12 Natural Ways To Promote Thick, Growing Hair

Many people suffer from hair fall and thinning hair due to modern inventions, the use of chemicals, and exposure to pollution in the environment. But there is hope. This article will give you 12 natural ways to repair hair damage and decrease hair fall. But first, let look at some of the reasons why people suffer from hair fall and thinning hair. 

Factors That Affect Hair Growth

Women especially suffer from massive hair loss, and here are some of the reasons why:

• Chronic illness and hormonal imbalances: Chronic illness can result in hair loss and poor hair growth, and hormonal changes can cause male-pattern baldness in men. 
• Another factor that can affect hair growth is our age because hair tends to get thinner, and it gives the appearance of mass hair fallout  As we grow older, the diameter of the hair and its thickness can decrease.

There are other reasons why people experience hair loss. For instance, people who deal with a lot of anxiety, stress, and trauma experience a hindrance to hair growth, and some become bald as a result of these factors. Also, poor sleeping habits, poor diet, and hormonal imbalances can slow the growth of your hair by decreasing the oxygen and blood supply to the scalp.

12 Natural Ways To Increase Hair Growth And Thickness

1. Chinese Hibiscus

One study involving rats revealed that hibiscus extract stimulates hair growth and may decrease hair fall in humans. 

How to Use This Remedy: Make a paste from ground hibiscus flowers and leaves and combine it with coconut oil to make a hair mask. Let the mixture stay on your head for an hour before shampooing it out. Repeat this remedy once every week. 

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil restores the protein levels of damaged hair, and it has been known to reduce hair loss when it penetrates the hair shaft. The qualities of coconut oil can also reverse the damage done to the hair from chemical products. 

How to Use This Remedy: Massage your scalp using 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. After an hour, wash the oil out using a mild shampoo. This remedy should be done two times a week.

3. Coffee

Coffee has lots of caffeine, which is known for stimulating hair growth, elongating the hair shaft and lengthening the anagen phase.  Caffeine decreases thinning hair and balding. 

How to Use This Remedy: Drink a cup of brewed coffee at least one time per day. Be careful not to drink too much coffee because it is rich in caffeine. 

4. Fenugreek

The bioactive compound in fenugreek makes it the perfect choice for stimulating hair growth. According to one study on rats,  fenugreek worked wonders to decrease hair fall and stimulate hair growth. However, if you have a legume allergy (i.e., green peas, soybean, and peanuts), do not use fenugreek in any form—including the seeds—because it also belongs to the Fabaceae family.

How to Use This Remedy: After soaking ¼ cup of fenugreek seeds in water overnight, grind them into a paste to use as a hair mask. Let the mask stay on your hair between 30-45 minutes before washing it out with plain water. This treatment can be done once a week. 

5. Fish Oil 

Fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which rejuvenates the scalp’s dermal papilla cells and promotes hair growth. Also, fish oil promotes hair thickness and reduces hair fall. Although fish oil works wonders for your hair, ask your dermatologist about using fish oil before getting a supplement.

6. Geranium Oil

In a study done on mice, the results confirmed that geranium oil rejuvenates the scalp’s dermal papilla cells and facilitates hair growth. However, some people are allergic to geranium oil. So, make sure you do a small test section of your scalp first before using it on your entire head. 

How to Use This Remedy: Massage 2-3 tablespoons of geranium oil on your scalp. After an hour has passed, use a mild shampoo to rinse the oil out your hair. This remedy can be done once per week. 

7. Ginseng

Research on ginseng reveals the rejuvenating effect it has on the hair follicles that stimulates hair growth. Use caution when using ginseng because it sometimes acts as a stimulant. Also, some people have an allergic reaction to ginseng and may experience headaches, dizziness and nausea. 

How to Use This Remedy: Take a few tablespoons of ginseng oil and gently massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for about an hour. Rinse it off with a mild shampoo. You can do this at least twice a week.

8. Gooseberry 

Gooseberry (also known as amla) has a rejuvenating effect on the hair follicles. It promotes hair growth by lengthening the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. 

How to Use This Remedy:  Massage gooseberry oil into your scalp. After an hour, rinse the oil out your hair. This remedy can be done twice a week.

9. Green Tea

The polyphenols found in green tea make it a great remedy for growing hair. Research has shown that green tea has a rejuvenating effect on the dermal papilla cells of hair follicles, so it decreases hair fall. However, if you are sensitive to caffeine, you should not drink green tea. Also, people who are on blood thinners or stimulants should not drink green tea.

How to Use This Remedy: Make a cup of tea and drink it once (or twice) daily. 

10. Onion Juice

Research has shown that onion juice promotes hair regrowth and is a great remedy for treating alopecia areata.  

How to Use This Remedy: Strain the juice of half an onion and massage it into your scalp. After an hour, shampoo the juice out. This remedy can be done twice a week. 

11. Rosemary Oil

Kinki University researched rosemary oil and discovered that rosemary oil promotes hair growth in mice, and it will promote hair growth in humans. Some people are allergic to rosemary oil, so do a small test section of your scalp first before using it on your entire head.

How to Use This Remedy:  Mix 3-4 drops of rosemary oil in a carrier oil. Rub the mixture on your scalp. After an hour, wash the oil out with shampoo. 

12. Yogurt

Yogurt is packed with probiotics. It promotes strong hair, stimulates hair growth, and protects the hair from damage.  Research on mice revealed that yogurt gave them thick fur because of the increase in subcuticular follicles, and it is believed the probiotics in yogurt will also stimulate hair growth in humans. 

How to Use This Remedy: Eat one serving of yogurt every day.

Medical Solutions to Promote Hair Growth and Thickness

These medical solutions have been proven to promote hair growth: 

• Finasteride: This pill helps men who suffer from androgenic alopecia. One drawback of this medication is its side effects (decreased sex drive, gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction). 
• Minoxidil: This over-the-counter medicine treats hair loss in both men and women. Just apply it to the scalp every day. However, some people are allergic to this medication. 

Other Ways to Prevent Hair Fall

• Eat a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, berries and citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables and nuts/seeds.
• In addition to a healthier diet, drink plenty of fluids to nourish the scalp and reduce dandruff. 
• Do gentle scalp massages frequently to stimulate blood circulation, which facilitates hair growth and thickness

Because these are natural remedies, it’s going to take some time before you start seeing any improvements. However, if you don’t see any improvement after using these natural remedies for a while, it may be time to get some medical assistance.