• Essential Oils For Hair Loss and Shedding

    Essential Oils For Hair Loss And Shedding - Condensed Version

    Here is a link to the original thread. It contains 19 pages, including 728 posts. It is very informative but time consuming to read.

    Here is an excellent site for women for support and information about hair loss:
    www.herhairlosshelp.com

    I would first like to address some extremely important factors about hair loss and thinning.
    Before embarking on a mission to find a magic oil to stop hair loss and thinning, you need to find the source of your loss.

    Reasons for hair loss or thinning can include:
    -hormones
    -stress
    -certain medications causing hair loss
    -certain medical conditions, such as a major illnesses causing hair loss
    -poor or incorrect diet
    -ageing, the natural process of thinning hair
    -thyroid issues in women
    -male pattern baldness in men
    -many different scalp conditions, such as alopecia areata, etc.
    -excessive manipulation, overuse of styling tools, chemical damage

    It is very important to find the source of thinning and baldness before attempting to use an essential oil formula. If you are otherwise healthy and have a good diet and have ruled out any scalp disease, then using one of these recipes may yield good results. Pregnant and nursing women should research all essential oils before use and consult with their doctor.

    ABERDEEN HAIR STUDY:
    A recently documented study judging the effectiveness of essential oils in the treatment of Alopecia areata
    Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD Department of Dermatology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Scotland.

    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of patients with alopecia areata.

    DESIGN:A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of 7 months' duration, with follow-up at 3 and 7 months. SETTING: Dermatology outpatient department.

    PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-six patients diagnosed as having alopecia areata.

    INTERVENTION: Eighty-six patients were randomized into 2 groups. The active group massaged essential oils (thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood) in a mixture of carrier oils (jojoba and grapeseed) into their scalp daily. The control group used only carrier oils for their massage, also daily.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Treatment success was evaluated on sequential photographs by 2 dermatologists (I.C.H. and A.D.O.) independently. Similarly, the degree of improvement was measured by 2 methods: a 6-point scale and computerized analysis of traced areas of alopecia.

    RESULTS: Nineteen (44%) of 43 patients in the active group showed improvement compared with 6 (15%) of 41 patients in the control group (P = .008 ). An alopecia scale was applied by blinded observers on sequential photographs and was shown to be reproducible with good interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.84). The degree of improvement on photographic assessment was significant (P = .05). Demographic analysis showed that the 2 groups were well matched for prognostic factors.

    CONCLUSIONS: The results show aromatherapy to be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata. Treatment with these essential oils was significantly more effective than treatment with the carrier oil alone (P = .008 for the primary outcome measure). We also successfully applied an evidence-based method to an alternative therapy.
    In research conducted in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland, 43 alopecia patients received daily 2-minute scalp massges with essential oils of thyme, rosemary, lavender, cedarwood, mixed with jojoba and grapeseed oils. Another 43 received scalp massages using just jojoba and grapeseed oils. After seven months, 19 people in the essential-oil group grew hair, compared to 6 people in the control group. The results included one man who regrew a full head of hair from an almost completely bald scalp, says Isabelle C. Hay, MRCP, the medical doctor and specialist in dermatology who spearheaded the study. The above comments were excerpted from Prevention Magazine.

    LHC RECIPES:

    Meg Evenstar's Recipe
    1/2 teaspoon of Chrome Dome (see below) essential oil blend
    4oz of Carrier oil such as -
    Emu, Jojoba, Camellia, or any deep penetrating oil
    10 drops of Thyme
    10 drops of Sage -- Dalmation or Clary


    Igor's Recipe
    1. Thyme essential oil - 2 drops
    2. Atlas cedarwood essential oil - 2 drops
    3. Lavender essential oil -3 drops
    4. Rosemary essential oil -3 drops
    5. Jojoba oil - ½ teaspoon
    6. Grapeseed oil - 4 teaspoons


    jessie58's Recipe
    4 oz. Jojoba oil
    4 drops each of:
    Cedarwood
    Grapefruit
    Bay
    Thyme
    Rosemary
    Clary Sage
    Basil
    Patchouli
    Lemon
    Cypress
    Sage
    Geranium
    8 drops of Lavender

