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Hair Graying and Loss
Cures for gray hair and baldness continue to elude humanity, although research has shed some light on how and why these conditions occur. Premature graying has been linked to a greater risk for osteoporosis in women and can be caused by excessive stress or long-term illness or by B vitamin, copper and zinc deficiencies.1 However, good health, stress relief and nutritional supplements may only delay the onset of graying; they cannot prevent or reverse it. Only two natural dyes are readily available: henna (Lawsonia inermis) and chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria). Unfortunately, they are considered greatly inferior to synthetic hair dyes for permanent coverage of gray hair, so the question for many is to dye or not to dye.2
In addition to going gray, many men are confronted with the reality of losing their hair. Heredity and sex hormones largely control premature baldness in men, and, like graying, good health can only defer it, not prevent it. Premature hair loss in women, on the other hand, is most often due to illness, poor nutrition, or hormone imbalances, although as they age women's hair unavoidably thins.
When testing hair loss treatments, Japanese researchers found that topical application of procyanidin-B2 from grape seed and apple extracts activate hair follicles in mice, resulting in increased hair growth.3 Furthermore, Italian researchers found that a topical preparation containing esculin (an oxolinic acid) from horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) reduced hair loss and increased circulation to the hair follicles in men and women suffering from hair loss.3 Reduced scalp microcirculation is also one of the factors causing hair loss.
Despite the fact that there is not yet magic cures for hair loss and hair graying, there are now numerous natural approaches that appear to exert some benefit on the maintenance and health of the hair. Moreover, these treatments are giving new hope to the millions of people confronted with these unfortunate realities of the aging process.
References
1. Rosen CJ, et al. Premature graying of hair is a risk marker for osteopenia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994; 79(3):854-7.
2. Matkar NM. Natural and synthetic hair dyes: a solution for graying hair. Cosmet Toilet 2000;115:77-86.
3. Takahashi T, et al. Toxicological studies on procyanidin B-2 for external application as a hair-growing agent. Food Chem Toxicol 1999;37:545-52.
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