Hair loss is a common condition in men and less common in women. Finding a natural remedy to alleviate hair loss, no matter what the cause, can bring relief to sufferers. Hair loss can be caused by a variety of conditions including: hormonal changes (particularly during pregnancy or just after delivery), stress, diseases such as diabetes and lupus, alopecia, fungal infections, environmental exposures (to certain chemicals for example), medication and diet. Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition, passed down from the mother. Essential Oils Have been Shown to Help with Hair Loss Essential oils contain many complex, naturally occurring chemicals; in fact, there can be as many as 500 different natural chemicals in any essential oil.

People have been using essential oils for thousands of years to treat a number of medical and health conditions, including hair loss.

Melanie Vonzabuesnig author of “Hair Loss in Women: Getting to the Root of the Problem,” experienced hair loss from a young age and after trying many suggested remedies she came across essential oils. She became enamored with the results of using essential oils for her hair-loss condition and appreciated the added physical and emotional benefits of the essential oils. All this convinced her to study aromatherapy and essential oils at a higher level.

The results of an interesting 1998 study, “Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy: Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata,” by Isabelle C. Hay, MRCP; Margaret Jamieson, SRN and Anthony D. Ormerod, FRCP, show “aromatherapy to be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.”

Ways to Use Essential Oils with Hair Loss

When experiencing hair loss, and stress and unhealthy lifestyle have been ruled out, brush the hair and scalp regularly with a soft bristle brush to stimulate the scalp. Add a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil to the brush. Lavender essential oil contains many healing properties including: anti-anxiety, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It is also a balancing and calming essential oil.

Hair Loss Shampoo Recipe

When shampooing the hair, use as natural a shampoo as is available or better still add essential oils to an unscented shampoo. To 100 mls of shampoo add 12 drops of Rosemary essential oil and 13 drops of Basil essential oil. Shake the bottle to mix.

Hair Loss Conditioner Recipe

Condition the hair three to four times per week with the following conditioner. Use Jojoba oil, Evening Primrose oil, or Rosehip oil. Jojoba oil is known as “the skin"s twin” as it is similar in structure to human skin"s natural sebum. It is easily absorbed, contains vitamins and minerals and is hypoallergenic. Evening primrose oil is high in gamma linoleic acid, which is said to rejuvenate skin cells, and is excellent for dry scaly skin, dandruff, psoriasis and eczema. Rosehip oil contains vitamin E, vitamin C and a derivative of vitamin A, trans-retinoic.

To 100mls of whichever carrier oil is chosen, add 15 drops of Lavender essential oil, 15 drops of Orange essential oil, and 10 drops of Orange essential oil. Carrot Seed essential oil is a great stimulator for the scalp, and is also a detoxifier, tonic and muscle relaxant. Orange essential oil is very uplifting, tonic, sedative, and lymph stimulator.

Shake the container to mix the essential oils and the carrier oil, stand the container in hot water to warm the conditioner, pour some onto the hands and massage into scalp. Massage helps to stimulate the hair follicles. After the massage, gently pull the hands through the hair, then put a warm towel around the head and leave the conditioner on, all night if possible. Alternatively, put a plastic bag over the head and leave for one hour. Shampoo and rinse the hair.

Notes

There are several important things to remember when using essential oils for hair loss:

• Due to the cycle of hair growth, results can take three to six months to appear. Be patient and consistent.
• Make sure to purchase top quality, pure essential oils from a reputable aromatherapy company or health food store
• Always use essential oils in a carrier oil. Undiluted, essential oils can cause skin irritation, burns or other side effects.

Although hair loss is a common condition, there is currently no cure for it, but there are natural remedies, including essential oils to help alleviate it.

This article was first published at Suite 101 on February 9, 2010 and is republished here as per the terms of our agreement with Suite 101. Visit Suite 101 to read all of our articles.

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*This is educational information and any opinions expressed here-in do not replace professional medical advice. If you are ill, see a suitably qualified medical practitioner.*

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