Natural Hair Care for Androgenic Alopecia (PCOS-Related Hair Loss)

Table of Contents

• My Journey
• Rosemary Essential Oil
• Essential Oil Safety
• Step 1: Apply Rosemary Essential Oil
• Step 2: Wash with Rosemary Shampoo
• Step 3: Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
• Step 4: Herbs & Supplements
• When Will I See Results?
• Other Resources

I have suffered with thinning hair and hair loss for most of my adult life due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This type of hair loss is also known as androgenic alopecia (AGA) or female pattern baldness.

There was a time when I was nearly bald and wearing wigs every day, feeling ashamed and embarrassed of my condition. But I felt so uncomfortable in wigs – and so unlike my true self – that I decided to embrace my condition and find a real solution I could live with.

If I wasn’t able to grow my hair back, I would just shave my head and live out my life as a beautiful bald woman.

My Journey

For me, the choice to abandon alternative hair and attempt to grow my natural hair back was not easy. I knew there would be a pretty long period of time where I wouldn’t look the way I wanted while I tried to find a solution.

As women, we are taught (or perhaps brainwashed to believe) that our hair is one of the most important aspects of our unique beauty. It’s our crowning glory. Without it, we are less feminine, less beautiful, less desirable.

That’s a sentiment I internalized deeply for many years. I hid myself from the world out of shame, and tried everything to mask my hair loss.

But I’m here to tell you – that’s all a bunch of bullshit!

Beauty and femininity come from within. Whether you have hair on your scalp or not, you are still a beautiful, amazing person deserving of love and happiness. Don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise!

That being said, there’s also NOTHING wrong with wanting to regrow your natural hair. I know it’s a struggle to make a decision when this condition impacts your self-esteem, physical appearance, and the way the world views you.

• Do I give in and wear wigs or toppers?
• Do I say fuck it and shave my head?
• Do I rock a bald head for the rest of my life?
• Do I try to regrow my hair, knowing it may be a long and arduous process?

I’ve done them all.

I’ve tried wigs and toppers, but didn’t like how uncomfortable and unnatural they felt. They’re also fussy and high-maintenance, which just doesn’t vibe with my lifestyle.

I’ve shaved my head and rocked super-short hair for a while, before eventually growing it out and dealing with the mullet stage.

I’ve considered shaving my head again many times over the past few years. But I just wasn’t quite ready to completely give up on my natural hair.

So, I set out to find natural solutions that actually work.

In this post, I’m sharing my complete natural hair care routine for androgenic alopecia and all the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I hope it can give you some inspiration and hope in your own hair growth journey.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil is my go-to for battling hair loss naturally. Studies have shown that it works as well as – or better than – topical minoxidil for regrowing hair.

Here is some of the most convincing evidence I was able to find:

• This 2015 study shows participants who used rosemary oil for six months experienced a significant increase in hair count.
• This 2022 study found that rosemary oil had the same effect as Minoxidil, a hair growth medication, after six weeks of use.
• Research from 2020 found that the application of rosemary oil was as effective as 2% minoxidil ointment.
• This study from 2023 on mice found that applying a hair lotion containing 1% rosemary essential oil stimulated hair growth more than minoxidil. The quality of the hair, its appearance, length, and weight also were far better than the animals treated with the control and standard drugs.

Essential Oil Safety

If you’ve never used a specific essential oil before, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test before adding it to your homemade herbal products. This is especially true if you tend to have sensitive skin, but I recommend safety checking to everyone.

Here’s what to do:

1. Combine 2-3 drops essential oil with a little bit of carrier oil (sweet almond, olive oil, etc.).
2. Rub the mixture on a small area on the inside of your arm.
3. Wait a few hours and check for a reaction.

If you don’t have a reaction, it’s most likely safe to use that oil in your herbal products. If you see any redness or swelling, you might be sensitive to that oil and should probably not use it.

If you have pets, please note that essential oils can be toxic to them. Never expose your pets to essential oils. Don’t put any on their skin or fur, and definitely don’t bathe them using products made with essential oils.

Step 1: Apply Rosemary Essential Oil

Thirty minutes before washing my hair, I apply rosemary essential oil to my scalp. Here’s what I do:

1. Combine 1/2 teaspoon sweet almond oil with 5 drops rosemary essential oil in a small glass bowl.
2. Massage the mixture thoroughly into my scalp and along my hair line – anywhere I’m experiencing hair loss or thinning.
3. Leave on my scalp for 30 minutes before washing.

If you don’t have sweet almond oil available, you can use another light carrier oil such as olive or jojoba. I prefer sweet almond because it combats scalp and hair oiliness, which I am prone to.

It’s also okay if you leave this on longer than 30 minutes – if you’re sure you don’t have any reaction to rosemary essential oil (see Essential Oil Safety above). Sometimes I’ll get busy and leave it in for an hour or so with no issues.

