There are probably hundreds of products available that promise to grow hair. Sadly, most of these are just scams like the legendary “snake oil” medicines of the 1800’s. But there actually is a natural hair restorer supplement that works for some people. It’s been used by Native Americans for a long time to treat problems in the urinary tract, and belatedly scientists have found that it may help hair to grow too. This seemingly magic supplement comes from the plant known as saw palmetto, or the American dwarf palm tree.
Researchers got a clue as to saw palmetto’s benefits for hair restoration when the drug Finasteride was being tested to see if it would effectively treat enlarged prostate glands in men. During the Finasteride clinical trials it was discovered that most of the men with male pattern baldness regrew hair while taking the medication. This led to several studies that found the culprit behind male urinary problems may be the same one that causes hair loss in both men and women: an above average level of DHT, which is a metabolite of the male hormone testosterone. Although the relationship between DHT and baldness is not fully understood, it is believed that DHT causes follicular miniaturization, or the dwindling of hair shaft width until the point that the hair resembles what some people call peach fuzz, or it disappears entirely. Since saw palmetto is used to treat prostate problems and affects DHT levels in a manner similar to Finesteride, it has became a popular baldness treatment for those who want to take a natural approach.
Saw palmetto is generally taken as an extract today. In early times, however, Native Americans ingested it as food, and also used it as an antiseptic and an expectorant. They were well aware of the plant’s benefits for hundreds of years, but its popularity didn’t skyrocket in mainstream society until the connection to mens hair restoration was discovered. It’s reputation has since been enhanced by the fact that it provides a hair restoration price point that most people can afford.
If you’re searching for natural remedies for hair loss and don’t want the side effects experienced with synthetic drugs, you owe it to yourself to learn more about this supplement. But remember, all substances — whether natural or man-made — have the potential for some kind of side effects, depending on your body’s response to it. Be sure to pay attention to how your body reacts when taking any supplement, so you can make sure it’s right for you.
You might also be interested in our article that discusses five other natural remedies for hair loss.
Illustration (c) copyright 2010 Carla Chadwick