Turmeric

Turmeric is a plant from the ginger family that has been used for thousands of years as both a spice and a medicinal herb. Originally hailing from Southeast Asia, it is primarily cultivated in India. Interestingly, turmeric is the main ingredient in curry, although it is less commonly recognized on its own.

The key components of this plant are known as curcuminoids, with the most important ones being curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Curcumin, in particular, has been extensively studied and is believed to be primarily responsible for the plant’s therapeutic properties.

In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has a long history of use for various conditions, including skin issues, upper respiratory ailments, joint problems, and digestive disorders. Today, people primarily turn to it for conditions such as osteoarthritis, common colds, high cholesterol levels, specific liver diseases, and itchiness.

In the realm of alopecia, turmeric is not widely recognized or utilized. You are unlikely to find shampoos, supplements, or elixirs containing turmeric for this purpose. However, it may be more readily available in products within India, where traditional Ayurvedic medicine remains a prevalent practice.

Is it effective against hair loss?

As of now, there is no scientific research on the relationship between turmeric and hair.

Based on my investigations, turmeric’s potential effects on hair loss are as follows:

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent.

Inflammation is the body’s immune system response to various types of attacks, such as infections, irritations, muscle tension, or injuries.

Strangely, nearly all forms of alopecia are characterized by chronic inflammation on the scalp, and reducing this inflammation has proven effective in decreasing hair loss (source).

Numerous studies have shown that curcuminoids, particularly curcumin, act as anti-inflammatory agents (source) (source) (source).

Numerous studies have shown that curcuminoids, particularly curcumin, act as anti-inflammatory agents (source).

Turmeric is an antioxidant

One of the contributing factors to hair loss is oxidative stress. This occurs when there is an excessive presence of free radicals relative to the antioxidants in the body. Excessive free radical formation can result from various factors like stress, poor dietary habits, or exposure to pollution.

Oxidative stress can lead to significant health issues, including hair loss, inflammation, premature aging, heart diseases, and certain cancers (source).

Several studies suggest that the consumption of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, can help mitigate the development of certain diseases and reduce hair loss (source) (source).

In our case, curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, is a potent antioxidant that may be considered for use. It appears to enhance the activities of antioxidants in the bloodstream, including superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, it is considered a chain-breaking antioxidant, similar to vitamin E, among its various functions (source) (source) (source) (source) (source) (source) (source).

Turmeric’s potential DHT-reducing properties

In our research, we’ve come across articles suggesting that theaflavins, black tea, and green tea can act as DHT blockers or reducers.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen hormone naturally synthesized by the body from testosterone in various tissues. This conversion is facilitated by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase (5aR).

DHT plays a significant role in androgenetic alopecia, as it contributes to the inflammatory process occurring on the scalps of individuals predisposed to hereditary hair loss. This process leads to the gradual thinning of hair, a phenomenon known as miniaturization. Thus, reducing DHT production is thought to be a potential way to combat hair loss.

Turmeric is a candidate for effective treatment due to its anti-androgenic properties. Multiple studies suggest that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, may have the ability to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, two conditions where DHT plays a pivotal role (source) (source) (source).

According to a 2021 study by Akinori Nakayama and colleagues, curcumin demonstrated effectiveness comparable to dutasteride in reducing DHT.

In this study, the research team assessed the abilities of both dutasteride and curcumin to reduce androgens in prostate cancer cells. Both substances proved to be potent anti-androgens, significantly reducing DHT levels.

The study results even indicate that curcumin may be more effective than dutasteride.

Here is a visual representation of DHT reduction:

As a point of reference, dutasteride, available in the market at 0.5mg doses, can reduce DHT by approximately 82% in men. Based on the study’s findings, you would need about 0.5 grams of curcumin to match the anti-androgenic effects of dutasteride, which represents a 1000-fold difference in dosage.

Considering that turmeric contains around 3% curcumin, you would need to consume roughly 16.6 grams of turmeric to obtain 0.5 grams of curcumin.

This amount is roughly equivalent to 1/5 of a standard turmeric packet:

Closing thoughts and verdict

Turmeric has shown promise in potentially reducing alopecia, particularly because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-androgenic properties. However, significant quantities are required for effectiveness. Thus, fresh turmeric is a better choice than powdered forms.

Ideally, curcumin supplements are a preferred option, as this active compound is responsible for the various medicinal properties of turmeric.

Curcumin holds a place among my recommended treatments, especially for those dealing with androgenetic, areata, or cicatricial alopecia.

Precautions & side effects

• Possibility of allergic reactions in some individuals.
• May cause stomach discomfort, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea.
• Not recommended for pregnant women, as it may induce menstruation or stimulate the uterus, posing a risk to pregnancy. Do not consume high doses of turmeric while pregnant.
• Turmeric can exacerbate gallbladder issues. Avoid turmeric if you have gallstones or bile duct obstructions.
• May slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in individuals with coagulation disorders.
• Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which may act like the hormone estrogen. Using high doses of turmeric is not advisable for individuals sensitive to hormones, as in cases of breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.
• Turmeric can lower testosterone levels and reduce sperm motility, potentially affecting fertility.
• May harm the liver, especially in individuals with liver disease. Do not use turmeric if you have liver problems.
• Turmeric may slow blood clotting, leading to additional bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using turmeric at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.