Natural Solutions for Hair Loss: Effective Remedies for Regrowth

Lugol's Iodine

Posted by Miranda (Campbellsville, Ky) on 11/06/2012
★★★★★

I have been suffering with hypothyroidism for 20 years. One year ago I started using Lugol's iodine. 3 drops in about a cup of water or juice everyday. After about 3 months, I thought I was cured and therefore quit using my thyroid medication (Naturethroid). I was so wrong and so discouraged that I almost quit using the Lugol's. However, I decided to just keep using it anyway, it was helping my symptoms: hairloss, being extremely tired, can't think, feeling bad all over, etc. As a bonus, it cured my fibrocytic breast (they hurt really bad for a while while using it, but then they got better, then well).

Anyhow, one month ago, to my suprise, my pharmacy informed me that my nurse practicioner reduced my medication from taking 5 pills a day to 3. I had given up hope that it was going to work because I'd had this problem for so long (my thyroid felt like a rock). I'm not cured yet, but I have renewed hope that I possibly could be someday. I do know this: anytime you begin a thyroid Rx medication, change a medication, or stop a medication, one of the side effects is hair loss for up to 3 months! The Lugol's has given me my hair back - Thank God. Chances are, if you tell your doc that you're going to try this, they will probably not approve. So, I didn't tell mine, but whenever I felt like my thyroid was off, I would get them to check it. If someone begins the iodine therapy, just have your doctor monitor your thyroid profile as closely as possible because it can cause you to become hyperthyroid because of too much Rx medication. However, needing to reduce or eleminate the Rx medication eventually is a good thing. I'm really hoping FDA doesn't interfere any further with this wonderful healing elixer. I will try to keep everyone updated with any progress. Good luck. God bless.

Fenugreek

Posted by Drsd (Dubai, UAE) on 08/31/2012
★★★★★

as a long time sufferer from hair thinning, I would proudly say that I haven't almost missed a remedy for hair fall. Recently, I came across a remedy on the web, that used methi (fenugreek) to stop hair loss. I added few more ingredients to methi and the remedy was very powerful.

Here is what I have concocted:

2 teaspoons of methi soaked in 1/2 a glass of water overnight
1 large red onion (actually, I find them purple! )
1 table spoon of cayenne powder or 3 jalapenos
strain the methi seeds on the next day, put them in a coffee bean miller or a food processor, add the peeled onion and the cayenne pepper, make a paste out of all that.

now massage the scalp with the paste, wetting your palms frequently with water to help your finger tips slide around and the pepper to sting alittle bit. Cover with a shower cap. you will feel instant heat on the scalp. In an hour, rinse thoroughly and wash and condition as usual.

I noticed an 80% reduction in the mass of falling hair.

now, this remedy is potent and effective in ceasing hair fall, but will not suffice ALONE in the battle of regaining hair. So adding nutritive foods and taking vitamin supplements is imperative to check hair fall.

hope this is as useful to you as it was to me! regards :)

Edgar Cayce's Hair Loss Remedies

Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 01/28/2012
★★★★★

Hi Mary (from Rural, Va), As hair loss can be a symptom of iodine deficiency I think you have found your answer, congratulations. With shrimp and kelp containing iodine plus the iodine painting you are correcting your deficiency. Could you please tell me which form of iodine you are using for the painting? Thanks.

Edgar Cayce's Hair Loss Remedies

Posted by Antonia (Rural Ms) on 12/29/2014
★★★★★

I have been losing hair for the last several years and I am slowly balding. I started taking a coconut oil supplement lately and hope it will help. I stopped using iodized salt several years ago too. Could doing this create an iodine deficiency? Also, I use to eat shrimp quite often, but have eaten very little in the last couple of years.

Iodine, Selenium

Posted by Bodulica (Barrie, Ontario, Canada) on 10/31/2011
★★★★★

For all of you losing hair: maybe is your thyroid. In that case you need iodine and selenium supplements. Be careful with selenium dosage. Some sources are saying that over 200 mcg is already poisonous, some say 400 mcg is still allowed...

