Ginseng: Hair Loss No More?

Hair loss is a condition that can occur for a number of different reasons. There are cases where hair loss is associated with diet, especially when experiencing rapid weight loss. One study found that hair growth slowed for a period of few months after the losing weight. There are other situations in which hair loss is caused by nutritional factors that are not that obvious and Taoist monks, in China, have been using ginseng as a cure for more than a century.

Ginseng is one of the eleven perennial plants with fleshy roots and grows quite slowly. The plant can be found in eastern Siberia, China, Korea and Vietnam. Ginseng is the English name for renshen, a Chinese word that literally means ‘man root’. This refers to the forked shape of the root, which bears a close resemblance to human legs. The roots are ingested orally as an adaptogen that helps the body to become stress resistant. It is also used as an aphrodisiac, in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in males and for type II diabetes.

When using Ginseng as a hair loss treatment, it can be purchased as a hair growth serum, which should be applied to the scalp. Massage the entire scalp, using the fingertips, for about 15-20minutes. Start from the forehead area, before moving towards the nape and continue the action until you reach the temples. You should not rinse the hair after treatment. Do this in the evening and target areas that are susceptible to hair loss.