Introduction

Whether long or short, everyone spends a few minutes each day grooming hair. Thus hair loss becomes clearly visible when you see excess strands falling off.

On average, an adult has about 1,00,000  hair follicles on the scalp.1 On a daily basis, it’s normal to lose up to 100 strands of hair.2 However, more than this indicates that you need to take action. Hair fall is worrisome because it can gradually lead to permanent hair loss and baldness.

To understand hair fall, let’s understand the three stages of hair growth.

  • Anagen phase

It’s a growth phase that lasts for three to five years.3 During this phase, your hair roots divide rapidly, resulting in hair growth.

  • Catagen phase

This is a regression phase that lasts for 10 – 20 days.3 During this phase, your hair strands stop growing.

  • Telogen phase

This is the resting or shedding phase that lasts for around three months.3 Hair falls after this phase.

As long as this cycle continues, hair loss is not an issue. The problem starts when the anagen phase is shortened and the telogen phase is lengthened. This is when expert intervention is needed.

Homeopathy is the best mode of treatment for hair loss that gives long-lasting results. Constitutional remedies in homeopathy reduce hair fall and promote new hair growth.

Homeopathic treatment for hair loss

Hair loss is a deep-rooted condition that requires constitutional treatment. Homeopathy has become a boon to folks suffering from hair fall in recent years. It is safe and gentle and focuses on the root cause of hair fall.

The best part of homeopathic treatment is that it prevents hair fall, maintains hair quality, and supports new hair growth. Homeopathic medicines can treat all kinds of hair falls like alopecia areata and alopecia universalis. Both men and women of all ages can get excellent results with homeopathic medicines.

You can get the best results from homeopathic medicine when it’s chosen based on your symptoms, pattern of hair fall, and your constitution.

Top six homeopathic medicines for hair loss

Homeopathy has great potential for treating hair loss. It is quite effective in hair loss regardless of its cause. Here are the top six homeopathic medications well-known for treating hair loss.

Phosphorus (Phos.)

Common name: Phosphorus

Phosphorus is one of the best remedies for hair loss in large bunches or spots.

It is indicated in those complaining of scalp dandruff with intense itching. Phosphorus helps control hair fall and also promotes hair regrowth. Hair loss from the anterior part of the scalp calls for phosphorus.

This homeopathic remedy treats hair fall in people with dry hair. Phosphorus is also an excellent remedy for the premature graying of hair.

Fluoricum acidum (Fl-ac.)

Common name: Hydrofluoric acid

This homeopathic medicine treats hair loss in spots. Fluoricum acidum is suited to people with alopecia areata. It promotes new hair growth in these bald patches and prevents further progress of patchy hair loss.

Fluoric. acid. is suited for people whose hair strands are dry, brittle, and tend to break easily. This remedy reduces hair dryness and prevents hair breakage. Fluoric. acid. helps people with sticking hair that matte together and tangles easily.

This is a very good homeopathic remedy for hair loss after typhoid fever. It is also effective in reversing hair loss after syphilis, debilitating illness, and infections.

Phosphoricum acidum (Ph-ac.)

Common name: Phosphoric acid

Phosphoricum acidum is a homeopathic medicine for hair fall that starts after grief. It is indicated for people with marked thinning and hair loss after an episode of sorrow. The patient often feels sad and depressed.

Phosphoric. acid. treats premature graying of hair and shows excellent results in men who lose hair from their beards. It helps in hair fall that begins after losing vital fluids and post fever and infections.. This homeopathic medicine is indicated for hair loss from the scalp, beard, eyebrows, genitals, etc.

Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc.)

Common name: Club moss

Lycopodium clavatum is a commonly prescribed homeopathic medicine for hair loss. It cures premature baldness and premature graying of hair.

Lycopodium is effective when hair falls due to scalp skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The scalp becomes dry, thick, and indurated with intense itching. This medicine works well in hair fall that worsens from warmth and heat.

Sepia officinalis (Sepia)

Common name: Inky juice of Cuttlefish

Sepia officinalis is among the top homeopathic medicines for female pattern baldness. This medicine works wonders for hair fall in women of menopausal age.

The indications of this medicine include pain in the scalp, sensitivity to touch, and soreness in the hair roots. Women often complain of pain and sensitivity while combing hair.

Pimples along the margin of hair on the forehead are the keynote symptom of Sepia. This remedy is effective when hair fall begins before or after child birth. Sepia is an effective homeopathic remedy for alopecia areata, where the hair falls out from the scalp leaving bald patches behind.

Wiesbaden aqua (Wiesbaden)

Common name: The spring at Wiesbaden

Another homeopathic medicine for hair regrowth, Wiesbaden naturally aids in hair regrowth. Wiesbaden is prescribed to help with quick hair regrowth. In addition, it makes hair thick, dense, and darker in color. This medicine acts by nourishing hair roots and making hair strong.

Take Homeopathy Treatment for Your Health Conditions

Hair fall causes

Several causes can be responsible for hair loss. Like

  • Effect of hormones

If you have hormonal abnormalities, the anagen phase will shorten, and the telogen phase will lengthen, slowing down your hair growth. 4

  • Role of genetics

If you have poor hair growth genes, you may experience hair thinning.5 As you age this becomes more obvious.