Dietary Changes

Posted by Koltton (Scottsdale, Arizona Usa) on 10/28/2011
★★★★★

For the last 5 years when I see clients coming in with good hair I ask what they eat... So 90% consistent with good head of hair is..... A daily consumption of apples, oatmeal, milk, peanuts, dark leafy greens. This is really interesting too.... all of them had cooler body temperature...

Question: I may have hyperthyroidism and noticed when I take zinc my scalp feels better. Any thoughts?

Baking Soda, Borax, ACV

Posted by Doddie (Lawrenceville, Georgia, Usa) on 09/16/2011
★★★★★

1) I used baking soda 1:5 ; 1 part baking soda to 5 parts water to wash my hair, left it on 10 minutes and rinsed.

2) I used borax 1/2 Tablespoon to a liter of water pour it in my hair and left it on overnite, I rinsed the following day, then sprayed my hair with 1 part ACV and 5 parts water. I have a sink top water filter and so it probably did have some chlorine and definitely fluoride it in and I am hoping the borax helped some.

The only side effect I had is when I left the baking soda sit on my scalp for 10 minutes. It did burn (sting) in the areas where my hair had thinned out (on top, at temples) and I take that as a good thing (like there was a little fungus or something there that I did not know about, that needed to be removed )

3) I am very pleased with the results and my hair is not falling out.

I think that when a person chemically treat their hair maybe with perms or permanent hair color and use peroxide or vinegar incorrectly you will have a negative reaction. Read everything carefully!

Biotin

Posted by Brenda (Mt. Dora, Fl) on 03/22/2011

Regarding the previous post, www.whfoods.com states that a symptom of BIOTIN deficiency is seizures. BIOTIN is readily available in egg yolks, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, carrots, almonds, etc.

Cayenne Pepper, Olive Oil

Posted by Bulbultuk (Bangalore, Karnataka, India) on 09/09/2010
★★★★☆

Today at 58 years of age I am very happy to say that after many years I have succeeded to grow hair on bald areas of my scalp. I have Male Pattern baldness from at least 10 years. I tried all treaments including Minoxidil etc. But to no avail. Finally desparately I started searching the NET for natural cures. I came across The Cayenne Pepper E V Olive oil and started using it on 15th August. Today its 24 days and I can see new hair sprouting. Maybe I have to wait for a longer period, say 3 months to see a noticeable growth. The new hair is thin and looks almost transparent or colourless you may say. I want to know how this new hair can be nourished to thicken and grow longer. I request readers to suggest a remedy for this. I shall update about future progress as things change. Also I will guide anyone on this cure. Please email me your queries. Thanks. Bbtk.

Cayenne Pepper, Olive Oil

Posted by Bulbultuk (Bangalore, India) on 01/22/2011
★★★★★

Try a mix of organic olive oil and cayenne pepper. Add 50 grams of cayenne pepper to 500ml olive oil and store in a tight bottle for 15 days. Let the transfusion season by shaking the bottle every day 2 minutes. The oil will become red and ready for use. Apply thrice a week on scalp before going to bed. Wear a shower cap to keep scalp warm and aid circulation. Wash with shampoo next morning. It may sting if the water flows to the eye, though its harmless. Done regularly will see positive results in a month or so. Eat a hair friendly diet containing omega3 fatty acids. To remove harmful toxins from the system consume half inch piece of raw ginger with each meal. Add lots of fruits and veggies to your diet. Best of luck.bbtk.

Edgar Cayce's Hair Loss Remedies

Posted by Myway (Wilmington, De) on 11/18/2014

If you go to the Foxfire book, volume 3, there is an old folk remedy that my father used - burnt car oil, on dogs who had skin conditions. Dad used it on several dogs back in the late 60's and 70's. The dogs would stop itching and their hair would grow out. Back then, the dogs ran all over the place....country life. We didn't have money or resources so, the Foxfire book was the go-to for old time remedies and cures. This oil method always worked for the dogs. My point? Edgar Cayce's crude oil treatment most probably works very well for hair loss. Good luck!

