7 Natural Hair Loss Treatments You Can Try Today

Hair loss is a common issue for men worldwide, and approximately 85 percent of men will experience hair loss at some point in their lives.

When it comes to hair loss prevention, being conservative initially and using natural hair loss treatments is best. If you wonder about these so-called natural treatments, you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss ten natural hair loss treatments you can start with today.

1. Aloe Vera

People have used the aloe vera plant to remedy various ailments for thousands of years, and today, it’s a popular natural treatment for hair loss.

Aloe vera is a plant similar to a cactus that grows worldwide in dry, hot climates. It grows in Australia, Mexico, Jamaica, parts of the US, and many other countries.

It is rich in A, B12, C, and E vitamins and amino acids that make for healthier and stronger hair, and the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties help manage scaliness and itchiness.

It’s also easy to grow at home. You can grow several pots of aloe vera at home and use the leaves. If you live in an area abundant in aloe vera, you’ll likely be able to buy the leaves in supermarkets or health food stores. Alternatively, you can get tubs or tubes of aloe vera gel at most drugstores and pharmacies.

Here’s what you need to do with aloe vera.

1. If you have an aloe vera leaf, cut it open to reveal the gel inside, scoop it out with a spoon, and then apply it to your fingertips. If you’re using store-bought aloe vera gel, apply a liberal amount to your fingertips.
2. Rub the gel onto your scalp, letting it sit for at least one hour.
3. Wash the gel from your hair using a mild (preferably natural and fragrance-free) shampoo.

You can repeat this process two to three times weekly or even daily if you wish. Applying aloe vera gel to your scalp poses very few risks unless you’re allergic to it.

2.    Essential Oils

Many essential oils are used in effective hair loss treatment.

Evidence suggests that people from many cultures have used essential oils for thousands of years, like how ancient Egyptians have used essential oils in cosmetics and ointments since 4500 B.C.

Some essential oils for hair loss prevention include peppermint, lavender, and rosemary oil, all readily available at health food stores, aromatherapy stores, and pharmacies.

Peppermint oil

Studies have revealed peppermint oil can stimulate hair growth by boosting the number of hair follicles and making them deeper. Peppermint oil can also increase blood circulation, promoting hair growth.

Here’s how to use peppermint essential oil as a hair loss treatment.

1. Combine two to three drops of peppermint oil with three tablespoons of any base oil (or carrier oil). Base oils include jojoba oil, olive oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil.
2. Massage the oil mixture gently onto your scalp and let it sit for five minutes.
3. Wash your hair with mild, natural shampoo and conditioner to remove the oil.

You can repeat this process daily or a few times weekly.

Lavender oil

Research shows that lavender oil can stimulate hair growth by quickly generating hair cell growth. Lavender is also rich in antibacterial compounds, helping improve your hair and scalp health.

Here’s how to use lavender oil as a hair loss treatment.

1. Mix at least three drops of lavender essential with three tablespoons of your preferred carrier oil.
2. Rub the mixture gently onto your scalp and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
3. As usual, wash the mixture away with a mild, natural shampoo.

Feel free to repeat this process several times weekly.

Rosemary oil

One study found that rosemary oil acts similarly to the popular hair loss medication Minoxidil but without the side effects. Rosemary can also improve hair thickness, giving you not just longer but thicker hair, too.

Here’s how to use rosemary essential oil as a hair loss treatment.

1. Mix several drops (2 to 3) of rosemary oil with two to three drops of your preferred base oil.
2. Rub the mixture gently onto your scalp and leave it for 10 minutes minimum.
3. Like the above oil applications, wash your hair with mild, natural shampoo to remove the oil.

Apply rosemary oil to your scalp twice or thrice weekly for the best results.

Using essential oil is generally safe, but there are still risks.

Always ensure you’re not allergic to an essential oil by performing a patch test to minimize risks. Apply the essential oil to a tiny area of skin. Wait 24 hours to see if you develop any itching or redness. If none of these signs appear after 24 hours, you are not allergic to that oil.

