Turmeric & Hair Growth

Turmeric is a spice derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. The turmeric root has deep orange flesh covered in a tough brown skin. Warm, aromatic and bitter, turmeric is a common spice in curries and also gives prepared mustard its bright yellow color. With antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has a long history of use in folk medicine.

Benefits

Preliminary research suggests that consuming turmeric may help stimulate hair growth. The turmeric works by stopping a natural progression that occurs in some people with aging hair follicles, a progression that begins with the follicles shrinking and then becoming rigid and eventually getting eliminated.

Dosing

The therapeutic dose of turmeric is between 1,200 and 2,000 mg per day. This involves taking 400 mg or 500 mg tablets three to four times per day. The body absorbs less than 1 percent of an oral dose of turmeric in its natural state. But combining turmeric with piperine, a component in black pepper, increases the amount of turmeric that the body can absorb into the bloodstream. Alternatively, the addition of an oligosaccharide molecule increases turmeric absorption as well. For effective hair growth, you probably want to select a turmeric supplement with either piperine or oligosaccharide added.

Safety

Turmeric in medicinal quantities is considered safe for most adults, according to MedlinePlus, though long-term use of turmeric could cause indigestion, diarrhea or nausea. Taking turmeric during pregnancy is unsafe because it might stimulate the uterus, which could put the fetus at risk. Breast-feeding women and children should not take turmeric either. Clinical trials have not established the safety of turmeric for these populations. Turmeric can worsen gallbladder problems, so don't use it if you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction. Stop taking turmeric at least two weeks prior to surgery because it may slow blood clotting, which could cause extra bleeding during and after surgery.

Side Benefits

Side benefits of taking turmeric, which are unrelated to the hair, include the herb's potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Clinical data support the use of turmeric for dyspepsia or chronic indigestion, including acid, flatulence or atonic dyspepsia, according to the World Health Organization.