The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Test the Thyroid
Posted by Vicki (Napa, Ca) on 04/05/2016
★★★★★
Hi, I want to talk about hair loss... Please don't just take your doctor's word that your thyroid is normal!!!! Most doctors are old school & don't want to do all the right testing for the thyroid!!! or, they don't know how!! Have them test your t4, t3, reverse t3, antibodies, among others, especially the thr!!! This will definitely show what's wrong!!!
Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil
Posted by Maura (Chevy Chase, Md) on 01/03/2016
Search internet for recipe used in on hair loss study by Isabelle C. Hay, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland.
Essential Oils
Posted by Maura (Chevy Chase, Md) on 01/03/2016
Recipe used in a hairless study by Isabelle C. Hay at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland:
Essential oils: cedarwood (2 drops), lavender (3 drops), rosemary (3 drops), thyme (2 drops)
place preceding drops of essential oils in carrier oil mix of 3ml jojoba oil and 20 ml of grape seed oil. Massage in head for 2 minutes and then cover with warm towel. Apply daily. I don't know how long they kept it in. Check out the study in JAMA dermatology on line. Just google it. There's even a picture...Amazing!
Essential Oils
Posted by Rose (Idaho) on 08/01/2015
★★★★★
I use a few drops of rosemary oil in my shampoo. I leave it in ten minutes then rinse, I have noticed new growth. It does work.
Vitamin D
Posted by Julie R (Phoenix, Az) on 01/12/2015
Yaya, how long did it take after starting the vitamin D for you to notice new hair growth in the bald spots?
I just finished taking 50,000IU D3 4x/day (because I am "high risk" - others will need less) for 4 days, and now just switched to 50,000IU once/week.
For under 20-25 nanograms/millliliter (still too low! ), most MDs will prescribe 50,000IU/week (usually D2) for 10 weeks or so, then cut back. But I took the advice from a link (VitaminDWiki) provided on Dr. Mark Sircus' web site which advised what I did/am doing.
FYI - I had zero side effects from taking 200,000IU/day for those 4 days.
Chinese Red Dates and Honey
Posted by Nashia (Orlando, FL) on 11/04/2014
Good evening, I'm currently suffering with hair loss/alopecia. How often did you drink the tea? What red date to water ratio did you use?
Vitamin D
Posted by Joyce (Lansdowne, Pa) on 11/04/2014
Hi, Did you take 50,000 units per day, once a day, twice a day?
Vitamin D
Posted by Yaya (Portland, Or) on 11/01/2014
★★★★★
I had serious hair loss for several years. I lost hair everywhere. My beautiful Native hair became very thin with some bald spots. Turned out my vitamin d levels were down to 13. Now after a prescription of 50,000 units of d2 weekly for 10 weeks, then 6000 units a day of d3 for a year. I have hair again. I was prescribed 4000 units a day for the rest of my life by our doctor.
Amla, Ashwaganda
Posted by Renee (Houston, Tx, US) on 10/30/2014
Don't recommend vitamins from drug stores PLEASE. Many vitamins are irridated. I've been a "holistic" person since 13 and have never had health issues I am visit this website for pet and conditions others I know have and it's a great resource. God Bless this web site :-)) "Doctors" have had one hour of nutritional training throughout their medical training and education and I love how they always say YOU NEED MORE PROTEIN. Hogwash.
Flaxseed Oil, Butter
Posted by Jill (Missouri, US) on 10/28/2014
I have had 2 people in my church with hair loss. The man cured it by consuming Highest Lignan Flax Oil and healthy Irish butter daily. There is a girl that is using this same protocol now and her hair started growing back within a week.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Amber (Michigan) on 10/21/2014
Sounds like you had a serious allergic reaction to the poisons in the lice treatment. I would suggest doing a cleanse.
Essential Oils
Posted by Natalie (Desert Hot Springs, Ca) on 10/17/2014
Hi - I'm wondering how you use these oils. Is it a deep penetrating treatment and then washed off? Or are a few drops applied to the scalp and hair after shampooing?
Thanks, Natalie
Nettle Leaf
Posted by Julie R (Phoenix, AZ) on 09/08/2014
I am 61 years old and have rheumatoid arthritis. I have experienced a severe drying of my skin, and drying and thinning (thinner strands as well as massive hair fall). It is said that alopecia is an autoimmune disease, so it should be no surprise.
I have tried many things over the past 3+ years with no luck and have lost more than half my hair (75% on top and temples).