3.    Coconut Oil

Coconut oil isn’t just a base oil you dilute essential oils with. You can also use coconut oil as a standalone hair loss treatment.

While there’s no scientific evidence proving coconut oil promotes hair growth, it does have other proven benefits for your hair.

Coconut oil has strong anti-fungal properties, making it a fantastic solution for dandruff and other fungal infections. The fat in coconut oil also helps soothe scalp irritation, itching, and flaking. This wonderful oil even prevents hair dryness, damage, and split ends by sealing in your hair’s natural moisture.

Coconut oil strengthens your hair at the roots, thereby preventing hair loss.

Here’s how to use coconut oil to prevent hair loss.

1. Put some coconut oil into a microwavable bowl.
2. Coconut oil will often form clumps inside the bottles, especially if you live in a colder climate, so microwave it for a few seconds—just long enough to melt the clumps and warm the oil.
3. Apply the coconut oil gently to your scalp with your fingertips. Massage it onto your hair as well, from the roots to the tips.
4. Leave the oil in your hair for at least 30 minutes (or a few hours if you can manage it).
5. Optionally, wear a shower cap or cover your head with a towel to prevent the oil from making a mess.
6. Wash the oil off your hair with mild, natural shampoo.

Rubbing coconut oil on your hair and scalp a few times a week is fine, but don’t overdo it. Using this oil too often can clog your pores and make your scalp greasy.

Like essential oils, coconut oil is relatively safe, provided you’re not allergic. If you haven’t used coconut oil before, perform a patch test to verify any allergic reactions.

4.    Green Tea

Green tea has Chinese origins but is now popular worldwide.

This tea has high levels of polyphenols, which are plant compounds with antioxidant properties, so using hair products with green tea as an active ingredient can lower your risk of hair loss.

According to one study, mice that developed hair loss and drank water with polyphenol extracts from green tea experienced significant hair regrowth in six months.

Here’s how to use green tea products as a hair loss treatment.

• Natural and homemade green tea rinse 

1. Place a few bags of green tea (or a few tablespoons of loose-leaf) in boiling water and steep them for five minutes.

2. Let the tea cool for a few minutes.

3. Take your usual shower and apply the tea to your scalp before ending your shower.

4. You can do this every day in place of your regular shampoo and conditioner.

• Shampoo and conditioner 

1. Use green tea shampoos and conditioners, but avoid products with too many harsh chemicals or additives.

2. Apply green tea leave-in conditioner to your hair’s entire structure (root, shaft, tip). However, ensure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on frequency of use and how long to leave it in your hair.

Most dermatologists won’t recommend shampooing every day, but everyone’s hair and scalp are different. Before using any green tea shampoo or conditioner, consult your dermatologist and ask about the best shampooing frequency for your specific hair and scalp type.

5.    Onion Juice

The onion and its juice are high in sulfur, giving this vegetable its distinct, pungent aroma and flavor. Onions also have fantastic antioxidant properties.

Your body needs sulfur to grow thick and strong hair, so applying onion juice to your scalp and hair can help promote healthy hair growth.

Meanwhile, the antioxidants in onions can bolster your body’s production of keratin, a structural protein in your hair, skin, fingernails, and toenails. Your hair needs keratin to be healthy.

Here’s how to use onion juice as a hair loss treatment.

1. Blend two or three onions until they reach a fine consistency. Finely dice the onions with a sharp knife if you don’t have a food processor or blender.
2. Pour the onion paste (or diced onions) into a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer and strain it into a bowl to extract the juice.
3. Massage the onion juice gently onto your scalp and hair, ensuring you apply the juice to your entire hair structure (roots, shafts, tips).
4. Let the onion sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes.
5. Use a mild shampoo and cold water to wash your hair and remove the onion juice.

