" A clinical study showed that rosemary essential oil is equally as effective as minoxidil in promoting hair growth."
Rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen aromatic plant which has been used in culinary cooking, aromatherapy and medical treatments for centuries. Rosemary is known to have therapeutic effects that can be used potentially to improve memory, treat various cancers, prevent and stop hair loss.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is extracted through steam distillation from the leaves of rosmarinus officinalis plant. The essential oil content in rosemary leaves is around 0.9%. Rosemary essential oil is frequently used in clinical aromatherapy to enhance cognitive functions of the brain; improving memory, alertness and concentration.
According to a study published in the Brazlian Journal of Microbiology, the major components in rosemary essential oil are 1,8-cineol (38.5%), camphor (17.1%), α-pinene (12.3%), limonene (6.23%), camphene (6.00%) and linalool (5.70%). Studies suggested that these phytochemicals have anticancer, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Rosemary Essential Oil Lowers Dihydrotestosterone in Hair Follicles
A study published in the Phytotherapy Research suggests that rosemary essential oil contains phytochemicals that suppress the action of enzyme 5-alpha-reductase in converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. It is estimated that up to 10% of testosterone in the body get converted to dihydrotestosterone. ALthough it is referred as a male hormone, women also produce testosterone in the their body.
Dihydrotestosterone is the androgen hormone that causes the hair follicles in some men and women to shrink and disrupt hair growth cycle. Dihydrotestosterone reduces the blood flow which delivers nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. This process often takes place over several years until the hair follicles can no longer grow hair.
It is not uncommon for young men in their early twenties to have suffered from hair loss. However, women do not usually suffer from hair loss until in their forties. Androgenetic hair loss is the most common hair loss in both men and women. Left untreated, it can cause permanent, irreversible baldness.
Rosemary essential oil revives dying hair follicles and stimulates hair growth by lowering dihydrotestosterone levels in hair follicles. Studies suggest that rosemary oil may reduce the level of dihydrotestosterone in hair follicles by up to 94.6%.
Rosemary Essential Oil is as effective as Minoxidil
A clinical study involving 100 men with stage 2 and stage 3 of androgenetic alopecia based on hamilton scale showed that rosemary essential oil is equally as effective as minoxidil in promoting hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia (Skinmed - Dermatology for the Clinician). The results of this comparative trial in men age 18 to 49 years showed that both rosemary oil and minoxidil significantly increase the hair count after 6 months of daily application. Rosemary essential oil is the natural alernative to minoxidil. The study also suggested that rosemary essential oil is better tolerated than minoxidil.
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Author:
Henry Tianus is an anti-ageing specialist with 2 decades experience in skincare research and product development.
Scientific Sources: (1) Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial, Skinmed (Dermatology for the Clinician), 2015 Jan-Feb, 13(1):15-21. (2) Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract. Phytotherapy Research, 2013 Feb, 27(2): 212-7. (3) Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil: antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities; Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 2010 Dec 1;41(4):1070–1078. doi: 10.1590/S1517-838220100004000027.