Does Green Tea Help With Hair Loss?

 

Does Green Tea Help With Hair Loss?

By:  Lauren Francis-Jackson

 

 

Green tea originates from the same tea leaf as black tea, however it is processed differently.  Because it is processed with less oxidation, it retains its therapeutic benefits.  Green tea is known to have many health benefits including helping with hair dandruff, helping cancer patients, and easing arthritis ailments.  Green tea comes in many forms:  tea made to drink, green tea supplements, green tea-infused hair products.  Green tea can also be massaged in the scalp for a few minutes. 

 

Originally, it was thought you can decrease your risk for hair loss by drinking several cups of green tea a day or taking the green tea supplement.  The most powerful antioxidants in green tea is epigallocatchin gallate (EGCG).  The Belgravia Centre in the United Kingdom reports that it was originally thought green tea has inhibiting properties to block dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a substance that causes hair loss. 

 

Green tea can initiate hair growth "because of its ability to improve blood circulation to all parts of the body" (Muscle Works Magazine, n.d.).  This in turn allows the hair follicles to be stimulated because of the increased blood flow.  The thought is that hair growth will then follow because of the increased blood flow to the hair follicles in the scalp.

 

Even with all the information about active ingredients in green tea, and how it could help hair growth, the reality is that there are no conclusive studies on green tea and hair growth.  There have been studies with animals showing some hair growth, however this has not been proven in humans. There are factors like heriditary hair loss and stress induced hair loss where green tea is not shown to reverse these things.    There is more proof that green tea is effective for supporting overall health. So the overall consensus is green tea is great for your health but not necessarily for hair growth! 

 

Do you drink green tea daily?  What type of health benefits have you seen from incorporating green tea?  Do you think it helps with hair growth?

 

~The Sisterlocked Diva