Hair loss can hit you at any age, especially after puberty. Some reasons can be avoidable, like not using hair dye too close to applying hair relaxer. Maybe you’re transitioning from a relaxer to natural hairstyles, but hair loss happened from using the wrong hair care products. Postpartum hair loss is frustrating but a common part of being a new mom. Whatever the reason is for trying to combat hair loss, would fenugreek for hair growth work?
What Is Fenugreek Usually Used For?
This herb, which has been used as an alternative medicine, reportedly became useful for breastmilk production, boosting testosterone levels, decreasing blood sugar levels for diabetics, controlling appetites, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing heartburn and as an anti-inflammatory. It’s also fairly easy to ingest in a few ways: sprinkle and eat a few seeds in a salad or smoothie, ground seeds to eat in yogurt or soup, soak them overnight to mix and eat in oatmeal, or steep a teaspoon in boiling water to drink with tea. However, before using fenugreek for hair growth, remember that your aesthetic goals with this herb may affect other parts of your body too.
Can Fenugreek Help With Hair Growth?
While fenugreek for hair growth may be linked to successfully growing longer, healthier hair, this could just be happenstance. Although a few studies confirmed that the herb led to increased hair thickness and slowing down dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the latter of which attacks hair follicles, giving fenugreek full credit is complicated.
Using diabetes as an example, fenugreek’s link to decreasing appetites and lowering blood sugar is an obvious relief. A balanced diet rich in proteins with a low glycemic index will naturally help to grow hair naturally. So someone who takes fenugreek to improve on other health complications may find that their hair is coincidentally growing longer, quicker and healthier. But it’s not totally the fenugreek that’s doing it. It’s the effects of the herb, which can arguably happen without taking fenugreek by incorporating healthier foods into one’s diet, skipping late-night snacking and participating in weight training for weight loss.
Can Homeowners Grow Fenugreek on Their Own?
Herbs are often embraced for being natural ways to improve inner and outer health. Made up of natural compounds from plants, supplements can be made from bark, flowers, leaves, roots and seeds. Fenugreek is one of those herbs. It can even be grown in your backyard, specifically in areas where you get the most sunlight. Seeds should be sewn after the last frost is complete from spring, and the soil is warm. Plant fenugreek about 1/4 inch deep, and water frequently. You’ll start seeing results after the first week if planted correctly.
What Are the Side Effects of Fenugreek?
As with any plant, herb, and over-the-counter or prescription medication, every product doesn’t agree with everybody. Side effects from fenugreek may include bloating, diarrhea, gassiness and an upset stomach. Some people may be allergic to fenugreek. (Usually, people who are allergic to fenugreek also have plant allergies from soybeans, legumes and peanuts.) Pregnant women should be especially cautious when using this product because it can lead to baby malformations and early contractions. There have been reports of an unusual body odor and the smell of urine after drinking fenugreek tea.
Knowing the Risks, Should Fenugreek Be Used for Hair Growth?
Herbalists and licensed medical professionals are sometimes at odds about recommending herbs. While herbalists may shy away from addictive products and prescription medicines with startling risks, they cannot legally diagnose, prescribe or treat patients without a medical license. On the other hand, they can legally recommend, educate and provide herbs to someone who is interested. Still, chances are fairly high that a medical professional will need to be consulted if fenugreek side effects go awry. If you’re considering testing fenugreek for hair growth, you may want to consult your primary care physician beforehand to hear both sides before trying it out.