FINALLY I had success with stopping the hair fall. It took almost a week to notice. 1) I have been taking 2 caps (870mg) of nettle leaf 2-3 times/day. 2) I am using a hair rinse I made -- about half ACV and half green tea (6-8 oz each) plus the contents of 2 capsules of nettle leaf. 3) I drink a large glass of water w/1T ACV first thing in the morning, and 4) I have added about 2-3 tsps of MSM powder to my bottle of theraneem scalp shampoo.
I have been doing these things for about 2 weeks. No signs of regrowth yet, but VERY happy not to have hair falling EVERYWHERE any more, worrying about hats and other cover-ups for the rest of my life.
I tried red onion juice treatment just yesterday, but what a smelly mess. Not so sure I will try again - may give the nettle some more time.
The other thing I've tried recently is painting my scalp with Betadine, leaving it on for 24-36 hours, but have only done this twice. Relieves itching, but so does the rinse. May do that some more before desperation drives me to the onion juice.
Hope this helps.
Iron
Posted by Sam (Miami, FL) on 08/11/2014
Iron
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 08/11/2014
Yes, Yukta, a blood test is a way to find out if you are missing iron. They should also test ferritin, which is stored iron.
Hair loss which comes from low iron will stop (and regrow) with regular intake of Blackstrap Molasses.
Iron
Posted by Yukta (Mumbai, India) on 08/11/2014
I've observed that I'm having diffused hair loss that has caused hair thinning on my frontal areas. How do I know what is the reason? Blood tests? Or any other? and also suggest if re-growth of the lost hair is possible?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Debc (California, US) on 07/17/2014
I recently had an experience with hair loss and wanted to share my story with Earth Clinic users. I had a very serious illness and took heavy doses of steroids, and other drugs. About two months later I began experiencing very serious hair thinning. I was brushing out huge amounts of hair every day and was completely terrified. I immediately mounted a "save my hair" regimen. I took 10 of biotic every day along with a hair specific supplement. I drank "black" water or water that has been enriched with volcanic ash. I began using a 100% natural shampoo and conditioner that was specifically for hair loss. Every two days I put a pack of amla and water on my head, left it for an hour and rinsed off. Amla is an ayurvedic herb known to stop hair fall. I bought it online and also at a local India store. It is powdered Indian gooseberry. Every few days I put coconut oil on my hair and left it for a few days or overnight. Every second wash I did a rinse with ACV. Once a week I used a serum that I sometimes left on for several days. But the thing that I think helped the most was getting acupuncture twice a week. I went to a local acu school, its $25 a session. I had a great supervisor overseeing the students and every week he would stick a bunch of needles into my head (and elsewhere), twice a week. I'd say it took about 6 weeks of this regimen and then one day the hair fall just stopped. THANK YOU UNIVERSE!!!!! I pray that my hair grows back to what it was. To others going through this painful condition, have faith.
Ayurvedic Navartna Oil
Posted by Christy (Ut, US) on 06/17/2014
Re: Ayurvedic Navartna Oil for Hair Loss: Leisa, I was wondering if this product was still working for you and if so could you tell me if it says cool on the bottle? I found one in green box and one in red. Also do you feel this would help with female pattern balding? Thanks
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jamilla (New York, US) on 06/01/2014
Re: Multiple Remedies Not Helping Teenage Hair Loss. Hello you can try mustard oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diane (Missouri) on 05/28/2014
★★★★★
Sorry to respond so late... but apple cider vinegar worked great for me. It takes quite awhile to see new growth, but it did happen. I rinse my hair with it and take a Biotin supplement.
Essential Oils
Posted by John (Boston, US) on 05/20/2014
You need to mix the essential oils in a carrier oil like the jojoba or grape seed oil.
Otherwise you risk having a bad reaction. Essential oils are very powerful and with a few exceptions you should Never use them straight on your body.
Dead on about the oil quality. Most essential oils sold in retail stores are not of the highest quality. They are extended, may contain trace amounts of dangerous chemicals and just not as potent. You are wasting your money on these inexpensive oils. They may smell good but they will not have the medicinal effects you are looking for.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 01/25/2014
To Laura from Dubai:
You complain of lice being the basis of your hair loss and ask what might help.
I would suggest you study about the benefits of Echinacea. I'd try this on a patch of scalp to see the effect. Echinacea can also be drunk in a glass of water, 5 drops, three times daily for a month. But I'd try the Echinacea ... maybe twenty drops directly onto my scalp and let dry and then re apply twenty minutes later. I'd see if my condition improved and if so, widen the area of application.
