By Chinwe of Hair and Health
Are you having difficulty regrowing your edges? Or maybe you are having a hard time recovering from hair loss or severe shedding? Well the following recipes may probably help. (Keep in mind that while these recipes are based on reviewed studies, they are not guaranteed solutions, especially depending on the source of your condition.)
1. Green Tea Spritz
Ingredients:
3 mL green tea extract (ideally 80%+ EGCG)
20 mL distilled water
Directions:
Mix together and store in a cool, dark place. (If using green tea extract supplements, crush thoroughly before mixing into water.) Massage into scalp nightly. If preferred, you may alternatively drink green tea as part of your diet (after consulting a doctor).
What Research Says:
I was on a hair care site years ago when I first read that green tea may enhance hair regrowth. A skeptic at first, I decided to see what research I could find on the topic. Amazingly, there are some studies that have suggested a connection between green tea and hair regrowth. Apparently, the growth is linked to the polyphenolic compounds (particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG) contained in green tea. Applying green tea topically or consuming it may prove beneficial.
Sources:
Journal of National Medical Association. 2005 August; Volume 97, No. 8: pp. 1165–1169.
Phytomedicine. 2007 Aug; Volume 14, No. 7-8:pp. 551-555.
2. Essential Oil Blend
Ingredients:
2 drops thyme essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
2 drops atlas cedar/cedarwood essential oil
3 mL jojoba oil
20 mL grapeseed oil
Directions:
Mix the essential oils into the carrier oil combination (jojoba and grapeseed), and store in a cool, dark place. Massage into scalp nightly for a minimum of two minutes. To aid absorption, follow up by wrapping your head with a warm towel. (DISCLAIMER: Essential oils are very potent. Please consult a doctor before using them, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a medical condition.)
What Research Says:
According to the results of one 1998 study, daily massaging of the scalp with an essential oil mixture showed an advantage to treating alopecia areata when compared to massaging with carrier oils alone. The reason for the improvement in hair growth is unclear – perhaps aromatherapy is beneficial to reducing stress? The speculated cause of alopecia areata is an attack on the hair cells by the immune system. Some believe that stress may aggravate the condition.
Source:
Archives of Dermatology. 1998 Nov; Volume 134, No. 11: pp. 1349-1352.
3. Ginkgo Biloba Extract Spritz
Ingredients:
14 mL ginkgo leaf extract (liquid form)
6 mL water (or a carrier oil)
Directions:
Mix the ingredients together and massage into scalp nightly. If preferred, you may alternatively take ginkgo biloba extract in supplement form. (NOTE: Please consult a doctor before taking or using ginkgo leaf extract, especially if you have a blood- or heart-related medical condition.)
What Research Says:
Ginkgo biloba extract is said to mitigate poor blood circulation. It is typically used to improve memory, but has also been associated with promoting hair regrowth, according to one study.
Source:
Yakugaku Zasshi (Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan). 1993 Oct; Volume 113, No. 10: pp. 718-724.
Ladies, have you had success with any of these methods or others? Please share!
