Alopecia: natural remedies

Alopecia: definition

Alopecia not only portrays a problem related to age, which affects a large part of the population, but is considered an effective insult to its image. Sometimes, the psychological repercussions associated with hair loss are far more serious than the physical consequences.

Alopecia is a multifactorial problem, that is triggered by several causes, such as pathologies, stress, autoimmune diseases, traumas and psoriasis; also physiological factors certainly influence and aggravate alopecia, such as advancing age and hormonal change (androgenetic alopecia): within the hair of the hair, testosterone is subject to the activity of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme which quickly converts to dihydroxy-testosterone: the latter goes to bind with the androgen receptors, consequently the hair bulb becomes inflamed, the hair falls de the final result is the formation of tiny hairs.

Drugs or natural remedies?

Before adopting any type of remedy to combat hair loss, it would be useful to undergo a specialized check by the tricologist for the evaluation of the clinical picture: the specialist could recommend a pharmacological cure, such as minoxidil, finasteride and estrone sulfate, if it deems it appropriate, or recommend some natural remedies which, although less effective in counteracting the fall, are free from significant side effects.

Hair loss is generally unavoidable, in fact when the herbal treatment is interrupted, alopecia tends to return or in any case worsen: natural remedies with topical action do not act directly affecting the enzyme responsible for hair loss, as only a few drugs can block 5-alpha reductase, preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydroxy-testosterone. To help this effect, supplements based on serenoa repens, African pigeo and pumpkin seeds taken on the bone can be useful.

Natural remedies: effects

Natural remedies include drugs that perform mainly three functions:

1. Astringent action: the active ingredients that promote this activity reduce the secretions of the bulbs, acting as sebum-regulators (remember that the growth of the hair can be "suffocated", or at least heavy, by the excess of sebum, which also favors the phenomena local inflammatories).
2. Eudermic activity: oil drugs give elasticity to the skin.
3. Microcirculation stimulation: essential oils enhance blood circulation at levels of the hair bulb. Furthermore, the volatile active ingredients exert disinfectant (antiseptic) properties.

All natural remedies with topical action should be accompanied by a scalp massage, useful for promoting blood circulation; although natural treatments only attenuate the process of unstoppable hair loss, they are able to slow down the rate of metabolization of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, and to have a fairly good effect on androgenetic alopecia.

Alcoholic solution to rub

As we have mentioned, the massage is fundamental for the success of the herbal product: in fact, friction favors blood circulation. An alcohol solution is proposed, which means that the active ingredients are dissolved in alcohol: a few drops of the product are sufficient, which must be distributed on the hair and rubbed until absorbed.

• Walnut ( Juglans regia): the phytocomplex is characterized by the presence of Juglone, tannins, vitamin A and Vitamins of group B, consequently it derives its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent properties. Walnut is also used in products for itching and furfuraceous desquamation.
• Elm ( Ulmus campestris ): the phytocomplex consists mainly of tannins with an astringent and anti-inflammatory activity. The elm has a marked cutaneous tropism and is an excellent remedy for endogenous skin disorders, such as alopecia.
• Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ): the essential oil, obtained by steam distillation, is characterized by the presence of thymol, linalool, pinene and carvacrol. The phytocomplex promotes antibacterial and balsamic activities, causing a mild irritation at the level of the hair bulb.
• Burdock ( Arctium lappa ): the drug in question has an important skin tropism. The tetraterpenes, together with polyacetylenes and phenols, contribute to determining an antibacterial and sebum-forming activity (for this reason the burdock is also inserted in products against psoriasis). The oil extracted from the burdock root is widely used in anti-fall formulations.

Water solution

The second product that we will analyze is an aqueous solution (non-alcoholic, like the previous one): even in this case it is advisable to carefully rub the product on the scalp.

• Quillaja saponaria, a plant also known as Saponaria, whose name refers to the triterpene saponins present in the phytocomplex, in particular quillaic acid and sapotoxins. Contrary to what is thought, applied to the hair, the Saponaria does not produce much foam; it is used as a carrier and humectant, although the term "humectant" is improper because the saponins (surfactants) reduce the superficial sebum.
• Nettle (Urtica dioica) : rich in nitrogenous components, amino acids, tannins, mineral salts and organic acids; nettle is nourishing and promotes exfoliating action, as well as having an antiandrogenic action.
• Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ): its essential oil, consisting mainly of low molecular weight monoterpenes, gives an immediate feeling of freshness. Furthermore, it slows down tissue degeneration because, paradoxically, it exerts an inflammation, albeit mild, of the tissue: in this way the recall of the blood is favored, consequently the spraying to the capillaries will be facilitated.
• Capsicum ( Capsicum frutescens ): chili pepper is rich in alkaloids and vitamins. How rosemary improves the scalp circulation causing inflammation potentially useful in the presence of alopecia.