How Does Green Tea Reduce Hair Loss?

Written by Tanya Choudhary, B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition  • 

Are you suffering from hair loss? Do you get lured by every other hair tonic advertisement that does not yield the desired results? Then, I suggest you try the amazing green tea.

You might wonder how green tea can help combat hair loss. This may sound a bit far-fetched, but it has been proven that having a cup of green tea every day will not only cure a myriad of health problems but will stop hair loss too. So, if you are craving for beautiful, luscious locks that make women go green with envy, start sipping green tea right away!

In this article, we will talk about how green tea and hair loss are connected. Keep reading to know more.

Green Tea – A Brief

Scientific Name – Camellia sinesis
Native – China

Did you know that your regular tea and green tea are derived from the same plant?

Well, the healthier sister of the tea family is a variation of your black tea, just processed differently. While black tea is fermented, green tea is the dried and steamed counterpart of the plant, and is thus full of nutrients and minerals. Now you might have understood why it is called green tea, right?

The caffeine content in green tea is far lower than that in black tea, making it a healthier option. Green tea also has a specific set of chemicals called catechin polyphenols (tannins), which are responsible for the bitter and astringent taste. These flavonoids are really powerful antioxidants, and along with amino acids like thianine, butyric acid, and lignan, they make green tea a very viable option. It is also rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E. This is enough to call green tea a packaged miracle. Impressive, right?

Green tea is really helpful in fighting against a number of diseases like cancer, obesity, and gastrointestinal problems. It tackles skin disorders as well. And the list doesn’t end here. This article deals with the benefits offered by green tea with respect to hair loss.

Benefits Of Green Tea For Hair Loss

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Image: Shutterstock

What makes green tea so effective in stopping hair loss? Let’s take a look:

1. The Presence Of Natural Catechins

Green tea is rich in catechins (1). These catechins help in repressing DHT or dihydrotestosterone, which is the main cause of hair loss (2).

Having green tea regularly will make your hair healthy and prevent hair loss.

2. Full Of Essential Compounds

There are many other compounds found in green tea extracts, such as carotenoids, tacopherols, zinc, chromium, ascorbic acid, selenium, and manganese. Except chromium and manganese, all the other compounds help to prevent hair loss and encourage hair regrowth (3).

3. Rich In Polyphenols

While talking about the essential compounds present in green tea, how can we forget the polyphenols?

Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG is the main polyphenol that is present in green tea. This polyphenol promotes hair growth in cell culture (4). It strengthens the roots and activates the hair follicles. This encourages hair regrowth.

4. Fights Stress And Depression

Our fast-paced lives and stress are major causes for hair fall.

Green tea is a great stress reliever and helps you combat depression. It instantly uplifts your mood and makes you happy (5). So, the next time you feel weighed down by stress, just go into the kitchen and make a cup of green tea.

5. Anti-Inflammatory Nature

Well, we all are aware that itchy scalp and dandruff are also reasons for hair loss. The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea boost the growth of hair, making it free from such inflammations and troubles (6). You can also make a green tea rinse for getting rid of dry scalp.

6. Destroys Parasites In The Scalp

Washing your scalp with warm green tea can destroy bacterial and fungal parasites. These parasites are not easily diagnosed. They tend to weaken the roots of the hair, which results in hair loss and hair fall. However, with the help of green tea, they can easily be destroyed (7).

7. Reduces Cholesterol Levels In The Body

You must be wondering how cholesterol is linked to hair loss.

Hair loss occurs due to increased levels of DHT. Green tea reduces the DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and cholesterol levels in the body (8). It blocks 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. Thus, it stops the miniaturization of the hair follicles and strengthens the hair roots.

8. Promotes Blood Circulation In The Scalp

Green tea is capable of breaking down plaque in our blood vessels, thus promoting blood flow to almost all the organs, even the scalp. It is also rich in powerful antioxidants that destroy the free radicals that hinder proper blood circulation (9). In this manner, it helps to promote hair growth.

