Pygeum africanum

Potential efficacity for hair loss : ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My recommendation

Pygeum africanum could serve as a promising natural alternative to dutasteride and finasteride as a DHT blocker. However, there is insufficient research on its effectiveness for hair loss, and optimal dosages for androgenetic alopecia remain unclear.

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Pygeum africanum

Pygeum africanum is a natural supplement derived from the bark of an African plum tree. It has been used to address mild to moderate symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH) since 1969. The extract may help with bladder muscle function, reduce inflammation, and improve prostate health.

In the realm of alopecia, it’s not as popular as Saw Palmetto or other DHT blockers.

Is it effective against hair loss?

So far, I have only found one study looking at the connection between Pygeum africanum and hair loss. However, this study was about a supplement that also contained Saw palmetto.

As some of you may already know, Saw palmetto has the ability to reduce DHT formation. Pygeum africanum does this as well.

In fact, many studies on the effects of Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia show that this plant has anti-androgenic properties. More specifically, it reduces DHT formation and inflammation.

Study : Pygeum africanum and serenoa repens extract on women with AGA

In this study, a supplement containing a lipid co-extract from Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) and Pygeum africanum has been tested on 40 women suffering from androgenetic alopecia.

After 16 weeks, there was a significant icnrease in anagen hair percentage and a reduction in hair loss.

The results of this study demonstrate that the RJ-SP4AGA supplement, which contains Pygeum africanum and Serenoa repens, is effective at treating androgenetic alopecia in women.

Based on these findings, we can hypothesize that this supplement may also be effective at treating androgenic alopecia in men, since the mechanisms are similar.

Pygeum africanum reduces DHT

As mentioned above, Pygeum africanum has anti-androgenic properties and studies suggest it may be effective in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition related to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (source) (source) (source).

Pygeum africanum contains a substance called atraric acid that can inhibit androgen receptor activity. So it acts as both a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and an androgen receptor inhibitor, making it a potentially interesting treatment option.

You may already know that finasteride, dutasteride and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) are also used to treat BPH. Therefore, we can say that Pygeum africanum could be an alternative to these existing treatments, and may also help treat androgenetic alopecia.

For background, DHT is a natural androgenic hormone our bodies synthesize from testosterone in various tissues. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase (5aR) mediates this conversion.

DHT plays a role in the inflammatory process occurring in the scalps of those genetically prone to hair loss. This process leads to the gradual thinning of hair, known as miniaturization. Reducing DHT formation may therefore help reduce hair loss.

Closing thoughts and verdict

I think Pygeum africanum could be an excellent alternative to DHT blockers like finasteride. However, we need more studies to determine the optimal dosing.

So far, studies have used dosages ranging from 50mg to 200mg per day. I think 100 mg per day would be a good starting point. You can then raise to 200 mg per day after a few months.