Natural Remedies for Faster Hair Growth

| Modified on Dec 20, 2023
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Blackstrap Molasses remedy on Earth Clinic.

Natural Remedies, Supplements, Minerals and Home Remedies from our Readers to make your hair grow faster!

For many people, men and women alike, our hair grows more slowly as we age, which leaves the hair that we do have growing older, more brittle, and overall less healthy as we have less new hair to replace it. Even a baby's hair might not grow as quickly as in other infants. This isn't inevitable. You can make changes to your diet and your hair care routine to make your hair grow faster!

Hair needs various proteins, fats/oils, and minerals to grow properly. Likewise, we need to keep the skin of our scalp healthy and the hair follicles in which hair growth occurs healthy as well.

Natural hair care remedies, nourishing shampoos, revitalizing herbal conditioners, and the right hair care habits can quickly improve your overall hair health and improve hair growth rates.

Earth Clinic readers report blackstrap molasses, MSM and collagen have helped their hair grow faster.

Continue reading below to learn which remedies helped Earth Clinic readers grow their hair fast. Let us know which supplements or herbs you tried!


Blackstrap Molasses

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Bee (Tampa, Florida) on 06/22/2020
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I've had a few bad haircuts in my lifetime, and it sucks having to wait for my hair to grow. I started taking a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses daily because I heard it was good for preventing anemia (my iron is often low). The first thing I noticed was my finger nails got hard and long within a couple weeks.

Next, I noticed my hair getting super long rather quickly. I went from shoulder length hair to hair down to my lower back in only 6 months. My hair had never grown that quickly previously. To this day I still take the molasses 3x a week but I am going back to taking it daily because I recently got another bad haircut. lol

Replied by Jamila
(Nyc)
12/20/2023

How do you disguise the flavor? I've tried it in smoothies but I don't eat those everyday 😳 thanks in advance!!


Castor Oil

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Deedee (Fayetteville, Georgia) on 12/02/2012
★★★★★

Castor oil (cold pressed and cold processed) and almond oil does wonder for hair growth. I use the brand of castor oil from my local organic health store... Been using it for 4 months now and my hair is no longer falling out. It's thicker and my bald hairline (from bad perms, braids and weaves for years)now has fuzzy hair there. Search the internet and read what people are saying. I apply daily on my scalp.


Collagen

3 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  67%
(1) 
  33%

Posted by Geraldine (Pennsylvania) on 12/05/2017

I was taking collagen in my coffee every morning. I loved it. I noticed my hair was growing very fast, my nails looked really good and my joints were feeling great. About three months in, I developed bone pain and my ankles felt like they were going to give out. Since I take no medicine or supplements, I researched the side effects of collagen and sure enough joint pain was one of them. I reluctantly stopped taking the collagen and the side effects all went away. Disappointing because I liked the benefits. Just beware!!!

Replied by Becky
(Ca)
12/06/2017

Which brand of collagen were you taking? I take Great Lakes for Lyme disease.

Replied by Jan
(Tucson, Arizona Usa)
06/23/2020
★★★★★

I have been taking Great Lakes hydrolyzed collagen also and had no problems with it. I usually have two scoops a day at two different times in a liquid. I buy the 8 pound bags and was told about it by a naturopath.


Collagen
Posted by Coral (British Columbia) on 08/09/2017
★★★★★

HI, I have been taking collagen for my hair. Bullet proof in powder form. I put a scoop into my coffee in the morning and I notice my hair falls out less, is thicker and grows faster. If I stop taking it about 4 days later I start to notice my hair goes dull, limp and feels thin. It's great stuff


D-Biotin

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Samantha (Bc, Canada) on 04/12/2015
★★★★★

For longer/faster hair growth I took d-Biotin, about 1000 mg per day. It has to be specifically d-Biotin, not just "biotin." Within two weeks I was cutting my nails so much I stopped taking it!

Replied by Elias
(Ga)
04/14/2015

Can you advise me where to purchase the b-biotin, I have purchased the 5000 mg of just the biotin, been taking for about 2 weeks for my thinning hair, been told that this works?