My favorite for getting rid of "critters" is Cedarcide an you can read about it on the internet. I note the FDA is attacking the manufacturers for claims that Cedarcide can kill lice. My experience with Cedarcide is that it was able to kill flea infestations when nothing else would work.
Finally, you might experiment with over the counter Lamisil and Tanactin which kill Microsporum Canis .... ringworm... a fungus. Could the active ingredients in those OTCs help with Lice? Maybe worth trying.
Don't give up in despair. You'll find a solution if you keep looking.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 01/24/2014
Dear Lara,
I am sorry about the hair loss! That would be very distressing! You are doing great to be trying things out and continuing to press on for a solution!
I think Om's suggestions sounded super! Kt's also! Coconut Oil (externally) and Blackstrap Molasses (internally) are great for hair.
I would add one more idea if you want to try something internally. The herb Nettles is great for the hair. It is very gentle and is also cleansing to the blood, which may be helpful if the chemical from the lice treatment is the problem (which sure seems likely.)
You can try nettle leaf powder in capsules and take 3 twice a day. Or you can make nettle tea and drink 2-3 cups a day. I would put 1 Tablespoon of nettle leaf in a glass jar, pour boiling water over it (3 cups) and let it steep (no longer on the heat) for 15 minutes. Strain out the leaves and sweeten with honey if you like. Nettles can help some conditions right away, others it takes a long time. Restoring hair can take some time, so plan on doing trying whatever you try for several months.
Please let us know how it goes - we really care. God bless you!
~Mama to Many~
Multiple Remedies
Posted by KT (Usa) on 01/24/2014
Hi Lara, sounds like you could be having a reaction to the chemicals. On one of the news channels here, tonight, there was a story about washing hair with baking soda and vinegar. It was very interesting and I'm going to try it myself. It was on NBC. You also might want to try ingesting 1 TSP Blackstrap Molasses in warm water. You should also massage or brush your scalp daily with a very soft brush to stimulate the hair follicles. Maybe someone else here can provide more help for you. Hope this helps.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Om (Canada) on 01/24/2014
Dear Lara, try to stick with Virgin Coconut Oil for some time. Work it in well and keep it in overnight or a few hours each time. Wash your hair with kastile type shampoo and you may want to add rosemary essential oil, a few drops. If you can find Dr. Bronner's kastile soap shampoo, that would be great. That shampoo comes with natural essential oil of choice.
Gently massage your scalp. You can also make a mush from onions and keep that on. Onions have high amount of sulphur which makes hair grow. Stay away from baby shampoo; it is not so mild. Whn you dry your hair, dry it in the sun though not in the middle of the day. Let us know how you do. Love, Om
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lara (Dubai) on 01/24/2014
★☆☆☆☆
I am 15 years old. A few years back I found out that I had lice. So I used a lice treatment and my hair started falling out ALOT. Now I have very thin hair. I have lost all hope. My scalp is very dry and hair is rough. I used to have thick smooth silky hair before. Now I even have a bald spot. I am freaking out. I tried alot of remedies, aloe vera gel, onion juice, mayo, eggs, oils....nothing seems to work. PLEASE HELP.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Priyanka (Mumbai, India) on 12/30/2013
★★★★★
I use coconut oil once a week as an overnight treatment. Earlier I was facing a hair loss problem. Since applying coconut oil to hair is a common pratice in south India where most people have very thick and long hair and is highly demanded internationally for real hair extensions, I decided to give it a try.
I take half cup of coconut oil and WARM it in the microwave/stove. (It should not be too hot, just warm. Heating oil too much destroys its nutrients, but warming it slightly will help it to penetrate the scalp better. If it is fuming when heated, then it means it has been heated too much.) Massage it to the SCALP in circular motions for 5-10 mins. Then apply it to the length of the hair and tips. The really effective method is to SOAK your hair in the oil as it is done in south India. This gets very messy but is extremely helpful. Tie the hair tightly into a ponytail, cover your pillows and sleep. Do this at night and wash it off next morning. You might have to shampoo 2 times to get the oil out.
Ever since I have been doing this (since 2 months) my hair fall has become very less and this treatment gives the hair an unbelievable shine and softness. People have also started noticing and asking me the secret! :) Many people who do this since childhood have very long and thick hair when they grow up, so better to do it for kids also.
If you feel that waiting the whole night is too long, applying the oil in a similar way 2 hours before shower might also help, but keeping it the whole night is actually great. Initially it feels messy but once you get used to it, it actually gives a deep and calm sleep and I feel very well rested when I get up in the morning.
