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.
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.
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!
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.
Test the Thyroid
Posted by Lilly (USA) on 03/01/2021
Hi, there's a website called Stop the Thyroid Madness. On this site, they have lab tests that you can purchase and take to a local lab for your blood draw. There's a corresponding STTMadness free yahoo group where very knowledgeable people will be happy to interpret your lab results for you. There's also a website called Forefront Health where you can purchase thyroid glandular capsules without a prescription. Because I have no insurance, I've treated my hypothyroidism by myself for many years as have many of my friends. The Stop the Thyroid Madness website also has lists of recommended doctors who will actually listen to patients' concerns and who will happily prescribe the needed tests when asked. Thyroid issues are very complicated and many doctors just don't have enough training in this area. The STTM website helps fill in any missing crucial information so that even a layperson can understand this very complex disease.
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
Amla, Ashwaganda
Posted by Zack (Brooklyn, Ny) on 07/23/2011
CLopez247 Your children's Fluoride intake levels must be to High. Have them tested for low Iodine levels. That is mostly the case with children with Alopecia. Avoid giving your kids toothpaste with Fluoride. Go to your local organic supermarket and purchase children's fluoride free toothpaste. The negative effects of Fluoride out weigh the positive benefits. Zakisl(at)aol.com if you need help
Remedy Side Effects
Posted by Mary (Newark, New Jersey) on 01/04/2008
Dear Earth Clinic, I just wanted to let you know that I think on Ted's Posts it should say in bold at the beginning, or where it can't be missed to read the recipes carefully. I had a small bald spot on my head, found this website, and read some things Ted wrote. I read something about hydrogen peroxide and acv for scalp problems and hair loss. It did not say how much to use in the blurb I read. I thought I would try it. Well I just made a solution up and put it on my head. Left it on overnight. Well, Now I am loosing all my hair!!! So this was not a remedy in the little problem I had, instead, it is causing all my hair to fall out. I would like to spare future readers from this, so please put a warning, and make sure people read Ted's postings very carefully, and if they do not see a recipe, have them contact Ted before just making one up themselves. I know most people would be more careful, but there are us haphazard people out here you know. Thank you.
Iodine
Posted by Teri In T Town (Tacoma, Wa, Usa) on 12/04/2011
Mariam, it may not be the iodine that caused problems, but the form of the iodine supplement. High dosage in Iodorol is likely to throw other electolytes out of balance. Try correcting iodine deficiencies slowly with natural food supplements such as Kelp and Seaweed, which has many minerals as well as significant iodine. It is interesting that Iodorol caused hair loss (and is indeed a listed side effect) since their marketing describes it as correcting hair loss!
French Shampoo
Posted by Carla (Holbrook, Arizona) on 02/03/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I have been using the Rene Furterer shampoo for more than two months and am disappointed that I have experienced no new hair growth in that time and no relief for my alopecia. It is an expensive shampoo that I ordered online, and I wish it had worked as the original poster described. I am wondering if the original post was actually a plug for the beauty website she mentioned in her post. I hope not, and I hope it works as described for someone else. Just my 2 cents.
Reproductive Issues and Hair Loss
Posted by Kay (Destin Fl) on 08/04/2016
★★★★★
Hair loss - Beware it may not be your Thyroid (see "ATTN WOMEN" & *** notes below)!
Beware also that many sea salts do not contain sufficient iodine, a NECESSARY thyroid nutrient, so you must to read the lables for iodine content! (Thus, decades ago the USA mandated iodine fortification of table salt, in order to supply the recommended daily dose of iodine to the general populace [many of which did not consume seafoods on a regular basis, thus many were 'naturally' iodine deficient). A "Lite Salt" like Mortons table salt in the LIGHT BLUE canister is still good for your table (P less sodium and sufficient iodine), meanwhile cooking with sea salt!
***ATTN ALL WOMEN***Please consider my experience: I developed the same symptoms as you describe after being very sick (up & down) for over a decade (despite previous good health, then hundreds of doctor visits). Finally I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergies/chemical sensitivities etc. Fortunately, most all these symptoms abated after my recent radical hysterectomy; it was actually OVARIAN CANCER (OC; found accidentally when I was palpating my naval area/lower waist and found rock hard lumps).
