5 Natural Remedies for Hair Growth

A few strands of hair in the tub or caught on the back of your knit sweater may not make you think twice. But when previously lush locks seem to suddenly have noticeable patchy parts, it's normal to look for help. The average person loses fifty to one hundred hairs daily, according to Harvard Medical School. Whether you're losing strands because of hormonal shifts, a too-tight ponytail, genetics, or an unknown factor, you don't have to settle for thinning hair. Instead, check out these five natural remedies for hair growth.

1. Scalp Massage

Natural hair growth tips don't always include food, supplements, or topical treatments. A simple scalp massage may help to stimulate the area and potentially even increase thickness.

A study published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy found that standardized scalp massages could stabilize hair loss and prompt regrowth. In the year-long study, the best results were seen after a total of 36.3 hours of overall massage time.

How does it work? Massaging the scalp can stretch and stimulate hair follicles. A study in Eplasty found this type of stretching could increase hair thickness. Along with follicle stimulation, massage may increase blood flow to the area or dilate the scalp's vessels. This could also increase growth in the area.

While you can get a professional scalp massage, you don't necessarily need to hire a masseuse. Gently massage your scalp yourself when you wash your hair or use a brush/massage tool.

2. Add Protein to Your Diet

Protein helps your body make new cells and repair old ones. If your diet lacks protein, you may have some hair loss, according to a research review published in the journal Dermatology Practical & Conceptual.

People who don't eat meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or dairy may not get enough protein to support adequate hair growth. You don't necessarily need to go bulk up on beans to get a vegan protein fix, but you should strive to meet the daily recommended protein intake—10 to 35 percent of your total calorie needs, according to the National Library of Medicine. Along with a variety of beans, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, and soy are significant sources of protein.

3. Get the Right Amount of Vitamin A

Like protein, vitamin A also plays a role in cell development. Even though vitamin A can contribute to healthy hair growth, you need to eat this nutrient in moderation. When it comes to vitamin A, balance is key.

A research review published in Dermatology and Therapy found that over-consumption of vitamin A could cause hair loss. Adult men should get 900 micrograms of vitamin A daily and women should ingest no more than 700 micrograms, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means you don't need to down supplements packed with this vitamin. But at the same time, you shouldn't ignore vitamin A intake.

Explore ways to get an adequate amount of it from your food. Leafy green veggies, carrots, cantaloupe, spinach, and some dairy products contain higher levels of this vitamin.

4. Up Your Vitamin E Intake

A study in Tropical Life Sciences Research found a connection between tocotrienols—which are part of the vitamin E family—and hair growth. While hair length changes weren't noted in the study, there was a 34.5 percent increase in the number of hairs that grew in predetermined scalp areas over an eight-month period.

Foods rich in vitamin E include avocados, mangoes, almonds, wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds or oil, red bell peppers, peanuts, collard greens, spinach, and beets.

5. Try Onion Juice

Yes, onion juice is one of the many natural remedies for hair growth, according to a study from the Journal of Dermatology. In the study, just over 73 percent of patients with the hair loss condition alopecia areata had hair re-growth after four weeks of using a topical crude onion juice treatment. By six weeks, 86.9 percent had re-growth.

If you're willing to brave the smell, peel and chop a few onions, toss them into the juicer or blender, and apply the liquid to the scalp in the same way you'd use a hair mask. Rinse the juice off thoroughly and shampoo to reduce the not-so-pleasant scent.

Are you on the hunt for more natural remedies that come straight from nature? Check out @tomsofmaine Ingredients from Nature Pinterest board!

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