Alopecia areata is a disorder in which hair falls out in areas. According to research, it is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles, causing them to shrink and slow down the creation of hair. As a result, alopecia is classified as an autoimmune disease.
Alopecia is a prevalent autoimmune condition that affects around 6.8 million individuals in the United States alone, according to data. One in every five persons with alopecia has a family member who also has the disorder. Hair loss, on the other hand, can range from a few spots to total hair loss on the scalp or the entire body.
There are presently no conventional treatments for alopecia, and it is unknown why the immune system destroys hair follicles. However, in a recent study, researchers at Tokushima University in Japan announced the discovery of a natural medication that may be able to cure the symptoms of alopecia. Chaga, or Inonotus obliquus, is a parasitic fungus that grows on birch and other trees.
In several Asian nations, it is historically used to cure gastrointestinal problems as well as to maintain good hair.
The researchers examined chaga mushrooms for beneficial phytochemicals and discovered a plethora of possible anti-alopecia compounds. In a paper published in the Journal of Natural Medicines, they described their results in depth.
Compounds in chaga mushroom promote proliferation of hair follicles
The resting body, or sclerotium, of I. obliquus is referred to as chaga mushrooms. These mushrooms are well-known in China, Korea, Japan, and Russia for their beneficial benefits on lipid metabolism and heart function. They also have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects, as well as antiviral capabilities against the hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus, according to research.
Phytochemical study of chaga mushrooms, on the other hand, reveals that they are high in polysaccharides, triterpenes, and polyphenols. They also include betulin (or betulinol) and betulinic acid, both of which are produced from birch trees. Betulin has been shown in studies to help decrease cholesterol levels and enhance insulin sensitivity in mice, whilst betulinic acid has been shown to trigger signalling pathways that lead to cancer cell death.
Chaga mushrooms, according to Japanese experts, are used in Mongolia to produce shampoo that aids in the upkeep of strong, healthy hair. This encouraged them to look into whether chaga mushrooms might be utilised to cure alopecia. They were able to discover five lanostane-type triterpenes using bioassay-guided fractionation of chaga mushroom extracts, and their structures were verified using spectroscopy.
The researchers next used human follicular dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) in proliferation experiments and discovered that four of the five triterpenes can increase HFDPC growth. Lanosterol, inotodiol, lanost-8,24-diene-3B,21-diol, and trametenolic acid were discovered as the compounds. The researchers also found that these lanostane-type triterpenes were more effective than minoxidil, a common therapy for male-pattern baldness that promotes hair growth.
Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that the lanostane-type triterpenes found in chaga mushrooms are effective anti-alopecia agents that may be utilised to naturally encourage hair growth. (Related: Are your hormones causing hair loss?)
Other natural remedies for hair loss
Hair loss, or alopecia, can either be temporary or permanent. But there are many ways that you can regrow your hair. Here are some natural remedies that can help stimulate hair growth: (h/t to Healthline.com)
- Massaging your scalp — helps relieve tension and stress and improve hair thickness
- Aloe vera — soothes the scalp and helps unblock hair follicles
- Coconut oil — helps reduce protein loss from hair and improve hair luster
- Fish oil — helps improve hair density and reduces hair loss
- Ginseng — promotes hair growth by stimulating hair follicles
- Onion juice — improves blood flow to hair follicles
- Rosemary oil — stimulates new hair growth
- Geranium oil — promotes hair growth and boosts circulation
- Lemon — enhances hair quality and encourages hair growth
Alopecia affects both men and women and can be triggered by genetics or come with aging. Fortunately, there are natural remedies that can help stimulate hair growth naturally. If you’re dealing with hair loss, try chaga mushrooms or any of the remedies listed above. You can learn more about them at Remedies.news.