Unknowingly, I had all the key signs/symptoms of OC (but no doctor or OBGYN noticed): I still had my regular period/menses at age 57. I had started my menses very young (9/10 years old); had never had children or used chemical birth control; and had suddenly become quite overweight in the past 2 years (despite a VERY healthy diet; albeit too ill to do much exercise beyond necessities of daily living). These are ALL the common denominators of OC! However, most women with OC never experience such serious symptoms of "sickness", thus OC is called "The Silent Killer" prevalent among middle aged women!
THE GOOD NEWS: Within months of surgery (removal of all female organs, plus some) all my body hair started growing back, as are my nails! All my skin marks/scars are going from dark purple/black to light pink, & still fading! My skin is moist, not flaking. I am no longer "freezing to death" in Florida; my BP is back to normal; all my joints/muscles no longer ache 24/7; night sweats are much less troubling; and many other notable improvements (unfortunately hot flashes are still here, but no near as bad).
***So, regardless of estrogen levels/tests, please utilize OBGYN orWomens Center specialists if possible; or plead with your PCP to check you out extra well for hidden female/ovarian problems (of any kind/cause).
Good Luck & Best wishes!
Amla, Ashwaganda
Posted by Camanokat (Camano Island, Wa, Usa) on 10/27/2011
Save yourself some money and don't buy toothpaste. H2O2 and baking soda work great and it's cheap.
Protein
Posted by Mary (NY, NY) on 08/23/2022
★★★★★
I experienced hair loss after COVID-19. I was losing at least 50 strands of hair per day. I started increasing my protein consumption with foods like salmon, chicken, lamb, grass fed beef and dairy like cheese and milk. My hair is much thicker and I no longer see large quantities of hair in the bathroom after blow drying, on my brush, etc. I also take a good multi vitamin multi mineral complex.
B6 for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
Posted by HMTC (Dublin) on 08/08/2021
★★★★★
B6 for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
I was diagnosed with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia supposed to be related to Lichen Planus. I have found B6 cream to be very effective in treating this. Reconval is a B6 cream, though not always available. Liquid B6 (particularly Pyridoxal Phosphate) is just as effective.
Note: B6 may trigger cold sores, which can be contained with Lavender cream.
Test the Thyroid
Posted by Gretchen (Midwest) on 09/06/2018
Hi IowaMa, This is interesting to me as I am also in Iowa. This gave me a new lead to follow, thank you for taking the time to write this. I am going to check out the supplements.
Biotin
Posted by Barbara (Philadelphia) on 03/10/2017
★★★★★
Hi...I started losing my hair a few years ago and my sister advised me to use Biotin. I did and, slowly but surely it's coming back. Vitamin D, Iron, Protein, and sunlight are major helpers too. Along with anything else you do please consider making sure their vitamins include these and that you also consider getting them more sunlight. I also just started using castor oil and letting it sit overnight, washing it out in the morning or I just put a few drops in my shampoo, leaving it in a few minutes. It's worth a try! God bless your kids!
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.
Amla, Ashwaganda
Posted by Lady Liza (Los Angeles) on 04/18/2022 32 posts
Please people, stop using Splenda or most fake sugars. Some of them are known for putting weight on and never being able to take it off. Others are really a pesticide. Use Monkfruit by Lakanto. It works well and has no side effects. Also you can try yacon syrup. Totally natural. Monk fruit is mixed with erythritol and tastes pretty good. It also comes in bulk for baking and packets for traveling. Sprouts has it in California.
Chinese Red Dates and Honey
Posted by Kavita (Usa) on 09/30/2018
HEy Veena, My son has alopecia from last 5-6 yrs and he is 10 yrs old..he got his third patch which grew into palm size. And I tried ginger juice onion juice, nothing helped him. Then I went to homeopathy after lot of research that nothing but homeopathy can help him. Please please please DO NOT use any steroids medicines it will bald you permanently. Please go to homeopathic doctor. If you want I can provide my dr info. My son got all his hair back he had to take medicine for alomost a year. His medication stopped few months back. Hoping this was the permanent treatment. But do not apply any steroids or any western medicine it wont help.
