prescription drugs, herbs have been used to combat hair loss--for rejuvenation and hair stimulation.

Grape Seeds

• Grape seeds have been used for thousands of years for their medicinal and nutritional values because they contain huge amounts of proanthocyanidins complexes, or pyrocyanidins, which are powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals that can cause damage to the hair follicles. The "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology" notes that procyanidins significantly increased the total number of hairs in the designated scalp area compared to the placebo. Procyanidins are also obtained from apples, cocoa, blueberries, green tea and rose hips.

Lavender

• Lavender grows in the sunny, stony habitats located in the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean, southern Europe, Australia and the United States. This blue-violet flower is used for its fragrance. Typically incorporated into soaps and shampoos, it is also used to treat alopecia areata. According to a study from the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with alopecia that were treated with lavender and other essential oils daily for seven months experienced significant hair re-growth compared to the placebo group.

Rosemary

• Rosemary is another herb that has been used for hair growth and fighting alopecia. Used widely as a spice as well as medicinally to improve memory, stimulate hair growth, and support your circulatory and nervous system, rosemary contains antioxidants that fight the free radicals responsible for hair destruction. When used in conjunction with lavender and other essential oils, rosemary can rejuvenate and enhance hair growth.

Chinese Herbs

• The Chinese have always used herbs to obtain and maintain healthy hair. Gotu Kola is recommended for male pattern baldness and age-related hair loss, because it increases the rate of collagen synthesis that may possibly heal the inflammation around the hair follicle. An ingredient found in a majority of hair supplement shampoo and dietary hair supplements, Foti is another famous herb used as a hair growth enhancer. Other Chinese herbs used to treat the hair include He Shou Wu, Nu Zhen Zi, Han Lian Cao, Shuan Ye, Dang Gui and Shu Di Huang.