Key points
- Pumpkin seed oil gives the clearest result. In 76 men with androgenetic alopecia, 400 mg of the oil a day for 24 weeks increased hair count by 40 % versus 10 % on placebo (Cho YH, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014. PMID 24864154).
- Persimmon leaf, green tea and sophora (Korea). After 24 weeks taken by mouth, hair was denser and thicker than on placebo (Ham S, Skin Res Technol 2023. PMID 37753679).
- Liquorice for alopecia areata. Glycyrrhizin, a compound from liquorice root, added to standard treatment led to a cure 1.6 times more often: 23 studies, 2219 patients (Li M, Ann Med 2025. PMID 40265259).
- Squill (Iran). A lotion made from the bulb gave a good result in 45 % of patients with alopecia areata over 12 weeks (Moosavi ZB, Arch Dermatol Res 2020. PMID 31707498).
- Amla and ashwagandha. Amla syrup increased the proportion of growing hairs in women over 12 weeks (Akhbari M, J Ethnopharmacol 2024. PMID 37487962); ashwagandha root over 75 days improved hair density and growth (Jillella A, Phytother Res 2026. PMID 41770039).
- A note of caution: glycyrrhizin can cause oedema and raise blood pressure — with hypertension, take it only under a doctor's supervision.
Why hair falls out and where Eastern remedies fit in
The two most common types of hair loss work differently. In androgenetic alopecia, hormones make the follicles gradually shrink, so the hair becomes thinner and shorter. In alopecia areata, the immune system attacks the follicles and hair falls out in round patches. Eastern remedies have been studied in both: oils and plant complexes in androgenetic alopecia and hair shedding; compounds from liquorice and peony, needling and squill in alopecia areata.
Korea: pumpkin seed oil and persimmon leaf
Pumpkin seed oil. A Korean double-blind study: 76 men, 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil a day, 24 weeks — hair count rose by 40 % versus 10 % on placebo, the men's own ratings were higher, and adverse events were no more frequent (Cho YH, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014. PMID 24864154). In a network meta-analysis of 19 studies, pumpkin seed oil was among the supplements that significantly increased hair density (Zhou L, Front Nutr 2025. PMID 41561175).
Persimmon leaf, green tea and sophora fruit. The BLH308 complex taken by mouth twice a day, 88 people, 24 weeks: hair density and thickness were significantly greater than on placebo (Ham S, Skin Res Technol 2023. PMID 37753679).
China: liquorice, peony and needling for alopecia areata
Liquorice. Compound glycyrrhizin is a tablet based on glycyrrhizin from liquorice root. In patients with alopecia areata it lowered inflammatory signals in the blood (tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-12, interferon-gamma) and raised anti-inflammatory TGF-β1 (Guo C, J Dermatolog Treat 2024. PMID 39230160).
A meta-analysis of 23 studies (2219 patients): with glycyrrhizin added to standard treatment, cure occurred 1.6 times more often, overall efficacy was 1.37 times higher and the area of hair loss was smaller; the result did not depend on the type of main treatment, duration or dose (Li M, Ann Med 2025. PMID 40265259). In 11 studies (1189 patients), glycyrrhizin combined with topical minoxidil reduced the area of hair loss by 10 points more on the SALT scale than minoxidil alone (Guo C, J Dermatolog Treat 2024. PMID 39230160).
Peony. Total glucosides of paeony, an extract of white peony root, were compared with glycyrrhizin in 86 patients with mild to moderate alopecia areata: 44 received peony, 42 received glycyrrhizin, and both groups also received vitamin B2 and massage of the patches. Over 3 months, cure or marked improvement was seen in 68 % and 71 % — on par; both remedies reduced T-lymphocyte activity (Yang DQ, Chin J Integr Med 2012. PMID 22855038). A systematic review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology named total glucosides of paeony with glycyrrhizin among the alternative treatments with the best evidence in alopecia areata (Tkachenko E, J Am Acad Dermatol 2023. PMID 31870916).
Plum-blossom needling. A small hammer with a cluster of short needles used to tap lightly on the bald patch is a classic of Chinese medicine. In an analysis of 1192 patients, needling together with standard treatment led to any regrowth 1.22 times more often and to complete regrowth 1.33 times more often (Dai T, Ann Palliat Med 2021. PMID 33849090). In a 2026 review of 7 studies (756 people), improvement with needling occurred 9 % more often (Jun JH, Medicine 2026. PMID 41861188).