    Alba-NY's Recipe:
    Using 150ml burdock root oil as a carrier oil- add the following:
    lemongrass oil -14 drops
    thyme oil - 14 drops
    lavender oil -12 drops
    rosemary oil -8 drops
    geranium oil -6 drops
    tea tree oil -6 drops

    Moonchaser's Sweet Success Oil


    Nightbloomings Triple Moon Hair Annointing Oil



    Chrome Dome
    Chrome Dome is a premixed essential oil recipe which can be used with a carrier oil for the same effects as the above recipes. It can be ordered online.
    http://www.essentialwholesale.com/pr...tial-oil-blend



    How to mix essential oils with carrier oils:

    When mixing small amounts as in Igor's recipe, it's very straight forward and easy to use kitchen measuring spoons. Just stir and keep in an airtight container.

    When mixing large amounts as in 4 oz carrier oils, you simply open the carrier oil bottle and drop in individual drops directly from your essential oil bottles. Close carrier bottle and mix.

    How to apply:
    These recipes should be applied directly to the scalp making sure that essential oils are premixed with a carrier oil.

    Oil should be applied to dry hair, as wet hair may dilute the oil and direct it away from the scalp.

    Oil should be massaged into the scalp in a gentle fashion for 2 or 3 minutes.

    Oil can be applied to the scalp with the fingertips or by dropping it directly onto the scalp with a dropper or pipette.

    Method 1:
    Hair can be parted where it is thinning, then drop several drops directly onto the scalp. Next, you gently massage it in and repeat the process in the next thinning area. After applying to all thinning areas, gently massage the entire scalp all over.

    Method 2:
    You can pour out a small amount into a shallow dish to dip your fingertips into. Or pour several drops directly onto your fingertips. Bending over at the waist so your hair is hanging loose, you place your oiled fingertips under the hair, being careful to avoid depositing the oil onto the hair itself. Place fingertips on the scalp where the hair is thinning and gently massage in. Repeating this process whereever the hair is thinning until you have covered all thin areas. Then gently massage the whole scalp all over.

    -Depending on your scalps reaction to this oil, you can use it several ways in conjunction with washing. Each person will react differently to these recipes according to their individual scalp conditions, oily, dry, flaky, time of month, etc. It's up to you to determine what works best for you.

    -According to the original thread, many people apply this at night, allowing overnight absorption. Shampoo out in the morning.

    -Some people apply and leave in for 4 to 6 hours, shampooing it out afterwards.

    -Some people apply at night and it completely absorbs overnight and they do not wash it out. In this instance, take care when wearing a bare head outdoors if using lemon and grapefruit oils.

    I have personally left it in overnight at all times and did not wash it out with shampoo. Water Only rinsing works for me, however I don't think there were many other people that this worked for. My scalp seems to soak it up.

    How often to use:
    These recipes can be used anywhere from 1 to 3 times a week, although some people have used it up to 5 times a week with good results.

    As with any new product, care should be taken to note any reaction to these recipes. If you experience rash, bumps, or discomfort, discontinue use.


    Results:
    Varying results have been reported in regards to length of time to see new growth. Some see results within a month, some see results within 3 months and some see no change at all.

    Varying results have been reported in regards to growth from using these recipes. From no change in hair loss/thinning, to some new growth, to excellent growth, to reversal of shedding.

    Women have much better luck with these recipes than men do. This likely stems from the reason for shedding being very different for men and women. For women it is often health related or hormone related. For men it is generally due to male pattern baldness which does not respond very well to these treatments.

    Men generally report only small amounts of fine hair, while women see good result in slowing of shedding and new hair growth.

