Herbal hair loss treatments remain a popular method of dealing with thinning hair, even without scientific data regarding their effectiveness. Many herbal products are used as hair loss treatments due to their perceived success as treatments for prostate issues.
According to Stop Hair Loss Now, an enlarged prostate and pattern hair loss are both caused by the production of DHT in the body, giving the belief that products that work on one should work on the other. Finasteride, the leading drug treatment for hair loss, was originally developed to treat prostate problems.
Saw Palmetto Extract
Saw palmetto extract is one of the most common herbs for treating hair loss and is included in virtually all of the commercial herbal hair loss treatment products. Saw palmetto has long been used as a natural treatment for prostate issues, but its success as a hair loss treatment is still unknown.
The most common side effects from saw palmetto include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is a popular herbal treatment. It is simply rubbed into the scalp and hair in the evening. An enzyme contained in aloe vera gel, superoxide dismutane, has been patented as a hair loss treatment in the United States and in other parts of the world, but it has not been tested as a hair loss treatment.
Dong Quai
Dong Quai, which is often referred to as Chinese Angelica, is an herb that is reported to limit the production of DHT in the bloodstream, although no independent clinical studies can support that claim. Dong Quai may be used by men or women.
Nettle Root
Nettle root, or stinging nettle, is another popular herbal hair loss treatment that may be made into a tea, taken in capsule or pill form, as well as be applied topically. Nettle root is believed to be another inhibitor of DHT, but has not been tested as a hair loss treatment.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil is another herbal hair loss treatment that it used because of its reported success as a prostate treatment. There is no evidence to support the claim that pumpkin seed oil can reduce DHT levels.
Pygeum
Pygeum is believed to work in a similar manner as saw palmetto and nettle root in that it prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Most often taken orally, pygeum capsules standardized to a 13 percent beta sitosterol count is preferred for a hair loss treatment, although pygeum has not been tested as a hair loss treatment.
Member Comments