Natural Home Remedies for Thinning Hair (Men & Women)

If your hair looks noticeably thinner than it used to or if your hair parting seems to be getting wider, there are some natural home remedies for thinning hair that you can try.

Natural remedies work on some people for some types of hair loss so they are well worth a try. Also, natural remedies for thinning hair tend to have fewer side effects than strong pharmaceutical preparations.

At a time when men lived close to nature, prior to the rise of the Industrial Age, before the invention of the steam engine, antibiotics, and synthetic food, tribal medicine men and women used natural remedies for hair growth and for the treatment of hair loss that were made up of diet, clean water, natural oils and rubs, most of which came from locally grown plants, herbs and minerals. These holistic medical providers invented the term and meaning of “natural hair treatment” and the great news is these remedies for hair growth seemed to work just fine.

Pick up a National Geographic and thumb through. Are there any bald natives shown in any of the photos? No. The answer is no. And, though it may be genetic in some cultures, it is not genetic in all of those cultures. The bottom line is these sometimes primitive people had access to hair loss remedies for hair growth that worked and worked well over a long period of time. The underlying common element that ties all of these cultures together is the remedies for hair growth that were used were “natural remedies.”

Admittedly it is probably reasonable to equate the term “natural” to any organic or inorganic substance found on earth. In other words, in some sense, everything we touch, eat, breathe, ride in, or look at could be considered natural in some sense of the word. But, that is not what we are talking about here. What is “natural” and what makes a huge difference between natural hair remedies and those created in a laboratory, is that natural remedies are composed of things that we find in nature in an unaltered state.

Here’s the bottom line, and the primary reason for considering a more natural approach to stimulate hair growth. You do not have to worry about the side effects of natural products.

On the other hand, if you use products created in a medical lab to try to stop hair loss, you may expose yourself to a boatload of side effects, some of which may cause permanent damage. To stimulate hair growth it is just not, in my opinion, worth it.

So what are some natural remedies for hair growth?

Here are 10 home remedies that can help you promote hair growth.

1. Olive Oil

You may be surprised to find that one of the best and easiest to use is . . . olive oil.

Over time scalp aggravation accrues and the pores get impacted with everything from hair waxes and sprays to grease, dirt, moose, and more. Is it any wonder that hair has a hard time growing? Shampoos wash the oil and dirt off the hair but rarely do anything for the scalp.

To clean up the mess take warm (not hot) olive oil and massage about a teaspoon, or so, into your hair and scalp until the scalp is covered and fully worked. Use a waterproof shower cap, rag, or towel to protect bed linens, and let the olive oil stay on your head overnight. Wash the oil out of your hair the next morning. Believe it or not, this simple remedy will remove eons of crap, junk, and gook and a mountain of dead skin that tends to give the scalp fits. Other types of oils like jojoba or soybean may also be used.

2. Rubbing your scalp

This is perhaps one of the easiest options when it comes to hair growth. All you have to do is wash your hair in cold water and then massage your scalp as vigorously as possible with your fingertips. The heat that is generated by constant rubbing helps to revitalize the scalp and improves blood circulation thereby improving hair growth. It also helps to improve hair quality.

3. Egg whites

Egg whites are known to condition hair and improve their quality. Hair is made up of proteins called keratin and egg whites can be a great source of proteins for your hair. You can also include egg whites and other forms of proteins in your diet to boost your hair growth. The proteins help in improving your hair texture by strengthening your hair shaft.

4. Indian gooseberry oil

Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry is basically a fruit. It is used in the ancient Indian healing tradition known as Ayurveda. You can buy the oil from a specialty store or online. Do not wash off the oil immediately after massaging your scalp with it. You will have to keep it on for a couple of hours to allow it to work its magic on your hair so I would suggest that you apply it at night. Shampoo your hair the next morning. Repeat this process twice or thrice a week to improve your hair growth.

5. Coconut milk

Coconut milk has been a great stimulant for hair growth. All you have to do is simmer freshly grated coconut in a bowl of water for 5-7 minutes and strain the liquid from it using a muslin cloth. Now, let this freshly prepared coconut milk cool down before you apply it to your scalp. Massage your scalp gently with the coconut milk and wash your hair with lukewarm water after an hour.

Coconut milk can do wonders for dull, lifeless, and damaged hair. You can combine this homemade coconut milk with other products like honey and camphor oil for better results but ensure that you aren’t allergic to any of these elements.

6. Olive oil massage

Olive oil helps to kill bacteria and keeps the scalp free from any infections after regular use. The presence of antibodies in olive oil helps to keep your scalp healthy which in turn promotes healthy hair growth. In fact, it also conditions hair leaving it soft and shiny. But remember to mix some other oil such as coconut oil in it before you apply it to your hair.

7. A concoction of essential oils

You can begin by adding essential oils to your hair care products like the shampoo and conditioner you use on a regular basis. You can also consider applying a mixture of essential oils to your hair to promote growth.

When dealing with essential oils, remember that you will also require a carrier base oil so if you have two ounces of carrier base oil, add 16 drops of Myrtle essential oil, 16 drops of Lavender essential oil, 16 drops of Rosemary Verbenone essential oil and 32 drops of carrot root oil so as to create the perfect blend of essential oils to fight hair loss.