Replied by Cassandra22
(Abbotsford, Bc Canada)
05/14/2015
★★★★★

Where to purchase depends on what country you're in. I'm from Canada and use the iherb.ca website. They have a good brand called Jarrows Formula that has the d-Biotin.

Replied by Allan
(Trinidad)
11/23/2016

Hi Samantha,

Can you indicate what brand that you bought?


Dishwashing Liquid

Posted by Laurie (Sudbury, Ontario) on 01/03/2009

HI about the diswashing liquid, I was wondering if anyone had experience with their own hair (adults). IF so how did it work on grown ups? Would it make an adults hair grow also? Thanks.

Replied by Carmen
(Culver City, Ca)
01/04/2014

I would like to know how do you use the liquid detergent on the hair? Please advise....thank you!

Replied by Hisjewel
(America, New York)
08/25/2015

I lost a lot of hair last year, I lost a lot of hair last year after pneumonia, antibotics and then a uti. cutting out the sugar did not make my hair grow back. so I tried washing my hair in dish washing liquid twice this summer. I also tried the borax three times. Both leave the hair and scalp squeeky clean. I had read that the dish washing liquid would remove build up and it seems to have done that. But my hair has had very little growth even though I have used some oils and vitamins such as biotin. I will say I like the borax over the dishwashing liquid because it leaves the hair soft even before it is conditioned.

Replied by Kelly
(Cambridge, Ma)
08/28/2015

You might want to give Olive Leaf Complex a try. (Orally, not topically.)

I used it for a few months back when I was trying different supplements and combinations of supplements to lower my HBP and noticed that my hair became noticeably thicker while I was taking it.

At the time, it was the only thing I'd taken that was different than what I normally took, so I knew it had to be the Olive Leaf Complex that had that effect.

It has plenty of other great benefits (immune support, joint health, cardio health, etc.), so it's worth a shot.

Good luck!

Replied by Hisjewel
(America, New York)
09/01/2015

Thanks for the tip. If I remember this section I will get back to you.

Replied by Hisjewel
(New York, America)
12/02/2015

Thanks for the Olive Leaf clue. It help for so many things but did not do much for my hair. It seems that there is some underlying condition that keeps trying to bring back the uti, which in turn weakens my hair and the little hair that I did grow starts to fall again. I am still taking other vitamins and minerals as well. I do have some progress but very little. The fist size bald spot is petty much covered and that's great right there. Thanks, again.

Replied by Gabriela
(Pa)
06/21/2017

As a professional cosmetologist I strongly urge you to not use dish detergent on the hair. It not only will strip the hair of its natural oils needed to remain healthy, but its extremely drying and harsh on the hair. It contains sulfates and harsh chemicals for cleaning pots and pans.


Horsetail Silica

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, USA) on 06/17/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I would like to add Silica (horsetail) to the recommended supplements for hair growth. This is in addition to not just Biotin - I take 5000mcg of Biotin daily - but the complete range of B supplements. I take separate B3, B6, Niacinamide, and B12 supps, and a B complex to get the others like B5, folic acid etc. I take them all together to get their synergistic effect. This is called taking them in concert.

It is also worth mentioning that I also notice my hair and my nails grow much more noticeably when I increase my protein intake.

I do these and my hair grows at least an inch a month. It takes a while at first to notice (3-4 months you will see a real difference, probably at your next hair appointment). The conventional half-inch-a-month "widsom" is to dumb down expectations and is only if you are nutritionally deficient! Everyone's hair grew at an inch a month, which was the accepted quoted "widsom" until about 20-30 years ago when chemical additives increased in our food. Our ability to grow hair as a species hasnt changed, just our eating habits have.

