Two Most Important Herbs in Hair Loss Treatment




There are two herbs which have a great impact on the health of human hair. They have been known for centuries, but development of science in general and biology and hair loss studies in particular drew even closer attention to them. Now the great healing power of saw palmetto and stinging nettle are proven from the scientifical point of view and we know why these two herbs bring benefits to people’s hair.

Many shampoos nowadays which are based on natural ingredients contain saw palmetto or nettle root extracts. After washing hair with them regularly a person notices that hair becomes stronger, shinier and stops falling out.

Saw Palmetto is the main ingredient in 90% of all hair loss products. It has become popular as a hair loss supplement because it reduces the level of DHT which is destructing to hair.

The extract comes from the fruit of Serenoa Repens which grows in the southeastern U.S.: the patches of saw palmetto can be found at the southeast coastline of South Carolina, southeastern Georgia and southern Missouri, but the biggest producer of the extract is Florida because this palm tree grows in every area of the state. Sometimes Serenoa Repens is also called it cabbage palm or American dwarf palm tree.

The plant was known to American Indians especially Florida’s Seminole tribe which used it for various types of treatments for many years. First of all they used large red-black berries to prepare a general tonic for nourishing the body, encouraging the appetite and gaining weight. They also used to make remedies from the berries to treat genitor-urinary health problems.

When saw palmetto reached Europe it was widely used for prostate treatment. Only recently the popularity of the extract reached America where it has been studied deeply. Today a person can find the palm berries dried and ground into powder, offered as dietary supplements in the forms of tablets, capsules, extracts or teas.

It has been noticed that prostate problems are closely connected to hair loss and since saw palmetto was proven to work greatly on prostate health the scientists started investigating the extract’s influence on hair loss. Saw palmetto blocks DHT, the hormone that kills hair follicles. Male pattern baldness can be treated successfully thanks to the herb.

Many people prefer to use the extract of saw palmetto as a topical solution: they massage the oily substance into the scalp and leave it there for at least an hour to allow the remedy to become absorbed through the skin.

While there have not been any noticeable side-effects reported in the topical solution, the patients should be very cautious when they use dietary supplements. Saw palmetto might cause stomach discomfort, nausea, diarrhea and tender breasts. Pregnant women should avoid using saw palmetto because it might have negative effect on unborn babies. Besides, they say that saw palmetto does not treat female hair loss.

Stinging Nettle grows in most areas of the northern hemisphere. It can be found in America, Europe and Asia. This is why it is used by more nations and it is studied deeper than saw palmetto. For many centuries people in different cultures used nettle as a cure for rheumatism, arthritis, anemia, kidney and urinary problems. Some nations use it as a vegetable which is extremely high in nutrients: they eat it fresh in salads, make soups teas and create various vegetable dishes with the herb.

It has been widely known that nettle extract could improve hair health, make the hair stronger, thicker and shinier. The reason is the high concentration of vitamins in the herb. Lately it has also been discovered that nettle has the same effect as saw palmetto: it blocks the production of DHT and prevents hair loss. The good news about nettle is that it also helps women to treat hair loss although all benefits of nettle in hair loss treatment have not been studied yet.

The only problem about nettle extract is that many people are allergic to it. If the person uses prescription drugs it is necessary to consult a doctor about the nettle because it might conflict with high blood pressure medications, diabetes treatments and sedatives.

Christiana Roberts

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Posted on August 21, 2009 
Filed Under Hair Loss, Hair Loss Treatments

Comments

One Response to “Two Most Important Herbs in Hair Loss Treatment”

  1. ramaiah on August 29th, 2009 9:20 pm

    the information is vry good. At the same time kindly inform any good prepared oil or shampo for male baldness

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