Hair Loss

Why it works: A 6-month randomized clinical trial in adults with androgenetic alopecia found rosemary oil performed similarly to 2% minoxidil on hair counts; both groups improved at 6 months. It...

Instructions: Frequency & timeline: 2–3×/week for at least 6 months before judging results (that mirrors the trial timeline and clinician guidance). Medscape. Choose the right product. • Use 100...

Warnings: Essential oils are potent concentrates. Most problems come from undiluted use or ingestion.. • Do no...

Studies: Androgenetic alopecia (human RCT): Skinmed 2015—rosemary oil...

Why it works: Possible DHT-lowering effect (5-α-reductase inhibition). Lab work on pumpkin-derived Δ7-sterols and seed oil shows inhibition of 5-α-reductase (the enzyme that converts testosteron...

Instructions: Oral supplementation (the only regimen tested alone in a high-quality trial):. • Dose: 400 mg PSO per day (capsules). • Duration: 24 weeks (6 months). • Population: Men with mild–m...

Warnings: Allergy/skin irritation: Pumpkin products can cause itching, rash, or allergic reactions in sensitiv...

Studies: 2014 RCT (Korea; n=76 men with AGA): 400 mg/day oral PSO vs...

Why it works: Mechanisms supported mostly by lab and animal work (and a few small human studies):. • Wnt/β-catenin hair-cycle activation: Several ginsenosides (e.g., Rg3, F2) activate Wnt signal...

Instructions: There is no standardized, guideline-endorsed regimen for ginseng in hair loss. What follows are protocols from published studies and general supplement guidance so you can see what...

Warnings: Common side effect: Insomnia; also headaches, GI upset. NCCIH. • Topical safety: Limited data; may c...

Studies: Androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss):RCT, 24 weeks, n=4...

Why it works: Mechanistic lab data (not clinical proof): Extracts of Polygonum multiflorum (PM) can stimulate human dermal papilla cells in vitro and support mitochondrial activity—cells that he...

Instructions: Usage varies by brand. Always follow your specific bottle’s label and your clinician’s advice. Example directions from product labels and retailers:. • Non-concentrated liquid: “2...

Warnings: The major concern with Polygonum multiflorum (the key herb in Shou Wu Zhi) is liver injury (hepatoto...

Studies: In vitro (cell) study: PM extract supported human dermal pap...

Why it works: TCM rationale (pattern-based):. Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan is a classic formula (Ming dynasty) that “tonifies Kidney Yin/Yang, nourishes Liver Blood, replenishes Jing,” patterns that TCM a...

Instructions: Classical composition (for practitioners): typical decoction-equivalents list prepared He Shou Wu as the “chief” with the other tonics in supporting roles; see detailed ratios for...

Warnings: 1) Liver toxicity risk (most important):. • He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)—a chief herb—has been...

Studies: Seborrheic alopecia (AGA-like): A randomized report (n=92) o...

Why it works: TCM rationale. In traditional theory, “the Kidneys store Essence and its brilliance is seen in the hair,” and hair also depends on Liver-Blood nourishment. Bu Shen Sheng Fa Tang is...

Instructions: Important: Exact composition, doses, and duration are individualized by a licensed TCM practitioner after pattern-differentiation. The following reflects how it has been used in pu...

Warnings: Because many Bushen-Shengfa versions include He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum), safety centers on l...

Studies: Randomized clinical observation (China; alopecia areata, TCM...

Why it works: It has some clinical signal in AA when used in a blend. In a randomized, double-blind trial (n=84), patients with AA massaged a blend of cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), thyme, rosema...

Instructions: Aromatherapy scalp massage (from the RCT). Blend (per application):. • Thyme vulgaris 2 drops (~88 mg). • Lavender angustifolia 3 drops (~108 mg). • Rosemary officinalis 3 drops (~...

Warnings: General essential-oil safety. • Always dilute before skin use; essential oils are highly concentrate...

Studies: Hay et al., 1998 (Arch Dermatol/JAMA Dermatology) — Randomiz...

Why it works: Biotin is a cofactor for carboxylase enzymes involved in fatty-acid, amino-acid, and glucose metabolism and also influences gene regulation and keratin biology. When you’re truly b...

Instructions: 1) If you are NOT deficient:. • Routine high-dose biotin (5,000–10,000 mcg) is not recommended for hair loss because efficacy is unproven and it can interfere with lab tests (see W...

Warnings: Interference with lab tests (major risk): High biotin intake can skew many immunoassays (especially...

Studies: Systematic dermatology review (2017, Skin Appendage Disorder...

Why it works: Iron fuels hair-matrix cell division. Hair follicles are among the body’s fastest-dividing tissues; iron deficiency impairs DNA synthesis and can push follicles from the growth (an...

Instructions: Confirm deficiency first. Ask a clinician to check: serum ferritin, full blood count, and often transferrin saturation/serum iron to rule in iron deficiency and look for causes (e....

Warnings: Do not self-supplement high-dose iron unless a clinician confirms deficiency—excess iron is harmful....

Studies: Association studies (ferritin lower in TE):Cross-sectional J...

Why it works: Mechanism: Lipidosterolic extracts of saw palmetto can inhibit 5-α-reductase (types I & II), the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—the androgen that mi...

Instructions: Oral standardized extract (capsules):. • 320 mg/day LSESr (lipidosterolic extract) for 24 months (open-label comparative study vs finasteride). Some benefit, but less than finaster...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid—possible hormonal effects; insufficient safety data. NCCIH. Hormone...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (pilot):Prager...

Why it works: Zinc is essential for follicle function. It’s required for hundreds of enzymes involved in DNA/protein synthesis and cell division; deficiency can show up as alopecia (hair loss)....

Instructions: 1) Test, don’t guess. • Ask your clinician about checking serum zinc if you have diffuse shedding or risk factors for deficiency. Serum zinc is the standard (with caveats) used in...

Warnings: Do not exceed the UL (40 mg/day in adults) unless under medical care. Long-term intakes ≥50 mg/day c...

Studies: Association studies (zinc status & hair loss)Alopecia ar...