Natural Ways to Improve Hair Growth and Hair Health

Welcome to Ivy Ham Herbalist, where we blend tradition, research, and personal experience to craft effective natural remedies. Today, I'm excited to share my personal journey towards achieving long, healthy hair using a combination of herbs, supplements, and topical treatments. Let's dive into the routine that has worked wonders for me!

Rosemary: A Herbal Powerhouse

Rosemary isn't just for seasoning your dishes; it's a hair care champion too! This herb contains a compound that blocks DHT, the hormone responsible for male and female pattern baldness. Incorporating rosemary into your hair care routine can significantly help in maintaining hair density and preventing hair loss.

Beef Liver & Organ Meats: Nutrient-Rich and Sustainable

Often overlooked, beef liver and organ meats are sustainable and nutrient-packed options for hair health. They're a byproduct of the meat industry, so using them helps reduce waste. Packed with nutrients often missing from the standard American diet, these meats are great for hair health. And don't worry about the taste; they're available in capsule form for easy consumption.

I have been taking beef liver capsules for several months now, and can see tons of new growth and baby hairs popping up because of it. I even have my mom taking it now, also with really compelling results. Highly recommend giving this nutrient a try if you struggle with breakage or thinning hair.

Ho Shou Wu: Traditional Chinese Wisdom

Ho Shou Wu, a revered root in traditional Chinese medicine, is known for promoting hair growth and supporting greying hair. It's typically prepared as a decoction to extract its medicinal properties, but can also be taken in capsule or powder form. While safe for most people, please work with an experienced herbalist to determine your dose.

Red Light Therapy

Recent studies show that use of red light therapy on the scalp reduces androgenic hair loss. I have used red light therapy for a while now for its wide range of other health benefits, and can attest to the hair growth component as well. There are many great devices at various price points for the full body or targeting certain areas.

Scalp Massage: Boosting Circulation

Scalp massage isn't just relaxing; it's beneficial for your hair too! Regular massage increases scalp circulation, promoting healthier and potentially faster hair growth. It's a simple yet effective technique to include in your hair care regimen.

Massaging your scalp can also help exfoliate dead skin cells and dirt, allowing your follicles to remain healthy and free from fungal growth. I have a scalp scrubber (affiliate) that I use once or twice a week when I wash my hair.

Scalp Oiling: Nourishing the Roots

Pairing scalp oiling with massage can significantly nourish hair follicles and help prevent hair loss. Natural oils are excellent for maintaining scalp health and keeping hair follicles strong.

I like to use organic castor oil and jojoba oil with a few drops of rosemary essential oil and massage that into my scalp a couple times per week when I have time. It’s also nice to allow the oil to sit on your scalp for some time before washing it out. It helps with hair growth, and the rosemary essential oil can help with dandruff and itchiness if that is something you struggle with.

Castor Oil: Deep Hydration for Your Scalp

Castor oil is renowned for its deep hydration properties. It penetrates the scalp, providing moisture and aiding in hair growth. Its thick consistency makes it an excellent choice for a hair growth-promoting scalp oil.

My Scalp Oil Recipe

Here's a simple yet effective scalp oil recipe I've been using:

• Equal parts castor oil and jojoba oil.

• A few drops of organic rosemary essential oil.

Apply this blend to your scalp 1-2 times per week, massaging it in for a few minutes. You can leave it on as a mask for a few hours to maximize its benefits.

If you’re avoiding essential oils, you can also infuse your carrier oils with rosemary leaf for a few weeks at room temperature. Essential oils can be irritating to some people, even when properly diluted and there is evidence that the production of essential oils is often not sustainable.

Conclusion

I hope these ideas inspire you to explore natural methods for boosting hair growth and improving hair follicle health. If you decide to try these tips, I'd love to hear about your experience! Remember, natural remedies are a journey, and finding what works best for your hair takes time and patience. Happy hair growing!

Sources:

Lanzafame RJ, Blanche RR, Bodian AB, Chiacchierini RP, Fernandez-Obregon A, Kazmirek ER. The growth of human scalp hair mediated by visible red light laser and LED sources in males. Lasers Surg Med. 2013 Oct;45(8):487-95. doi: 10.1002/lsm.22173. Erratum in: Lasers Surg Med. 2014 Apr;46(4):373. PMID: 24078483.

Yang K, Tang Y, Ma Y, Liu Q, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Shi X, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Wang J, Zhu Y, Liu W, Tan Y, Lin J, Wu W. Hair Growth Promoting Effects of 650 nm Red Light Stimulation on Human Hair Follicles and Study of Its Mechanisms via RNA Sequencing Transcriptome Analysis. Ann Dermatol. 2021 Dec;33(6):553-561. doi: 10.5021/ad.2021.33.6.553. Epub 2021 Nov 4. PMID: 34858007; PMCID: PMC8577899.

Lueangarun S, Visutjindaporn P, Parcharoen Y, Jamparuang P, Tempark T. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of United States Food and Drug Administration-Approved, Home-use, Low-Level Light/Laser Therapy Devices for Pattern Hair Loss: Device Design and Technology. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2021 Nov;14(11):E64-E75. PMID: 34980962; PMCID: PMC8675345.