Are you a man or woman of any age managing hair loss? New studies show several essential oils and carriers work at least as well as a single pharmaceutical product. How about we put all these oils together? Hope exists! These compounds address the true cause of hair loss (inflammation and lack of circulation at the hair follicles – which is only now being understood as result of an imbalance of hormones such as DHT and Estrogen).

The Science: Essential Oils Compared to Rogaine^®

Research has been performed on mice using several single essential oils, using Minoxidil (generic Rogaine^®) as a comparison treatment, along with a control using no active ingredient. Every time the essential oil was at least as effective as the Minoxidil.

Each essential oil likely has it’s own mechanisms of action (anit-inflammatory, circulatory stimulant, cellular-regeneration stimulant and others). At Ananda, we’re putting them all together in Happy Hair.

Here’s a summary of the research:

• “Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth Without Toxic Signs”, published in the Journal of Toxicological Research, 20 Dec 2014 by authors Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC. Their abstract sums up that Peppermint essential oil actually worked better than Minoxidil!

  From their abstract: “This study investigated the effect of peppermint oil on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were randomized into 4 groups based on different topical applications: saline (SA), jojoba oil (JO), 3% minoxidil (MXD), and 3% peppermint oil (PEO)...Of the 4 experimental groups, PEO group showed the most prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth. ALP activity and IGF-1 expression also significantly increased in PEO group. These results suggest that PEO (Peppermint Essential Oil) induces a rapid anagen stage and could be used for a practical agent for hair growth without change of body weight gain and food efficiency.”

  Editor’s Note: Hair follicles go through 3 phases: anagen (beginning or mid-cycle growth), catagen (transition to rest) and telogen. Essentially Peppermint induces follicles into the anagen phase to GROW HAIR!!! And the reason peppermint works (though it’s not elucidated in the study) are it’s circulation-enhancing actions – it helps get more blood, and therefore more nutrients to the hair follicles. Note it was the Peppermint Essential Oil group which showed the greatest results, even better than Minoxidil!*

• “Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial”. published in the journal SKINmed, Jan 2015, by Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, Marzony ET, Sahebkar A. Their abstract conclusion was not as dramatically stated as the Peppermint study; However, they did find 3% Rosemary Essential Oil to be as effective as the Minoxidil treatment, with fewer side effects. Rosemary, too, is acting as a circulatory stimlulant, though we’ve gone one better and included Rosemary c.t. verbenone. The “verbenone” is a constituent which is widely thought to stimlate cellular regeneration as well – growing your hair even faster.
• Lavender Oil – “Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice.”, published in Toxicology Research, April 2016 by Lee BH, Lee JS, Kim YC.  Again, the essential oil was compared favorably to Minoxidil, with the authors stating: “These results indicated that LO has a marked hair growth-promoting effect.” This result is highly likely to Lavender’s well-known anti-inflammatory action.

   

• Helichrysum Oil – While there is little research surrounding Helichrysum and hair growth, we’ve included it in the formula as it is both anti-inflammatory and stimulating of cellular healing.

These four essential oils are based in carrier oils which each have their own hair-growth promoting promoting properties. Most importantly is virgin Organic Olive Oil. Research has shown that the phenolic compound which gives Olive Oil its “spicy” flavor,  ”oleuropein” ALSO had the same results of each of the oils above – it worked by changing gene expression, keeping hair in its anagen (growth phase) longer, stimulating this phase, and the whole oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties all around.

(From “Topical Application of Oleuropein Induces Anagen Hair Growth in Telogen Mouse Skin.” Published in PLoS One. 2015 Jun 10, by Tong T1, Kim N1, Park T1.)

Also included are just a little organic Castor oil and organic virgin Coconut oil. BOTH these carriers are inflammation reducing, as well as being anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, features which have shown to be highly beneficial to those experiencing hair loss from any cause.

TO USE: This formula is to be applied topically to the thinning areas of the scalp, and MASSAGED-IN for 5, 10, or even 20 minutes. Massage further stimulates circulation to the scalp, enhancing the whole process. It actually smells and feels great. Oh, and unlike minoxidil, your new hair won’t fall out all of a sudden if you stop using it!

This formula addresses hair loss through several mechanisms, and will likely be highly supportive in hair regrowth by itself. If you are experiencing male pattern baldness, also consider supplementing with Saw Palmetto Berry extract. For women, have your hormones checked to see that you have a proper balance of estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, etc. FURTHER, ANY changes in diet and lifestyle that promote systemic reduction of inflammation are highly worth while (CBD De-Flame is a great choice!)