Although baldness is usually associated with men; there are hundreds of women who also suffer from this embarrassing condition. Whether you are man or woman, suffering from baldness can be extremely uncomfortable especially when you have someone looking at your hair – or rather the lack of it. The good news is that there is a 100% natural cure for your condition, which is free of chemicals and frightening medical practices.
Over the last few years, there has been a decent amount of fuss about pumpkin seed oil as a potential cure for Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), which affects both men and women. In men, this is called male-pattern baldness while it’s termed as female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) in women.
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Difference Between Male And Female Pattern Hair Loss
Androgenetic alopecia is caused by a genetic inclination to a hormone called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which inhibits and slows down the proper growth of hair in the follicles. When DHT levels rise, the hair follicles begin to shrink resulting in stunted to eventually no hair growth. In women, DHT is influenced by a decrease in estrogen levels and mostly tends to result in hair thinning, rather than complete balding.
Men and women will usually respond differently to DHT.
The first signs of male pattern baldness are a receding hairline and the thinning of hair around the crown area, while the follicles along the side and the back of the head remain less affected by DHT. This explains why hair growth often remains intact in the latter areas. If left untreated, hair loss will progress further as the follicles shrivel up even more. These follicles will eventually die, resulting in baldness.
Female pattern hair loss starts with hair thinning across the center of the scalp. Most women tend to retain their hairline. However, some may suffer from Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA), a condition characterized primarily by slow and steady hair loss and scarring of the scalp near the forehead. Sometimes, the eyelashes, eyebrows, and/or other parts of the body may be affected too. When left untreated, the thinning often spreads to the sides of the scalp close to the temples and just above the ears. A small number of women may experience complete or partial baldness.
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Nutrients In Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkins, like all plants that have a close relationship to the soil, are an excellent source of nutrients. The fruit, seeds, extracts, and oil come packed with mineral essentials like:
- Antioxidants like Vitamin E
- Essential fatty oils like linoleic acid and oleic acid1
- Important vitamins like vitamin A, B6, and C
- Minerals like zinc, magnesium, calcium, and iron2
- Essential amino acids like Cucurbitacin that may be responsible for the pumpkin seeds’ effect on hair growth.3
[vs slide=”3″ slide_title=”How Pumpkin Seed Oil Works To Fight Baldness”]
How Pumpkin Seed Oil Works To Fight Baldness
The oil extracted from pumpkin seeds is one of the few natural treatments showing promise for combating the effects of pattern baldness in both men and women.4 Here’s how.
1. Beta-Sitosterol
Beta-sitosterol is a type of phytosterol or plant sterol that is known to stop the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the body. This is done by obstructing the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase whose function is to convert the testosterone to DHT.5
Unrefined pumpkin seed oil has large amounts of beta-sitosterol and has been studied in particular for being beneficial in reducing hair loss and baldness as well as in curing prostate problems since it brings down the DHT hormone levels.
2. Delta-7 Sterol
Pumpkin seed oil contains a mild steroid called delta-7-sterol that fights DHT at the receptor sites of prostate cells and possibly hair follicles. Every time delta-7-sterol adheres itself to cell receptors, it blocks the damaging effect of DHT on cells like those in the prostate gland and hair follicles.
Anecdotal evidence points in favor of pumpkin seed oil being an effective DHT blocker, even though the influence of delta-7-sterol has not been studied in as much detail as that of beta-sitosterol. It still remains to be proven whether this is due only to the functioning of delta-7-sterol, or whether it works only when combined with the beta-sitosterol, fatty acids, and antioxidants that are present in pumpkin seed oil.
3. Zinc
Low zinc levels are linked to balding as well as enlarged prostate and even prostate cancer.6 Without adequate zinc, the body produces more DHT which further results in premature balding.
Zinc also aids in the absorption of nutrients by the body which is another important factor that promotes hair growth.
Pumpkin seeds, being rich in zinc, make an excellent natural form of this essential mineral.
[vs slide=”4″ slide_title=”Using Pumpkin Seed Oil To Cure AGA”]
Using Pumpkin Seed Oil To Cure AGA
Pumpkin seed oil works best when taken as supplements, though it may also be applied as a head massage oil for a healthy scalp. Adding pumpkin seed oil and raw pumpkin seeds to your diet can also help for added benefits.
1. Supplements
Pumpkin seed oil can be ingested orally as a supplement. Also known as Cucurbita pepo, these supplements are packed as soft gel capsules and are widely available at drug stores, grocery stores, nutrition specialty stores as well as online. A recommended dosage for pumpkin seed oil for this particular treatment of AGA has not been defined; however, the dosages of these supplements available in the market range from 500 to 1000 mg.
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Note: While buying pumpkin seed oil supplements, read the label carefully for pure, organic, unrefined, pumpkin seed oil that has been expeller-pressed. Also, do consult a doctor before you start taking these or any other variety of supplements.
2. Scalp Massage
Mix pumpkin seed oil with another carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil. Massage this into the scalp and leave it in overnight.
It is recommended to apply this oil to your scalp at least twice a week for a minimum period of two months for visible results.
3. Dietary Addition
The benefit of ingesting pumpkin seed oil is that it can get absorbed easily into your body. Pumpkin seed oil can be used for cooking, as well as an additive to smoothies, milkshakes, and salads. You can also add whole pumpkin seeds to your salads for a delicious crunch, sprinkle them over bread, or eat them on their own. You can choose from a wide range of options, from raw and dried to roasted and shelled.
Time Frame For Results
Like all natural cures, this will take time. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see a change in your hair growth immediately. It can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to notice changes. Keep the patience and be diligent in your intake or application of pumpkin seed oil – you could join millions of others who testify to its miraculous powers in fighting alopecia and hair loss!
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