    The bulk of this information was found here.
    Additional information found in this excellent carrier oils thread.
    The Aberdeen Study was quoted from Prevention Magazine.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Essential Oils For Hair Loss and Shedding started by jessie58 View original post
    Comments 237 Comments
    1. aprilmay's Avatar
      aprilmay -
      Interesting info, thanks!
    1. freznow's Avatar
      freznow -
      Hey, I think my 'article' got lost somehow after I submitted it (I've heard others say they see an 'awaiting admin check' which I haven't seen. This looks great, are you going to submit it? Combined with the other thread you recently started, I can't think of anything to add.
    1. Henna Sooq's Avatar
      Henna Sooq -
      thanks for the amazing post! I will get to reading through it more thoroughly
    1. jessie58's Avatar
      jessie58 -
      Quote Originally Posted by freznow View Post
      Hey, I think my 'article' got lost somehow after I submitted it (I've heard others say they see an 'awaiting admin check' which I haven't seen. This looks great, are you going to submit it? Combined with the other thread you recently started, I can't think of anything to add.
      Freznow, I looked for your article as well and could not find it. So I decided to post in the main recipes section. It may have more exposure here anyway, since I find the articles a bit hard to navigate at the moment.

      I would like to thank you for posting my recipe in the other essential oils thread here for others to share. Also I would like to thank you for pointing out how to get archived information. You are one helpful and informative lady. You're kind of like a cross between Snowbear and Flaxen, lol.
    1. jessie58's Avatar
      jessie58 -
      Quote Originally Posted by Henna Sooq View Post
      thanks for the amazing post! I will get to reading through it more thoroughly

      I hope you find it helpful, thanks Henna Sooq.
    1. heidi w.'s Avatar
      heidi w. -
      There are two specific details missing in the initial article, although it's very good and pretty darn comprehensive.

      1. Women can experience baldness just like men, and for the same reason --
      "Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha reductase, which is held in a hair follicle's oil glands. Scientists now believe that it's not the amount of circulating testosterone that's the problem but the level of DHT binding to receptors in scalp follicles. DHT shrinks hair follicles, making it impossible for healthy hair to survive.

      The hormonal process of testosterone converting to DHT, which then harms hair follicles, happens in both men and women. "


      sourced from http://americanhairloss.org/women_ha..._hair_loss.asp
      The American Hair Loss Association, women's section

      Under HORMONE area, I would have added a few specifics so readers (especially newbies understand)
      examples include pregnancy -- after gestation or breast feeding is finish (this hair loss is more temporary, but for some it can not shift back properly within about 6 months); polycystic fibrosis, endometriosis, issues with heart, diabetes....and so forth.

      I would suggest adding the fact that some hair loss is temporary while others can be permanent.

      I would have added some forms of cancer treatments and other medical situations. Many women face cancer in a variety of forms, and the treatments can cause temporary (yet long term) hair loss, thinning whereas other forms won't affect the hair at all.

      Stress -- I think that was mentioned. Real stress can cause temporary thinning (unless we're delineating between thinning and hair loss).

      2. The other detail I would have made pristinely clear is this caution when working with essential oils:

      Essential oils are distilled oils from plant matter and very intense, for lack of a better term. They should be well diluted in a carrier oil. All essential oils, even if well diluted in a carrier oil, should be skin patch tested before applying to a wider area to ensure no reactions (you never know if you might be allergic, for example). Moreover, many essentials oils carry precautions such as sun sensitivity, or do not use while breast feeding or pregnant (since these oils can permeate skin and potentially get into blood stream, or so the precautions read), or do not use if have heart condition. Also take care if have asthma, epilepsy and other health conditions. I would have tried to find a link that gives the various precautions for each essential oil. Essential oils can be beneficial when used responsibly.

      I would also add to never apply essential oils to young children or babies, and perhaps even older children. The same can be true in patients that are elderly.

      And I would be clear in explaining essential oils are NOT to be used internally, not taken orally by anyone of any age.

      http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/safety.asp
      from the same site, a list of hazardous essential oils
      http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/hazardous.asp

      here's a link (from above site) with guidelines on buying essential oils
      http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/how...entialoils.asp
      they should be clear, translucent (whatever the plant source), not overly murky or cloudy

      they should be in a dark vial of glass (not plastic)

      store in a cool, dark place

      I like this site's point about spending money on essential oils, budget and price -- that cheapest isn't necessarily the best nor is most expensive, either.

      This site also offers, by name and by plant name, a profile of each essential oil which includes safety precautions.

