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11 Natural Remedies Treat for Alopecia Areata

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:15:12 +0000

Natural and holistic treatments are a gentler yet still effective alternative to treating hair loss than the harsh chemicals found in synthetic over-the-counter and prescription products. Using herbal and homeopathic remedies helps to promote healthy, strong hair and supports circulation, hormonal balance and thyroid functioning.

1) Essential Oils
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the use of a combination of essential oils or a placebo oil in 86 people with alopecia areata. The combination oil was a mixture of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils in a mixture of carrier oils (jojoba and grapeseed). This oil was massaged into the scalp daily. The control group used only the carrier oils for their massage, also daily.
After 7 months, 19 (44%) of 43 people using the essential oil blend showed an improvement compared with 6 (15%) of 41 people in the control group. Although no side effects were associated with the topical application of essential oils, they may cause allergic reactions in some people.

2) Red Pepper
Red pepper is another topical solution that is used to fight hair loss. It is applied directly to the scalp in hopes of irritating the skin, so that the body’s immune system will respond to fight the irritant by releasing histamines. Histamines will increase the flow of blood to the hair follicles.

3) Onion Juice
A study published in the Journal of Dermatology examined the effectiveness of onion juice or placebo in people with alopecia areata. Twenty-three people with alopecia areata applied the onion juice twice daily for two months, and 15 people applied tap water twice daily for two months.
People in the onion group began to experience regrowth of hair after two weeks of treatment. At four weeks, hair regrowth was seen in 17 (73.9%) people and at six weeks, hair regrowth was observed in 20 (86.9%) people. Improvement was significantly higher among males. In the tap water control group, hair regrowth was apparent in only 2 people at 8 weeks.

4) Rosemary
Rosemary is an herb commonly used as a spice in Mediterranean dishes. It’s used in traditional medicine to stimulate hair growth, improve memory and support the nervous and circulatory systems. According to the UMMC, in a study of 84 participants with alopecia areata, some participants were treated by massaging their scalp with rosemary and other essential oils of lavender, thyme and cedar wood daily for seven months. These participants experienced significant hair regrowth, compared to the participants that massaged their scalps without the essential oils. However, better designed studies are needed to substantiate the effects of rosemary and hair growth.

5) Hypnosis
A preliminary study explored the use of hypnosis on hair growth and well-being in people with alopecia. The study involved 28 people with extensive alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis who did not respond to previous conventional treatments.
After treatment with hypnosis, all patients had a significantly lower score for anxiety and depression. Hair regrowth of 75% to 100% was seen in 12 people after 3 to 8 sessions of hypnotherapy. Total regrowth occurred in 9 of these 12 people. In 5 people, a significant relapse occurred.
There were major limitations to this study, however, including the small size of the study, the lack of a placebo group, and the fact that the study was not double-blind. Larger, well-designed studies are needed.

6) Saw Palmetto
The most popular natural hair loss treatment is saw palmetto. Saw palmetto acts similarly to finasteride in treating enlarged prostates. Saw palmetto reduces the amount of didihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. It is believed that an excess of DHT is the leading cause of male pattern baldness.
Saw palmetto comes in two different forms of capsules–saw palmetto extract and saw palmetto berries–and can be taken once or twice a day. The extract is preferred for hair loss. The recommeded dose is 320 to 400 mg.

7) Biotin
Biotin, or vitamin H, belongs to the vitamin B complex group. The B complex vitamins are important in promoting healthy hair, skin and eyes. Biotin is used to treat hair loss, brittle nails and loss of hair color associated with biotin deficiency. According to MedlinePlus, some preliminary evidence supports that biotin can reduce apolecia when taken orally in combination with zinc and topical application of the cream clobetasol propionate on the skin. However more studies are needed to substantiate its effectiveness.

Green Tea
Green tea is another item popular in natural hair growth products, although not for the reason first believed. Green tea proponents believed that green tea was a DHT blocker, but a 2005 study that appeared in the “Journal of the National Medical Association” concluded the driving force behind green tea was its ability to act as an anti-inflamatory agent.

9) Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains seven different superoxide dismutases, which some believe will fight hair loss by fighting superoxides in the body. There are several patents using superoxide dismutases to combat hair loss. Aloe vera has also been touted for its ability to deep-clean the pores and bring pH levels in balance.

10) Nettle Root
Nettle root, or stinging nettle, is another supplement that is believed to inhibit DHT production. It has been shown to be more effective when used in conjunction with another product, such as saw palmetto or pygeum.

11) Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener produced by the honey bees. It’s also another natural treatment for alopecia. According to Hair-Loss-Causes-In-Women.com, a mixture of 2 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp. cinnamon and 3 tbsp. olive oil may help. Apply this mixture over the hairless scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes then rinse. Another recipe is to mix honey with egg yolk; apply this mixture to the affected scalp and leave on for one hour, then rinse and dry the scalp. These treatments may be done as needed to treat alopecia.

12) Dong Quai
Dong quai, which is sometimes referred to as Chinese Angelica, is another herb that is believed to be capable of blocking the formation of DHT. It has been used in Asia for centuries for all types of ailments.