Iran and India: squill, amla, ashwagandha
Squill (Urginea maritima) has long been used for hair loss in Iranian traditional medicine. A 2 % lotion from the bulb twice a day for 12 weeks in 42 patients with alopecia areata: a good response in 45 % of patients, and the number of growing hairs increased (Moosavi ZB, Arch Dermatol Res 2020. PMID 31707498).
Amla (Indian gooseberry) is known to both Ayurveda and Persian medicine; the study was conducted in Tehran. 60 women with androgenetic alopecia, syrup 10 mL three times a day for 12 weeks: in the amla group the proportion of growing hairs increased, and doctors and patients rated the result higher than on placebo; the only adverse event was one case of mild constipation (Akhbari M, J Ethnopharmacol 2024. PMID 37487962).
Ashwagandha (Ayurveda). Adults aged 18–60 with hair loss or skin problems, root 300 mg twice a day for 75 days: hair density, growth and the proportion of growing hairs were higher than on placebo, quality of life was better, and there were no adverse events (Jillella A, Phytother Res 2026. PMID 41770039).
Neeli Bhringadi oil with bhringraj (Ayurveda): 78 people, 120 days, alone and together with 5 % minoxidil — hair growth, density and thickness improved from baseline (Patel MN, Cureus 2026. PMID 42544231).
Japan: adenosine and pharmacy remedies
Adenosine 0.75 % is a lotion that the 2017 Japanese guideline on androgenetic alopecia recommends for men (Manabe M, J Dermatol 2018. PMID 29863806). In Japanese women it increased the proportion of growing and thick hairs over 12 months (Oura H, J Dermatol 2008. PMID 19239555), and in men, over 6 months, the proportion of thick hairs and density (Iwabuchi T, J Dermatol 2016. PMID 26508659).
Carpronium and cepharanthine are, in Japan, the most frequent prescriptions for alopecia areata after topical steroids (Campos-Alberto E, J Dermatol 2023. PMID 36321512); cepharanthine is an approved drug for alopecia there (Rogosnitzky M, Pharmacol Rep 2020. PMID 32700247). There are few modern clinical studies of them in PubMed.
The studies in one table
| Remedy | Who | Duration | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin seed oil 400 mg/day | 76 men, androgenetic alopecia | 24 wk | hair +40 % vs +10 % | PMID 24864154 |
| Persimmon + green tea + sophora | 88 adults | 24 wk | denser and thicker than placebo | PMID 37753679 |
| Glycyrrhizin + standard treatment | 2219 patients, alopecia areata | varied | cure 1.6 times more often | PMID 40265259 |
| Total glucosides of paeony | 44 patients, alopecia areata | 3 mo | improvement in 68 %, on par with glycyrrhizin | PMID 22855038 |
| Plum-blossom needling + treatment | 1192 patients, alopecia areata | varied | complete regrowth 1.33 times more often | PMID 33849090 |
| Squill, 2 % lotion | 42 patients, alopecia areata | 12 wk | good response in 45 % | PMID 31707498 |
| Amla, syrup | 60 women, androgenetic alopecia | 12 wk | more growing hairs than placebo | PMID 37487962 |
| Ashwagandha 300 mg ×2 | adults with hair loss | 75 days | higher density and growth | PMID 41770039 |
| Adenosine 0.75 % | Japanese women | 12 mo | more thick hairs | PMID 19239555 |
How they are used
- A course lasts 3–6 months. In most studies the result was assessed after 12–24 weeks: hair needs time to grow noticeably.
- Doses as in the studies: pumpkin seed oil 400 mg a day; amla syrup 10 mL three times a day; ashwagandha 300 mg twice a day; adenosine and squill lotions twice a day; glycyrrhizin and total glucosides of paeony as prescribed by a doctor.
- Glycyrrhizin and needling for alopecia areata were studied together with the main treatment.
- Pumpkin seed oil, persimmon leaf, amla and ashwagandha were compared with placebo, as stand-alone use.
Who needs to be careful
- Glycyrrhizin (liquorice): oedema occurred 2.5 times more often, and blood pressure sometimes rose (Li M, Ann Med 2025. PMID 40265259) — with hypertension or oedema, see a doctor first.
- Carpronium: the solution is for the skin only; swallowing it caused severe poisoning (Endo T, Am J Emerg Med 2021. PMID 34030906) — keep it out of reach of children and elderly relatives.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — any herbs only after talking to a doctor.
- When to see a doctor straight away: round bald patches, rapid hair loss, itching or redness of the scalp. It is important to find the cause — iron deficiency, the thyroid, hormones.
