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Has anyone tried Arnica to treat hairloss?
I came across a few threads on Homeopathy forums which suggest Arnica for hairloss. http://abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/49406/1
I was wondering if anyone at LHC has had any experience with Arnica (internally as well as emulsion with oil). I have come to trust the opinion of folks here more than anywhere else.
Well, I can't speak from experience using Arnica for hair loss, but I am studying homeopathy in school so perhaps I can be of some assistance here.
My understanding of homeopathy is that it doesn't just treat a particular disease or condition (i.e. Hair loss) but it treats the entire symptom picture of how one individual experiences that condition. So let's say one person experienced hair loss by suddenly losing big chunks of hair at a time, and another person had a gradual shedding that has thinned their hair over many years. Arnica taken homeopathically might work for one person's symptom set, but not the other's. They might need an entirely different remedy.
I haven't heard of using Arnica topically for hair loss... but homeopathic remedies aren't very expensive, so it probably wouldn't hurt to try it and see if it works for you. In my opinion, though, you'd probably be better off putting your money towards a good multivitamin/mineral, essential fatty acids, biotin, or sulphur supplements (MSM).
Best wishes for healthy growing!
I am using Arnica topically for hairloss right now. It's only been a couple months, so I can't say how well it's working yet.
I figured that I have had so much luck with Arnica reducing the inflammation of bruises and sprains, that it might be good for scalp inflammation.
I don’t know. I think I will forever be sceptic of places that give you advice on something that will “definitely help you” and then have a nice little shop-section where you can buy said guaranteed help…
I have been on LHC for over 7 years and I have seen everything that can be eaten or smeared on the scalp been used to reduce hair loss and promote growth.
In my opinion, a lot of the “effect” comes from that you are paying more attention to your hair and not from whatever potion you are trying.
You will consciously or subconsciously pay more attention to your diet, handling and care. Its basically a placebo. But make no mistake, a placebo can be a very powerful and effective thing.
Thanks for your suggestions ~BoHemiAngel~.Quote:
Originally Posted by ~BoHemiAngel~
I do take multivitamins, but I don't think they have biotin in it. Is there a good biotin supplement that guys can take? Most seem to be prenatal supplements, and I am not sure if they are safe for guys.
I think the reasoning for Arnica, is that it stimulates blood flow and also acts as a vasodilator. Perhaps this causes more blood to reach the follicles ?
Since you are studying (Homeopathic) medicine, maybe you could comment on this. I am noticing some patterns in hairfall control remedies. Remedies originally meant for blood pressure, as well as those meant for BPH seem to help control hairloss. Do you also notice this pattern?
I am also planning to try out Arnica. I think I will start with taking Arnica 30c in wet dose (with water). I will report my experience on the forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by girlcat36
Wishing you luck. I hope Arnica helps you.
The key thing to understand about homeopathy is that it presumes that molecules have a kind of "memory": homeopathic remedies are repeatedly diluted (with water or whatever) until there is often not a single molecule of the original substance left. Since all of modern chemistry is at odds with this theory, I'd say you're likely to find that these remedies have no effect on your hair.
wg
I recollect watching a show on this. Perhaps it was Discovery Channel. What you say is logical, but at the same time, I do know people who have benefited from Homeopathy in ailments where traditional medicine just did not work. Perhaps it was placebo effect. I do not know. From personal experience and experience of some people I know, I would not disregard Homeopathy so easily.Quote:
Originally Posted by wendyg
I agree, that a placebo can have a strong effect. But at the same time, if hairloss is a chemical process, then perhaps chemicals (or even a more holistic approach like diet and exercise) can control the process...Quote:
Originally Posted by Igor
hoping I am right :-)
I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by wendyg
There is not one single shred of evidence that homeopathy works and a lot of research that shows it doesn't work. I would go as far as to say it is a scam. A very successful scam but a scam nonetheless and a dangerous one at that. People have died because they chose to rely on homeopathy instead or actual real treatment.
That said, there is a difference between homeopathy and natural or herbal treatments. Certain plants do posses certain healing qualities. Aloe vera is a very well-known example as is birch bark (which is actually a source of aspirin and has been used for centuries for it's anti-inflammatory and painkilling effects). These type of treatments are very different from homeopathy because they actually contain working components instead of just "memory water".
Arnica is a natural treatment but you have to pay attention to what you are actually buying because there are also homeopathic arnica treatments that do not even contain a single molecule of arnica.
I am using arnica oil applied directly to my scalp, probably 4-5 days a week.Quote:
Originally Posted by keepmyhair
Prenatal vitamins are not safe for guys if they contain any iron. Men don't need to supplement with iron, and it can be harmful if it accumulates in your body. Regarding the biotin supplement, here is the one I take, though the dose is extremely high. I have had no side effects from it, though, and I haven't found any reports of toxicity at this dose: http://www.purecaps.com/itemdy00.asp?t1=bi1Quote:
Originally Posted by keepmyhair
When you say hairfall control remedies, are you speaking about herbal and nutritional supplements? I haven't seen any specific correlation with supplements for BPH and high blood pressure also being used to treat hair loss, but I would definitely agree that anything that vasodilates and boosts circulation in general would potentially increase scalp circulation, as well. :)Quote:
I think the reasoning for Arnica, is that it stimulates blood flow and also acts as a vasodilator. Perhaps this causes more blood to reach the follicles ?
