Herbal and Nutritional Remedies to Stop Hair Loss.

When it comes to male pattern baldness, New York City-based consumer advocate Spencer David Kobren has seen a lot of false promises.

"Almost every remedy in the hair-loss 'industry' that has not been PDA-approved is a rip-off, and there are very few places to turn for accurate, unbiased information," says Kobren.

What's more, he says, some dermatologists have a blase attitude about hair loss and often won't work with a patient to create a program to reverse the problem.
But Kobren who has male pattern baldness and once spent years trying to fix the problem says that there is a scientifically proven medical solution that can actually reverse the problem in 66 percent of men who use it: the drug finasteride (Propecia), which is also used for prostate problems.

Also, he says, there are alternative remedies, such as herbs and nutritional supplements, that work very much like Propecia and can make a real difference for men who are losing their hair.

As for hair loss in women, which is a much more complex problem that often requires professional diagnosis and treatment, many experts in alternative beauty care believe that you can help the problem with natural remedies.
First, here are Kobren's self-care recommendations for men, based on his review of scientific research and clinical findings and reviewed and endorsed by doctors.

SAW PALMETTO: A Natural Treatment
Medical science understands that the cause of male pattern baldness is a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a by-product of testosterone that shrinks and eventually kills hair follicles. The less DHT that reaches the follicles, the more hair you’ll have. Finasteride works by inhibiting the production of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT.

The herb saw palmetto does almost the same thing; it stops DHT from binding to receptor sites at the hair follicles. In short, says Kobren, it may help stop and even reverse baldness.

Based on studies of the herb, Kobren advises men with hair loss to take a 160-milligram dose of saw palmetto every morning and another every evening. Look for a product that is "concentrated and purified" and has 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols, which ensure its potency.

NETTLE AND PYGEUM: Two More Helpful Herbs
The herb pygeum also blocks 5-alpha-reductase, and nettle is known to enhance the effects of pygeum. Use 50 to 100 milligrams of nettle and 60 to 500 milligrams of pygeum, standardized for 13 percent beta sterols, every day, says Kobren.



ZINC: For Follicle Protection
Zinc cuts the activity of 5-alpha-reductase and helps stop DHT from getting to the hair follicles. "This mineral helps prevent and treat male pattern baldness," says Kobren. To stop hair loss, he advises men to take 60 milligrams clay for 6 months.

FATTY ACIDS: For Better Texture and Density
"Fatty acids found in flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, black currant oil, evening primrose oil, and soy oil are effective against the processes that contribute to male pattern baldness," Kobren says. He advises men to take 1 teaspoon a day of any one of those oils.

He also recommends taking a 500-milligram capsule of black currant oil twice a day since it's particularly rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is a must for healthy hair. "If you take black currant oil, you will probably notice an improvement in the texture, density, and quality of your hair in 6 to 8 weeks," he says.

GREEN TEA: Inhibits the Hair-Killing Enzyme
Like some of the hair-helping herbs, green tea inhibits the production of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that allows DHT to shrink and kill your hair follicles. Drink one to three cups every day, says Kobren.

Combating Hair Loss in Women
In Ayurveda, the ancient healing system from India, hair loss is seen as a symptom of a whole-body imbalance caused by factors such as too much stress, poor nutrition, or unhealthful habits such as smoking or excessive drinking, says Pratima Raichur, a naturopathic doctor and esthetician in New York City.

Dr. Raichur suggests that a woman with hair loss relax more often, by meditating regularly, for instance, or by receiving a relaxing treatment such as a foot massage.
"Reducing stress is the most important factor in combating hair loss," she says. The following Ayurvedic remedies may also help stop or reverse the condition.

GOTU KOLA: To Calm the Nervous System
The herb gotu kola is calming and can help slow or stop stress-related hair loss, says Dr. Raichur. Follow the dosage recommendations on the label.

FENUGREEK: To Encourage New Growth
A paste made with '/2 teaspoon of fenugreek powder and ''j cup of unsweetened coconut milk can energize the scalp and encourage hair growth, Dr. Raichur says. Apply the paste briskly to your scalp, she says, cover your scalp with a plastic cap for 30 minutes, then wash with a gentle shampoo. "Do this treatment twice a week for about 2 months," she says. You can find fenugreek powder in the spice section of supermarkets.

MASSAGE: Soothe Your Scalp with Sesame Oil
Stress collects in the head as heat, or what Ayurveda calls pitta, says Melanie Sachs, co founder of Diamond Way Ayurveda in San Luis Obispo, California. "When the head is hot, the hair roots become unstable, and hair loss can result," she says.
To cool the head, Sachs recommends a scalp massage with sesame oil, which penetrates the skin to lubricate not only the scalp but also the entire body. "It's just like growing grass," she says. "If you keep the head and body moist, I believe the hair will grow." The massage also releases tension and increases circulation in the scalp, which is helpful for new growth.

With 2 to 4 teaspoons of oil, use four fingertips of each hand to start massaging at the occiput, the bony ridge at the back of the head above the neck. Massage forward in firm circles and zigzags. Massage your entire scalp, and be gentle rather than vigorous if your scalp is tight.
"Urge the scalp to move over the skull," Sachs says. The more you work the scalp, the more it will loosen. You can do the massage for as long and as often as you like.