Not so well-known is this plant’s promising effects when applied topically to the skin and hair.

In a study commissioned by a processor of rooibos for use in cosmetic applications, and carried out by an independent laboratory in France, rooibos was perceived to positively affect the hair and hair growth¹.

In a 90-day trial, the action of a lotion containing a broad-spectrum rooibos extract was compared with a placebo lotion without rooibos. The trial participants were healthy men and women experiencing hair loss.

At trial-end, using a videotrichogramme that measures hair density and hair growth speed, the laboratory noted that a significant increase in the speed of hair growth had occurred in the participants using the rooibos lotion. The participants were next asked to fill in a questionnaire. When the results were tallied, 67 percent rated their hair loss as zero or low, 78 percent saw a low to medium improvement, 45 percent saw a low to medium regrowth of hair, and 63 percent considered their hair had become smoother and more shiny.

While this study is not a clinical trial, it nevertheless adds weight to anecdotal evidence that rooibos may help reduce hair loss, increase growth and improve the general texture and appearance of the hair.

1. 1998 study in vivo on human subjects on the efficacy of an active (sic) designed to prevent hair loss plus placebo:videotrichogramme study conducted on a lotion containing MPE Rooibos by Dermascan, France for Cosmetochem International.

Introducing A New Line of Hair Care Products for Naturally Thick and Healthy Hair

The healthful effect of certain plants and herbs on the hair became the inspiration for a South African pharmacist to develop a line of products for sparse and thinning hair. These products have been recently reformulated to incorporate new developments in hair-care science, and are now available at London Drugs.

The concept for Herbs Help Hair Grow formulations developed when pharmacist Lou Segal noticed that a specific tribe in his native South Africa continued to have exceptionally young skin and luxuriant hair well into old age. Curiously, neighbouring tribes did not exhibit these characteristics. After investigating the tribe’s customs and rituals, Mr. Segal noticed that they routinely packed a mixture of plants, roots and leaves on their hair and faces, in their desire to cleanse their bodies and ward off evil spirits. He took a sample of this mixture to his laboratory and, following identification of its contents, incorporated it into his line of hair care products. One of the primary herbs in the tribe’s organic mixture was the rooibos plant.

Other Beneficial Ingredients
Products in the Herbs Help Hair Grow program include shampoo, conditioner and a hair-reviving formula that is applied to the hair daily. Beneficial ingredients in addition to rooibos include:

Horsetail Extract The horsetail plant (Equisetum arvense) is a rich source of silica - a mineral known for its positive effects on the hair and skin.

Saw Palmetto Researchers believe that one of the primary contributors to hair loss is a hormone known as DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is synthesized from testosterone. (Since men have more testosterone than women, this factor alone may be responsible for increased hair loss in men.) Saw palmetto inhibits this enzyme¹.

Stinging nettle and pygeum plant extracts also help stimulate hair growth.

B-Vitamins B-vitamins such as inositol, niacin and biotin are recognized for their salutary effects on the hair follicles and hair. Panthenol (vitamin B5) has the ability to thicken and repair damaged hair, increasing pliability and lustre.

Antioxidants Powerful antioxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10), and green tea help keep the cells of the hair follicles healthy.

Scalp Health Enhancers Dandruff and excess grease (sebum) can irritate and/or block the hair follicle, ultimately impacting the appearance of the hair. Polysorbate-80 in Herbs Help Hair Grow shampoo helps control dandruff and oiliness. Cayenne pepper (capiscum) helps stimulate circulation in the scalp.

1. Marks, L.S, Tyler, V.E. Saw palmetto extract: newest (and oldest) treatment alternative for men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology. 1999;53:457-461.

Strange Hair Facts

• Every day, the average scalp produces 35 meters of hair (115 feet). In a year, that's almost 12.75 kilometers, or close to 8 miles.
• According to the Guinness website, the current record for long hair, set in 1997, is held by Hoo Sateow of Thailand, at just over 5 meters (6 foot, 11 inches).