Reproductive Issues and Hair Loss
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 12/11/2021
I had menopausal hot flushes for quite a while, but after dumping highly refined nutrient-stripped wheat & sugar they gradually went away. So did years of IBS, neuropathy, raging restless legs, acid reflux, hiatus hernia, high blood pressure & rampant Candida & fungal issues I'd tried unsuccessfully to eradicate for years!
I'm still working on the thinning hair...
Test the Thyroid
Posted by Betty (Centralia ) on 08/29/2018 11 posts
Liz from Boston: I know all about thyroid after doing extensive study and having Wilson's Syndrome, myself. All you need is a supplement with both ioDINE and IoDIDE in it, and your thyroid levels will get back to normal. I had all 37 symptoms of the worst thyroid the doctor had ever seen. Those things I mentioned is all you need. I have a special supplement I take, but cannot give the name here, I don't suppose, but as long as you get a good combination iodine/iodide Supplement, you'll be fine.
Vitamin D
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 12/13/2021
D3 is far better than D2, and is best taken with K2 & magnesium (any type other than Oxide or hydroxide - unless you also need a laxative….), because Vitamin D boosts calcium absorption & the K2 & magnesium are apparently needed to ‘orchestrate' the calcium into the bones & teeth, etc. Without these co-factors, the calcium may inappropriately dump anywhere into the body - soft tissues, arteries, etc & cause issues.
it seems that any issues the D may appear to trigger at higher doses is not the D itself, but the inappropriate calcium deposits, if it has not been taken with the co-factors. It seems it's is important to get enough Vitamins A & E with the D too as they work together.
Nothing works in isolation……
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.
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.
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.
Anti-Fungal Treatment
Posted by Joyce (Lansdowne, Pa) on 07/10/2012
Hi Pamela, What type of antifungal did you use and how long did you use it? Thanks.
Anti-Fungal Treatment
Posted by Vicky (New South Wales) on 02/13/2024
Colloidal silver water. I bought a silver generator and make my own (with distilled water only) When it comes to any kind of fungus---- silver water. Borax (20 mule team borax) apparently also kills fungus.
Onion
Posted by Saoirse (Ny, Ny) on 05/24/2012
★★★★★
This is for alopecia/ hair loss: take an onion and either you grate it/put it in the blender or food processor--then you have the juice and "pulp"-
You will put the juice and pulp to your scalp in which ever way is easiest according to your hair length-cover it and keep it on for at least an hour and then either simply rinse it out or if your hair texture and condition can tolerate it--wash/condition as you normally do.
Do this every day for at least 2 weeks to a month---that's why I say to either simply rinse it out or use shampoo, all according to your hair's texture etc. MOST have seen regrowth within a month, then they do it a few times a week then once a month.
Now, punching hair loss remedies into the google search led me to this onion remedy and I wound up on youtube where there are many, many testimonies and their videos-this seems to be the easiest and most "economical" one around.
I am doing this for 5 days now AND seeing tiny new hairs in the areas previously without any as in my receeding hairline, crown and sides.
I have never tried any remedies before and I feel this one needs to go 'round and be tried for at least 2 weeks.
Amla, Ashwaganda
Posted by MHO (Provo UT) on 07/26/2022
Avoid all sweeteners including honey, brown sugar, molasses, artificial sweeteners, stevia, monk fruit, etc. They all cause the production of too much glucose, hence too much adrenaline, and hence too much inflammation. Eat only low sugar fruits like berries. See karenhurd.com, a bio-physicist for more details.
Amla, Ashwaganda
Posted by Hollyhock (America ) on 02/13/2024
Xylitol is poison to pets. So I wouldn't use it. My sister's dog died after eating a piece of a cookie she made with xylitol.