Since you are studying (Homeopathic) medicine, maybe you could comment on this. I am noticing some patterns in hairfall control remedies. Remedies originally meant for blood pressure, as well as those meant for BPH seem to help control hairloss. Do you also notice this pattern?
Thanks for the Biotin supplement suggestion. I just got a vitamin B-12 supplement today. Will also try to locate the Biotin supplement.Quote:
Originally Posted by ~BoHemiAngel~
About BPH and hairloss, there seems to be some correlation between high DHT levels and these medical issues. Finesteride, and Saw Palmetto are both used for controlling BPH, and are also used for controlling hairloss (though it is not clear if Saw Palmetto actually helps for hairloss).
I think I picked up the high blood pressure and hairloss connection from vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure and also helps bring more blood to the follicles.
I am making these connections from a layman point of view, so I could be totally wrong.
I think we need to distinguish between companies selling "homeopathic remedies" (that may not contain the advertised ingredients) and homeopathy as a discipline. Clearly, these are not the same thing. The points at which homeopathy blurs with herbalism, and was aligned with historical medical practices in various cultures, and the wares of the local apothecary in previous ages, makes wholescale promotion or dismissal very difficult.
Although the discipline has been traced back to Samuel Hahnemann (1780ish), it is only much more recently that it emerged as distinct from established medical practice and herbalism, respectively. I think it is more properly viewed as a select sub-set or standardized compilation of other practices, and not a genuine discipline. I'm not sure whether it "works" or not can, therefore, be independently established. That said: if the reasoning for arnica is increased blood flow (capillary dilation), bayberry will also do this, and any of the warming herbs - cinnamon, cayenne, etc. - as well as caffeine.
I can't find anything in any of my herbal books to suggest that arnica has special properties for hair - BUT, direct, personal evidence is the best guide, and I'll be interested to hear how this goes. No one would have thought Monistat would be a hair growth aid, either, but some people have had good success with it - like I said, personal experience is the best guide. Subscribing to thread ....
Hi Girlcat, how has your experience been with Arnica thus far?Quote:
Originally Posted by girlcat36
1. Has it (at least slightly) reduced hairloss?
2. Do you find the oil relaxing after you massage it (I found Bhringaraj oil to be very relaxing)
Thanks.
You're right- Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which stops the conversion of testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone. This is thought to reduce the androgen effect at the hair follicle.Quote:
Originally Posted by keepmyhair
Here is a research article from a study that was done on Saw Palmetto treating hair loss, if you're interested in reading boring science stuff- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12006122 - but the results are encouraging for testosterone-related hair loss!
Hi ~BoHemiAngel~, Does Saw Palmetto have to be taken in capsule form? Can it be taken in Homeopathic form, which I believe is known as Sabal Serulata?Quote:
Originally Posted by ~BoHemiAngel~
One of the uses of bhringraj is to promote good sleep, treat headaches and relax you. I wouldn't assume that because one oil has a certain effect then others will do the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by keepmyhair
I have a bottle of aswini hair oil which includes arnica, i've only used it once or twice though so i can't say if it helped growth or not.
For androgen induced hair loss you need to be looking at saw palmetto as has been suggested, also nettle root, green tea but i would add MSM. It is thought that MSM helps to lengthen the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. As the DHT attaches to where the hair is produced and over time reduces the anagen phase until it stops growing this may help. Circulation stimulation is thought to help "flush" away the DHT from the follicle so i would also focus on that.
Anti androgen drugs also help but have some quite serious side effects that might not be worth keeping your hair for.
There seems to be quite a few links on a google search right now regarding Arnica and from what I have read one forum in particular is very positive on the idea.
It is under a homeopathy discussion.
Some people swear by alternative therapies anyway because conventional ones simply haven't worked, so they shouldn't be dismissed so readily.
Interesting how some write off homeopathy so easily - naysayers exist in all walks of life.
That said, you cant knock it til you try it OP, IMO. It may work for you substatially better than others who havent had as much success.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ~BoHemiAngel~
Thanks for the suggestions. I will try out Saw Palmetto. I do drink Green Tea, and also do scalp massages. I feel like the massage has helped a bit. Earlier my roots felt super weak, but after massaging they feel slightly stronger. Will check out MSM also.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChloeDharma
If I remember rightly Arnica can be a poison so keep to the stated dose and dont over do it.
Iv tried various homeopathy (through qualified practioners) over the years. The first was the tablet form, and the later liquid form. The tablet form did make me better but the liquid made me sick. I would say try it if you want to, but if it doesnt show visible change within two months then ditch it. It can be very expensive and if its not working it isnt worth wasteing your money.
NB: The famous bloke (James R?) in America did blind trails with liquid homeopathy and the results were not proven to work.
Yes, my hairloss has been reduced. I don't know if it is the arnica. I have also added MSM supplements, and am using iodine, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by keepmyhair
I usually massage the arnica oil it in right before bed, so not sure if it relaxes me, since I am ready to go to sleep anyway! :)
Thanks, I just got Arnica Montana 30C today. Am going to try itQuote:
Originally Posted by girlcat36
I was told (just the other day) that Arnica Oil is amazing for hair growth. Used in Germany and also used by Anthony Morocco (of the Morocco Method). Hope that helps~!
This is quite interesting; I did take Arnica internally after giving birth (to my 2nd child), as it was said to help body to recover, and indeed I did recover swiftly. I had no idea about it (possibly) having any effect on hair loss, but now that I think of it, I can just say that I didn't actually experience any postpartum shedding!
(But then again I don't remember having much of it after my 1st childbirth either, without Arnica...)
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