It's a great time to turn to nature to find natural hair growth herbs that can help you beat hair loss.
The very herbs you cook with every day like ginger, garlic and onion could be your natural remedy to falling and damaged hair.
Table of content
5 best natural herbs for hair growth
If we had to pick only 5 herbs good for hair growth that are the best, this would be our list of 5 herbs for hair growth:
- Rosemary
- Peppermint
- Pumpkin seed
- Saw palmetto
- Lavender
These are the most studied herbs that stimulate hair growth.
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Full 21 hair growth herbs list
Here are the 21 best herbs for hair growth and thickness, according to peer-reviewed scientific evidence:- Rosemary
- Saw palmetto
- Sage
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Thyme
- Nettle
- Horsetail
- Burdock
- Ginkgo biloba
- Green tea
- Amla
- Brahmi
- Ashwagandha
- Fenugreek
- Curry leaves
- Hibiscus
- Aloe vera
- Onion juice
- Garlic
- Ginger
Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the most potent hair growth herbs. Studies show its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it highly effective at improving scalp condition.
The carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid act as potent antioxidants, protecting hair and scalp from free radical damage like vitamin E. It also stimulates circulation when massaged, delivering more nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles and roots
This increased blood flow and nutrient delivery promotes optimal conditions for hair regrowth and thickness. Whether used topically as an rosemary oil or brewed as a tea from dried leaves, rosemary has stood the test of time as a natural remedy for fuller hair.
Sage
Sage contains triterpenoids that reduce DHT levels in the scalp, protecting against hair loss. As a natural DHT blocker, it prevents testosterone conversion linked to balding.
Sage's antioxidants like ursolic acid also reduce inflammation that can impede hair root health and growth. Plus, it stimulates follicle cell production and division when used topically as a hair mask or rinse. The anti-inflammatory effects nourish the scalp microbiome for noticeable gains in hair density.
Lavender
Lavender oil decreases scalp irritation and DHT levels while encouraging the anagen growth phase of the hair cycle. Its skin-soothing linalyl acetate promotes healthy hair cycling for thicker hair over time when used as a serum for scalp massage.
Research shows lavender oil also prevents premature shedding and boosts new growth with its ability to strengthen hair follicles and roots from within.
Peppermint
Peppermint contains menthol that stimulates circulation to the scalp and hair root by widening blood vessels when massaged in. This increased blood flow enhances nutrient delivery for faster, fuller natural hair growth.
Peppermint also significantly reduces scalp problems like irritation and itching that can lead to hair loss. The anti-inflammatory effects optimize conditions for healthy new growth high in vitamins A and E.
Thyme
Thyme supports a balanced, toxin-free scalp environment needed for optimal hair root nourishment and growth.
Rich in hair-thickening iron and the antimicrobial thymol, it awakens follicles into an active growth phase, accelerating the hair cycle for longer, healthier strands over time.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle effectively reduces hair fall and dandruff through its anti-inflammatory compounds that balance the scalp pH. Its nutritional content in vitamin A, C, and K strengthens hair growth.
Using stinging nettle as a conditioning hair mask delivers fuller, stronger strands and reduces risk of premature greying.
Horsetail
Silica-dense horsetail stimulates scalp collagen production for less breakage-prone hair and protects pigment-making melanocytes in hair follicles from premature greying caused by external damage or internal scalp imbalances.
It strengthens strands, prevents split ends, and nourishes healthy follicles long-term for enduring hair density as an effective ayurvedic herb.
Burdock
Burdock stimulates blood flow to the scalp with anti-inflammatory fatty acids like linoleic acid. Better oxygenation supports healthy hair cycling. It also cleanses the scalp of toxins and built-up sebum.
Burdock’s vitamins A, C and B complex rebuild hair strength from inside the follicles outward. For reducing shedding and boosting thickness, burdock taken internally and used topically is very effective.
Ginkgo Biloba
A circulatory herb, ginkgo biloba improves blood flow to the scalp transporting oxygen and nutrients vital to regrow hair follicles down to the deepest hair roots. It increases the anagen or growth phase of the hair cycle when taken daily.
Ginkgo also has antioxidant compounds that prevent UV and free radical damage to hair. Combined with a healthy scalp routine, it promotes fuller, longer lasting hair growth over time.
Green Tea
Catechins in green tea function as both antioxidants and anti-androgens, protecting hair from damage and blocking DHT linked to balding. Studies show green tea applied topically or taken as a supplement can help minimize hair shedding while extending the duration of the growth phase.
Its astringent properties also treat oily or flaky scalps prone to inflammation and product buildup inhibiting healthy hair follicles.