Iodine
Posted by Jason Uttley (USA) on 08/17/2007
"Fluoride displaces iodine. So you need the more iodine to perform the same function. Hence Carton's comment in the Fluoride Journal. This is an example of why I included "noticeable hair loss" as a symptom in the relatively early stages of chronic fluoride poisoning.
Iodine
Posted by Barb (Auckland, New Zealand) on 09/12/2006
★★★★★
Alopecia Areata is bald spots that occur all of a sudden on your scalp. I dab it on once a day on bald spots for a week to a fortnight - and then forget about it (if I can) and hope:) So far it seems to start the growth of hair again. It changes the scalp texture from red and irritable back to normal scalp. Within 6 weeks to 8 weeks usually spot is covering with little hairs. The iodine may even help the fatigue that comes when your hair falls out too - when a bald spot is occurring I tend to get deathly pale and feel exhausted.
Borax, Diatomaceous Earth
Posted by Sabata (Spotsylvania ) on 08/15/2022
★★★★★
You are not drinking enough DE for your body. I'll bet you haven't drunk DE long enough to see improvements or even enough DE.
Let me give you an example. Although I don't have fibro I suffer from body pain immensely without DE and Boron. Not sure what so have as I do not trust Dr's and haven't been to. Dr's in over 20 years. Nonetheless, I have to take at least 8-10 tablespoons of DE and waited for a few weeks and my pain was almost gone, about 90% of it. Then when I added boron and reaching to about 1 teaspoon daily the rest of my body pain was gone in literally a couple of days. After 8 months I noticed my hair was growing something I have been suffering from for r over 10 years, I almost went bald as a female 😞 but thank the Lord for DE my hair is now back to about 95% when I added boron my head started to itch the feeling of needles poking my head which is hair growing all at one time. I still have inflammation problems and know it will go away within time.
Everyone is different and requires large dosage to even start to address deficiencies in their bodies.
Now I know you have fibro and need to take a much larger dosage to even begin to feel a relief. You haven't given DE enough time and or taking enough of it to address you body issues. So you give up 😞 I would rethink what you are doing and try again only this time keep on upping your DE dosage until you start to feel a relief. I would highly recommend adding Boron at least 2 full teaspoon of the powder not the watered down liquid crap, that won't touch you at all. Don't give up and trust that DE along with Boron will help you in a big way and will eventually heal you. Boron (the 20 mule team) brand only.
Vitamin D
Posted by Moni (Arlington, Tx) on 05/05/2016
★★★★★
Hair Loss:
Have your vitamin D levels checked.
Test the Thyroid
Posted by Liz (Boston, Ma) on 04/07/2016
Helena,
No, when my test came back within the normal range, that was that. When I asked for additional testing because of my symptoms, she said that my normal results didn't justify additional testing.
She chalks a lot of things up to "getting older". (More sensitive to cold, etc.) I'm 58 for goodness sake! I see people in their late 70's walking around in short sleeves in an air conditioned room, while I'm bundled up looking like I'm going out to shovel snow.
I've been with this doctor for 12 years and for the most part, I'm happy with her--just not on *this* particular issue.
I could all but guarantee you that if I asked her to do another thyroid test, she'd say; "Well, we just did one a couple of years ago and it came back normal and your symptoms are still the same, so..." :
Test the Thyroid
Posted by Helena (Toronto) on 04/07/2016
Liz,
Your doctor's attitude is really really strange!
I understand that he/she doesn't want to do the additional thyroid tests, but to test thyroid once in 3 years, this is total nonsense! Considering that you have all hypo symptoms this is unbelievable.
I know in US you can order tests through private labs. Maybe you should consider this possibility. You need as I said TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.
You will have the result the next day.
It will be your baseline result, and only after that you should start with supplements.
If the result will be out of normal range you can show it to the Dr, and I think she will be ordering the tests for you in the future through your insurance company.
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 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~
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.
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.
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.
Iodine
Posted by Venusissunev (Mexico City, Mexico) on 09/06/2016
Sounds like all the answers point to an iodine deficiency. Kelp seems to be the solution. Good luck!
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!