9. Role Played By Vitamin B

As discussed earlier, green tea is full of essential vitamins, including vitamin B (panthenol), which helps in controlling hair fall as well as in getting rid of split ends and softening your hair (10). So, you can make the best of both worlds by either drinking or using a green tea rinse for hair.

These were some of the main and common green tea benefits that help in fighting hair loss. It is said that you will only be able to reap the maximum benefits from green tea when you incorporate it into your daily routine.

Note: Remember, herbal remedies take some time to show tangible results. So you have to be patient while opting for a natural and herbal treatment for hair loss or any other problem.

How To Use Green Tea To Control Hair Loss

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Image: Shutterstock

Now that you know how green tea helps in getting rid of hair fall problems, let’s take a look at the different ways to use it for healthy and strong hair.

1. Sipping The Tea Of Health

Obviously, the first method in this list is the easiest and the most convenient one.
If you consume green tea twice daily, you will see visible results in a few weeks’ time. Don’t like drinking herbal hot tea (brewed hot green tea)? Don’t worry, there are other options. You can always go for cold green tea and add honey and ice to it.

2. Rinsing Your Hair With Green Tea

Another perfect way to stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth is by making a rinse out of green tea bags and using it as a last wash for your hair. This will give you quick relief from several scalp disorders within no time.

Here’s how you can make it at home:

You Will Need
  • 3 green tea bags
  • 1/2 liter water
What You Need To Do

1. Put the bags in the water for 10-15 minutes and then remove them.
2. Shampoo your hair diligently and wash with water.
3. Massage the rinse well into your scalp and keep it on for 10 minutes.
4. Rinse with cool water.

For best and quick results, you need to repeat this process twice or thrice a week for a couple of months.

This rinse is known to stimulate your hair follicles and treat scalp disorders such as dandruff.

3. Taking Green Tea Capsules

If you are running short of time and are looking for the quickest method, I suggest you go for green tea pills that are easily available in the market. These pills are made using green tea extracts, and they will help you fight hair loss and boost hair growth.

But, ensure that this your last option because it is not a natural method.

4. Adopting Shampoos And Conditioners That Have Green Tea Extracts

There are many herbal and Ayurvedic hair care products available in the market. You can switch from your chemically treated shampoos, lotions, and conditioners to those that have green tea as the major ingredient. Regular usage of these products will surely prevent hair loss.

5. DIY Green Tea Hair Mask

You can also make a hair mask with green tea and use it for best results.

You Will Need
  • 1 egg
  • 2-3 tablespoons of green tea
What You Need To Do
  1. Beat an egg with the tea and apply it directly on the scalp. Let it dry naturally.
  2. Rinse it off with cold water after half an hour.

This mix will promote hair growth and make your hair strong and smooth like never before.

Note: You can also use lemon/honey and henna with green tea as a hair mask.

Now that you know how to use green tea for hair loss, what are you waiting for?

A Word Of Caution

Even natural products carry some risks, and green tea is one such example. Let’s take a look at the plausible side effects of green tea.

  • Although it is advised that you drink herbal green tea regularly twice a day if you want effective results, make sure that you do not consume it in excess as it may cause insomnia. This is due to the presence of caffeine. Some people have also reported that excessive drinking of green tea caused stomach irritation.
  • Pregnant ladies and lactating mothers should avoid taking green tea more than once a day as it may lead to miscarriage and other troubles. It can get mixed in the breast milk and pass on to the baby.
  • It can also interfere with your medications. Hence, it is better to take your doctor’s advice before consuming green tea.

Green tea is not only used to lose extra pounds and prevent tooth decay, but it also helps to prevent hair loss and boost hair growth.

Now, you have a solid reason to switch from your regular morning and evening drink to green tea. Do let us know of your experience in using green tea for hair by commenting below.

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