Herbs to Thicken Hair

Thinning hair (androgenetic alopecia) is a problem common to both men and women. Conventional hair loss treatments include hair transplant and drug therapy. Propecia (finasteride) and minoxidil are the only drugs approved by the United States Federal Drug Administration for hair re-growth in men. Minoxidil is the only drug choice for women suffering with androgenetic alopecia. Many people who experience hair loss, concerned with possible long term side effects of prescription drugs, choose herbal remedies to thicken tresses and to promote new hair growth.

Garden Herbs For Healthy Hair

• For centuries, lavender, rosemary, sage, catmint, burdock, arcania, parsley and chamomile have been used for preventing hair loss and to promote regrowth. These fragrant herbs, added to shampoos and conditioners as well as rinses or infusions, stimulate and disinfect the scalp. A rinse of horsetail and thyme adds shine and sleekness to the hair shaft and controls dandruff. Dandruff causes itchiness. Scratching the scalp can damage the hair shaft and result in thinning hair.

  Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), commonly called cabbage palm or American dwarf palm, is also referred to in Europe as sabal (Sabal serrulata). Saw palmetto, often touted as an herb that could potentially influence hair growth, flourishes in the southeastern United States. Its greatest concentration is found in Florida. Saw palmetto berry supplements are prescribed by herbalists to regulate testosterone production and encourage hair restoration.

Henna

• Henna has been used for centuries by cultures around the world to stimulate vigorous hair growth and to aid in hair loss prevention. Used as an ingredient to dye or color hair, henna coats and thickens the hair shaft and adds a deep gleaming reddish shine. Crushed into a fine powder and mixed with a liquid to make a thick paste, henna is applied to the scalp and hair as a topical herbal remedy for hair loss.

Chinese Herbs For Healthy Hair

• A traditional Chinese herb, He Shou Wu or Fo-Ti (Polygonum multiflorum) has a well established reputation for improving hair growth. Available in capsules or tea, Fo-Ti can also be found as a main ingredient in many commercial hair restoration formulas.

  Ginkgo Biloba is reported to help reduce hair loss by improving circulation which herbalists believe helps bring more nutrients to hair follicles.