Alopecia areata, in layman's terms, means hair loss. It is a hair condition in which your immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss in patches. Now, there are a number of possible reasons that could lead to hair loss like hormone replacement therapy, steroids, and acne medication, to name a few. So, if you are suffering from alopecia and are looking for ways to deal with it, we have something for you. Some people with alopecia areata choose alternative therapies to treat the condition. These may include: Here are 12 natural remedies that will help in boosting hair growth and strengthening hair follicles.
Natural treatment
Most alternative therapies haven’t been tested in clinical trials, so their effectiveness in treating hair loss isn’t known.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require supplement makers to prove their products are safe. Sometimes the claims on the supplement labels are inaccurate or misleading. Always talk to a doctor before trying any herbal or vitamin supplement.
The effectiveness of each treatment will vary from person to person. Some people won’t need treatment because their hair grows back on its own. In other cases, however, people won’t see improvement despite trying every treatment option.
You might need to try more than one treatment to see a difference. Keep in mind that hair regrowth may only be temporary. It’s possible for the hair to grow back and then fall out again.
1. Onion
Onion contains sulfur, which stimulates the growth of new hair and aids in fighting free radicals that can cause damage. It also improves the circulation of blood in the scalp. Click here to see what you need to do.
2. Coconut oil
Nutrients like vitamin E, K, and iron present in coconut oil are great for treating alopecia as it stimulates hair growth and re-growth. Simply massage it onto your hair and scalp and leave it on overnight.
3. Honey
Slather some honey on your scalp to treat androgenic alopecia to clean away impurities that could be clogging your hair follicles. It also aids in strengthening hair and boosting hair growth.
4. Garlic
Garlic is loaded with essential minerals like sulfur, zinc, and calcium that promote the growth of hair and aid in treating alopecia. It also improves the circulation of blood in your scalp, boosts collagen production, and cleanses hair follicles. Click here to know what you need to do.
Garlic extract may promote hair growth by tamping down inflammation and altering how a person's immune system works.
One study found that combining a garlic-containing gel with topical steroids was more beneficial in treating alopecia areata than using topical steroids alone.11
5. Eggs
Eggs contain folate, biotin, vitamin A and D that not only is good for treating alopecia but also is also good for boosting the growth of hair faster. It deeply nourishes the hair from within. Click here to know what you need to do.
6. Essential Oil Aromatherapy
essential oils like tea tree, rosemary, lavender, and peppermint
In one study, participants with alopecia areata were taught by a trained aromatherapist to perform nightly scalp massages using one of two combinations of oils:10
The treatment group received an essential oil blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood in a mixture of carrier oils (jojoba and grapeseed).
The control group only received the carrier oils (jojoba and grapeseed).
Photographs of the participants' scalps were taken at the start of the study and after three and seven months of treatment. The photographs were assessed for hair growth and scored by two dermatologists.
Results revealed that those who underwent the essential oil aromatherapy massages had a meaningful improvement in hair growth compared to the control group.10
The relative lack of improvement in hair growth in the control group suggests that simply massaging the scalp is not useful for treating alopecia areata.
Massage your hair and scalp with lavender essential oil as it induces hair growth and strengthens hair follicles.
7. Fenugreek
Hair loss majorly happens due to the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone and fenugreek is a strong blocker of this synthesis. It promotes hair growth and it is an effective home remedy for those suffering from androgenetic alopecia. Click here to know what you need to do.
8. Aloe vera gel
Massage aloe vera gel onto your hair and scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off. Aloe vera gel acts as a stimulant that increases blood circulation in your scalp and is effective in treating alopecia.
9. Green tea
Catechins, saponins, and antioxidants found in green tea aid in stimulating hair follicles on your scalp and promoting new hair growth. It also helps in getting rid of free radicals that cause hair loss. Click here to know what you need to do.
10. Licorice root
Amino acids and polysaccharides present in Licorice root is great for treating alopecia as it helps your scalp to absorb more nutrients by opening up pores, which in turn, helps in nourishing your hair follicles and promoting hair growth. Click here to know what you need to do.
11. Chinese hibiscus
This is one of the most miraculous home remedies when it comes to treating alopecia. Vitamin C present in this herbal flower boosts collagen production, which is responsible for boosting the growth of hair follicles. Click here to see what you need to do.
12. Curry leaves
Essential nutrients present in curry leaves to aid in preventing hair fall, stimulating re-growth of hair follicles, and helping in avoiding pre-maturing graying of hair.
Eating a healthy diet
Foods with sugar, processed snacks, and alcohol may increase inflammation and irritation within the body.
Some individuals with a diagnosed autoimmune condition may consider following an “anti-inflammatory” diet. This type of eating plan is designed to help reduce the autoimmune response in the body and decrease the chances of another hair loss episode or further hair loss.
To do that, you eat foods that are known to ease the inflammation process. The foundational foods of this diet, also known as the autoimmune protocol, are fruits and vegetables like blueberries, nuts, seeds, broccoli, beets, and lean meats like wild-caught salmon.
Eating a balanced diet — one with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat — is beneficial to your overall health for many reasons, not just for reducing inflammation.
an “anti-inflammatory” diet, also known as the “autoimmune protocol,” which is a restrictive diet that mainly includes meats and vegetables.
probiotics
scalp massage
These home remedies will certainly help in treating alopecia to a great extent.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Most studies examining the benefit of CAM therapies for alopecia areata are, unfortunately, not well-designed or reveal conflicting results.9
It's still reasonable, though, to consider trying out a CAM treatment option with your healthcare provider's OK.
While not a complete list, here are some CAM remedies that have at least some scientific evidence, albeit limited, for hair regrowth in alopecia areata.9
Peony Capsules and Glycyrrhizin Tablets
Extracts from the root of the Peony plant and the licorice plant are traditional Chinese medical therapies that have been found to improve mild and moderate alopecia areata in adults and severe alopecia areata in children.12
These plant extracts—specifically compound glycyrrhizin tablets (CGT) and total glucosides of peony capsules (TGPC)—are believed to prevent hair loss by reducing inflammation and suppressing a person's immune system response.
Hypnosis
Since hair loss in alopecia areata may be triggered by stress, undergoing hypnosis to help reduce stress is considered by some experts to be a reasonable complementary therapy.
During hypnosis, a trained mental health professional or therapist guides you into a trance-like state of consciousness. As a result, you have a heightened ability to concentrate and are more responsive to therapeutic suggestions.
While there is some scientific evidence that hypnosis may have some benefit in treating alopecia areata, it looks like this therapy is more useful for reducing anxiety and depression than regrowing hair.13
That said, hypnosis is considered safe for most people, so you might consider giving it a try.14
Acupuncture
In an animal study published in Acupuncture in Medicine in 2013, tests on mice demonstrated that electroacupuncture may inhibit certain alopecia-related changes in skin cells.7
Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture in which needles are attached to a device that produces continuous electric impulses. The needles are then placed at specific points on the patient's body.
It's unclear exactly how this therapy could help hair loss, but it may be related to improved blood flow. Studies on humans are needed to determine its true benefit.
Recap
Certain CAM treatments may help with hair regrowth. These include undergoing essential oil aromatherapy, applying garlic gel, and ingesting certain plant extracts, among others. More research is needed to prove how effective they are, however.