      Here's the profile for Geranium as an example:
      http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoilsgo/geranium.asp
      Note that in the safety zone it states to not use by dermatitus hypersensitive persons (that would be those who have sensitive skin) AND to avoid during pregnancy!!

      heidi w.
    1. heidi w.'s Avatar
      heidi w. -
      For Thyroid, I would have specified that there are two types, hyper- and hypo-thyroid, each with different symptoms. Thyroid condition is under-diagnosed in women and it can cause major havoc with hair thinning or falling out in chunks or by the handful even in borderline cases. Once the thyroid medications are found that work for one's system, the hair will mostly grow back over time.

      Most women have no idea about thyroid and that hair can really fall out a LOT even in a borderline case..

      I would also add that iron can contribute to chronic, ongoing hair loss, of the sort that one may not notice. (A famous up&coming opera singer recently had some cracking in his voice and it was found that the cause was low iron!) Even a borderline case can be problematic.

      I would have additionally added that in certain ages, our hair thins naturally as a part of the body growing process. Around 21 or so is the first time most people notice it. We have many members in this age group who may not realize, and this is a common question area, I notice.

      Great article! Very good idea. I had thought of doing this, but I'm glad someone beat me to it.

      heidi w.
    1. heidi w.'s Avatar
      heidi w. -
      I realize now this is the 'condensed' version of a longer article. Perhaps the longer article expands on all of this. My apologies if that's covered.

      heidi w.
    1. Melisande's Avatar
      Melisande -
      I love this thread, and I love the recipe. I found it in the old forum in September of last year and was fascinated. My hair has always been on the fine side, and hormonal problems made it very thin, especially around the temples.

      I bought all the oils listed in Jessie's original recipe, mixed them in jojoba oil, put them into a dropper bottle and massaged them into my scalp at leat three times a week ever since.

      My hair definitely grows faster and stronger. Before I began them essential oil regimen, in July 2007, I had 22.4 inches (57 cm). In February 2008, my hair measured 26.8 inches (68 cm), and today, I had 28.7 inches (73 cm).

      I'm neither especially young nor healthy (44 years old with a persistent low-key health condition that demands daily medication) so for me, this is really impressive growth.

      I implemented many beneficial changes in my regimen since lurking and joining long hair sites but one of the most decisive changes has been NO DOUBT the essential oil mixture and the massage.

      I love the smell, it's so relaxing and herb-y and wonderful and rich.

      I have by now a dropping and massage technique that does not make my hair greasy at all, and my scalp seems to suck it in. I keep my little bottle next to my bed, and the treatment has become my nightly ritual while I read in the precious half hour before I really go to sleep. I will never stop this treatment, it's simply too good, too relaxing and gives such wonderful results.

      My ponytail circumference has not increased, it's 3.5 inches (9cm) as it has been for many years, but this is to be expected. After all, my new growth did not yet reach ponytail length. But my new growth is definitely stronger, the temples begin to fill in slowly but surely, and my hair feels better and looks shinier.

      I recommend this treatment to anyone who feels that his scalp and hair need a boost. I will never have thick hair like other here have but thanks to the essential oil treatment I can reach my optimum potential.

      Jessie, your original thread was wonderful, and I'm more than happy to have it revived here. (When LHC went online, I wrote here about it, hoping you would revive the thread!)
    1. jessie58's Avatar
      jessie58 -
      Melisande, I am so happy that you posted this. Thank you for your kind words. I love to hear how people do with their recipes. To see if there are any improvements or not. It sounds like you really had great success with this. I'm so happy for you.

      I am still having great luck myself. I started shedding for a few months and I was losing hair fast and lots of it. My health was the culprit, but I started using the oil when I could remember and as soon as the illness started getting better I had tons of new hair and quick growth. I know it was the oiling. If I had not started again, I would still have the thinness caused by this great, massive shed.

      I cut bangs into my hair a few weeks ago, I only wish it would make them grow at the speed of light. I might start oiling them madly in hopes they will grow in faster,lol.
    1. snoopy's Avatar
      snoopy -
      Just wondering can we apply this EO oil to eye lashes !!!
    1. jessie58's Avatar
      jessie58 -
      Quote Originally Posted by snoopy View Post
      Just wondering can we apply this EO oil to eye lashes !!!
      I would not put any essential oils near my eyes. They can be very dangerous in the eyes.

