Green tea is made from unfermented leaves of the plant species Camellia sinensis. Tea growers also use the same species to produce fermented black and oolong teas. Thinning hair is a common term for partial or incomplete hair loss. Use of green tea or green tea extracts will not help with thinning hair.
Green Tea Basics
Green tea contains an active ingredient called epigallocatechin gallate, as well as five other related compounds, called catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and gallaogatechin. These six substances are known collectively as catechins and belong to a class of chemicals called polyphenols. In turn, polyphenols are classified as antioxidants, and have the ability to counter the effects of particles called free radicals, which can cause significant damage to cells throughout your body. Green tea gets its stimulating effects from three different chemicals classified as alkaloids: caffeine, theophylline and theobromine.
Green Tea Uses
In a laboratory setting, green tea has the potential to slow or prevent a variety of cancers, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. However, clinical studies in human populations have produced mixed real-world results. Additional potential uses of green tea or extracts taken from green tea include control of blood glucose levels in diabetics, weight-loss promotion, prevention of tooth decay and the treatment of liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries. Both the NCCAM and the University of Maryland Medical Center cite the need for further research to determine green tea's true benefit in these areas.
Thinning Hair Basics
Both men and women tend to develop thinning hair as they age. Additional factors that can contribute to hair thinning or hair loss include genetic predisposition, use of certain medications and your relative levels of the hormone testosterone. Men with inherited male-pattern baldness typically develop a receding hairline combined with baldness at the top, or crown, of the head. Depending on the individual, the end result of this process may be complete or partial balding. Women with female-pattern baldness typically keep their front hairline while developing hair thinning at the front, sides and/or crown.
Thinning Hair Treatment
Potential treatment options for thinning hair or hair loss include the nonprescription medication minoxidil and the prescription medication finasteride. Both men and women can safely use minoxidil, while finasteride use is limited to men. Another potential option is the use of laser-emitting combs, brushes or other devices designed to stimulate hair growth or improve the appearance of existing hair. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not rigorously test these devices and no one knows if they're effective or safe for long-term use. Consult your doctor for more information on effective treatments for thinning hair and the potential benefits of green tea and green tea extract.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Herbs at a Glance; Green Tea; May 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Hair Loss (Pages 1, 2 and 6); July 23, 2011
- MedlinePlus: Hair Loss
- American Academy of Dermatology: Hair Loss; Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcome
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