Turmeric species can help in male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is hair loss that occurs as a result of alteration of male hormones. It is also linked with genetics.

It is characterised by receding hairline or hair loss at the crown. Changes in hormones lead to shrinkage of hair follicles, thus leading to hair loss and thinning. Medications and hair transplantation are the common treatments.

Curcuma aeruginosa, is a type of turmeric that has pink and blue color on the inside unlike Curcuma longa which is a bright orange or yellow. The essential oils of this species have medicinal properties.

This study reports an unusual application of the turmeric family, C.aeruginosa is therapeutic for male pattern baldness.

What happened in this study?

87 men with androgenic alopecia were recruited for this study. They were assigned to following groups:
• 5% Curcuma aeruginosa extract
• 5% minoxidil (FDA approved medication for male pattern baldness)
• Combination of the two
• Placebo

These treatments were applied twice daily for 6 months. Effects were assessed on the basis of target area hair count, photographic review and participants’ perception of hair growth.

What were the results?

The combination formula resulted in statistically significant improvements which were assessed by photographic review as well as by participants’ assessment. Hair shedding also reduced.

Similar effects were observed by individual treatment with minoxidil and Curcuma aeruginosa extract.

How did this occur?

Curcuma aeruginosa extract contains compounds which serve as inhibitors of 5 alpha- reductase. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of hormones.

Inhibitors of this enzyme work by converting testosterone to a more potent form which is helpful for treating male hormone related disorders.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors are drugs used to treat male pattern baldness and C.aeruginosa is a natural agent that serves this function.

What does this means?

Curcuma aeruginosa extract, a species related to turmeric, in combination with minoxidil can help prevent hair loss and support hair regrowth in men.

Read paper here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21756154

8 thoughts on “Turmeric species can help in male pattern baldness”

  1. Are the roots available for cultivating? I’m interested in sources of turmeric species for cultivation on small scale. I’ve been growing curcuma longa for several years. Interested in finding a source for curcuma zedoaria, aeruginosa, etc.
    Thank you

    Reply
  2. I think the food and drug administration is failing to do its job on telling the public weather these products do what they say they do.What we have is a complete collapse of our Government.

    Reply
  3. Can we orally consume Curcuma aeruginosa just as we take Curcuma longa. Currently i am having Curcuma longa mixed with back paper in milk .

    Reply
    • Yes you can consume Curcuma aeruginosa orally but it is used primarily for medicinal purposes and there haven’t been any reports of taking it on a regular basis like Curcuma longa. Generally a decoction is prepared from the root or essential oils are extracted for herbal use and is used commonly in Thailand and Indonesia. For male pattern baldness topical application is preferred.
      It is difficult to procure Curcuma aeruginosa and the rhizome has a bluish grey color in the centre.

      Reply
    • Yes it is possible for women to use it but this extract is not easily available commercially. Curcuma aeruginosa is used mainly in Thailand and Indonesia but its difficult to procure it and generally confused with other species such as black turmeric.

      Reply

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