8. Honey

Honey can be used in more than one way to promote hair growth and to keep the scalp healthy. Applying a mixture of honey and cinnamon helps to clean the scalp which in turn encourages hair growth. Applying a mixture of honey and fresh aloe Vera leaves on the scalp helps to reduce hair loss. You can also make a mixture of eggs and honey to apply to your hair like a hair mask and then wash it off after 15-20 minutes.

9. Aloe Vera

This is another natural home remedy that is excellent for the purpose of hair growth. Cut slices of aloe Vera leaves and keep them in a bowl of water overnight. Wash your hair with the resulting mixture and try to keep the aloe Vera and water combination on your hair for as long as you can.

10. Henna leaves

Henna leaves are a classic home remedy when it comes to hair growth and texture. Keep the henna powder in a pot of black tea and apply it to your scalp the next day. This technique will surely prove to be helpful for you.

11. Apple cider hair wash

Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar after washing it with your regular shampoo. You can also mix it with equal parts of sage tea and rinse your hair with it post washing your hair. It basically helps to restore the PH balance of your hair thereby promoting hair growth.

12. Rosemary extract

Rosemary is a well-acknowledged hair stimulator and here is a homemade rosemary oil that can help you to fight hair loss. All you have to do is take some dried rosemary leaves, put them in a glass or a stainless steel pot, and cover it entirely with grape-seed oil.

Place this pot into a larger pot of boiling water and heat it for about 3 hours on a low flame. Strain the rosemary-infused oil and let it cool overnight. You can use this oil to massage your scalp twice a week to see the results.

Herbs Containing Estrogen

If you are experiencing hair loss and having menopause, the most important thing is to keep a good hormonal balance within your system. This affects your overall well-being and your hair. Herbs containing plant-based estrogens might help with your hair loss and these plants include ashwagandha and Dong Quai. Other herbs with a lower amount of estrogen include sage, black cohosh, and damiana.

Dietary Changes

One reason behind thinning hair and hair loss is an underactive thyroid. This can happen at any time but is especially common in menopausal women. It is a good idea to incorporate iodine-rich sea vegetables such as kelp into your diet. These vegetables supply the necessary minerals for healthy hair growth and help to boost thyroid function.

Thinning hair is sometimes caused by malnutrition. Cell membranes require essential fatty acids in order to be healthy and not getting enough of these can cause skin diseases, a depressed immune response and thinning hair. Fish oils and flaxseed oil contain a lot of essential fatty acids and can help to keep your hair strong and healthy.

Herbal Supplements

Stress can also weaken the thyroid and adrenal glands. If you have been losing hair after some form of stress, you should try taking a vitamin B-complex supplement, which provides good support to the nervous system.

Yucca, Shou Wu, and Fo-Ti are also beneficial herbs that are natural remedies for thinning hair. You can get these from a health food shop.

Stimulate Blood Circulation

The scalp needs sufficient blood flow to produce a normal crop of hair. Reduce the circulation to the scalp, and reduce the production of hair. I know it is a tad bit more complicated than that, but at the end of the day, that’s what happens. So, the best way to stimulate blood flow to the whole body, including the noggin, is . . . (dreaded word) EXERCISE. Do any type of exercise daily and that will distribute blood to the cellular structure of the hair follicles making them healthy and ready to grow.

Eat, Drink, Be Merry – and the Head of Hair will Flourish

This sounds like it is absolutely too simple to work; but, believe it, it does. Here we go. Eat the right foods, drink plenty of water, and make sure you get your Vitamin B. That’s it. Eat and drink healthy things and your hair will grow.

There is a lot more that needs to be said about this but the basics are eating foods that are high in the B vitamin Biotin. Those include carrots, mushrooms, peas, beans, peanuts, lintels, salmon, trout, and other fatty fish, just to name a few.

Drink a lot of fresh water. 

One of the best remedies for hair growth is also the most simple; keep yourself hydrated. This may mean drinking as much as 8 to 10, eight-ounce glasses of water a day. The amount depends on your body weight and your doctor can tell you the correct amount for you. But, I bet you will be surprised how much water you need daily. I know I was.

The Thin Hair Growth Remedy Regimen

In a perfect world, we would all get up in the morning, do our exercises, eat a healthy breakfast, massage our scalp with olive oil, and . . .

. . . Who’s kidding who?

Most of us need a plan, a regimen with instructions, diets, timelines, tips, tricks, references, and justification for doing what we do. History shows us those that who do follow a regimen succeed; those who don’t, well they don’t.

Care for Your Remaining Hair

You should avoid shampoos containing harsh detergents such as cocamide DEA, ammonium laureth sulfate and lauryl sulfate. These irritate the scalp and might promote further thinning of the hair.

Choose a shampoo made from gentle cleansers instead. Shampoos that contain nourishing botanical ingredients such as horsetail, sage, jojoba, rosemary, chamomile, and nettle can be beneficial as natural remedies for thinning hair. You should avoid blow-drying, dyes, perms, hot rollers, and tight hairstyles such as ponytails that pull on your hair.

If you are suffering from thinning hair and you want the illusion of more hair, you can use styling products containing natural ingredients like guar gum or flaxseed, rather than anything with high ethyl alcohol or isopropyl content.

When you are trying natural remedies for thinning hair, you need to be realistic about them. Your hair is not going to grow back overnight and it will probably be weeks before you see any results. But it is worth trying the natural cure for thinning hair because they are completely natural, healthy and a lot of thinning hair sufferers have had success with them.