Surprising Alternative Remedies For Hair Loss

Surprising Alternative Remedies For Hair Loss

All adults, regardless of gender, experience some hair loss in their lifetime. Many adults, however, fight early hair loss or chronic hair loss, losing most or all of their hair over the course of their adult life. Hair loss can be a confidence-reducing and frustrating condition with seemingly no solution.

There are also many hair loss causes. Men can inherit early graying or hair loss from their parents. Health conditions like anemia and hypothyroidism can cause hair loss in many adults, especially women. Menopause in women also leads to hair textural changes and loss. If you have a health condition that promotes hair loss, treating the condition itself will reduce or eliminate hair loss. Other adults can seek natural, alterative remedies to stop hair loss or stimulate new hair growth.

Many remedies have been suggested, debated, and studied over the years. Of these, a few remedies showed results in health studies and organic recommendations. Let’s look at some unexpected uncovered hair loss remedies:

Zinc and Iron

Seafood mixed saute

Anemia, an iron deficiency, can cause hair proteins to break down, or grow more thinly. Zinc deficiencies deplete blood health and yield the same results. Exponentially increasing iron and zinc intake will bolster hair health and rejuvenate the follicles, leading to thick, healthy hair growth.

Beans and other legumes, fatty fish, and dark leafy vegetables all contain high quantities of iron. Shellfish, organ meats like liver, whole grains and nuts are high in zinc and often both iron and zinc. Zinc-rich foods also contain a compound called biotin that help stabilize the body’s metabolism and promote both hair and nail growth.


Oil

Hair Loss rosemary oil

Specific oils massaged into the scalp can reduce stress and help blood reach the hair follicles, if those are the conditions that promote your hair loss. Stressors can definitely cause hair breakage and loss, and thinning growing hair as a result. Many oils contain nutrients and calming chemicals that bring oxygen back to the follicles and reduce stress chemicals.

Massage oils once weekly into the scalp and look for results after 5-6 weeks. Some of these oils include:

  • Olive Oil
  • Coconut Oil
  • Rosemary
  • Almond Oil
  • Castor Oil

Oils found in eggs and egg products, like mayonnaise, have been shown to add protein to the hair and scalp, thickening and fortifying hair.


Onions

Fresh organic onions

Hair is made up of sulfur proteins, heat-malleable proteins that determine the shape and thickness of hair. Some studies show that increasing sulfur in your diet can stimulate thicker, healthier hair growth. The sulfur found in onion juice also promotes blood circulation and oxygen to hair follicles.

Foods high in sulfur tend to fight bacteria with their acidic qualities. If yeast or bacteria conditions, like chronic dandruff, lead to hair loss, consider eating foods high in sulfur, or citrus like oranges and lemon peel. Some extract onion juice as a wash to cleanse their scalp before shampooing.

A cousin to the onion, garlic accomplishes the same effects when used to promote hair health.  Some rub garlic cloves onto their scalp, or infuse creams and oils with garlic prior to massaging into the scalp. Try garlic sautéed in olive or coconut oil and cooled, for a homemade massage oil.


Henna Root

Moroccan henna leaves and powder

We know henna as a natural red dye, both for ink and tattoos and hair color. While henna does color hair, diffusing henna in other oils will deliver protein to the hair and strengthen hair from the follicle. Henna remedies have been used for hundreds of years.

Henna can be mixed with many oily substances, then massaged into the scalp for effectiveness. Some recipes recommend castor oil; others advise mixing henna with egg white—a rich ingredient that helps hair shine—and lemon juice for that burst of vitamins A and C, to make a massage wash.


Omega-3 Fatty Acids

pouring cooking oil

Omega-3 fatty acids already contribute to heart, bone and vision health. While omega-3s can promote healthy hair growth from within, many believe that applying omega-3s to the scalp itself serve as a hair loss remedy. Extracting oils saturated with omega-3 fatty acids and massaging them into your scalp once weekly may encourage hair growth and reduce or stop hair loss.

Sources of fatty acids include:

  • Fish oil—A fish oil tincture can be applied to the scalp, or consumed as a capsule. Alternatively, eat more oily fish, like canned tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel.
  • Flaxseeds—Eating flaxseeds as garnish, or massaging their oils into your scalp, can directly infuse the follicles with its minerals, proteins and omega-3s.
  • Soy—Soy comes with omega-3s that replenish hair health, oxygenate the follicles and promote strong hair growth. Eat tofu, soy-infused products, or soy supplementary foods like soymilk or soy meat.

Coconut Milk

Hair Loss coconut milk

Coconut milk, like the oil, has been shown to deliver strong proteins to the scalp and rejuvenate hair. A coconut milk wash can help the scalp absorb proteins and promote strong hair growth. Boiling coconut in water brings out the milk, which can be then strained of the excess water and washed into the hair, like a hair mask. Leave on the scalp for 15-20 minutes before cleansing.


Indian Gooseberry

Indian Gooseberry

Cited by multiple sources, Indian gooseberry is a well-known remedy for hair loss. If caught early, the antioxidants found in Indian gooseberry can help hair regrow in prime protein-filled condition. The pulp and juice of the berry can be boiled with lemon juice and other oils and cooled to make massage oil. You can also find Indian gooseberry, or “amla,” powder. Other packed antioxidant berries include acai berries and blueberries.


Many conditions facilitate hair loss, and many of those should be treated from within. If you hair loss comes from a poor diet, poor health, or age, however, studies promote that bringing oxygen, protein, and antioxidants to the roots will promote hair growth and make existing hair stronger, thicker, and shinier than before. Hair health is a primary forecast for overall body health and should be treated like a health litmus test.  Which remedies would you try to either make your hair healthier, or reverse hair loss?

Subscribe now to get our FREE newsletter!