In a separate article in this series we looked at some of the most
popular herbal hair loss remedies for ingestion. Here we'll expand that
theme to include some potentially useful herbal remedies for external
use.
Aloe vera - some Indian tribes of Mexico attribute their thick,
healthy hair to regular use of aloe vera gel which they rub into the
scalp and hair each night. Herbalists believe that the herb activates
the production of nitric oxide and contains an enzyme known as
superoxide dismutane. Some experts feel that these two substances
combine to stimulate hair regrowth in those suffering from male pattern
type baldness.
Onion (Allium cepa) - this has a high sulfur content that is
believed to have hair-healing properties. Some herbalists believe that
rubbing the scalp with half an onion before washing hair encourages hair
growth.
Red pepper (Capiscum) - a popular folk remedy that involves the
application of a red pepper poultice to the scalp to act as a skin
irritant. This draws blood and nutrients to the scalp and encourages the
release of histimines to stimulate cell division and hair regrowth.
Safflower oil (Carthamus tinctorious) - Eastern health practitioners
believe that safflower oil applied to the scalp acts as a vasolidator
that dilates blood vessels. This allows more blood to deliver nutrients
to the hair follicle thus creating an environment conducive to hair
regrowth.
