Various traditions of herbal medicine use particular plant oils, extracts or infusions to restore or sustain healthy hair growth. The properties of various herbs are not fully understood within a Western scientific tradition, and the medicinal use of herbs generally is not supported by the FDA or other regulatory medical bodies in the United States. Nonetheless, many advocates of herbal remedies recommend the use of herbs such as anise for reversing baldness or improving hair growth.
Use Responsibly
Before using anise or any other form of herbal medicine, it's a good idea to confirm with your doctor that the supplement won't cause any negative interactions with medications you take regularly. Take heed of any advisories provided by the FDA against the use of particular teas or infusions. For example, in 2003, the FDA issued an advisory against using any teas brewed with star anise, particularly those made with Japanese star anise, or Illicium anisatum. Ingesting the Japanese variety may induce vomiting, rapid eye movement, seizures or serious neurological effects. Never use Japanese star anise as an herbal remedy, given its high content of the poisonous compounds anisatin, shikimin and sikimitoxin. The FDA advisory did not include Chinese star anise, or Illicium verum.
Anise: Forms and Potency
Chinese star anise, the form of anise most frequently used in herbal preparation, has varied applications, ranging from culinary seasoning to aromatherapy to medical use. In cooking, the star-shaped fruit is typically dried and then powdered or allowed to steep. For herbal remedies, the essential oil of anise may be extracted through steam distillation or the dried fruit may be used to prepare a tea.
Anise and Your Hair
Star anise is a popular ingredient in plant-based hair tonics; the Japanese variety, though not for consumption, may serve in topical applications to trigger hair growth. Anise oil may be mixed with fennel and caraway as a hair growth promoter as well as an insect repellent. In addition, anise oil applied topically to the scalp can get rid of lice.
Additional Herbal Remedies for Hair Growth
In addition to anise, fennel and caraway oils are reputed to stimulate hair growth. Parsley seeds, when powdered, are another traditional herbal cure. Indian sarsaparilla is a common tonic for hair growth in Indian herbal medicine. However, although tinctures sometimes combine several of these herbs, cross-reactivity may occur by mixing anise with either fennel or caraway. Carrot, parsley, coriander and cumin also may cause negative cross-reactions if combined with anise essential oil. Given the possibility of negative interactions and the lack of scientific evidence for any of the remedies, use anise or any other tinctures at your own risk. Ideally, first consult with both a medical doctor and an herbal medicine expert.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 2003
- Chemistry of Spices; V. A. Parthasarathy et al.
- Aromatherapy Science: a Guide for Healthcare Professionals; Maria Lis-Balchin; 2006
- Herbs that Heal: Natural Remedies for Good Health; H. K. Bakhru; 1992
- Medical Botany: Plants Affecting Human Health; Walter Hepworth Lewis and Memory P. F. Elvin-Lewis; 2003
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