Joyce's Remedies

Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 02/03/2010 490 posts
★★★★★

Hello Deirdre,

I have been visiting my favorites since answering Cindy's email and thought I would give you some information found to pass on to all EC'ers with hair loss problems. I will e-mail you the articles I gleaned the information from in case you want to read them afterwards, but I will give a short shot of helpful hints that I think will be all that most of our EC family will want. Going to the plant database I found several chemicals listed as anti-alopecics (anti-baldness).

They are linoleic acid, palmitic acid, inositol, oleic acid, linoleic acid and zinc.

Zinc is found in meats, seafoods, dairy products, nuts, legumes, whole grains and you'll even find 23 parts per million of zinc in turmeric or curcumin, and 13-17 parts per million in the coconut. If you take zinc supplements it is recommended that you not take more than 50 mgm. per day and stay with zinc gluconate as it consistently holds the lowest amount of cadmium which naturally occurs with it. (Cadmium is that toxic metal in the news now because it is being found in children's and adult jewelry made in India and China). Zinc has many other functions besides preventing hair loss, but this what we are concerned with today. You can easily search them on line to learn the others.

Inositol is "vital for hair growth", also combines with choline to form lecithin and reduces cholesterol. It's calming effect on the nervous system is thought to have an effect on depression, panic attacks obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar affective disorder (used to be called manic-depressive disorder), plays a role in preventing and treating cancer, improves nerve conduction velocity in diabetics, and used in constipation therapy by improving peristalti action. Inositol is found in dried beans, calves liver, cantaloupes, citrus fruits (except for lemons), garbanzo beans (chick peas), lecithin granules, nuts, oats, pork, rice, veal and whole grains. The resin, exudate and sap of the coconut palm has 690 parts per million of inositol.

The coconut (seed) also has 584-18,694 parts per million of another anti-alopecic chemical called linoleic acid. Our lovely, tasty coconut also has 770 parts per million of magnesium in its seed which adds another long list of anti-chemicals to this coconut. The coconut hull husk also has lignin 294,000 parts per million which is antibacterial, anticancer, anticoronary, anti-diarrheic, anti-HIV, antioxidant,antitumor, antiviral, chelator, hypocholesterolemic, laxative, and pesticide. Over consumption of caffeine products (carbonated beverage drinkers may be getting more than the coffee drinkers) or prolonged taking of antibiotics can decrease the body's supply of inositol.

Fatty acids in foods are incoporated into complex lipids such as triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids. Our bodies can synthesize some fatty acids in adipose tissue and the liver. It cannot synthesize some essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (Omega 6) or alpha-linoleic acid (Omega 3). Both Omega 3 and Omega 6 are found in vegetable oils like corn and canola. Walnuts are also a good source of alpha-linoleic acid.

Pork has 40% saturated fatty acids (SFA)
45% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)
15% polyunsaturated faty acids (PUFA)
Olive Oil has 14% SFA
74% MUFA
12% PUFA

Good old avocados are also rich in antialopecics. So to all of you who want more hair, improve your diets and if necessary, supplement with the above nutrients.

Blackstrap Molasses, Biotin

Posted by Vm (Dayton, Ohio) on 01/01/2010
★★★★★

I have had great success with black strap molasses and later biotin in regenerating my thinning hair. I am a 58 yo female and noticed my hair thinning on top of my head.

I started taking 1 to 3 Tbl molasses and my hair started filling in and getting thicker.

Later I started taking biotin from 1000 mcg to 3000 mcg a day and it also helped my hair get thicker.

Both the biotin and molasses separately help my hair grow. I took molasses for about 6 months and quit taking it and then started in on the biotin for around 3 months and have hair that is about 2 1/2 inches long. I part my hair in the middle and there is new growth about 2 1/2 inches long all over my head but most noticable where I part my hair as the new growth is all the same length and the rest of my hair is shoulder length. My hair also does not fall out like it used to.

Both products worked.

Biotin

Posted by Leelannee (Sussex, Nj) on 09/08/2009

Okay, the iodine doesn't seem to be working as well for the dandruff anymore...still working, just not as miraculously. About a week ago I had a massive outbreak of flakes on the top of my head near my hairline. Having read that milk of magnesia is great for skin & itching, I impulsively doused that area, left it on for about 1/2 an hour, then rinsed it out--without using shampoo or conditioner, to make sure nothing else affected my "experiment". My hair felt like it was full of glue and baby powder (washed out fine the next day), but it seems that Milk of Magnesia really helps the dead skin slough off!!! I had to brush out lots of flakes but since then my scalp has been pretty clear, and much less itchy.

