Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition when the body’s immune system begins to destroy its own hair follicles. A common occurrence, it results in extreme hair loss anywhere on the body including the scalp, beard area, eyelashes, or eyebrows. While it is noticed more in adults, even children get it. 
Most hair loss is noticed in patches, but at times scalp turns completely bald and this condition is termed Alopecia totalis. At present, there is no cure for this ailment and most people afflicted by alopecia areata recover fully from the condition which is when inflammation in the hair follicles reduces and follicles often grow back on their own. While doctors suggest various forms of treatment to treat alopecia areata through immune-suppressing medication, ample remedies provided by mother earth are available to help the patient recover from this troublesome disorder that inadvertently attacks our hair and becomes a cause of concern and embarrassment.
An ailment that not only takes a toll on physical but also on emotional well-being, here are some fabulous home remedies that you may want to try to help you combat alopecia areata, thus aiding a quick recovery and regrowth of your manes.
Honey And Lemon
Honey's potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help in cleansing the scalp and impurities that might be clogging hair follicles. Honey has humectant properties too. All of these aid in strengthening hair and boosting hair growth.
How to use: Take some honey with a few drops of lemon and rub it directly on your scalp. Wash it off with mild shampoo.
Fenugreek
Dihydrotestosterone is an important hormone that regulates hair cycling. The imbalance of dihydrotestosterone and increased DHT activity is one of the reasons for hair loss due to androgenic alopecia. Here is when tiny fenugreek seeds come to rescue by preventing increased DHT activity and disbalance. These power-packed seeds promote hair growth and reduce the severity of androgenic alopecia.
How to use: Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight and make a paste. Apply this on your scalp, leave it for about half an hour, and shampoo.
Onions
Onions are a key ingredient in any Indian cooking. While they add flavour and taste to most recipes, there are many reasons to stock up on onions in your kitchen shelves. To combat bald patches in alopecia areata, onions are a boon. They contain a high amount of sulfur that fights free radical damage, improves blood circulation in the scalp, and prevents any kind of infection.
How to use: To make use of this veggie, squeeze its juice and apply it directly to scalp.
Garlic
Just like onions, garlic is sulfur-rich veggie and is one of the best natural treatments for alopecia. It boosts hair growth and prevents hair fall by increasing collagen production.
How To Use:
Crush a few garlic cloves and squeeze the juice. Mix in coconut oil and let it simmer over slow flame. Let it cool, apply to your scalp and massage gently.
Hibiscus And Dandelion Oil
A flowery herbal remedy for alopecia areata, hibiscus flower boosts hair growth besides making your hair look super lustrous.
How to use: Soak petals of the hibiscus in dandelion oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp. Wash it off in some time.
Oatmeal
Oats are one superfood replete with hair-loving nutrients such as fibre, zinc, omega-3, iron, and omega-6 fatty acids. Oats are also enriched with saponin, beta-glucan, and protein. All of this makes a perfect recipe that supports hair growth. The best way to add oatmeal to your body is to have it in some part of your daily meal.
Aloe Vera Extract
Frequently recommended for application on the scalp, aloe vera gel is very beneficial.
How to use:
Apply the readymade gel or scoop it out from a freshly plucked leaf.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a popular herbal remedy that has been used for its therapeutic effects for centuries. Laden with many antioxidants, it is said to prevent hair fall and strengthen roots.
How to use:
Add 2 drops of milk thistle oil to 10 drops of your favorite esseAdditional Home Remedies To Fight Hair Loss
Rosemary Oil: Rosemary oil is known for improving circulation and stimulating hair follicles, promoting hair growth. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the scalp and reduce inflammation associated with alopecia areata.
How to use: Mix a few drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp. Leave it on for at least 20 to 30 minutes and then shampoo.
Castor Oil: Castor oil is rich in ricinolein acid and has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It also contains omega-6 fatty acids, Vitamin E, and other nutrients that nourish hair follicles.
How to use: Warm up castor oil and massage it into your scalp before bedtime. Leave it on overnight and wash with warm water in the morning.
Green Tea: Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that aid hair growth. It also contains compounds that inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), associated with hair loss.
How to use: Brew some green tea and allow it to cool. Use it as a final rinse after shampooing or spray it onto your scalp. Leave for twenty minutes before rinsing.
References:
An Overview of Alopecias
Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
Correspondence:Email: ude.imhj@GAL
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935391/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28925637/
