Ginkgo Biloba for Hair
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Hair loss and baldness is a leading concern that affects both men and women of all age groups. A number of factors might be involved in the process of hair thinning or falling out. Using ginkgo biloba for hair growth and its related issues could be a safe and effective natural solution to many of these hair conditions. But how? Let’s explore together.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the benefits of ginkgo biloba for hair according to research findings. But before we get into how ginkgo biloba can help with hair loss or baldness, it’s worth knowing the basics of hair loss a little bit more. So, let’s get started.
Table of contents
- Understanding hair loss
- Symptoms of hair loss
- Causes of hair loss
- What is ginkgo biloba?
- Benefits of using ginkgo biloba for hair
- Final words
Understanding hair loss
Each and every person usually loses 50 to 100 hairs every day as a regular part of aging, but it doesn't seem to be a problem as new hairs grow and replace the fallen hairs at the same time. Hair loss or otherwise medically called alopecia refers to excessive hair loss which occurs when:
- Hair thins
- Hair falls out abruptly or gradually
- Hair cannot regrow on its own and so it cannot replace the hair that normally falls out
- Hair falls out permanently that needs extra support to regrow
Symptoms of hair loss
Hair loss may affect different people differently. Signs and symptoms may widely vary depending on what’s causing the condition and the ways it affects it.
However, common symptoms of hair loss may include, but are not limited to:
- Gradual thinning of hairs that start receding from the hairline
- Circular patches of broken hair that leave a bald spot on the head scalp
- Abrupt loosening of hands full of hair
- Patches of scaling on the head scalp, often accompanied by broken hair, swelling, and redness
- Excessive shedding of hair that spreads throughout the body
Causes of hair loss
A wide variety of factors can contribute to hair thinning or hair loss or baldness, ranging from insufficient nutrition to excessive stress to hormonal changes to illnesses. Hair loss could be both temporary as well as permanent.
In order to treat and prevent hair loss and its associated conditions properly, understanding the root underlying factor what's causing it and addressing it accordingly is important.
Here are some of the most prevalent factors that contribute to hair thinning, hair loss, or baldness:
- Insufficient blood circulation to hair roots
- Deficiency of nutrients, particularly those that play a big part in hair growth such as protein, biotin, iron, and zinc
- Excessive stress
- Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes, scalp infections, hair pulling disorder, and lupus
- Family history or heredity (from the father’s or mother’s side)
- Hormonal changes due to life events such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause
- Side effects of medications such as chemotherapy, antidepressants, and antiarthritic drugs
- Environmental stressors such as pollutants, toxins, poisons, and chemicals
- Radiation therapy
- Excessive hairstyles, particularly those that pull the hair tight like cornrows or pigtails
What is ginkgo biloba?
Ginkgo biloba, also known as gingko or the Maidenhair tree, is one of the oldest plant species that has been surviving for around 200 million years. It’s endemic to China and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries.
Till today, ginkgo biloba extract is made from the dried leaves of the plant and is available as supplements in various forms such as capsules, tablets, powders, and liquid extracts. Ginkgo biloba is rich in nutrients, particularly terpenoids and flavonoids, that have been shown to have various medicinal properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, antithrombotic, and antibacterial properties.
Ginkgo biloba supplements are popularly used to promote blood circulation, treat blood and vessel disorders, fight inflammation, reduce symptoms of physiological conditions such as depression and anxiety, improve memory and cognitive function, and support eye health.
Benefits of ginkgo biloba for hair
Ginkgo biloba can help slow down the hair loss process and promote new hair growth in many hair conditions. Ginkgo and the bioactive compounds it contains have been shown to have potent vasodilation effects that can widen blood vessels and improve blood flow to hair follicles and throughout the scalp, enabling a better supply of nutrients that can nourish hair follicles, prevent and repair the damage, and accelerate new hair growth.
In addition, the antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties of ginkgo biloba can protect hair from damage caused by free radicals or toxins, support healing of scalp infection and inflammation, and help reduce age-related hair loss.
Furthermore, ginkgo biloba can ameliorate the body’s response to stress, which is a leading cause of hair thinning and hair loss. It can also assist in the treatment of a psychological condition called trichotillomania or hair-pulling disorder.
A 1993 Japanese study published in the Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan revealed that ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has inhibitory effects on blood thrombin activity, platelet aggregation, and fibrinolysis, all of which can improve blood flow and promote hair regrowth and might be used as an effective hair tonic.
A very recent 2022 study in Carbohydrate Polymers showed that ginkgo biloba polysaccharides have anti-inflammatory effects on alopecia areata that can change inflammation signaling pathways on scalp skin and promote hair growth.
Final words
Ginkgo biloba is an ancient medicinal tree that contains a wide variety of therapeutic properties and has been proven to improve various hair loss conditions. One main benefit of ginkgo biloba for hair and its related issues is due to its significant vasodilation properties that widen blood vessels and secure the supply lines of blood, nutrients, and oxygen to hair follicles and scalp. Consider discussing with a qualified natural healthcare provider before using ginkgo biloba for hair or any other conditions.
Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Ginkgo Biloba 60 mg Capsules
Important resources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8254481/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014486172101198X
- https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1273121/hair-loss-treatment-ginkgo-biloba-increase-hair-growth
- https://www.hairguard.com/ginkgo-biloba/
- https://simonethomaswellness.com/blogs/news/the-benefits-of-ginkgo-biloba-for-hair-regrowth
- https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/learn/ginkgo-biloba-for-hair-growth
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-gingko-biloba-for-skin-hair-and-health/
- https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/understanding-hair-loss-symptoms
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes
- https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-loss#causes
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty-pictures/ten-causes-of-hair-loss.aspx
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926#