Ginseng, the ancient herbal root prized in traditional medicine, has made a bold entrance into modern hair care. If you’re dealing with hair loss, thinning, or slow growth, ginseng might be just what your routine is missing. Rich in powerful compounds called ginsenosides, this natural adaptogen is believed to boost blood flow to the scalp, strengthen hair follicles, and support healthier hair growth.
In this article, we’ll explore what the science says, the benefits of ginseng, and simple ways to add it to your hair care routine for stronger, fuller hair.
The hair-growth cycle
The hair growth cycle consists of three key stages: the anagen (growth) phase, catagen (transitional) phase, and telogen (resting and shedding) phase. Each hair follicle operates independently, cycling through these phases at its own pace. During the anagen phase, hair actively grows. This phase includes two sub-stages: the propagating anagen phase, where new hair follicles are activated, and the autonomous anagen phase, where the hair grows and follicles differentiate.
The catagen phase follows as a brief transition, eventually leading into the telogen phase, where hair stops growing and is naturally shed from the scalp. On average, this entire cycle repeats about 20 times in a lifetime.
However, this natural hair growth cycle can be disrupted by various internal and external factors. Hormonal imbalances, high stress levels, chronic illnesses, exposure to pollution, and smoking can all interfere with the cycle. Common disruptions include a shortened anagen phase, early onset of the catagen phase, and extended telogen phase, all of which may result in hair thinning or hair loss.
When hair loss becomes noticeable and persistent, it is medically referred to as alopecia, a condition that may require targeted hair care treatments or clinical intervention.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an ancient herbal remedy that was recorded in The Herbal Classic of the Divine Plowman, the oldest comprehensive Materia Medica, which was scripted approximately 2000 years ago.
Contemporary science has revealed that ginseng contains a wide variety of bioactive constituents, especially a group of saponin compounds collectively known as ginsenosides, which are accredited with diverse biological activities, including the hair-growth potential of ginseng.
How Ginseng and Ginsenosides Support Hair Growth at the Cellular Level
Growing scientific research points to ginseng and its key active compounds, known as ginsenosides, as powerful natural ingredients for promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss. These bioactive compounds are believed to stimulate the proliferation of dermal papilla cells, which play a crucial role in the formation and growth of hair follicles. Additionally, ginsenosides may help prevent hair loss by influencing several important cell-signaling pathways that regulate hair follicle activity.
Red Ginseng Boosts Hair Growth: Science-Backed Benefits for Hair Loss
A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food highlights the powerful hair growth benefits of red ginseng extract (RGE). The research explored how RGE and its key compounds—ginsenoside-Rb1 and ginsenoside-Rg3—stimulate human hair follicles and promote healthy hair regrowth.
In both lab-cultured human hair follicles and live mice, red ginseng significantly increased hair growth. RGE enhanced the proliferation of dermal papilla cells (DPCs), vital cells at the root of the hair follicle, by activating crucial growth signaling pathways (ERK and AKT). It also reversed the damaging effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a key hormone linked to androgenetic alopecia—by inhibiting androgen receptor activation, helping restore hair follicle activity.
The study concludes that red ginseng may naturally combat hair loss and support thicker, healthier hair growth, making it a promising ingredient in hair growth supplements and topical treatments for thinning hair.
Dr Hilo and Gensing Shampoo
Dr. Hilo offers a specialized hair care solution with their Aloe Vera & Ginseng Shampoo for Protein-Treated Hair, designed to support hair that has undergone chemical treatments like keratin or protein-based processes. This natural shampoo combines the soothing properties of aloe vera with the revitalizing effects of ginseng extract, creating a formula that is free from harmful chemicals such as SLS/SLES. It’s particularly beneficial for individuals with chemically treated or frequently dyed hair. Shampoo for Protein Treated hair : Aloe Vera & Ginseng Shampoo – د. حلو
References
- Choi, Bu. “Hair-Growth Potential of Ginseng and Its Major Metabolites: A Review on Its Molecular Mechanisms.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 19, no. 9, 11 Sept. 2018, p. 2703, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19092703. Accessed 22 May 2019.
- Park, Gyeong‐Hun, et al. “Red Ginseng Extract Promotes the Hair Growth in Cultured Human Hair Follicles.” Journal of Medicinal Food, vol. 18, no. 3, 1 Mar. 2015, pp. 354–362, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350143/, https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.3031.