India is fighting an application from a UK laboratory to patent a hair loss treatment which features traditional Ayurvedic medicines. It is believed the treatment was specifically for genetic
hair loss in both men and women.
Used since ancient times
According to reports in the Economic India newspaper, Pangaea Laboratories Limited is trying to patent a 'medicinal composition' for treating hair loss, which is formulated using turmeric, pine bark and
green tea. These components are traditionally used in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine, and the mix appears to be based on this cultural knowledge.
Thanks to some swift work by the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - who blocked a similar application by Colgate-PalmoliveBSE regarding a mouthwash which contained nutmeg, just days before - this patent application has been blocked.
The TKDL did this by submitting proof to the European Patent Office that turmeric, pine bark and green tea were part of existing methods of treating hair loss, which have been used in India since ancient times. According to the patent office's website, Pangaea Laboratories have now withdrawn the disputed application which was originally filed in February 2011.
Natural hair loss treatments
There are a number of traditional medicines and products touted as natural hair loss remedies for
Male Pattern Baldness. None, however, have been proven to work.
Many, such as using
ginger to massage the scalp
, honey and cinnamon, or
camphor oil, may improve the scalp and/or hair's condition, making it healthier which can increase the hair's strength and shine. This cosmetic difference is completely different to 'treating hair loss' though and only two
hair loss treatments are medically-proven to do this.
Both men and women with genetic hair loss are able to use
minoxidil, a topical treatment which is licensed by the UK's MHRA and approved by the FDA in America. It is applied directly to the scalp, where needed, and - as you can see from Belgravia's
Hair Loss Treatment Success Stories - has been seen to produce positive results, when used as directed.
Men are also able to take a daily tablet containing
finasteride 1mg to inhibit the formation of
dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the testosterone by-product which attacks the top of the head, binding to the hair follicles in those with a genetic predisposition to this type of hereditary hair loss, and causing a gradual weakening - or 'miniaturisation' - of the follicles. This is what leads to the appearance of
thinning hair in women, and signs such as a
receding hairline or
thinning crown, in men.
Whilst it is fine to use natural means to improve the
condition of the hair, it is important to understand the difference between something which will improve the
look of your hair and something which will
treat the underlying cause of your hair loss.