Natural Treatments for Hair Growth

Natural Treatments for Hair Growth

GUGO or GOGO:   I have always known about Gugo Bark for hair growth and wrote about this a while back - "Cecilia's Recipe: How to Make Gugo or Gogo Shampoo."  The liquid from the Gugo bark soaked in water has been used for centuries in the Philippines as hair shampoo or rinse and is famously known for hair growth.

 Even as a girl, we used this in Cebu where I grew up in.  Now, there are shampoos and conditioners made with Gugo, but nothing beats the unprocessed liquid from the Gugo bark -- if you can find the bark at all, as this is now difficult to find.

I am fairly certain that Gugo is good for hair growth because it's a DHT blocker.

DHT or dihydrotestosterone is a derivative of the male hormone testorone which causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually die. Since men and women have testosterone and estrogen (in varying levels), women can also have DHT that harms their hair follicles.



APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Another DHT blocker that is easy and inexpensive to acquire is Apple Cider Vinegar. I know a man in his late 30s who was virtually bald but who started using ACV on his scalp and who grew hair.

Apple cider vinegar rinse helps create a healthy environment for hair growth. It cleans the scalp, unclogs hair follicles, and blocks DHT.  I use this myself and recommend Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.  You can generally find this in a Vitamin or health store.  There are different recommendations for the proportion of ACV to water. Bragg's says one part ACV to one part water.  A sensible proportion is 1 ACV to 2-3 water.  Put the liquid in a spray bottle, spray after shampooing and keep on the scalp and hair for around 2-5 minutes before rinsing.  You will not need a conditioner after this as the rinse is a great conditioner in itself. Your hair will not smell vinegary.


COCONUT OIL:  This is another product that has been used for generations in the Philippines for hair growth.  A weekly coconut oil treatment does wonders for your hair and scalp.  Warm around 3 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil and rub into your scalp and hair.  Leave this overnight or at least an hour before shampooing.

The following OILS are also known as DHT blockers and promote hair growth. It's all right to mix oils and natural products, so for instance, one can add Gogo liquid with ACV rinse, or one can mix coconut oil and castor oil.

• Emu oil - (expensive, and the others may be just as good)
• Rosemary oil 
• Castor oil 

BIOTIN: Biotin, which is Vitamin B7, is a supplement that helps grow hair and strengthen nails. Most products for hair and nails contain 5,000 mcg of biotin. Here is a study that concludes that biotin oral supplement promotes hair growth in women. There are many who are fearless in taking vitamin supplements but  I suggest that you discuss this with your doctor before taking pills.

DIET & EXERCISE & HYGIENE: Your overall health affects hair growth and one should eat properly, exercise regularly, and practice good hygiene. Shampoo your hair every other day or three times a week. Use good shampoo. Sulfate and paraben free shampoos are reportedly better. Baby shampoo is generally less harsh on the hair. Be sure and clean your brush and comb to wash away the stuff that makes your hair thin!

There are many remedies to promote hair growth and before turning to more drastic remedies, it's a good idea to try natural treatments first.  It takes months before one can see a difference so be patient and consider the natural treatments as part of your grooming.


This is all for now,

Cecilia

Tags: hair loss, hair thinning, alopecia

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