Do traditional remedies for hair loss have any relevance today?

Do traditional remedies for hair loss have any relevance today?

Could it be possible that our ancestors got it right with some of their traditional hair loss remedies? Folklore tells us that they certainly went to great lengths to find solutions to thinning hair.

Although each culture had its own approach, influenced by local conditions, there appear to have been many examples of common practices. Nettles, for example, were an important part of traditional hair loss remedies around the world.

The samples outlined here come from the very informative paper “Hair Loss Prevention Through Natural Remedies” by Peters et al. This book provides a wealth of information on the subject and can easily be purchased through Amazon or other good booksellers.

Rosemary solution – this herb often appears in herbal texts as it cleanses the scalp and stimulates the hair root. Here is a recipe that includes rosemary as the main ingredient.

Recipe: Boil rosemary, sage, peach leaf, nettle and burdock in water. Strain and use daily to wash your hair.

Apple cider vinegar – this is often mentioned in folk remedies for hair loss. It is believed to have a normalizing effect on the sebaceous glands of the scalp and has a strong cleansing effect.

Method: Divide hair into sections. Apply two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar directly to the scalp using a moistened cotton ball. Wait between fifteen minutes and three hours before starting to wash your hair.

Essential Oils – Essential oils distilled from plants have long been known for their ability to improve blood circulation to the scalp and promote cell formation. Some of the most useful include cedarwood, clary sage, eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary.

Method: Mix ten drops of essential oil with one ounce of carrier oil (jojoba or olive oil). Massage it into the scalp for at least fifteen minutes before shampooing.

Cayenne Pepper Hair Tonic – this herb’s ability to irritate the skin, increase blood circulation and stimulate cell division is well known.

Recipe: Mix four ounces of cayenne pepper with a pint of 100-proof vodka or pure alcohol diluted with 20 percent distilled water. Let it sit for two weeks, shaking the mixture once a day. Strain through several layers of fine cloth until the mixture is pepper-free. Apply a small amount to thinning areas of the scalp once or twice daily.

You can learn more about these traditional hair loss remedies by visiting the website listed below.

Inspired by Richard Mitchell