A Brief History Of Formulas To Help Grow Hair And Beat Hair Loss

Possibly one of the first mass-marketed pharmaceutical preparations was an oil to prevent or cure hair loss. The term “snake oil merchant” sprang from this. In olden times, travelling salesmen would move from town to town promoting the benefits of this oil and that cure over another for the treatment of all kinds of ills. One of these was male pattern hair loss (alopecia).

Olden days: the realm of stories, not science

Of course, they didn’t call it alopecia then. Nor were medicines as tightly regulated as they are now. Though some people see medical regulation as a bad thing, in fact, it was put in place to protect people from rip-off merchants peddling products that didn’t work at all, but that people had to pay a high cost price to purchase, and to prevent injury and deaths from harmful substances touted as medicines or cures.

This was during an era when science was less pervasive, scientific methods non-existent or not established and medical practices were, quite often, still experimental. Consider the use of leeches (bleeding a patient) to help treat pneumonia. Today we would think such a recommendation was ludicrous, even though the FDA has approved the use of leeches as a medical device to help heal wounds and restore circulation in blocked veins. Our understanding of the body is much greater and more established and we have more information about how it all works. There is still a lot to learn, of course. For the areas where Western science is still learning, we can draw on ancient medical traditions of the East, such as Indian and Chinese medicine. Where the Eastern practices are unclear, we can turn to Western medical science for documented, testable answers.

Science: finding answers to hair loss questions

So it is with the original “snake oil” formula: a remedy for hair loss. Today, using both Western science, and ancient Eastern practices, the mysteries of hair loss and cure are being unravelled. In our quest for a cure to certain cancers, we have created drugs that have an interesting side effect: they stimulate hair growth; and in balancing a system that is experiencing blocks and dis-ease Chinese medicine can help harmonise organs that support hair regrowth.

Both of these have helped us understand the mechanics of hair production and loss better.

For example, we now better understand the role of a follicle in hair production and growth, what can damage follicles, and how to help them recover, if the damage has not permanently effected them by killing the cells.

Three firm facts about hair loss, nutrition and follicles

Good nutrition plays a key role in general health as well as the health of the hair and follicles. When nutrition is poor, herbal tonics and supplements can assist. Fact. If a follicle (little hair-producing factory) has been killed, then no amount of vitamins, lotions or tonics can raise it from the dead. Fact. If the follicle is simply in shock, dormant, or ill-nourished then is can be supported back to productivity. Fact.

Cause and effect

A key consideration, then, in finding a cure for hair loss, is to first understand what the cause of the hair loss may be. There are many causes: genetic, hormonal, environmental, chemical  and dietary. A doctor, naturopath or Chinese Traditional Medicine practitioner can help you identify the probable cause then the best path for treatment of your hair loss. This may include a regime of medicines, herbal tonics, vitamins and dietary adjustments. The added benefit of this renewed commitment to the health of your hair is likely to be improved skin condition, hair colour and lustre! 

Katherine West is a health freak and freelance writer who in 2003 studied for a Diploma of Nutrition. She is also into yoga and pilates.