Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness as they get older, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Hair loss is medically referred to as alopecia. In addition to aging, heredity, poor nutrition and hormonal imbalances may also cause hair to become thin. Some herbs are purported to encourage hair growth. Check with your health care provider about using herbs to treat hair loss. Herbs are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Dong Quai
Dong quai is a traditional Chinese herb often used to treat menstrual disorders and other gynecological issues, thus the nickname "female ginseng." Dong quai is also reported to be a blood strengthener that may curb hair loss and promote hair regrowth, according to HerbsForHairLoss.com. Ask your health care provider about using herbal remedies.
Grape-Seed Extract
Grape seed may promote thicker hair. Grape-seed extracts appear to expedite the production of cells in the hair follicle while encouraging hair strands to move more swiftly from a resting state to a growth phase, according to HairLossInformation.com. Ask your health practitioner about the benefits of grape-seed extracts as a hair thickener.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is most often used to improve brain function and treat circulatory conditions, according to the UMMC. Ginkgo biloba may also stimulate hair growth due its supposed ability to improve circulation of blood to the brain and skin, notes HerbsForHair Loss.com. Check with your doctor before using ginkgo biloba.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has been used for centuries to treat numerous medical conditions, particularly liver ailments, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Silymarn, the active ingredient in milk thistle, is believed to protect the liver from toxins and promote cell repair. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking milk thistle for alopecia, as the detoxification effects of milk thistle may encourage hair growth. Discuss taking milk thistle for alopecia with your doctor.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto appears to encourage hair growth in men with male-pattern baldness, according to the UMMC. Saw palmetto may obstruct some effects of the male hormone testosterone in much the same way as the prescription medication finasteride, brand name Propecia. Additional research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of saw palmetto as an herbal remedy for alopecia. Ask your doctor if saw palmetto may be appropriate for your hair condition.
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