Hair loss treatment: Cayenne pepper and olive oil could increase hair growth

Hair loss is a problem that affects men and women of all ages and ethnicities. This means that over the years, an array of hair loss treatments has been tested (and some approved) to address the wide-scale issue. When choosing the best treatment for your hair loss woes, its often best to go as natural as possible as many products contain harsh chemicals which can make the problem even worse. Cayenne pepper is the unlikely anti-hair loss hero and according to experts, adding the spicy powder with olive oil will give you maximum results to help increase hair growth.

Studies have been done which indicate that cayenne pepper does, in fact, help to stimulate the hair follicles to help with hair growth.

The use of cayenne pepper as a hair growth treatment was first discovered by Samuel Thompson in the early 1800s.

According to an article for Dungz, the popularity of the herb in treating hair loss has grown over the years.

Cayenne pepper improves peripheral blood circulation and nourishes the scalp.

Experts advise adding cayenne pepper with olive oil to help increase hair growth.

READ MORE: Hair loss treatment – Dr Sara explains the best type of shampoo to stimulate hair growth

In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, capsaicin use for inflammatory conditions was investigated. 

The study noted: “Capsaicin is a natural protoalkaloid recognized as the main pungent component in hot peppers.

“The capsaicin receptor is highly expressed in the unmyelinated type C nerve fibres originating from small diameter sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia and cranial nerve ganglia correspondents.

“Capsaicin and related vanilloids have a variety of effects on primary sensory neurons function, from sensory neuron excitation characterized by local burning sensation and neurogenic inflammation, followed by conduction blockage accompanied by reversible ultrastructural changes of peripheral nociceptive endings (desensitization), going as far as irreversible degenerative changes (neurotoxicity).

“The main role in capsaicin-induced neurogenic inflammation relies on the capsaicin sensitive, small diameter primary sensory neurons, therefore its evaluation could be used as a diagnostic instrument in functional alterations of cutaneous sensory nerve fibres.”

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The study indicates that when capsaicin which is found in cayenne pepper, is applied to the head or scalp, it triggers the inflammatory response and sends a signal to the immune system.

The immune system then floods the area with anti-inflammatories to help stimulate the cellular healing process and increase growth.

Capsaicin also excites the sensory neurons which is often characterised by localised urning and neurogenic inflammation.

The temporary inflammation then cancels out the chronic inflammation which occurs due to medical conditions including alopecia.

How to use

Take 25 gram of dried cayenne pepper and put it in 500 ml of olive oil and store the bottle of mixture away from sunlight.

Leave it to stand for 10 to 15 days and then use the mixture on to hair and scalp regularly as you put any normal hair oil.

Shampoo and condition afterwards as usual, but make sure to shampoo off the mixture from your hair.

You can also mix one to two teaspoon of cayenne pepper with one to two teaspoon of olive oil.

This will give you a thick paste that you can rub on the base of your scalp and any balding spot. Massage the paste thoroughly.

Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Later, rinse it thoroughly. The olive oil neutralises the heat from the cayenne.

It’s important to note no hair loss treatment is 100 percent effective.

source: express.co.uk