Replied by Violet
(Barrie, Canada)
07/19/2012

Hi, Thank you, I find this Helpful, I am wondering if you can please tell me more details where I would find horsetail silica, and what it is? Also you take all of the mentioned B vitamins, as well as a B complex pill? and the Biotin at the same time? And what time of day you take them? Any details would be greatly appreciated. Thank You kindly

Replied by Michelle
(Cleveland, Oh)
08/04/2012

I recently started taking Bamboo Silica for hair and nail health. From what I've read, it contains 10x the amount of silica found in horsetail. I'm waiting to see the results, as I've only been taking it for a month. I bought the Bamboo Silica supplements and also recently purchased the Bamboo Leaf tea. My nails are growing at a faster rate and my hair feels softer already, but unsure about hair growth. Has anyone else had any experience with Bamboo Silica? Any side effects noted with long term use?

Replied by Anonymosaurus Rex
(Somewhere, Alone, Listening To Radiohead)
08/28/2012

In reply to Michelle from Cleveland, Oh:

From my understanding, bamboo stalk contains the high content of silica. I'm not certain about the leaves however. If you want to supplement your silica intake, you can also get Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth and use that in a water or mildly acidic hair treatment (for example, adding some to shampoo), or by adding to to your drinking water. I have posted in depth about it in the Remedies -> Diatomaceous Earth page.

I will be trying out supplementing my silica intake as soon as I get my food grade DE in the mail, and I will post my experience with hair growth if anyone reminds me by asking ;) I have just started taking MSM as a supplement, which is also reputed to increase hair growth so I might not be able to tell which was the cause if my hair growth increases.

Oh, and next time you make Thai food or Chinese, try adding in some bamboo shoots for that extra silica-boost (plus, it's delicious!)


Laser Therapy Pen

Posted by Steve (Las Vegas, Nv) on 01/25/2012

I've had excellent results regrowing my hair using a laser therapy pen. The 660nm wavelength stimulates ATP withing the hair cells and scalp. NASA and Russian scientists have done a lot of research on hair growth and wound repair with lasers.


Nettle Leaf

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 08/28/2020
★★★★★

I have been taking nettle leaf capsules for months for my allergies. It works so well.

This week I am realizing that my bangs are in my eyes again! I just trimmed them, it seems. Then I realized my hair has gotten notably longer. Menopause has not been very kind to my hair, but I believe the nettle leaf is the reason my hair is growing faster than it has in years.

~Mama to Many~


Peppermint Oil

Posted by Art (California ) on 02/14/2015 2304 posts

This recent study suggests that peppermint oil may be useful for promoting hair growth. Possibly better than 3% minoxidil: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/. Art


Reflexology

Posted by Cat (Tauranga, , New Zealand) on 02/15/2012

Could we please have a heading for faster hair growth??? So many women experience a slowing down of hair growth as they age and this is something that has plagued me for about 5 years now. I recently happened upon this reflexology method - simply place knuckles of both hands together to sort of form a heart shape with your hands and rub your fingernails together vigorously for at least 5 minutes a day. This will stimulate the nails and hair follicles as they're interconnected. I've been doing it a few times now and I swear my hair is longer almost overnight!! But it's been so slow, any difference is noticeable. Will keep you posted!

Replied by Carly
(Seattle, Wa - Usa)
02/15/2012

Hi - I noticed that when I was taking 2 - 3 tablespoons a day of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil my eyelashes were very thick and long. I backed off of it for a while because I was taking so many things, and just didn't have the time for it all.

The other day I noticed my eyelashes looked like crud again. I am starting back up with the VCO as of today.

Oh, one word of caution - When beginning with the VCO - start with a teaspoon, and work your way up to tablespoons, or you WILL have frequent bathroom issues.

I took a rounded teaspoon in my coffee today, and will be gradually increasing until I am back to where I was prior.