I also patted some Milk of Magnesia on my face and let it dry. My skin was SO soft afterwards, for days, and a couple of rough rashy patches are cleared up!

Biotin

Posted by J0hnn (Toronto, Ontario Canada) on 04/14/2010
★★★★★

This reply to Laurie from Sudbury...

I used a combination of Biotine, Vegitil Silica, and Chelated Zinc to stop hair loss and regrow natural coloured hair on my head last fall.

A couple of points...
1...the Biotine I used was capsules of 5,000 mcg each. Possibly your 300 mcg caps are not enough for this purpose. Has the hair loss cause been removed?

2...the hair on the crown of your head grows an average of 1/2 inch per month, so if the rest of your nutrition is adequate, you should start seeing some fuzz on the previously bald areas at the 4 to 6 week point.

Hopefully this answers some of your questions.

Iodine

Posted by Rob (kentucky) on 07/26/2024
★★★★★

Iodized Collodion in Alopecia. - Dr. Chatelain (Monit. Thérap ) recommends the treatment of alopecia areata by Iodized Collodion, in the proportion of one part of iodine to 300 of collodion (a viscous solution used to coat wounds). The patch is rubbed with a 1:1000 solution of corrosive sublimate, and then painted with the collodion. The iodine is thus allowed to remain in contact with the patch of alopecia for a long time. When the artificial pellicle falls off, the process is repeated. Cases rebellious to other forms of treatment are frequently cured within two months by means of iodized collodion, it is claimed.

From the Book: MERCK'S MARKET REPORT AND PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL, September 1893, page 278.

Aloe, Cayenne

Posted by Nancy (Brunswick GA) on 04/08/2008
★★★★★

I would like to post another remedy. Can't believe how many people are interested in this remedy! I felt some of your readers might want to have this. Nancy

To grow hair:
Aloe Vera Gel and Cayenne Pepper.
1/4 to 1/2 c. of Aloe Vera and 2 capsules of cayenne pepper.( Any cayenne will do, You can use Kitchen Spice)
May need to adjust measurement of the aloe and cayenne a little more or less..For the right consistancy.
Pour mixture into a hair color bottle and shake well.
Apply to scalp, massaging in with fingertips.
This mixture will stimulate and clean the hair follicles.
The hair cycle may take a few weeks possibly months, but you will see results.
Leave on scalp at least 10 to 15 minutes or more if you wish. Can be applied weekly.
If you want to use this remedy more often I suggest you try it once and wait a few days, particularly if you have sensitive skin issues.
Caution.....This will burn somewhat, Be careful around eyes. Do not make mixture too runny as it could run into eyes.
Do not make mixture too thick as it will not squirt out of bottle.
You will continue to feel a slight burn even after this remedy is rinsed off.
Aloe Vera gel normally needs to be refridgerated, When mixing remedy allow it to sit a few hours at room tempature before applying to scalp.
Do not apply to scalp cold, as this will close your pores.
If you make more than you need, it will keep a few days in a cool place.
I have used this mixture as a facial scrub, It is a firey facial! Cayenne Pepper is great for circulation. Cayenne Pepper packs a punch, mixed with Aloe Vera and all the great things in Aloe Vera are increased.
Cayenne is called a "catalyst" herb that increases the efficacy of the ingredients you are using.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Mike (Woodbridge, New Jersey U.S.A.) on 01/01/2009

ON THE POSTS ACV AND COCONUT OIL FOR HAIR LOSS< NEITHER EXPLAINED EXACTLY THE METHOD OR QUANTITY OR INTERNALLY. OR EXTERNALLY APPLIED. BE SPECIFIC. THANKS, MIKE

EC: When a post mentions tablespoons, it is usually an internal dosage.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado, Usa) on 05/31/2013

The reason that she mentions her eyebrows getting thicker is that thinning eyebrows is a sign of hypothyroidism, and coconut oil is one remedy that people use in order to help correct thyroid imbalances. Your thyroid helps to regulate your metabolism as well, so taking coconut oil internally can help your thyroid function better, and therefore raising your temperature to a more normal 98.6 F if it was too low. However, if you should have a mustache, then it can also help with fungal problems that can cause hair loss. You shouldn't have any need to worry that CO will cause unwanted hair growth.

