It is understandable that many men look for natural alternatives to prescription hair loss treatments. Concerns about medication side effects, combined with aggressive marketing of supplements and herbal products, have created a booming market. But do any of these remedies actually stand up to scientific scrutiny?
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is the most commonly cited natural DHT blocker. It is a plant extract that may weakly inhibit 5-alpha reductase, the same enzyme targeted by finasteride. A small 2012 study found modest improvements in hair count, but the evidence is far weaker than for finasteride. A systematic review in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine concluded that while saw palmetto shows some promise, the studies are too small and poorly designed to draw firm conclusions.
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Biotin supplements are widely marketed for hair, skin, and nails. However, biotin deficiency is extremely rare in people with a normal diet. Clinical evidence supporting biotin supplementation for hair loss in non-deficient individuals is essentially non-existent. The NHS does not recommend biotin specifically for treating hair loss. If you suspect a deficiency, a GP blood test is the appropriate first step.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
A 2014 Korean study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that men taking pumpkin seed oil capsules showed a 40% increase in hair count over 24 weeks compared to placebo. This is a single study with a small sample size, and the results have not been widely replicated. It is promising but not yet robust enough to recommend as a primary treatment.
Rosemary Oil
A 2015 study compared topical rosemary oil to minoxidil 2% over 6 months and found comparable improvements in hair count. However, this was a single small study, and the comparison was with the weaker 2% minoxidil rather than the standard 5% concentration. More research is needed before rosemary oil can be considered a reliable alternative.
Lifestyle and Nutrition
While no diet will reverse androgenetic alopecia, nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hair thinning:
- Iron deficiency is linked to hair shedding, particularly in women — a blood test can check your ferritin levels
- Vitamin D deficiency, common in the UK due to limited sunlight, may affect hair follicle cycling
- Zinc plays a role in hair tissue growth and repair
- Protein intake is essential, as hair is primarily composed of the protein keratin
The Honest Assessment
No natural remedy has evidence comparable to finasteride or minoxidil, the two treatments with robust, large-scale clinical trial data and MHRA approval. Natural supplements may offer marginal benefits and can be used alongside proven treatments, but they should not be relied upon as a primary strategy for treating male pattern baldness. If you are experiencing hair loss, speak to a pharmacist or GP about evidence-based options first.