Evidence supporting the use of: Green tea
For the health condition: Hair (loss or thinning)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Green tea has been explored for its potential benefits in supporting hair health and addressing hair loss or thinning. The key component of interest is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Several in vitro and animal studies have suggested that EGCG can stimulate hair follicle growth and reduce the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone implicated in androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). For example, a 2007 study published in Phytomedicine showed that topical EGCG application promoted hair growth in mice by stimulating dermal papilla cell proliferation. Human evidence, however, remains limited. A small pilot study involving topical green tea-derived EGCG showed some benefits in reducing hair loss, but the sample size was small and the study duration was short. There is currently a lack of large, well-designed clinical trials confirming green tea’s efficacy for hair loss or thinning in humans. Despite the promising laboratory data, routine use of green tea or its extracts for treating hair loss is not strongly supported by high-quality clinical evidence. As such, while some scientific rationale exists, the overall evidence remains preliminary. Individuals interested in using green tea for hair health should see it as a potential adjunct rather than a proven primary therapy.

More about green tea
More about Hair (loss or thinning)

Other health conditions supported by green tea

Acne
Addictions (coffee, caffeine)
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (excessive)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autoimmune Disorders
Belching
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (internal)
Blood in Urine
Bloodshot Eyes
Breast Lumps
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cellulite
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Cytomealovirus
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Down Syndrome
Endometriosis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Fibroids (uterine)
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Glaucoma
Hemochromatosis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Parkinson's Disease
Perspiration (excessive)
PMS (general)
Polyps
Rosacea
Skin (oily)
Abdominal Pain
Abscesses
Body Odor
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Fatigue
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Oral Surgery
Psoriasis
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections
Wrinkles