Cosmetopoeia of African Plants in Hair Treatment and Care: Topical Nutrition and the Antidiabetic Connection

The review explores the use of 68 African plant species in hair treatment and care, focusing on conditions like alopecia, dandruff, lice, and tinea, and highlights their potential to improve local glucose metabolism, which may be linked to hair health. Notably, 58 of these species also show potential as antidiabetic treatments when taken orally. The most represented plant families are Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae. The review suggests that traditional hair therapies may work through nutritional mechanisms rather than pharmaceutical ones, emphasizing the importance of understanding these plants' roles in both hair care and glucose metabolism. The document underscores the connection between hair loss and metabolic disorders like diabetes, suggesting that the bioactive compounds in these plants may offer dual benefits for hair care and metabolic health.