Hair Loss & Baldness
Alopecia is the absence or slowing of hair growth in an area of the body where hair formerly grew. It may be caused by physical damage to the hair itself or to the hair follicles, but it is most often the result of changes in the natural growth cycle of hair. In some types of alopecia, the growth cycle is disrupted by some temporary situation such as a chemical imbalance or stress.

Alopecia (nonscarring) involves hair loss all over or in circular areas, receding hair line, broken hairs, smooth scalp, inflammation, and possibly loss of lashes, eyebrows, or pubic hair. Alopecia (scarring) is limited to particular areas and involves inflammation at the edge and follicle loss toward the center of lesions, violet-colored skin abnormalities, and scaling. Hirsutism involves male-pattern hair growth in women, irregular menstruation, lack of ovulation, acne, deepening of voice, balding, and genital abnormalities. Hair shaft disorders involve split ends, and hair that is dry, brittle, and coarse, as well as skin and other abnormalities.

Supplements containing essential fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil and evening primrose oil, provide various benefits. Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids-without them, hair is often dry and lifeless; flaxseed oil may also cut down on itching and flaking dandruff and be useful for treating eczema and psoriasis of the scalp. Evening primrose oil moisturizes the hair and the scalp as well.

Vitamins and Minerals, such as zinc, promote healthy hair growth and may slow hair loss. Because it can boost thyroid function, zinc may be especially beneficial for people who have brittle or thinning hair as a result of an under active thyroid. Zinc needs to be taken with copper to maintain a proper mineral balance in the body. Copper also serves another useful purpose: It is an essential ingredient in melanin, the pigment that colors hair and skin, and may reverse the graying of hair caused by a copper deficiency.

Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots.

Combine the following in equal parts and use as tea (2 to 3 cups per day) or tincture (20 to 30 drops two to three times per day): ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), prickly ash bark (Xanthoxylum clava-herculis), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Androgenetic alopecia: Green tea (Camelia sinensis), 2 cups per day, and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), 100 mg twice a day
Hormone imbalance: Chaste tree (Vitex agnus cactus), 200 to 300 mg per day, has a normalizing effect on the pituitary.
Viral origin or immune system cause: Herbs that support immune function can help treat the underlying cause of this type of alopecia. Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)