Can Herbs Help With Hair Growth
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Can Herbs Help With Hair Growth
Key Takeaways
• Research shows that rosemary, castor oil, and other herbs and essential oils might help with hair growth.
However, there are not many large studies on humans that confirm this.
• Taking herbal or dietary supplements by mouth can interact with medications or cause unexpected side effects, including allergic reactions.
If you are losing hair, talk to a healthcare provider before using these natural products.
Herbs for hair growth can include rosemary, peppermint, pumpkin seed oil, and others to help treat thinning hair and encourage new growth.
There is some research that suggests these natural options for hair loss (alopecia) might work, but more evidence is needed to prove these benefits.Lavender
A study found that applying lavender oil to mice helped their hair grow thicker and faster than usual.
However, using products with lavender may cause a skin allergy. Lavender also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects when used in aromatherapy. It can also help with sleep, which is good for recovering from illness.Do Herbs Help With Hair Loss?
Some studies show that certain plant extracts and chemicals may help promote hair growth or stop hair loss.
However, strong clinical evidence from human studies is still missing.There are no clear guidelines on how to use herbs for hair loss, so it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about possible benefits and risks, like how they might interact with other medications.
Horsetail
Horsetail has silica (silicon dioxide), and research suggests it may improve hair growth in women with temporary thinning hair.
A 2016 study found that taking silicon daily for nine months strengthened hair and made it less likely to break. However, more research is needed on safety and effectiveness.Red Clover
Some research suggests red clover may help with hair and skin, but there’s not enough solid evidence.
Red clover has not been proven to benefit any health condition. Avoid red clover supplements if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is used in food and medicine because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
It’s also a common ingredient in hair products. However, research on stinging nettle and hair growth is limited.Rosemary
Research suggests rosemary oil may help with hair growth.
A 2023 animal study tested a rosemary-based lotion and found it might be more effective than 2% minoxidil, which is a common treatment for hair growth.Castor Oil
Castor oil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a laxative and is often used for other health purposes, including hair growth.A 2025 study looked at hair growth when castor oil was mixed with rosemary or with a rosemary-lavender blend, along with other ingredients, and compared it to coconut oil in 90 people over three months.
The results showed that the rosemary-castor oil blend strengthened hair and increased keratin production, though it wasn’t clear which ingredient was more effective. Coconut oil didn’t seem to help with hair growth in this study.Some studies find no benefit from using coconut oil, black castor oil, chamomile, peppermint, horsetail, and other herbal treatments for hair growth.
More research is needed to understand possible benefits.Ginseng
Ginseng helps control the expression and activity of proteins involved in the hair growth cycle.
This suggests it might promote hair growth and help prevent hair loss.Peppermint
There’s evidence that applying peppermint oil topically can increase the number and depth of hair follicles in mice after four weeks.
However, there’s not enough human research to know if it helps with hair growth.Aloe Vera
Topical aloe vera lotion can treat seborrheic dermatitis, which can cause hair loss.
A study that combined aloe ferox gel, oregano oil, and finasteride (a drug used for male-pattern hair loss) found it could effectively treat alopecia.Hibiscus
Animal studies show that ethanol extracts from hibiscus leaves may increase hair growth.
While hibiscus may have healthy properties, it hasn’t been proven to help hair growth in humans.Sage
Sage is popular for cooking and traditional medicine.
Sage extract has been found to promote hair growth in male mice, but more human studies are needed.
