Menopause is a natural part of a woman's life cycle that marks the end of menstruation and fertility. The physical symptoms of menopause that can include thinning of the hair are typically due to hormonal fluctuations, according to the Mayo Clinic. During menopause, a woman experiences changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. Correcting hormonal imbalances may help stop menopausal hair loss. Certain herbs are suggested as effective remedies for thinning hair in menopause.
Black Cohosh & Dong Quai
The herbs black cohosh and dong quai contain estrogenic components produced by plants. These herbs are purported to replace the dwindling supply of the female hormone estrogen that may lead to a thinning of hair, notes 34 Menopause Symptoms.com. Dong quai and black cohosh are sometimes taken to relieve various menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
Ginkgo Biloba & Milk Thistle
Milk thistle and ginkgo biloba may help treat thinning hair, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Milk thistle contains a potent antioxidant called silymarin. A Japanese animal study published in October 1993 in the "Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan" found ginkgo stimulated hair regrowth in rats. Ginkgo is one of the most popular herbs in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health.
Macafem
Macafem is a non-estrogenic herb that stimulates woman's hormone glands to produce the necessary hormones naturally, according to Menopause FAQ.com. Non-estrogenic herbs are purported to encourage hormone production by inducing the optimal functioning of the pituitary and endocrine glands.
Peppermint & Rosemary
The topical application of certain essential oils may encourage new hair growth. The UMMC recommends combining equal amounts of peppermint, rosemary and sage in one tbsp. of vegetable oil. Gently massage the oil mixture into affected areas one to two times daily. A study in the "Archives of Dermatology" found that massaging the scalp with a combination of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood oils improved hair growth.
Garlic
Garlic has been used medicinally and as a food flavoring for thousands of years. It appears that the topical application of garlic may stimulate hair growth. A study published in the "Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology" found a garlic gel appears to aid in the treatment of patchy baldness known as alopecia areata.
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