Amla
Amla or Indian gooseberry contains vitamin C that encourages collagen and strengthens hair from the inside out. It prevents premature graying of hair while supporting melanin production.
Amla's high antioxidant count protects hair from free radical harm. Used as a hair mask or taken as a supplement, amla stimulates swift hair follicle growth and addition. It also conditions each strand making hair noticeably soft, lush and radiant.
Brahmi
Brahmi has been shown to help reduce androgen levels linked to alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia. It also balances scalp pH, removes toxins from follicles and nourishes hair with nutrients like protein, B vitamins and antioxidants.
Brahmi aids circulation bringing more blood flow beneficial for roots. Moisturizing brahmi hair masks lead to visibly fuller hair whether applied to scalp or lengths for denser, more voluminous manes even in cases of genetic thinning.
Ashwagandha
Adaptogenic ashwagandha counters stress hormone levels found to disrupt the hair growth cycle. By lowering cortisol, it reduces shedding phases allowing for healthy new growth.
Ashwagandha blocks DHT formation and its testosterone lowering effects encourage retained hair density. Plus it delivers antioxidants that protect hair keratin from breakage. As an herbal hair growth supplement or topical hair treatment, ashwagandha restores lusciousness to hair in a natural way.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek contains amino acids, B-complex vitamins, nicotinic acid, protein and fiber that fortify weak, brittle or thinning hair. It has antimicrobial properties to remove harmful buildup and bacteria from the scalp for optimal scalp health.
Fenugreek stimulates hair follicles into a nourishing anagen phase when used regularly as a conditioning mask. It leaves locks noticeably softer, shinier and looking fuller bodied while decreasing hair fall in the long run.
Curry Leaves
Lesser known but quite effective, curry leaves shield DHT activity on follicles helping maintain a full head of hair into maturity. High in beta carotene, protein, and antioxidants, curry leaves nourish each strand and protect its pigment from sun damage that could lead to accelerated balding.
Using a curry leaf-infused hair oil or paste aids circulation to the scalp promoting longevity of hair's natural growth cycle for a fuller head of hair over time.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus contains compounds that regulate scalp pH and remove product buildup allowing roots to breathe freely. Rich in vitamins A and C along with minerals like potassium, hibiscus strengthens thinning hair significantly from root to tip for fuller, healthier hair.
Hibiscus' emollient properties reduce flakiness and itching, encouraging steady new growth of thicker strands with a beautiful sheen when used topically or internally.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel and juice hydrate thirsty scalps prone to excess shedding and enhance cell turnover. It promotes a dandruff and irritation-free scalp to permit optimized growth of strong, long-lasting hair.
Aloe vera contains over 75 potentially beneficial compounds like magnesium, zinc, B vitamins and salicylic acid that purify and revitalize follicles drained of their natural moisture. Gentle massage of raw aloe vera helps hair achieve vibrant volume and optimal growth.
Onion Juice
Onion juice accelerates blood supply to scalp roots stimulating follicles. It dissolves built-up toxins inhibiting follicle health and delivers sulfur containing amino acids that build hair collagen.
Onion juice controls excess oil and flaking for a happy scalp environment conducive to growth. Massaging a few drops of concentrated onion juice into scalp followed by a conditioning rinse enhances hair's natural texture and density over time while preventing unnecessary shedding.
Garlic
Garlic's high selenium, vitamin B6 and C content detoxify and feed hair roots for new growth. It's allicin inhibits DHT proven to restrain hair growth leading to fuller hair without fragility. Garlic's antibacterial and antifungal properties soothe itchy flaky scalps.
Mixing a clove of crushed raw garlic into coconut oil makes an effective warm scalp massage oil that rejuvenates follicles for profuse growth when used regularly until hairline is completely filling in.
Ginger
In traditional Ayurveda, ginger is revered for its hair nourishing benefits. It shields against radical damage to hair's protective medulla and cuticle. Ginger also blocks excess androgens at receptor sites safeguarding hair follicles from premature balding.
Combined with peppermint and rosemary essential oils, ginger stimulates circulation to the scalp creating an ideal environment for growth and retention of a full head of lush hair into maturity.
Conclusion
Herbal remedies cannot guarantee the regrowth of a full head of hair, and you should be cautious of any herbal product that claims to be a hair growth sensation.
While some herbs have been found to strengthen hair strands, support scalp health, improve hair thickness, or stimulate the hair growth cycle, more clinical trials on humans are necessary before herbal remedies can become mainstream hair growth treatments.
Sources:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278045537_Hair_Growth_Focus_on_Herbal_Therapeutic_Agent
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18789055/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7706486/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33313047/
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