Do Natural Hair Growth ‘Cures’ Work?

The battle against hair loss has raged for centuries, with hundreds of proposed ‘cures’ being presented in every generation. Although there are clinically proven medical treatments for hair loss, some men and women still prefer to approach the condition using natural remedies, such as:

Sage oil

Derived from the aromatic herb of the same name, sage oil is prescribed by alternative medicine practitioners for all manner of ailments including hair loss. The oil is diluted or combined with other essential oils like lavender and rosemary, before being rubbed into the scalp.

Yet despite claims of helping to avoid baldness and encourage hair growth, there is no scientific evidence in support of sage oil as a successful hair loss treatment.

Camphor

Originally proposed as a solution for strengthening hair, Victorian women would put camphor crystals in their evening bath with the intention of improving hair health. Later they would combine camphor with cologne and apply the solution to the roots of their hair, again with the intention of strengthening hair and encouraging new growth.

Rubbing camphor into the scalp in this way is sure to make the skin tingle. Unfortunately for the Victorian lady, this had little effect when it came to growing new hair.

Menthol

An extremely common ingredient in men’s shampoos, menthol is also believed by some alternative medicine practitioners to help with hair loss. Extracted from naturally occurring peppermint, the oil is also found in over-the-counter medications such as decongestants and painkillers.

Like Camphor, when formulations containing menthol are rubbed into the scalp, the user will experience a cool, tingling sensation that for some may verge on the uncomfortable. Unfortunately there is no magic hair regrowth power in menthol itself.

Can these remedies help the hair at all?

Despite the fact that none of these remedies actually really promote hair regrowth for men and women affected by conditions like Androgenic Alopecia or Alopecia Areata, they could help in other ways. The soothing effects of the oils could actually help in cases of hair loss related to scalp skin conditions for instance, by reducing inflammation.

Similarly the tingling sensation that users of these treatments experience is actually caused by increased blood flow to the scalp. Some of the clinically-proven treatments are designed to ensure a good flow of blood to the scalp and hair follicles, so that the nutrients required for healthy hair growth arrive where they are needed. In this way, menthol, camphor and sage oil could possibly be used alongside other, clinically proven, hair loss treatments.

Men and women concerned about hair loss should seek professional advice from a qualified hair loss expert who will be able to start them on a medically sound course of treatment, where the results will be regularly monitored.

The Belgravia Centre

The Belgravia Centre is the leader in hair loss treatment in the UK, with two clinics based in Central London. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our online diagnostic form from anywhere in the UK or the rest of the world. View our hair loss success stories, which are the largest collection of such success stories in the world and demonstrate the levels of success that so many of Belgravia’s patients achieve. You can also phone 0800 077 6666 any time for our hair loss helpline or to arrange a free consultation.