Brushing Technique

Posted by Shirley (Missouri) on 08/20/2008

Response To 08/19/2008 Sad Ger from Singapore:

Answer,
I hope I can to be clearer about the way this brushing should be done. When you start to brush your hair while you are bent forward and have your hair toward the floor, you start at the scalp but do not put pressure on the brush at the scalp. At this point you don't want to be brushing the scalp but just the hair. From the scalp you brush your hair down to the tips.I use one hand to push the hair into the brush and brush all the hair starting from the back of my neck down to the ends.

When you're finished, you would stand up straight again. Let you hair fall back away from your face and brush from the forehead towards the back or from the crown down the sides. When you begin this brushing, you hold the hairbrush firm onto the scalp and beginning brushing from the scalp with pressure on the brush, and brush the hair towards the back, sides or whatever feels right for your hair.

Hope that explains it more correctly. If not you may send me an email for more info.

Brushing Technique

Posted by Erin (Ny) on 01/20/2018

I would say give yourself a head massage. I'd bend over while messaging and massage from back of your head to front.

And then stand up or sit up straight and massage front to back.

I'm just guessing but I think you'll have less and less hair loss as you continue to massage your head and give your scalp some focused attention.

Hope it works for you

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

Posted by Angelo (New York) on 08/22/2010
★★★★☆

I have been waiting a little over a year to write this letter expecting better results than what I have. Unfortunately, I believe the benefits of fighting Male Pattern Baldness with baking soda and ACV may have been exaggerated. I've been using ACV & baking soda since Aug. 9, 2009 (today is Aug. 22 2010) and the difference in my hair regrowth is only slight at best. The shape of my head is still quite visible. I've found that drinking horsetail tea on a regular basis and adding it to the ACV rinse helped with the MPB even more so but again only slightly. However, until something better comes along I'm going to continue using baking soda & ACV because it's a wonderful treatment for dandruff. Also, every shampoo & conditioner I've investigated contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and/or Sodium Laureth Sulfate. These two chemicals are what are used to make soap nice and lathery but they also destroy hair follicles. I must also add that baking soda & ACV restored my hair color. It didn't get rid of the gray hairs but restored the youthful shine & got rid of the dullness that comes with age. As I continue the baking soda & ACV treatment, if anything should favorably change, I will make sure to write.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Shemika (Hightstown, Nj) on 06/19/2010
0 out of 5 stars

I am grateful for Mary's story about topically applying acv to her head by mistake when she had a fungal infection and thus losing all her hair.

I unthinkingly slapped some acv on my head before bed last night as I do from time to time, but this time I woke up disturbed and vaguely recalling her post so I got up and reread it as well as Teds instructions about the subject since I hadn't read them in a couple years. I realized I was making the same mistake Mary had because I likely also have a fungal infection due to my parasite infection.

In Jan just when my hair was starting to see some real progress I absentmindedly put a little acv on it and continued to do so on occasion. Soon afterwards I was combing my hair and it started falling out in clumps. Not making the connection I continued over the past five months to put acv on my hair from time to time, wondering why it kept getting shorter and wouldn't grow any more. Sure enough, topical acv is likely part of the reason why my hair fell out and hasn't grown. I had credited it all to the meds I took about the same time which are known to cause hair loss, which is also likely part of the reason as well. Now I hope to get it right by using tea tree oil and the proper remedies instead. I will let that be a lesson I have to be more careful. Thanks for your site.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Bb13 (New Jersey) on 07/22/2015
★★★★★

I am a licensed beauty professional as well. ACV is not what made Mary's hair fall out, it was most certainly the peroxide. But I will say, unless it is a conditioner, I don't recommend leaving any product on overnight. Everyones skin is different, including your scalp, and will react different. Also, vinegars are cleaning agents, as are baking sodas...mixing these products together is essentially stripping the hair of anything. Salons use baking soda to strip the hair. ACV is a great product, but should not be applied to the hair in full strength (more is not better in this case). In fact, (I did not see it so I cannot be sure) but I would be willing to bet that Mary's hair did not fall out, but actually broke off. Am I saying not to use it, absolutely not, I love ACV, I use it all the time...use it in moderation...equal parts with water, do not leave it in overnight.