I fugure if it makes lashes grow, it has to be good for head hair on your head as well. Also - Make sure it is organic and virgin, or it is not good. Much on EC about it! :)

Carly :)

Replied by Francisca
(Zug, Switzerland)
02/16/2012

Cat, interesting that you talk about this.... I read in one of my books the same suggestion quite a while ago but then, as I read a lot I forgot about it! I will surely be giving it a go although I don't really worry about my hair not growing fast enough, I would be more interesting in get stronger hair and that may be the case too! As my hair is now at a good length having it grow faster will only mean more money spent at the hairdresser's! So many tips in my books that I can't remember them all! I wish I had a computer in my head.... The tips from this site I save in a file but well, after a while the file is so full that it is also difficult to remember what is in there and no time to look in there on a regular basis! So thanks for your tip....


Stinging Nettles, Neem

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 04/30/2016
★★★★★

Hi Everybody!

I'm am excited to be back at Earth Clinic. I couldn't wait to tell you that after about two years of bald spots and almost total hair loss. My hair is on the grow.

Actually what I see has only been here about two months. So I want to share what I have done that may have added growth to what the other products started. I picked up a coal tar shampoo at Dollar Tree store, I also started taking Stinging Nettle Capsules, and stinging Nettle Extract orally alternating them.

I took Stinging Nettle about three weeks. it was diuretic to my body so I gave Nettles a rest, and started drinking the Neem tea which is very bitter. Very few seem to be able to stand it. I drank a whole cup down the first day, I down it like medicine. I could only handle that one time. After that I drink a third of a cup each day.

I had to stop after 12 days tho, Neem is also very diuretic and requires me to drink over a gallon of water to replace body fluid, and I was only drinking a third cup each day. but the good news was when I checked my hair I actually saw hair, I can actually grab it and pull on it, Its about 1/4 of an inch, located where there was once only fuss. the thankful fuss hair was a blessing from previous products, like the castor oil. But the coal tar Shampoo, Stinging Nettle and the Neem Tea gave length to the short hair and growth to what look bald (the fuss).

I take a little break and start back again because something there is working.

Replied by Hisjewel
(America, New York)
05/30/2016

This is an update on Stinging Nettle and Neem for hair growth. A month has passed and there has been no further hair growth. I do still have my 1/4 new growth. I thank God for that. Now it seems that the food that I was Not eating at that time helped me to heal so that my hair could grow. So I going to rewind a bit. I will update when I see some good length.

Replied by Hisjewel
(America, New York)
07/29/2016

I need someone to share my hair drama with so it's you. Another two months have passed. I did not discipline my diet as was my plan. I was trying to get back to the no or low sugar and low carb diet. However the growth I gained while on my consecration at the earlier part of 2016 remains.

It's hard to tell, but my hair is growing on the sides where there is more length in very slow motion. Also it has filled in some more where the bald sports were, but not longer, still about 1/4 inch. Now I have renewed hope and long hair visions!

I am still with the Neem tea and the Stinging Nettles capsules, both off and on. I thought manganese which is said to strengthen hair, and I take one day a week had gotten rid of the hair balls it turns out it was the Neem. If I break with the Neem more than a week. I get knotted hair and hair balls.

The summer is kinder to my hair and If its going to grow my hair does so more likely during the summer. But with the right diet and the help of Stinging Nettle, Neem tea and a now and then Baking Soda hair wash when scalp feels itchy, my hair had an early growth restart.

Well there is only one more month of summer. So this is as fast as hair growth gets for me. But I want to encourage someone that even after menopause your hair can regain thickness and length.

Hisjewel

Replied by Hisjewel
(America, New York)
09/15/2016

Greetings Everyone,

Did not think I would have anything else to say about hair again, however I want you to know about Gelatin. I have been stirring up one tablespoon of gelatin in a glass of water with a fork and drinking it down once a day. Sometimes I put it in the juicer with my lemon and water.

My hair is loving me for this. My hair is getting thicker, and certain areas of my hair has added length like one whole extra inch.

I still have to be skimpy with the carbohydrates. I have been taking the plain powdered gelatin 2 weeks now. I have also continued using most of the before mentioned hair helps mentioned in earlier post.

