Hair loss and herbs for treatment

    September 2013 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
    Nattaya Lourith, Mayuree Kanlayavattanakul
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    TLDR Herbs can potentially treat hair loss by inhibiting a key enzyme and promoting hair growth, and deficiencies in zinc, biotin, and iron are linked to hair loss.
    The 10-year-old document "Hair loss and herbs for treatment" discussed the psychosocial impact of hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and the search for alternative treatments with fewer side effects than synthetic therapeutic agents. The authors emphasized the need for treatments that inhibit 5α-reductase, a key enzyme in AGA development, and promote hair growth. Various herbs were discussed for their potential in treating hair loss, including linolenic acid, essential oils, saw palmetto, and others. The document also highlighted herbs cultivated in Thailand and Ayurvedic medicine for their 5α-reductase inhibitory activities and potential to increase hair follicle number and scalp thickness. The document concluded that natural compounds from plants can prevent androgenetic-mediated diseases and deficiencies in zinc, biotin, and iron are associated with hair loss. However, the document did not provide specific study sizes or results, making it difficult to determine the strength of these findings.
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