Aromatherapy and baldness<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="8" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="111" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" align="left" valign="top">  <div align="left"> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/index.html">AROMATHERAPY</a> </div> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/accreditation.html">Accreditation</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/aromasforastrology.html">Astrology</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/baldness.html">Baldness</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/aromasforchakras.html">Chakras</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/essentialoil.html">Essential Oils</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/aromasandemotions.html">Effect on Emotions</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/fragrance.html">Fragrance</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/history.html">History</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/hydrosol.html">Hydrosols</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/jobs.html">Jobs</a> <a href="/products/index.html">Products</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/snowlotus.html">Quality </a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/recommendations.html">Recommendations</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/resources.html"> Resources</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/schools.html">Schools</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/schooling.html">Schooling</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/types.html">Types</a> <a href="/body/altmed/treatment/aromatherapy/tips.html">Tips</a>  </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <div align="left"> <h3>Aromatherapy Helps Heal Baldness </h3> </div> Scottish researchers report that aromatherapy -- an alternative therapy using essential plant oils - can safely and effectively treat alopecia areata, a form of hair loss that is usually temporary and related to stress. In the first scientifically controlled study of aromatherapy's effect on reversible hair loss, Dr. Isabelle C. Hay and colleagues at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, in Scotland, tested the therapy on 84 patients with alopecia areata. Roughly half of the patients massaged thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils -- oils that appear to have hair growth promoting properties -- added to a mixture of ''carrier'' oils into their scalps daily. The other half, the ''control group'' , massaged only the carrier oils -- grapeseed and jojoba oils -- into their scalps each day. During the study, neither the researchers nor the patients knew who was getting the treatment and who was in the control group. After 7 months of treatment, 44 % of the patients using the essential oils showed significant improvement, compared with just 15% of those using the carrier oils only. These findings suggest that at least one of the essential oils contained a compound or compounds that stimulate hair growth, the researchers write. "The control group's relative lack of a response suggests a pharmacoactive property of the topically applied therapy as opposed to an effect arising from the comforting, relaxing effect of massage and of the application procedure, which was the same for both groups," said Hay. Aromatherapy caused no significant side effects. In contrast, conventional steroid and other treatments for alopecia areata, can cause considerable side effects, they note. "Therefore, this aromatherapy trial, with an improvement rate of 44% is comparable to and possibly of more benefit than trials of conventional therapies for alopecia areata," Hay and colleagues conclude. "Compared with these other treatments, its safety is also greater.'' From Archives of Dermatology 1998;134:1349-1352. </table>

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy Helps Heal Baldness

Scottish researchers report that aromatherapy -- an alternative therapy using essential plant oils - can safely and effectively treat alopecia areata, a form of hair loss that is usually temporary and related to stress.

In the first scientifically controlled study of aromatherapy's effect on reversible hair loss, Dr. Isabelle C. Hay and colleagues at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, in Scotland, tested the therapy on 84 patients with alopecia areata.

Roughly half of the patients massaged thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils -- oils that appear to have hair growth promoting properties -- added to a mixture of ''carrier'' oils into their scalps daily. The other half, the ''control group'' , massaged only the carrier oils -- grapeseed and jojoba oils -- into their scalps each day.

During the study, neither the researchers nor the patients knew who was getting the treatment and who was in the control group. After 7 months of treatment, 44 % of the patients using the essential oils showed significant improvement, compared with just 15% of those using the carrier oils only.

These findings suggest that at least one of the essential oils contained a compound or compounds that stimulate hair growth, the researchers write. "The control group's relative lack of a response suggests a pharmacoactive property of the topically applied therapy as opposed to an effect arising from the comforting, relaxing effect of massage and of the application procedure, which was the same for both groups," said Hay. Aromatherapy caused no significant side effects.

In contrast, conventional steroid and other treatments for alopecia areata, can cause considerable side effects, they note. "Therefore, this aromatherapy trial, with an improvement rate of 44% is comparable to and possibly of more benefit than trials of conventional therapies for alopecia areata," Hay and colleagues conclude. "Compared with these other treatments, its safety is also greater.''

From Archives of Dermatology 1998;134:1349-1352.