Few people in this world, both men and women, are genuinely indifferent to hair loss. The simple fact is that hair has always been viewed as a symbol of vitality, youthfulness, and healthfulness, and most people want to hang onto theirs for as long as possible! For this reason, conventional hair loss treatments are a billion-dollar industry. Many of these treatments come in the form of pills, shampoos, or creams. Some people report good experiences with them, and some people report bad experiences with them. Regardless of their efficacy, however, thousands of people have a problem with these drugs for one reason alone – they’re not natural. Their ingredients list reads like a chemistry set, and the health-minded among us are understandably cautious about using them on our bodies. Fortunately, a large number of home remedies exist which can help your hair to grow back. Let’s take a look at the best of them.
The Best Natural Remedies for Hair Growth
- Blackstrap molasses – Blackstrap molasses is probably the best natural cure for thinning or lost hair, and I recommend it above all others. In short, blackstrap molasses is a thick syrup that contains all of the trace minerals extracted from the sugar cane plant during the sugar refinement process. You know that white sugar you have in your kitchen drawer? Blackstrap molasses is a dense concentration of all the minerals that were taken out of it. And as it just happens, one of those minerals is copper – an absolutely essential ingredient for healthy hair, since it helps the production of the skin and hair pigment melanin. Two teaspoons of blackstrap contains 14 percent of your RDA of copper. I recommend taking two tablespoons of blackstrap molasses per day, preferably first thing in the morning. You’ll begin noticing improvements in hair quality within weeks. Consistent use over months will result in hair regrowth and possibly even a return to the hair’s original color.
- Cayenne pepper – Cayenne is a great remedy for hair health and regrowth. Indeed, ancient doctors used to treat alopecia using tonics comprised of it. This is because cayenne, which is a very hot pepper, increases blood flow, which in turn nourishes the scalp and stimulates hair growth. It is a good idea to mix cayenne with an oil such as olive oil, however – pouring raw cayenne powder over your scalp without lubrication is not a pleasant experience!
- Coconut milk or oil – These two coconut products have always been linked with non-flaking, shiny, healthy hair (including hair regrowth). For best results with coconut oil, mix it with a little avocado, spread the mixture on your hair, and then rinse with warm water after 30 minutes. Coconut milk, on the other hand, can be used like a regular shampoo – just massage it into your scalp and leave it there for 30 minutes.
- Saw palmetto – There is a good reason why this North American plant is a main ingredient in even conventional hair loss drugs – it really does help hair grow naturally. Funnily enough, we haven’t yet learned why it is so effective, although several researchers have concluded that it is because the plant blocks an enzyme, 5-alpha-reductase, from converting testosterone into dihydrotesosterone. The latter is a hormone that is linked to progressive alopecia.
The above four products are the best remedies for treating hair problems. What’s great about them is that all four are versatile. For example, you could take two tablespoons of blackstrap molasses per day whilst washing your hair with coconut milk every other day. Or, you could take a 20 drops of cayenne pepper tincture mixed with water, whilst scrubbing your hair with a homemade blackstrap molasses and saw palmetto shampoo. In fact, you can make your own shampoo out of all four ingredients – the concoction may not smell nice, but it’s going to be much more potent and effective than the overpriced pills from the chemist!
Preventing Hair Loss from the Outset
It is important to remember that we are talking about treatments about a symptom (namely, hair loss), not a cause. The reason why you lost, or are losing, your hair in the first place could be due to a number of reasons. It could be genetic. It could because of a nutrient deficiency, or because of stress. It could even be because you are too aggressive when combing and towelling your hair. Either way, there’s a reason for the loss. Therefore, to prevent hair loss or thinning from the start, I recommend the following:
- Don’t wash your hair everyday. You’ll constantly be removing the important oils from it, which need to be replaced.
- Eat a healthier diet containing foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and folic acid – in other words, fruits and vegetables!
- Exercise more. Exercise improves blood circulation throughout the body, which produces faster hair growth.
- Comb and towel your hair gently, especially if your hair is thinning. Also, allow your hair to dry naturally, rather than use hair dryers.
Follow this advice and you may be able to prevent, or at least slow down, future hair loss.