HisJewel


Vitamin B Supplements

1 User Review
1 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Lina (Fairfield, Iowa, Usa) on 01/25/2012

I too tried taking biotin for faster hair growth. Perhaps I saw some results, but not much. Now I am taking a vitamin B complex, coenzyme vitamin B's, to be exact, and this seems to be getting results. Plus, I like getting the full range of B's, not just biotin.

Replied by Cat
(Tauranga, New Zealand)
02/19/2012

After many trials and way more $$$, I finally stumbled upon the ultimate B Vitamin. BREWERS YEAST contains B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and B7. It does not contain B12 however but is very high in chromium (provided you get the correct yeast - NOT bakers yeast).

I combine 1 c natural yoghurt, 1-2tbsp brewers yeast, 1tsp lecithin granules, 1 tbsp honey and 1tbsp wheat germ and have this for breakfast. This particular concoction is supposed to be particularly good for the hair growth but also healthy so I am taking it each morning.

Caution - check that this can be taken with your medication as I know Demerol and diabetes medications are not recommended when having brewers yeast. Brewers yeast is so much more affordable and as it's a food, it goes directly to benefitting your body.

Replied by 2oldn2ys
(Frontenac, Kansas)
04/05/2012

I was having trouble with my hair growing so slow and found a vitamin online at Walgreens and tried it out. I have taken it for nearly 2 years daily and my hair grows so fast that the roots are visible in 9 days but I wait 14 to re-color and by then it has driven me crazy because it is so noticeable. I buy them online when they have the buy 1 get 1 sale and with $25 purchase they ship for free. The vitamin is by Natures Bounty, Extra Strength Hair, Skin and Nails (150 count-3 per day)with 5000mcg of Biotin, Collagen, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Calcium. This supplement has everything in it so no need for a multivitamin! I buy 6 boxes at a time so I don't run out before the next sale. The bottle says take 3 per day and I read some people take them all at once but I space them out Morning, Afternoon and Bedtime to have a constant level in my system.

Replied by Cat
(Papamoa, New Zealand)
04/05/2012

2oldn2ys - how long before you really started to notice the growth take off? I'll google that anyway and see if I can get it down here. Thanks!

Replied by Had
(White River Jct, Vermont)
04/16/2012

2oldn2ys--it sounds like you are using hair dye?? if so you may want to switch to chamomile tea infusion (blonde) in shampoo, or work into hair after shampoo, wait a few minutes and rinse out. There are other 'tea' colors as well, that was just an example, so you don't poison yourself w/ dyes. Also, coconut is supposed to help with natural hair color, internally. research, it is very cool to find this stuff out.

Replied by Moosebreath
(Riverside, California)
06/21/2012

Take Biotin 5000 mg each day and black current oil 500mg each day. It will take 2-3 months to notice that your hair and nails are stronger and grow much faster but that you will have much less hair fall out each day.

Replied by Hermiticwonderer
(Los Angeles, Ca)
02/19/2014
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Hey 2oldn2ys -

You are consuming a product daily that most likely has GMO ingredients!!

Nature's Bounty D-3 has the following ingredients which could very well be GMO - Soybean oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Corn Oil. Cholecalciferol is Vitamin D and comes from sheep's wool. & none of them are organic.

Please, contact the company and ask them specifically if they use GMO ingredients in the supplements you take so you can get a "confirmed" answer...most likely they will tell you they "source GMO free ingredients whenever possible but high GMO products like soybean oil and corn oil are GMO..blah blah BLAH"!

Protect yourself!

:D

Replied by Kailey
(Huntington Beach, Ca)
06/26/2015

Onion juice is very effective. I apply it twice in a week. You can also user aloe vera. If these will not working then hair growth laser treatment is the option for hair growth.

Replied by Hisjewel
(America, New York)
01/28/2016

Greetings Kailey,

I am thinking about making the onion juice my next hair venture, and hopefully, my happy adventure.

Do I put onion in a juicer and drink it, or wash hair with it or both?

Pat
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
08/09/2021
4 posts

Use the onion juice like a hair mask. Wash hair, pat dry, apply onion juice, let it stay for about 15 minutes and rinse.