Carefully selected herbal ingredients such as Ginkgo biloba, Rosmarinus officinale and Xanthoxylum clavaherculis promotes blood circulation which ensures that nutrient rich blood reaches the hair follicles. In addition, Equisetum arvense, Avena sativa and Echinacea also help to stimulate and nourish tiny hair follicles to encourage abundant hair.

Alopecia areata cure in babies

admin — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 23:32:03 +0000

The most common symptom of alopecia areta in children is hair loss. In most cases, hair falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter. Although most children with alopecia areata get only a few bare patches, some children may lose more hair. Although uncommon, alopecia areata in children can progress to complete loss of hair on the head (alopecia areata totalis) or complete loss of hair on the head, face, and body (alopecia areata universalis).
Babies who are having this kind of disorder will gradually become hairless. However, there is still a chance to help your baby recover from losing hairs.
Babies rarely experience such disorder though. But it can happen. If you noticed your baby is showing some indications of the Alopecia Areata disorder, you should take him to the doctor immediately for further examinations.
Treatment for Alopecia Areata in Children
There is no cure for alopecia areata in children and there are no medications that are approved for alopecia areata treatment. However, doctors may prescribe medications that are approved for other diseases to help hair grow back. Treatments options for alopecia areata in children usually involve an ointment or cream (topical medicine). The topical medicines most often used for alopecia in children include: corticosteroids and minoxidil.
Due to the fact that there is actually no definite cause of such disorder, it then follows the unavailability of precise cure. Parents are then recommended to take the baby to his doctor for further advice.

Homeopathic medicine for alopecia areata?

admin — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:29:23 +0000

Homeopathy is very effective in deep seated diseases like Alopecia Areata.
Alopecia Areata needs a new and deeper approach. That is homeopathy, which treats disease by going into the roots.
Alopecia Areata being an auto-immune disease,needs immunity correction.

I m under Homeopathic treatment. I hav AU so its takin long time. There r more chances of relapse in AU, so i do get hair at some places but then again they fall. I hav heard from ALL the Dr.’s that there r more chances of curing AA. So, i would advice u to go for it ASAP, before it increases. Also try out Ayurvedic treatment. The Dr.’s also told me more u delay in treatment, less r the chances of getting treated soon. So plz go now to a Homeopathic & Ayurvedic clinic & start ur treatment asap!
Take care!!!! Best Wishes!!!

Duration of treatment:

The total length of treatment varies form case to case, depending of the following factors:

* Duration of Alopecia
* Areas affected (scalp, beard, moustache, limbs, other body areas)
* Extent of spread (Small or large; one or multiple spots)
* Previous medication (Extensive use of oral or local cortisone)
* Associated diseases like Under active thyroid, diabetes, other diseases,

One may expect a definite change in about three to five months, depending on the extent. The total length of medication may be anything between six months to two years or longer.
Cases of Alopecia Totalis (universalis) do not respond to homeopathy.

can alopecia go away on its own for good

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:27:25 +0000

I think you’d better do just like this:

To prevent or treat your chronic alopecia:
Avoid hair and scalp trauma: This includes choosing a soft-bristled hair brush to protect your scalp from damage. Avoid the overuse of chemicals such as permanent wave solutions on your hair. Avoid hairstyles, such as tight hair braids, that may pull your hair too much.

Eat a healthy diet: You may need to see a caregiver about the diet that you may need. Eat foods such as fruits and vegetables, and avoid eating junk foods such as chips. Eating the right food will make you healthy and fit. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.

Reduce stress: Try to get enough sleep and daily exercise. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing, meditation, and listening to music. These may help you cope with stressful events.

Living with hair loss can be hard, especially in a culture that views hair as a sign of youth and good health. Even so, most people with alopecia areata are well-adjusted, contented people living full lives.

The key to coping is valuing yourself for who you are, not for how much hair you have or don’t have. Many people learning to cope with alopecia areata find it helpful to talk with other people who are dealing with the same problems. More than four million people nationwide have this disease at some point in their lives, so you are not alone. If you would like to be in touch with others with the disease, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) can help through its pen pal program, message boards, annual conference, and support groups that meet in various locations nationwide. To find contact information for NAAF and other organizations that can help people with alopecia areata, see “Where Can I Learn More About Alopecia Areata?”.

Another way to cope with the disease is to minimize its effects on your appearance. If you have total hair loss, a wig or hairpiece can look natural and stylish. For small patches of hair loss, a hair-colored powder, cream, or crayon applied to the scalp can make hair loss less obvious by eliminating the contrast between the hair and the scalp. Skillfully applied eyebrow pencil can mask missing eyebrows.

Children with alopecia areata may prefer to wear bandanas or caps. There are many styles available to suit a child’s interest and mood-some even have ponytails attached.

For women, attractive scarves can hide patchy hair loss; jewelry and clothing can distract attention from patchy hair; and proper makeup can camouflage the effects of lost facial hair. If you would like to learn more about camouflaging the cosmetic aspects of alopecia areata, ask your doctor or members of your local support group to recommend a cosmetologist who specializes in working with people whose appearance is affected by medical conditions.