Three Natural Ways to Treat Alopecia (Hair Loss) 💇🏾

Hair loss, or alopecia, is incredibly common and can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's caused by aging, other times it manifests as a result of improper styling techniques. Those of us with afro-textured hair already realize what a challenge it can be to keep our hair healthy and strong due to its complex kinky and coily structure. Our hair is naturally quite dry and prone to breakage, so when alopecia creeps into the mix it can be even harder to get our hair back on track.

The good news is that because thinning hair and balding affect so many people, there's a bunch of treatments out there to relieve, and sometimes even reverse, the symptoms. I've seen everything from creams and medications to injections that promise to restore hair growth. To be honest they all sound great, but some of them contain ingredients that might not suit the lifestyle of a naturalista. By this I mean that many of us opt to wear our hair in its natural state to avoid the use of chemicals and synthetic ingredients. I know this isn't the case for everyone, but for a lot of us going natural implies an effort to treat our hair more gently. We commit to regimens that are more delicate on our tresses to encourage healthy growth, and if you're like me, part of that means using DIY recipes and products that are exclusively made of all-natural ingredients. So what are some natural ways you can treat alopecia? After a bit of research, I've found three popular methods.

FRESHLY SQUEEZED JUICES
Aloe vera juice is known for its versatile healing properties. It can be used for just about anything, including sunburns, joint pain, and weight loss. (StyleCraze) When it comes to hair care, aloe vera juice is a great addition to shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizing sprays because of its ability to stimulate hair growth. If you're feeling more adventurous, onion juice is another popular treatment for alopecia. It can be massaged directly onto the scalp to encourage blood flow. (StyleCraze) The increase in blood to the scalp enables more nutrients to be delivered to the follicles, which in turn helps more hair to grow.

BLENDED ESSENTIAL OILS
According to a study referenced on About.com, massaging a combination of essential and carrier oils into the scalp on a daily basis can lead to enhanced hair growth. For the study lavender, rosemary, cedarwood and thyme essential oils were used, as well as grapeseed and jojoba for carrier oils. Feel free to leave out any oils you are allergic to, or substitute in oils that have worked for you in the past. If you'd prefer a ready-made solution, the Alopecia Hair Loss Treatment by Just Natural Products conveniently contains all the essential oils that were used in the study.

NUTRIENT-RICH FOODS

• Protein - Because hair is composed of a protein called keratin, it's important to make sure your diet contains balanced portions of protein. This doesn't necessarily mean you must eat more meat if you're suffering from alopecia; plant-based proteins like those found in nuts, broccoli, and tofu are perfectly suitable too.
• Iron - If you're consuming protein you might be getting a bit of iron along with it. This, too, is beneficial to fighting hair loss because iron is necessary for maintaining healthy hair. (WebMD) Natural sources of iron include dried fruits, cashews, leeks, and berries. (Care2)
• Vitamin C - Vitamin C has also been linked to the promotion of hair growth. (OrganicFacts.net) Of course you already know citrus fruits like oranges are packed with vitamin C, but you can also get it from kale, strawberries, raspberries, and cantaloupe. Just make sure you take vitamin C along with iron otherwise your body won't absorb it properly.

Do you know of any other home remedies to treat alopecia? Share in a comment below!

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