Ayurvedic Navartna Oil
Posted by Leisa (Brisbane, Australia) on 12/29/2013
★★★★★
Hi. I would just like to share a most recent treatment for chronic hair fall. I am a 45 year old woman in good health at my ideal weight and with excellent fitness and never took any medications. I have always had (as most people do) hair falling during the summer months. This was never a problem as the hair fall seemed minimal and the hair seemed to thicken up again during the winter months and I always maintained a pretty good head of hair with lovely shine and lustre until the last 5 years or so. To my horror the hair fall seemed to increase at an alarming rate and volume - My summers turned into a hair shedding nightmare. Hair all over the house, clogging up the vacuum cleaner brush and shower drain and giving me absolute misery. By Autumn (Fall), thank God it would stop and I would hope and pray that the new hair growth would somehow catch up. Unfortunately, It never did and I am now left with very thin, embarrassing fine hair in which there are places where my scalp is clearly visible because of the sparseness. I tried a lot of different things - doctors, medications, diets, hair treatments, commercial and home remedies and supplements but nothing seemed to work. Until 2 weeks ago. We are currently in our hottest months here in the southern hemisphere and as usual my hair was dropping out all over the place. I tried a hair oil called Navratna Oil. It is an Ayurvedic scalp and hair oil treatment that I found in the Indian Grocery store. At first I was sceptical because I have tried oil treatments before (Coconut and Sesame) but they seemed to accelerate the hair fall. This treatment however, has, I can safely say, after 2 weeks, somehow almost completely stopped the hair fall! I am flabbergasted and cannot quite believe it as this will be the first time in a very long time when I have never had hair falling in summer. I believe it is the Oil as the effect was instantaneous - HAIR FALL STOPPED (well maybe a couple of hairs here and there) but not the excessive shedding that was happening. I am very happy with this result and wanted to share my experience here with other readers and perhaps it will help others with this very distressing disorder. The oil is a herbal treatment with about nine different Ayurvedic herbs including 'Kunch' and 'Amla'. It seems that it is most commonly used as a 'cooling oil' applied on the scalp and left for a couple of hours for relaxation, headache relief and dandruff and then you just shampoo it out like other hair oiling treatments. I really believe that one of ingredients has done something good to my hair follicles. I don't know what it is but it has a tingling cooling sensation on my scalp which is very pleasant. The smell is a bit earthy/herbally but it shampoos out well enough. I am just so happy with this treatment and I am going to continue using it. Perhaps others on this site can benefit from this information. I know what a frustrating and depressing experience it is to lose your hair. Namaste, Leisa
Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil
Posted by Marisa (Fairfax) on 10/05/2013
Have you looked into your nutrition? Is it properly balanced? I am finding that I have an imbalance in my system - gluten sensitivity- causing patches of hair loss. Good luck.
Iodine
Posted by Billy (Usa) on 09/17/2013
I searched for iodine deficiency on mercola.com but there were no results with a test. Do u perhaps have the actual url?
Chinese Red Dates and Honey
Posted by Elena (Miami, Florida) on 08/20/2013
Hi! Can you please tell me how to take the red dates and the honey.. In what quantity? Thank you!
Fix Hormonal Imbalances
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 07/29/2013
★★★★★
Re Alopecia Totalis and Severe Night Sweats
You might try some magnesium- slow, low dose and work your way up.... Are you low on D vitamin ? If these are out of balance they throw other hormones out of balance. After a certain age a woman no longer produces progesterone and her body gets estrogen dominant. Your thyroid tests and hormone test can be normal and be inaccurate for you. Dr. John Lee wrote a nice book on how to help yourself figure out what is out of balance and how to fix it.... Best book I've read on hormones and imbalances. Electrolytes affect the hormones, read the watercure site for help.
Alopecia Totalis Remedies
Posted by KT (Usa) on 07/28/2013
Have you had your home checked for mold? Look up intussusception. I don't know what the connection is with mold but there has been enough evidence here that, I feel this is what I'm dealing with. I cannot sit here and provide more detail now but will try later. Hope this helps.
Alopecia Totalis Remedies
Posted by Tonia House (Indianapolis) on 07/28/2013
Alopecia Totalis: I have lost the hair all over my body, as well as my finger nails. My toe nails are black and lifeless. My skin is dry and flaky. I have been to a few dermatologists, as well as my PCP. I have had my thyroid tested, and I was told. My TSH is normal. I have severe night sweats, actually throughout the day I also suffer from hot flashes. I was told my estrogen level is within normal limits. I have chronic hypertension, even though I eat a healthy diet. I have cut out table salt, I cook with sea salt and I also use olive oil. Can you help me?
