Natural Remedies for Hair Loss

There are numerous natural remedies for hair loss. Hair loss can be a stressful event. It occurs in both men and women. The effectiveness of each hair loss remedy varies in each individual. This is because hair loss can be caused by several different factors. Some of these include stress, poor diet, certain drugs, severe or sudden weight loss, disease, heredity, and other reasons.

The first step you should take if you experience sudden hair loss is to visit a doctor to rule out any serious health issues. If stress turns out to be the culprit, start practicing stress reduction exercises and take a B complex vitamin supplement. If there are no health issues, try these natural remedies for hair loss. Hopefully, one of these hair loss remedies will work for you.

Be sure that your hair loss isn't caused by a habit or by being too rough with your hair. Sometimes the most effective hair loss remedy is simply to take better care of your hair. There are a few simple rules to remember about hair care.

• First, NEVER brush your hair while it is wet. This will cause severe breakage and will pull out your hair, as it is weaker when wet. Always use a comb on wet hair.
• For the same reason, never roughly towel dry your hair. Pat your hair gently with a towel.
• Allow your hair to air dry whenever possible. Heat appliances can damage hair, causing it to become brittle and dry. This weakens the hair.
• Don't pull hair back tightly. Also, don't use rubber bands on the hair. This pulls the hair and weakens it. Don't tease hair- this is the best way to damage your hair.
• Avoid harsh treatments such as coloring or bleaching hair if you want to prevent hair loss.

Saw palmetto is one of the most popular natural remedies for hair loss. It is more effective for men than women. Saw palmetto works in a similar fashion to the popular hair loss drug, Rogaine. Saw Palmetto helps slow hair loss by blocking DHT. DHT is one of the main culprits causing male pattern baldness. Stinging nettle also helps block the formation of DHT, as well as Dong Quai, a well-known Chinese herb. All can be bought at most health food stores.

Rosemary is another herb used as a natural hair loss remedy. Rosemary works by stimulating new hair growth by increasing circulation to hair at the roots and lessening buildup of oils on the scalp, which can clog hair follicles. Use rosemary essential oil mixed with a carrier oil, such as almond or jojoba oil. Never put any essential oil directly onto skin or scalp. They are very potent and may cause a reaction. Also, if you have high blood pressure, do not use rosemary.

Lavender and cedarwood essential oils also are used as natural remedies for hair loss. Both of these essential oils have antiseptic properties. These oils help clean the scalp and reduce bacteria that can contribute to hair loss. As mentioned before, always mix essential oils with carrier oils. A combination of lavender, rosemary, and cedarwood applied to the scalp with a carrier oil can be an effective remedy for hair loss.

To use essential oils for a hair loss remedy, mix about four drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil. If using more than one oil, keep the mixture to a total of four drops. Massage the mixed oils into the scalp gently, being sure to get to the scalp. Leave it on overnight, if possible. If not, then leave in your hair at least an hour before washing.

A few dietary changes can do wonders for thicker, stronger hair. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to healthy hair. Many people lack these nutrients with the modern fast food diet.

There are a few ways to be sure that you are getting enough. One way is to eat more coldwater fish. Salmon is the best choice. Nuts and avocados are other good sources. Or try adding ground flaxseeds to your diet or taking flaxseed oil. Fish oil capsules also provide omega-3 fatty acids essential to healthy hair.

As mentioned earlier, B vitamins are essential to healthy, thick hair. If you live a stressful or fast lifestyle, consider adding B vitamins to your regimen as a natural hair loss remedy. Take either a multi B-100 vitamin complex supplement, or take brewer's yeast which contains high amounts of B vitamins. Biotin is another B vitamin known to strengthen and thicken hair. Zinc is a mineral known to be helpful as a natural treatment for hair loss, about thirty milligrams daily.

One last word about vitamins and hair loss: If you are taking vitamin A, beware that too much vitamin A can cause hair loss.

Lack of sulfur is thought to be one reason for certain types of hair loss. MSM is a supplement that is high in sulfur and may be an effective natural remedy for hair loss. Foods high in sulfur are onions, garlic, and kale.

In addition to eating them, one of the natural remedies for hair loss is to rub an onion onto the scalp. Do this by chopping up an onion. Add it to honey or vodka and let it sit overnight. Then strain the vodka and apply to the scalp or massage the honey and onion mixture into the scalp. Let it stay on the scalp at least one hour before washing hair.

Keep in mind that natural remedies for hair loss are not quick fixes. Keep trying the hair loss treatment for at least three months, preferably longer, before deciding that it won't work for you.