Yes, rosemary oil is considered a DHT blocker and can be used as a treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
Rosemary Oil is better suited if there are cases of hair thinning or scalp issues such as dandruff and irritation. It will really stimulate blood flow and has been proven to block DHT, which is a good thing if you're afflicted with androgenic baldness.
The herbal route is also an effective natural way to reduce DHT in the body. Some of the herbal DHT blockers include stinging nettle, pygeum bark, green tea, and, saw palmetto.
Of the many nutrients and oils touted as natural DHT blockers, rosemary oil is one of the best proven. In a 2015 study, men applied either rosemary oil or minoxidil (an FDA-approved topical treatment for male pattern hair loss) to their scalps twice daily for six months.
The overall result of the study provided evidence that rosemary oil may be effective for certain hair growth. A study from 2022 also found evidence that rosemary oil can aid in hair growth. The study stated that rosemary oil had the same effect as Minoxidil, a hair growth medication, after 6 weeks of use.
Potency: The effects of rosemary oil on hair growth are generally considered less potent than finasteride, a clinically proven and FDA-approved medication.
Topical Finasteride and Dutasteride work by lowering the amount of DHT in the scalp (without it affecting the rest of the body), which is why there are fewer side effects. As a result, many women experience hair regrowth after using them. You will still need a prescription for topical Finasteride or Dutasteride.
The vitamin C and E content help protect hair from oxidative stress. It improves blood circulation to the scalp. It supports blocking DHT effectively and naturally.
The low DHT levels may lead to reduced body hair growth and a mild decrease in pubic hair. The prostate has a significant 5-alpha-reductase type 2 activity, producing large amounts of the potent DHT.
The study revealed that Rosmarinus officinalis has a potent inhibitory activity on 5-alpha-reductase of 82.4% and 94.6% at 200 and 500 mg/mL, respectively, in comparison to finasteride at 250 nM, which showed 81.9% inhibition (P < 0.01).
Saw palmetto: an extract derived from the berries of the saw palmetto palm tree (Serenoa repens). Research suggests saw palmetto may be able to inhibit the activity of 5-alpha reductase and can therefore function well as a DHT blocker food.
Rosemary is a fragrant shrub commonly added to food for flavour and aroma. A 2015 study revealed its amazing potential to aid hair growth and prevent baldness and hair loss in men and women who suffer from androgenic alopecia. Rosemary is an excellent natural ingredient to control hair fall.
Rosemary supplemntaion decreased cholesterol and TG concentration and increased HDL concentration in male rats. Furthermore, administration of rosemary essential oil increased blood testosterone but decreased ALT and AST.
You can start by incorporating foods like green tea, saw palmetto, and pumpkin seeds into your diet, as they are believed to have properties that reduce DHT production. Additionally, managing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to natural DHT reduction over time.
The problem is that DHT does much more than contribute to hair loss. It also plays a crucial role in male sexual development and mood regulation. When DHT levels are reduced, either intentionally or unintentionally, it can impact these functions in unwanted ways and cause: Impotence.
Research has also shown that caffeine can help block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone — a hormone that has been linked to hair follicle damage, which can lead to androgenetic alopecia, otherwise known as male or female-pattern hair loss, she says.
Does rosemary oil block DHT? Yes, rosemary oil can stop your body from converting as much testosterone to DHT. Like other DHT blockers, it reduces the activity of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone to DHT.
You may see some light hair shedding a few weeks after you start using rosemary oil on your scalp. That's because rosemary oil can push your hair through the hair growth cycle, leading to more hair falling out at the same time. This is a normal reaction to many hair loss treatments.
Clinical Studies and Results
Minoxidil, especially in the 5% formulation, is more effective and well-studied for treating androgenetic alopecia. Rosemary oil, while beneficial, is best suited to individuals looking for a natural alternative with fewer side effects.
Yes — as long as it doesn't irritate your skin, there's no reason why you can't leave rosemary oil in your hair all day. If you have any irritation or sensitivity, reduce application time.
"There are no great studies to know exactly how long it takes improvement, but usually it will probably take 4-6 weeks to help with hydrating the scalp, and about three months to see results, as it takes time to have hair grow out," says Dr. Kobets.
According to experts at Harvard University, finasteride is more effective than minoxidil in treating hair loss. Up to two-thirds of people who use finasteride for male pattern baldness report good results in terms of new hair growth. Study results also suggest that finasteride is better than minoxidil.