Note: Onions have a strong, pungent smell, so feel free to use your preferred scented shampoo and follow it up with conditioner to eliminate the onion smell on your scalp and hair.

Mixing the onion juice with a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice minimizes the odor.

Onions are not toxic to humans, so they’re safe to consume and use as a topical treatment. However, like other treatments on this list, ensure you’re not allergic to onions before using them.

6. Biotin Supplements

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7, one of several B vitamins along with vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin or nicotinic acid), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate), and B12 (cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin).

Biotin is essential for hair health (and overall physical health).

You may have a biotin deficiency if you experience the following symptoms.

• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Brittle hair
• Brittle nails
• Dry and scaly skin
• Dry eyes
• Red rashes on the face, especially around your eyes, nose, and mouth

Consult a physician immediately if you suspect you have a biotin deficiency.

If you don’t have a biotin deficiency but want to stay a step ahead of hair loss, consuming biotin-rich whole foods is best. Here are some of the best food sources of biotin.

• Eggs
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Beef and pork
• Beef liver and other organ meats
• Sweet potatoes
• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Legumes (soybeans and soy products, peanuts, lentils, and peas)

Besides whole foods, you can also take biotin supplements, which are readily available without a prescription.

However, most people with a regular, balanced diet shouldn’t have a biotin deficiency. Consult a physician before taking any biotin supplements so they can run the proper tests and recommend the correct dosage.

7.    Herbal Supplements

You can take specific herbal supplements if you’re struggling with hair loss, including ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and saw palmetto.

Ginseng

Ginseng refers to the roots of many Panax ginseng plants, including Korean and American ginseng. Various Asian cultures have used ground-up ginseng as a medicinal tonic.

Scientific evidence shows that ginseng can prevent hair loss by slowing down the death of cells in your hair follicles.

Here are some ways you can consume ginseng as a hair loss treatment.

• Raw (peeling and chewing the root)
• Dried ginseng root tea
• Steeping raw ginseng root in boiling water, making it similar to tea
• Supplements (ground ginseng roots in tablet, pill, or capsule form)

Ginkgo biloba

This tree was once native to China, but people now cultivate it in other parts of the world, including the US, Japan, Korea, and Sweden.

Ginkgo biloba leaves contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can speed up the healing of an inflamed scalp or damaged hair follicles, thereby preventing hair loss. Ginkgo biloba also increases blood circulation, which, in turn, promotes hair regrowth.

Here’s how to consume ginkgo biloba for hair loss prevention.

• Dried leaves (tea)
• Dissolving ginkgo biloba powder in water
• Liquid extracts (ginkgo biloba juice)
• Supplements (ground ginkgo biloba leaves in tablet, pill, or capsule form)

Note: You can only consume ginkgo biloba leaves because the seeds are toxic.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, is a palm tree native to the southeastern US.

Saw palmetto dietary supplements use the extracts from the tree’s fruit.

This extract can prevent hair loss by stalling the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone crucial for developing male characteristics like facial and body hair. High levels of DHT significantly contribute to hair loss in men (male pattern baldness).

Here are the most popular ways to consume saw palmetto to prevent hair loss.

• Supplements (tablets, capsules, pills)
• Dissolving saw palmetto powder in water
• Bottled liquid saw palmetto extract

These three herbal supplements are generally safe to consume. However, consult your physician before taking any herbal supplement, especially if you’re on any medications or have medical conditions. For example, both ginkgo biloba and ibuprofen can impede blood clotting. If you combine the two, your blood clotting can slow down too much, making bleeding or bruising easier.

Stop Hair Loss Today

The best way to avoid hair loss is to be proactive. Practice prevention methods before you even see a single sign of hair loss.

If you’re already experiencing hair loss, don’t worry. It may not be too late to stop it. Follow the natural treatments mentioned in this article, whether or not you’re already losing hair.

You may need to do several of the treatments discussed to see a noticeable effect, depending on your degree of hair loss.

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