Step 2: Wash with Rosemary Shampoo

I wash my hair every other day using my homemade shampoo. It’s easy to make, gentle and nourishing to your scalp. Plus, you get the added benefit of an extra application of rosemary.

I use the recipe outlined in this post, using a combination of dried rosemary, dried lavender, and dried sage as my herbs. Here’s the formula that works best for me:

• 1/2 ounce (14g) dried rosemary
• 1/4 ounce (7g) dried lavender
• 1/4 ounce (7g) dried sage

I use sage because it brings out highlights in dark hair. I use lavender due to it’s conditioning properties. If you like, you can use an entire ounce of rosemary instead – or see my recipe post for a list of herbs recommended for your hair color and type.

For essential oils, I use a combination of rosemary essential oil and lavender essential oil. I use about 4-5 drops of each one per batch of shampoo. Again, you can use 8-10 drops rosemary oil alone or combine with any other essential oil of your choice.

Step 3: Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Once a week, I use a homemade apple cider vinegar rinse after shampooing my hair. This rinse helps balance scalp pH, conditions hair, and removes any buildup from your scalp. (And of course – it’s another application of rosemary.)

I use the recipe outlined in this post, using a combination of dried rosemary, dried lavender, and dried sage as my herbs (the same as I use in my shampoo recipe). Here’s the formula that works best for me:

• 1/2 ounce (14g) dried rosemary
• 1/4 ounce (7g) dried lavender
• 1/4 ounce (7g) dried sage

For essential oils, I also use a combination of rosemary essential oil and lavender essential oil in my rinse. I use about 4-5 drops of each one per batch of rinse. Again, you can use 8-10 drops rosemary oil alone or combine with any other essential oil of your choice.

Step 4: Herbs & Supplements

In addition to the rosemary essential oil, shampoo, and rinse, I also take a few herbs and supplements daily that combat the cause of androgenic alopecia (elevated androgens). Those I find most helpful for hair regrowth include:

• Zinc Citrate – Directly stimulates hair growth, reduces inflammation, and blocks androgens. I take 30mg zinc citrate daily after a meal. (Do not take zinc on an empty stomach or it may cause nausea.)
• Ovasitol – A combined supplement of myo-inositol and d-chiro-insoitol. Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces androgens, and supports regular ovulation. I can’t recommend this supplement enough for women with PCOS – whether you have hair loss or not. I take 1 scoop twice daily mixed in a glass of water. Recommended dosage is 2000 – 4000 mg daily in a 40:1 ratio, which corresponds to the body’s normal ratio.
• Reishi Mushroom – Inhibts 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts hormones like testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). I take 200mg Reishi mushroom extract in capsule-form daily.
• Saw Palmetto – A well-known plant-derived anti-androgen, this herb is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor of moderate strength that has shown promise for the treatment of androgenic alopecia. I take a 320mg capsule once daily.
• Spearmint Tea – Drinking one cup twice per day has been shown in studies to have anti-androgenic properties. One study found that over a 30-day period, spearmint tea reduced free and total testosterone levels in women with confirmed PCOS.

WARNING: Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements, especially if you’re currently taking prescription medications, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

When Will I See Results?

Unfortunately, it won’t be overnight.

Even with treatment, androgenic alopecia can take months to improve. You’ll have to stick to a treatment for a minimum of three months to see any kind of results – the amount of time it takes for hair to move out of the telogen phase.

In my experience, it takes more like four to six months of consistently using either rosemary or minoxidil (or both) to start noticing improvements. When I started with the rosemary treatments, I began noticing new baby hairs popping up in about four months.

I know that can be disheartening, especially when you’re struggling with this every day. But it will be worth the effort when your hair starts growing back. Just stick to it!

Other Resources

These two books helped me tremendously and include information about diet, lifestyle changes, supplements (those listed above and more) for treating PCOS and androgenic alopecia naturally. I cannot recommend them enough!

• 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS – Written by Dr. Fiona McCulloch, this book has loads of information on addressing inflammation, treating insulin resistance, balancing adrenals, treating excess androgens, and addressing hormonal imbalances. Includes info on diet, supplements, lifestyle – a completely holistic approach!
• Period Repair Manual – Written by Dr. Lara Briden, ND, this book is filled with information on treating PCOS naturally. Also includes info on diet, supplements, lifestyle, etc. for treating PCOS (plus other causes of period issues that may or may not be relevant to you).

I know how difficult it can be to experience hair loss, and I wish you the best of luck on your own journey back to health. I may never have the hair I did in my teens and early twenties, but I’m happy with the progress I’ve made over the last few years.

Every day I feel more comfortable with myself and I hope the same for you. Just know it takes time, and if you want to regrow your natural hair, it is definitely possible!

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