From the Desk of Dr. Maida: Plant Therapies for Hair Loss

There’s a lot of research happening to expand our understanding of hair loss in women, and it’s not just about prescription treatments. Scientists are looking more closely at menopause-related hair loss, drinkable nutraceuticals and the safety of commonly-used supplements, which is an incredibly important issue that deserves more attention.

A look into three studies and what they might mean for women experiencing hair thinning.

The Potential Of Plant-Based Therapies For Menopausal Hair Loss

The study: Botanical Drug Preparations for Alleviating Hair Loss in Menopausal Women: A Global Ethnopharmacological Mini-Review

What the research is about

This paper takes a step back and looks globally at how plant-based therapies have been used to support hair growth in menopausal and postmenopausal women. It pulls together data from human trials, lab studies, and traditional medicine practices.

Some key ingredients you’ve probably seen before show up here, including saw palmetto, rosemary oil, ginseng, nettle root, and aloe vera. These botanicals seem to act on a few pathways: helping regulate hormones, improving circulation to the scalp, and calming inflammation and oxidative stress.

Saw palmetto, for example, may help blunt androgen activity, which can be a driver of hormone-related thinning. Nettle root has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may also help regulate androgen activity.

That said, this is all still early-stage. The review makes it clear that we need larger, menopause-specific trials and more consistency in how these botanical treatments are formulated and studied.

Why I’m excited

This research connects the dots between traditional remedies from around the world and modern science. These aren’t new ingredients, but we’re gaining a better understanding of how they work and how they may help women manage menopausal hair-thinning, which is often distressing to deal with.

This review also opens the door to more accessible, low-risk remedies that can complement conventional therapies. The big opportunity this highlights is translating this research into well-designed clinical trials so we know what’s truly effective and at what dose.

Can A Drinkable Nutraceutical Help With Hair Shedding?

The study:  A Novel, Drinkable Food Supplement Formulation Reduces Hair Shedding and Increases the Percentage of Anagen Scalp Hair Follicles in Females with Hair Loss

What the research is about

This small clinical study looked at women with telogen effluvium, a type of hair shedding that’s often triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal shifts, who took a drinkable supplement once daily.

Over six months, the results were notable: Hair density increased by about 12%, hair shedding dropped by about 28%, and more hair follicles shifted into the active growth (anagen) phase. And there were no serious side effects reported.

The formula was a mix of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, ashwagandha, and turmeric. 
It’s worth noting that this was a small study that tested a product specifically developed by one company; so not a universal endorsement of all supplements in this category.

Why I’m excited

There’s been a lot of buzz around drinkable formulations for hair loss, but not a lot of solid data. These findings suggest that a well-formulated supplement may meaningfully improve both hair density and shedding in women experiencing telogen effluvium.

It also supports growing evidence that nutritional interventions can be method outside of prescription treatments to help support hair recovery.

Rare Liver Toxicity Linked to Turmeric Supplements for Hair Loss

The study: Liver Toxicity, a Rare Side Effect of Using Turmeric Supplements for Hair Loss

What the research is about

This report highlights something important: the potential risks of supplements. Turmeric (and its active compound, curcumin) is widely used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits;  this paper outlines rare cases where turmeric supplements were linked to serious liver injury.

The authors point to a small series of cases and additional reports where patients developed symptoms like jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, and in severe cases, acute liver failure. Some required hospitalization, and a few cases were fatal. 
One potential factor is piperine, a compound often added to boost curcumin absorption, though liver toxicity has occurred without it.

A key issue here is regulation: Over-the-counter supplements are not held to the same premarket safety standards as pharmaceuticals. The authors of the paper emphasize the importance of healthcare providers asking patients about what supplements they’re taking and cautioning against high doses and more specifically, turmeric supplements with enhanced bioavailability.

Why I’m excited

“Excited” might not be the right word here, but this research is important because it raises awareness of the safety risks of supplements. Natural doesn’t always mean safer, especially at high doses or in enhanced formulations. This research also highlights the need for stronger regulation and more rigorous clinical evaluation of nutraceutical products that are widely marketed for hair growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do natural ingredients like saw palmetto or rosemary oil work for hair loss?

They may help, but they’re not magic bullets. Early research suggests certain botanicals can support hair health by helping reduce inflammation, improve circulation and in some cases, they may influence hormone activity linked to thinning. But most of the data is still preliminary and formulations vary widely. Think of these ingredients as potential supportive additions to a broader hair care strategy rather than standalone treatments.

Are drinkable supplements effective for hair growth?

Some may be, especially in the case of telogen effluvium, a condition where shedding is triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or illness. The study highlighted here showed improvements in hair density and shedding over six months in people taking a drinkable nutraceutical, which is encouraging. But it’s important to note that this was a small, product-specific study. Not all supplements are created equal and results depend on formulation, consistency, and your underlying cause of hair loss.