China’s Two Renowned Herbs for Natural Hair Loss Treatment

Hundreds of Chinese herbs are recognised all over the world for their healing properties.

Since they offer alternative means to treat and prevent a variety of ailments and conditions without the risk of adverse effects — unlike commercialized medications — people in various parts of the world are starting to appreciate the value of Chinese herbs for promoting the well-being of a person.

Indeed, Chinese medicinal herbs are now considered as a legitimate treatment for various diseases and infections. Herbs with a pungent-spicy taste are able to dissolve external pathogenic factors, provide proper circulation of qi (life energy), and energise the blood.

Herbs with a sweet taste can also nourish and condition the body and relieve seizure and pain. Sour-flavoured herbs have the effects of absorbing and controlling vitamins and minerals while bitter-flavoured herbs have the elements of clearing away heat as well as removing dampness.

With those excellent qualities exhibited by various Chinese herbs, it is not surprising that they are used as a natural hair loss treatment. They contain elements which can protect and prevent the onset of hair fall and hair thinning problems as well as keep the hair from becoming dry and damaged.

So, if you are looking for a natural hair loss treatment alternative, use gotu kola and fo-ti, two of the most renowned Chinese herbs which can help you prevent further hair loss at the same time stimulate healthier hair regrowth.

Gotu Kola

Scientific Name: Centella asiatica

Common Names: Indian Pennywort (English), Yahong yahong (Philippines), Vallaarai (Tamil) and Brahmi (Hindi).

Characteristics: leaves – fan-shaped with a smooth texture; flowers – reddish brown

Beneficial Effects: This herb has an antioxidant property which helps deliver an adequate amount of nourishment to the hair roots, encouraging the growth of healthier hair strands. It also prevents dandruff, hair discoloration, split-ends and extreme hair fall.

Other Uses: Apart from preventing hair loss from getting worse, gotu kola helps treat ailments like hepatitis, epilepsy, diarrhoea, syphilis, stomach ulcer and high blood pressure. It also provides relief from conditions like anxiety, edema and insomnia.

Fo-Ti

Scientific Name: Fallopia multiflora

Common Names: Chinese Knotweed and He Shou Wu.

Characteristics: leaves – 3–7 cm (length) by 2–5 cm (width), arrowhead-shaped with an entire margin; flowers – 6–7 mm (diameter), white or greenish-white; fruit – 2.5–3 mm (length)

Beneficial Effects: This herb is famous for stimulating the growth of healthier hair strands. Fo-ti has been used by Chinese doctors to restore the shine, thickness and health of the hair; strengthen the urinary, liver and circulatory system; and boost libido in men. Some tests also showed the potential of fo-ti in preventing greying hair.

Bottom Line

Chinese herbs as a natural hair loss treatment alternative promote a healthy, safe and inexpensive way to stimulate thicker, fuller and healthier hair.

Herbal DHT Blockers: The Best Products for Hair Loss

products for hair loss

There are thousands and thousands of products for hair loss and hair thinning problems available in the market.

That being said, it is only natural to feel a little overwhelmed when looking for the best hair loss products to help you stop hair loss at the same time stimulate healthier hair regrowth.

Although picking one from the various products for hair loss seems like a daunting task, it can be made easy when you make a thorough examination of the main cause of your hair problem. You need to find its root cause so that you can properly and accurately address the issue.

Remember, hair loss and hair thinning problems differ from person to person. In fact, it is a case-to-case basis; hence, you need to be aware of the contributing factor that is causing your hair loss problem.

One of the leading causes of hair loss in both men and women is the overproduction of DHT in the scalp. DHT or dihydrotestosterone is actually a direct by-product of the male hormone testosterone that comes in contact with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

The formation of DHT in the scalp hampers the healthy state of the hair follicles, leading to thinner and finer hair strands and worse, hair loss and hair thinning problems. With that, we can say that the best products for hair loss should be excellent DHT inhibitors.

DHT inhibitors are substances that prevent DHT from attaching to the hair follicles. It also inhibits the production of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. The idea is that once the DHT formation is lessened or reduced, the hair follicles will regrow fuller, thicker and healthier hair strands.

There are various DHT blockers available in the market which can help stop hair loss. Many of the commercialised products for hair loss contain herbs as their main ingredients which serve as excellent DHT blockers.

Below is a list of the most widely used herbal plants as excellent DHT blockers:

  • Green Tea — is a powerful anti-oxidant that reduces the level of DHT in the body. Green tea produces higher levels of the sex hormone-binding protein known as globulin, which carries hormones like testosterone around the body in a bound, unusable form so that the 5-alpha reductase cannot bind with it. 
  • He Shou Wu — is a Chinese medicinal herb which is also known as fo-ti. It prevents the build-up of DHT in the scalp and the hair follicles. Studies also revealed that He Shou Wu is effective in restoring colour to greying hair. 
  • Saw Palmetto — is an effective anti-androgen which aids in fighting against DHT build-up in 2 different ways: (1) blocking the 5-alpha reductase enzymes, reducing DHT levels in the body and (2) blocking the receptor sites of the hair follicles in the scalp, preventing DHT from attaching to the follicles. 
  • Stinging Nettle — is an herb which counteracts the damaging effects of DHT on the hair follicles and the scalp. It boosts blood circulation in the scalp, delivering an adequate amount of nutrients and oxygen in the hair roots for healthier hair regrowth. It also contains various elements like beta carotene, silica, calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc as well as vitamins A and E.

Natural Hair Loss Treatment: Lifestyle and Dietary Changes that Prevent Further Hair Loss

hair loss treatmentHair loss is a widespread problem experienced by both men and women in every age.

Though this is an inevitable condition we experience as we go through life, some cases of hair loss, hair fall, and hair thinning problems are due to various factors like improper diet, bad habits and unhealthy lifestyle.

That being said, having a proper diet and changing lifestyle choices for the better can work wonders on your body at the same time can serve as a hair loss treatment. Both are means of helping you promote a thicker, fuller and healthier head of hair.

Lifestyle Changes for Hair Loss Treatment

  • Relax and reduce stress. Engaging in physical exercise, hypnosis, yoga and visualization are excellent techniques that can work wonders on your overall health at the same time serve as means to prevent hair loss. This is because these activities help relieve stress and promote relaxation.
  • Have enough sleep. Getting the recommended eight to nine hours of sleep is essential to help lower tension that could cause stress-related hair loss.
  • Stay hydrated. Drinking at least eight glasses of water on a daily basis is vital to keep the body and the hair hydrated, promoting healthier hair.

Dietary Changes for Hair Loss Treatment

  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Alcohol and nicotine are two elements that can hamper proper blood flow in the scalp, reducing the chances of healthier hair growth by delivering inadequate amounts of blood and nutrients to the hair follicles. With that, it is essential to eliminate both these bad habits in order to prevent hair loss.
  • Eat the right kind of foods. Eating omega 3-rich foods like salmon, mackerel and tuna helps keep stronger and healthier hair strands. You can also adopt a dietary plan that includes foods which contain phytoestrogens. These plant-estrogens bind to estrogen receptors in your body, preventing the onslaught of hair loss and hair thinning problems. Excellent sources of phytoestrogens are tofu, legumes, seaweeds, potatoes, apples and carrots. Moreover, replenishing your diet with foods rich in vitamins A, B, C and E; and minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron help promote healthier hair regrowth.