Hair Growth Promoting Effect of Zizyphus Jujuba Essential Oil

The study from 2010 examined the effects of Zizyphus jujuba essential oil on hair growth in BALB/c mice. The oil was applied in concentrations of 0.1%, 1%, and 10% to the shaved backs of the mice for 7 days, and hair growth was monitored over a 21-day period. The findings revealed that the 1% and 10% essential oil treatments resulted in significantly longer hair lengths of 9.96 mm and 10.02 mm, respectively, compared to 8.94 mm in the control group. The 1% concentration also led to the best outcomes in hair weight and thickness, as well as a larger number of hair follicles in the anagen phase, which is the active growth phase of hair follicles. Microscopic evaluation supported these results, showing increased hair thickness and a larger relative area of hair follicles in the essential oil-treated mice. Hydrocortisone, used as a comparison, did not significantly affect hair growth. The study concluded that Z. jujuba essential oil promotes hair growth and could be a natural component in hair growth products, though the mechanism by which it works was not identified.