7 Natural Remedies to Treat Alopecia
Everyone wants healthy abundant hair but finding the best remedies to treat alopecia is difficult as looking after your hair isn’t easy. In fact, reversing this condition becomes harder as time goes by.
Today we’ll tell you about some natural treatments you can use to counteract it. So, continue reading to learn more about how to treat alopecia and put an end to hair loss.
The many possible causes of hair loss
Hair loss or alopecia is a problem that affects both the scalp and body hair. It can be temporary or permanent and the causes vary.
You usually lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair every day and this is normal. However, this loss isn’t that noticeable, and the hair grows back. Alopecia is about hair loss that doesn’t regenerate.
These are some of the factors that can trigger excessive hair loss:
- Genetic factors
- Sress, psychological problems
- Aging
- Scalp infections or disorders
- Nutritional deficiencies and significant weight loss
- Chronic diseases
- Immune system disorders
- Certain medications
- Hormonal imbalance
- The use of hair dying and styling chemicals
Consult a physician at the first signs of alopecia. It could be a sign of a medical problem that requires treatment in some cases.
7 natural remedies to treat alopecia
There are many treatments and products to treat alopecia on the market as well as natural home remedies. You can try them at home but know there’s little evidence about their efficacy and the possible benefits and properties of their ingredients.
However, these remedies are safe to try as long as you follow the application instructions.
1. Rosemary oil
Rosemary is a very common culinary herb throughout the Mediterranean basin. But it has also been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant. One of its best-known applications is for hair care, since thanks to its ability to improve circulation it could prevent hair loss.
The journal Skinmed published a trial with patients affected by androgenic alopecia (physiological hair loss due mainly to age) treated with rosemary oil.
A better hair count was observed after six months, the same as in patients treated with Minoxidil. Thus, the authors conclude their findings provide some evidence for the use of rosemary oil against hair loss.
To use it, dilute five drops of rosemary essential oil in a carrier oil (such as almond or coconut oil) or in shampoo. Leave to act for a few minutes and rinse. It’s important not to use more than the indicated amount and not to apply it directly on the scalp.
2. Garlic, onion, and lemon to treat alopecia
These three ingredients are antibacterial. This means they can help eliminate foreign agents on your scalp. In addition, onion and garlic sulfur compounds help stabilize hair fibers.
Onion, in particular, has been tested as an ingredient in traditional shampoos. Leaving it on for five minutes results in better nutrition for the follicles and promotes hair growth.
To make it, blend garlic, onion, and lemon in equal proportions. Then, apply the resulting paste on the scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with plenty of water to remove it and eliminate any odors.
3. Coconut milk and carrots
This combination helps strengthen your hair and keep it healthy. Both ingredients are nutrient-rich and carrots contain antioxidants and vitamins B6 and B12. In turn, coconut milk contains vitamins, amino acids, mineral salts, and trace elements.
All you have to do is make a thick juice with coconut milk and carrots and apply it to your hair. Do this once a week until you see the difference.
4. Rice or apple cider vinegar
Vinegar can help control excess oil. If your alopecia is caused by oily hair, then opt for this remedy as it helps stimulate circulation.
All you have to do is massage your scalp with rice or apple cider vinegar. Then, remove with water after 10 to 15 minutes and repeat every week.
This article may interest you, too: 8 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
5. Aloe vera
The countless medicinal properties of aloe vera can help treat alopecia. Aloe vera moisturizes and heals your scalp. Remember that an aloe stalk will allow you to moisturize, heal and moisturize your scalp. The treatment consists of making a hair mask with the pulp of the plant.
Just mix it with a little water to a creamy consistency. Furthermore, you can also find aloe vera gel, ready to be used, in specialized stores.
Massage it onto your scalp with circular movements for about 10 minutes and rinse it. You’ll notice that your hair will be cleaner, shinier, and stronger — you may not notice this as much though.
6. Beets
Beets are nutrient-rich as they contain vitamins B and C, calcium, phosphorous, and potassium. Thus, boil a beet over high heat for 10 minutes for healthy and strong hair.
Remove the beet from the water, strain it, and save the liquid. Then, let it cool and pour over your hair. Massage your scalp with circular movements to stimulate circulation. Repeat two or three times a week.
7. Sage-rosemary lotion to treat alopecia
To the already mentioned properties of rosemary for hair care, let’s add those of sage. The extract of this plant seems to be a stimulant of hair growth and a reducer of hair regression. Although more research is needed to determine in detail the mechanisms by which this happens.
To make this lotion, boil a tablespoon of rosemary leaves and one of the sage leaves in a glass of water. After 5 minutes, turn off the heat and let it cool. Apply it to your dry scalp once a week.
Like this article? You may also like to read: Rosemary for Healthy Hair: Three Remedies
Other Recommendations
In addition to using natural remedies to treat alopecia, you need to adopt good habits. Follow this basic advice:
- Firstly, avoid stress. We know that this is practically impossible nowadays, but this is one of the major causes of alopecia. Practice yoga or any other activity that promotes relaxation.
- Eat a balanced diet. Consume all the nutrients your body needs. Vitamins and minerals are essential, but don’t forget about antioxidants. The goal is to maintain your hair healthy and strong.
- Also, use a hairbrush with soft bristles that don’t damage your hair strands. In addition, avoid using hair scrunchies because they break hair strands. In addition, avoid very tight hairstyles.
- Use a natural shampoo. Don’t use shampoos that contain harmful chemicals.
- Finally, every time you shower, massage your scalp with your fingertips with circular movements. This way, you’ll increase blood circulation to the scalp, oxygenating your follicles.
These tips help fight alopecia. If the problem persists, consult a specialist who can guide you in the best possible way.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Galán-Gutiérrez, M., Rodríguez-Bujaldón, A., & Moreno-Giménez, J. C. (2009). Actualización terapéutica en alopecia areata. Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas, 100(4), 266–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-7310(09)70820-8.
- Gin G-R, Zhang Y-L, et al. Hair growth potential of Salvia plebeia extract and its associated mechanisms. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2020. 58 (1): 400-409.
- María Esperanza, Matallana González, M. C., & Chalup, N. (2013). El ajo y la cebolla de las medicinas antiguas al interés actual. Boletín de La Real Sociedad Española de Historia Natural. Sección Biológica, ISSN 0366-3272, Tomo 107, No. 1-4, 2013, Págs. 29-37, 107(1), 29–37. Retrieved from https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=4582709.
- Mayo Clinic. Pérdida del cabello. Julio 2021.
- Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, et al. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed. Enero-febrero 2015. 13 (1): 15-21.
- Rafik P. N, Arun M. S, et al. View of formulation and evaluation on onion nourishing shampoo. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2018. 8 (4): 335-337.