Baldness, also known as alopecia, is hair loss, or absence of hair. Baldness is usually most noticeable on the scalp, but can occur anywhere on the body where hair grows. The condition is more common in men than in women. Some common causes are aging, change in hormones, illness, family history, burns and trauma.

Ginkgo is known for it's effectiveness in improving blood flow and circulation, which are important factors in hair loss. Muira puama is another traditional treatment for the prevention of baldness which is known for increasing circulation. Saw palmetto prevents dihydotestosterone from interacting with prostate cells to reproduce. This enzyme is the leading suspect behind male pattern baldness. Informal, anecdotal evidence indicates that saw palmetto stems hair loss and triggers growth. ¹

Essential oils work well to help stimulate the scalp, and encourage hair growth. Rosemary essential oil, another important circulatory aid, is often one of the main ingredients in "hair loss oils". The good news is that you can make an effective scalp conditioner for just pennies an application using this home hair rinse remedy.

The bottom line is, while herbs can have a good effect on hair and scalp health, there are no "cures" for male pattern baldness. The exaggerated claims to grow hair in as little as 3 weeks, or charge fees for "secret ingredients" and "ancient ayurveda medicines" do little to improve your hair, and much to lighten your wallet. Still all of these herbs have earned a place in men's health for many good reasons, even if the cause and effect on on hair loss is less clear, they are certainly worth a try.