  • Essential nutrient deficiencies

Protein, biotin, folic acid, vitamins, and minerals deficiency can trigger hair fall.6

  • Illness

Your hair fall can worsen after an acute illness like flu or fever. In addition, systemic illnesses like thyroid disorders can cause excess hair loss. 7

  • Radiation therapy

Using radiation in cancer treatments can lead to hair loss.8

  • Chemotherapy

Drugs used in cancer treatment can have side effects on healthy cells, especially on the hair.9

  • Gender

Women are more prone to hair loss due to hormonal changes during puberty, post-delivery, and menopause.10

  • Stress

Emotional trauma or stress can cause hormonal imbalances leading to hair loss.11

Symptoms of hair loss

Depending on the type of hair loss and the cause, people experience different hair loss symptoms. Typical symptoms include:

  • Receding hairline, this is a common sign of male pattern baldness
  • Hair thinning throughout the scalp is characteristic of female pattern hair loss
  • Loss of scalp hair in small patches
  • Hair loss on the body

Treatment

The first line of treatment is, addressing the underlying cause, whether it is an effect of medication, hormone imbalance, thyroid condition, or nutrition.

Most hair loss treatments are intended to cure androgenic alopecia, which refers to male- and female-pattern hair loss. These consist of:

Medication: The initial line of treatment for thinning hair is typically topical. Over-the-counter medicated serum or lotions are applied to the scalp (such as minoxidil 12). Finasteride13 is an oral drug available only by prescription for males who have male pattern baldness.

Hair transplant: Your doctor carefully pulls strands of hair from a part of your scalp where the hair is thickest during a hair transplant. These tufts of hair are then implanted into the areas of your scalp with the thin hair.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP):

This is designed by separating the plasma from your blood after it has been drawn. Your scalp is then injected with this platelet-rich plasma. The PRP procedure can both halt hair loss and promote new hair growth.

Diet and lifestyle change for hair loss

A healthy diet and exercise can help you maintain healthy, thick, and long hair.

These include

  • As hair strands are made of the protein keratin,14 a protein-rich diet plays a significant role.
  • Add iron-rich foods to your diet. It ensures adequate oxygen to reaches your scalp.15
  • Add Vitamin B12 and Vitamin E supplements to your diet.
  • Along with diet, hydration is significant in providing nutrients to your hair. Ensure you have enough water.
  • In addition, following a regular hair care routine with hair oiling, hair wash, and hair conditioning can help lower hair fall.

Conclusion

Hair loss is a common problem worldwide. An unhealthy diet, stress, medications, systemic disorders, and hormonal imbalance all can contribute to hair loss.

Homeopathic medicines can help you regain your thick, strong, and shiny hair and reduce hair loss.

References

  1. Wall D, Meah N, Fagan N, York K, Sinclair R. Advances in hair growth. Fac Rev [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 29];11. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.12703/r/11-1
    Murphrey MB, Agarwal S, Zito PM. Anatomy, Hair. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513312/#:~:text=The%20scalp%20sheds%20100%20hairs,as%20alopecia%20or%20telogen%20effluvium.
    Hoover E, Alhajj M, Flores JL. Physiology, Hair. StatPearls Publishing; 2023..Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499948/
  2. Grymowicz M, Rudnicka E, Podfigurna A, Napierala P, Smolarczyk R, Smolarczyk K, et al. Hormonal effects on hair follicles. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Aug 19];21(15):5342. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms21155342
  3. Gokce N, Basgoz N, Kenanoglu S, Akalin H, Ozkul Y, Ergoren MC, et al. An overview of the genetic aspects of hair loss and its connection with nutrition. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 19];63(2 Suppl 3):E228. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/JPMH2022.63.2S3.2765
  4. Guo EL, Katta R. Diet, and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatol Pract Concept [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Aug 19];7(1):1–10. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5826/dpc.0701a01
  5. Gharaei Nejad K, Motamed B, Hassanzadeh Rad A, Rafiee E, Dalili S, Molaei A. Dermoscopic findings of alopecia in patients with hypothyroidism. Int J Endocrinol Metab [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 29];20(4). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5812/ijem-128938
  6. Hair loss (alopecia) and cancer treatment [Internet]. National Cancer Institute. 2015 [cited 2023 Aug 19]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/hair-loss
  7. Chopra A, Saraswat N, Sood A, Kamboj P, Kumar S. A descriptive study to analyze chemotherapy-induced hair loss and its psychosocial impact in adults: Our experience from a tertiary care hospital. Indian Dermatol Online J [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Aug 19];10(4):426. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/idoj.idoj_471_18
  8. Hasan R, Juma H, Eid FA, Alaswad HA, Ali WM, Aladraj FJ. Effects of hormones and endocrine disorders on hair growth. Cureus [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 29];14(12). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9788837/
  9. How stress causes hair loss [Internet]. National Institutes of Health (NIH). 2021 [cited 2023 Aug 29]. Available from: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-stress-causes-hair-loss
  10. Suchonwanit P, Thammarucha S, Leerunyakul K. Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review. Drug Des Devel Ther [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Aug 19];13:2777–86. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s214907
  11. McClellan KJ, Markham A. Finasteride: A review of its use in male pattern hair loss. Drugs [Internet]. 1999 [cited 2023 Aug 19];57(1):111–26. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9951956/
  12. Bragulla HH, Homberger DG. Structure and functions of keratin proteins in simple, stratified, keratinized and cornified epithelia. J Anat [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2023 Aug 29];214(4):516–59. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01066.x
  13. Park SY, Na SY, Kim JH, Cho S, Lee JH. Iron plays a certain role in patterned hair loss. J Korean Med Sci [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2023 Aug 29];28(6):934. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.6.934
  14. Researchgate.net. [cited 2023 Aug 29]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370017076_Homoeopathy_In_Management_of_Alopecia_Areata_-A_Narrative_Review_Advancements_
  15. Biswas B, Roy PS, Hazra A. Treatment of alopecia areata with individualised homoeopathic medicines: An evidence-based case series. Journal of Integrated Standardized Homoeopathy [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Aug 29];5(67):67–73. Available from: https://jish-mldtrust.com/treatment-of-alopecia-areata-with-individualised-homoeopathic-medicines-an-evidence-based-case-series/