Iron
Posted by Sms27 (Princeton, NJ, USA) on 06/01/2013
★★★★★
To women who are suffering from sudden onset of diffuse hair loss -- there seems to be a lot of information about the connection between low iron (especially low iron stores, I. E. Ferritin serum) and hair loss. Explore that connection before you try alernatives, because it may be a simple explanation.
Chinese Red Dates and Honey
Posted by Maheen (Karachi, Pakistan) on 01/12/2013
Hey Trisha, I'm a 16 year old girl and I've had alopecia for nearly 10 years now. I've tried everything but not much improvement has been seen.. Please tell me how to use the red dates honey remedie... The quantity and method.. Please help me
Iodine
Posted by Edyta (Toronto, Ontario) on 12/30/2012
Hi there, I been reading an article about the iodine/alopecia connection?... is this the root cause of alopecia.? I been suffering with hair loss since I was 9 years old. I am 27 now, can you please advise on the best cure? Thanks, Edyta
Essential Oils
Posted by Brenny (Parma, Mi) on 12/18/2012
Hi, those oils you mentioned did you mix them together?
Essential Oils
Posted by Jo Ann (Nashville, Tn) on 11/28/2012
★★★★★
I was told which
oils (below) cure the below conditions:
- Alopecia (I was told that there was no cure.... A lie! )
- Hair Loss
- Hair Thinning
At one point my edges were almost completely bald from alopecia and then I started going to a dermatologist twice a month to get injections in my scalp to grow my hair and that worked ONLY as long as I kept going but once you stop getting the injections, your hair falls back out. So my mother-in-law, who is considered a "health expert" told me about specific (PURE) oil combinations that grow your hair. These oils stimulate your scalp's hair follicles, strengthens and repairs them.
I have been using these oils for a few months to the point, I don't need to go to the dermatologist to get injections anymore. Since using these oils, my hair has grown back around the edges and have become even stronger and thicker.
The oil combinations are (Please Make Sure that the oils are 100% Pure):
OILS (Estimated Price)
- Jojoba Oil ($8.00)
- Castor Oil ($8.00)
- Lavender Oil ($14.00)
OR
- Rosemary Oil (Note Sure of Price)
- Lavender Oil ($14.00)
- Peppermint Oil (Not Sure of Price)
When I bought the 1st set of oils, they were a bit expensive, totaled $30.00. I hope that this information can be useful! Be blessed!
Anti-Fungal Treatment
Posted by Eva (Madrid, Spain) on 10/17/2012
What type of scarring alopecia did you have? Because I'm sufering from lichen planopilaris and I havent found any successfull treatment. Can you specify the anti fungal treatment that you used. Thanks
Lemon
Posted by Nature-angel (George, Western Cape, South Africa) on 09/28/2012
★★★★★
I'm a 25 year old female who started to experience heavy hair loss. I started drinking the juice of half a lemon in half a cup of warm water in the morning and in the evenings for a month. Sometimes I would forget but I just started drinking it again the next day. My hair loss stopped completely. Even when I pull all my hair at once it is difficuilt to pull out one hair.
Quercetin
Posted by Amanda (Nsw, Australia) on 09/17/2012
★★★★★
I read that quercetin can be used to prevent and treat alopecia areata.
Iodine
Posted by Reshmi (Yuba City, Ca, Usa) on 09/11/2012
I wanted to ask John who requested the vitamins for hairloss whether he is diagnosed with alopecia areata or is it male pattern baldness. My son is diagnosed with alopecia areata, and he has lost approximately 25% if his hair from ear to ear. Can you please reply and let me know if it would benefit this disorder.
Anti-Fungal Treatment
Posted by Mr Q (Casiz, Spain) on 09/07/2012
Have you tried apple cyder? but be careful if u have it irritated could be itchy.
Remedy Side Effects
Posted by Ltwashington (Atlanta, Georgia, Usa) on 07/30/2012
Thanks for this warning. Will definitely read carefully.
Traction Alopecia Remedies
Posted by Ltwashington (Atlanta, Georgia, Usa) on 07/30/2012
Thanks so much for this!
Traction Alopecia Remedies
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 07/30/2012
I noticed my hairline receding around my temples, but also it came to mind that that was where my towel was pulling (and I was feeling it) on my hair. So now I make sure my hair towel is loose and not too tight. I use castor oil for hair growth. Here is an unsponsored link
http://www.castoroilhome.com/castor-oil-hair-growth-treatment on castor oil use for hair. Also consider supplementing biotin and B-complex, especially pantothenic acid (B5).