It's in the Water

Posted by skip (Washington, DC) on 07/02/2007
★★★★★

YES I can vouch that since I came to AMERICA my hair are falling. The water here has either chlorine or too much remnants of estrogen wich causes hair loss and feminizing men!

Probiotics

Posted by Nic (South Africa) on 12/30/2022
★★★★★

Please also try probiotics. A good quality liquid or capsule kept in fridge with multiple strains and high bacterial count. If it's a gut issue, this will quickly remedy the hair loss.

Potato Oil or Juice

Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 08/15/2022
★★★★★

Update: It's been 3 months now and my potato oil is still working like a charm!

I am halfway thru my bottle, and have found it is best to use at least 1x/week. Remember, ya don't have to worry about the length of your hair as you're not supposed to coat the lengths; potato oil is for the scalp only.

I once went about 3 weeks where I only used it twice, and sure did notice a difference! More hair loss, for sure, as I found I was pulling my hair from bathroom drains again, so once a week it is for me. It has been SO nice not having to pick out my fallen strands from the shower & sink drains! Such a treat.

Supplements

Posted by Hisjewel (Usa) on 09/29/2020

Thanks Art.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Surfer (Florida) on 04/19/2018
★★★★★

I started a vegan diet back at the end of January and almost immediately noticed my hair fall in the drain drastically declined to almost nothing.

B Vitamins

Posted by Natalie (Seattle, Wa) on 02/25/2016
★★★★★

Coenzymated B vitamins (the kind you dissolve under your tongue) works amazingly well for hair loss. I noticed my hair feeling thicker, smoother and fuller within the first 10 week! I think the other kinds of B vitamins are not absorbed very well.

Castor Oil

Posted by Nadine (Trinidad) on 11/12/2015
★★★★★

Hi, I have been using Black castor oil since March of this year but I think the results are good. my hair has gotten fuller, I have mixed in a bit of olive oil into it as it makes the consistency less thick.

Herbal Tea, Glutathione, MSM

Posted by Alyssa (San Diego, Ca) on 04/28/2014
★★★★★

Hair Loss: The remedies that have helped my hair grow faster, thicker, and shinier are herbal teas (all different types! Most of them work! ), Glutathione capsules and nebulized, but the capsules alone also work to help my hair despite the fact that Glutahione generally has a low oral absorption rate. MSM is great, too for hair growth. There is a ton of info on the internet about these remedies. You just have to research and try for yourself.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 10/24/2012

Hi Gloria, I also went through radical hair loss but mine was from hair dye. I would always have the worst reaction but I was too proud to let myself go gray. The reaction was so bad my husband would get upset that I would continue this procedure. Well, I went to Aveda because that was supposed to be "natural" and it worked for a time but then, I began reacting again. So, I changed to "natural" hair dyes from the health food store. Again, they worked for awhile and then I began to react once more! It was bad but the last straw for me was I began to lose hair in clumps. That's when I thought, perhaps gray would be better than bald... I stopped using shampoos with anything other than the mildest herbs and cleaners in them. I massaged my scalp, I used borax when washing my hair. Then I learned about hair oiling here on EC and began that practice about a year and a half ago. I take Chinese herbs and do fresh green juices every morning and follow much of Weston Price's ideas on diet.

I am now quite salt and pepper but my hair is nice and thick and healthy once more. I won't lie though, it took a long time though to restore it! As a matter of fact, just about a month ago I was going to a wedding and my oldest daughter said she wanted to blow dry my hair for it. She couldn't believe how thick it was and healthy and just kept commenting about it! It's probably been a couple of years since she last did that for me and she said it never felt like that before. So friends, take heart, our hair can be restored but you must be steadfast at working at that and be patient! Lisa