Health Tips

Essential oils help hair growth

Isabelle C. Hay and colleagues from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland saw several cases of alopecia areata, a type of hair loss that causes patchy baldness, improve after patients used herbal treatments. Unlike male pattern baldness or hair brittleness, alopecia is a condition that affects men and women of all ages, and is most likely caused by an immune system inflammation that affects areas of the scalp. Stress often precedes an alopecia outbreak.

External application of various herbal essences is being found to benefit those who suffer hair loss due to alopecia. Among these are cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris), all of which have been used to treat alopecia for more than a century.

Hay and researchers recruited 84 people with diagnosed alopecia areata. During the seven-month trial, participants suspended use of topical or oral alopecia medications. Instead, half used a blend of cedarwood (2 drops, 94 mg), lavender (3 drops, 108 mg), rosemary (3 drops, 114 mg) and thyme (2 drops, 88 mg) in a carrier oil mix of jojoba (3 ml) and grapeseed (20 ml). The placebo group used just the carrier oils. Subjects were instructed to rub the oil into the bare areas of their scalp for two minutes each evening and then to wrap a warm towel around their head to enhance absorption.

Of those receiving active treatment, 44% (16 of 35 patients) significantly improved. The average area of hair regrowth with the essential oils was 104 square cm compared with nearly zero for those using placebo. Reference: Hay I, et al. Randomized trial of aromatherapy-successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol 1998; 134:1349-52.  jcb

Reference: Hay I, et al. Randomized trial of aromatherapy-successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol 1998; 134:1349-52.

The Health Tips Articles Are Copied With Permission From Danny Wells Associates, Inc., 2000. They are for informational purposes only. The contents should not be used as medical advise. Consult a health professional for medical problems.

Betsy's Story

Betsy Billingslea first stepped into a health food store more than 18 years ago to search for health solutions because she and her children were "always sick."

Before she knew it, Betsy’s background in nursing helped her to combine the best of conventional medicine with what she was learning about vitamins, herbs, and nutrition in the natural foods industry. Besides getting healthy, Betsy found a profession she could really love!

Betsy opened her store in 1993. She chose a location in the area where she had been working, learning, and growing more healthy in the last 14 years. Her daughter Beth helped on the sales floor. Husband Richard, who has an architectural degree, designed the store’s layout. Son John took over the management of the books to keep the bills paid on time. Daughter-in-law Ramona, with a Master’s Degree in English, became manager of the store’s monthly newsletter "The Heartline" in 1999. Today, the store employs a variety of people who share a background in retail and an interest in natural foods.  




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The number one priority at Betsy’s is the education and well-being of the customer. At Betsy’s, our slogan is Always "Taking Your Health To Heart." The customer’s health comes first. That’s why we are committed to bringing our customers the highest quality health foods at the best possible prices. Serving the customer also means that Betsy’s strives to bring a great variety to our customers.

Because Betsy and her employees have been using the products they sell for a variety of purposes and a number of years, they understand the breadth of demand and the need for supply and information in the natural foods industry. Betsy’s continually strives to maintain its people-centered philosophy of providing quality to our customers at great prices. Just as we greet our customers when you visit our store, we welcome you to our website. If you have difficulty finding what you’re looking for, call us. We look forward to taking your health to heart.