      However castor oil is used by many to grow in or thicken their eyelashes. Just put a drop on the end of a Q-tip and run it along the top of the top lashes and under the line of the bottom lashes before you go to bed.
    1. Nynaeve's Avatar
      Nynaeve -
      Quote Originally Posted by jessie58 View Post
      I would not put any essential oils near my eyes. They can be very dangerous in the eyes.

      However castor oil is used by many to grow in or thicken their eyelashes. Just put a drop on the end of a Q-tip and run it along the top of the top lashes and under the line of the bottom lashes before you go to bed.
      Hmmmm. Thanks for that, I have a friend who is complaining about her eyelashes falling out and growing back in really thin.
    1. marla's Avatar
      marla -
      I would like to try Meg's method of Chrome Dome, carrier oil and thyme and sage. I know where to get the chrome dome and carrier oil, but where do you get the thyme and sage? What is it called? Essential thyme and sage oil? I don't want to get the wrong thing.
    1. jessie58's Avatar
      jessie58 -
      You can buy essential oils at most health food stores or natural supplement stores.

      You can buy sage or clary sage essential oil.
      Thyme essential oil is the other one.
    1. Patrycja's Avatar
      Patrycja -
      thank you so much for this info.I've been pulling out handfuls of hair everytime I wash and some more strands when I finger comb between washes.Its beyond the normal shed rate for me and I was beginning to get really worried about it.Now I know what might be the causes and oil recipes for helping;

    1. jessie58's Avatar
      jessie58 -
      Quote Originally Posted by Patrycja View Post
      thank you so much for this info.I've been pulling out handfuls of hair everytime I wash and some more strands when I finger comb between washes.Its beyond the normal shed rate for me and I was beginning to get really worried about it.Now I know what might be the causes and oil recipes for helping;

      I'm so glad this info could help you. I hope your shed comes to an end soon. I just had the worst shed ever for about 5 or 6 months and it was alarming. It suddenly stopped and my hair is growing thick and fast. I hope the same for you.
    1. flapjack's Avatar
      flapjack -
      I can attest to castor oil on eyebrows and eyelashes, I have been using it every night before bed for about 8 months now and have noticed a change. What it will do is make your hairs stronger, a little darker and they will feel thicker in comparison because the hair there is much healthier and doesn't fall out as easily. And the hair will feel softer because the ends of each hair will be tapered like healthy hair on your head is... instead of being blunt and broken off. The reason for this is because we're actually pretty rough on our eyebrows and eyelashes so little bits on the tips break off regularly. But the castor oil makes them stronger and moisturized at the ends. So it's not so much that they GROW longer than they were before... it's more that they don't break off little bits at a time anymore, so they're softer and longer as a result. I hope this makes sense. It actually has made my eyelashes and eyebrow hairs longer... I now have to trim some of my eyebrow hairs and my eyelashes are now so long that I can't wear sunglasses without them hitting the lens every time I blink.

      Here are two newer pictures I have. Both photos have one very light coat of clear mascara on them, black makes me look like a little spider and more than one coat is really... not a good look for me, haha.





      And my eyebrows did get a couple shades darker but it was perfect for me because the hair on my head darkened about 2-3 years ago and my body hair never caught up... so now I don't need eyebrow pencil! It rules. But just so you know, they probably will get darker.
    1. marla's Avatar
      marla -
      Will this work if your eyebrows are greying I wonder?
    1. flapjack's Avatar
      flapjack -
      I'm unsure about gray hairs because I've read that they are a different texture for some people than non-gray hairs, so I don't know how that might effect things. But I know that a lot of people on here use various herbs and teas to color grays. From experience, I know that I had very white-blonde eyebrow hairs mixed in with the brown ones and now they are light brown, instead... lighter than the medium brown shade of the other hairs, but definitely not white anymore. Anything beyond that, I can't say, but I'm sure there must be other people around on the board that have tried this, also. Sorry I can't be of more help.
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