Green Tea for Hair: What are the Benefits?

Green tea, or Camellia sinensis, is known as a good-for-you beverage with a high antioxidant content. Some studies even suggest drinking it regularly might prevent certain health conditions. But what about green tea for hair? Can it help stimulate hair regrowth?

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, there is some evidence that green tea could be good for your hair.  While it’s not a proven treatment for male pattern hair loss, a green tea sipping habit might inadvertently benefit your hairline.

Below, we dig into the science on green tea leaves and outline what the research says about its role in promoting a healthy scalp.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the average person can expect to lose between 50 and 100 hairs on average, daily. 

This natural hair shedding is part of the typical hair growth cycle. 

The hair growth cycle is made of up three phases: 

• The anagen phase (where it gets longer)

• The catagen phase (where it’s alive but stops growing)

• The telogen phase, which is when hair roots prepare to release from your scalp

Excess shedding can happen when something interrupts this cycle, like follicle trauma, hormone imbalances or illness. 

Hair loss treatment addresses the underlying causes of hair loss and, in some cases, can encourage the growth cycle to restart.

Can green tea do the same? Let’s take a look at the research. 

That  matcha green tea latte is more than a tasty midday treat. Research also shows it could have several health benefits, including antioxidant properties.

Studies suggest green tea protects against conditions like heart disease. There’s also evidence that the antioxidant-packed drink can mimic insulin activity and help control blood sugar, lowering diabetes risk.

Green tea’s free radical-fighting effects might also help prevent several types of cancer, including lung, colon, esophageal, mouth and stomach cancers.

It can also help with:

• Blood pressure control

• Diarrhea

• Flu symptoms

• Bone mineral density

• Early stage herpes

So, what about green tea for hair growth?

Can green tea help promote healthy hair growth?

Short answer: Yes. Green tea may offer some serious benefits to hair health, like controlling sebum production and preventing dandruff.

The drink is rich in hair-friendly compounds including antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols like catechins.

Vitamin C helps increase blood flow to the scalp. Good blood circulation is crucial for nutrient delivery and healthy hair growth.

The catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (also known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate) in green tea works to slow hair loss by decreasing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — an androgen (male sex hormone) derived from testosterone that can weaken, thin and shorten the lifespan of hair follicles, eventually killing them completely. 

One small study involving three participants found that EGCG appeared to stimulate hair follicles and hair growth. 

Because green tea has moisturizing properties, you might also find green tea extract in smoothing hair care products like shampoo and conditioner. In fact, green tea products are recommended for people with androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. 

Another benefit of green tea? It has virtually no side effects.

If green tea is good for hair, what about other herbs and foods? 

The science behind many herbal remedies isn’t exactly airtight, but it’s possible some may help boost your nutrient intake and your overall health, which, in turn, can benefit your scalp and hair health.

Onion

Onion may help treat certain conditions that cause patchy bald spots. 

The reason? Onions are high in zinc, which may increase healthy oil production and prevent dandruff, reducing buildup that can worsen hair shedding. 

Apples

Could an apple a day keep baldness away? Maybe!

Apples contain a compound called procyanidin B-2 that some research suggests may play a role in limiting genetic hair loss. 

Ginseng

Ginseng is a medicinal herb with well-known healing properties. There’s even evidence that it can promote hair growth and inhibit DHT production. 

Ginkgo Biloba

Research shows that ginkgo biloba can help improve circulation, which could potentially help hair follicles. 

Rosemary

Some research suggests this evergreen rosemary may help treat respiratory disorders, and there’s evidence it can stimulate hair growth in people with alopecia areata.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus leaves and flowers have been shown to promote hair growth. 

One animal study found that hibiscus leaf extract increased the ratio of hairs in the anagen phase to hairs in the telogen phase in mice.

Most of the research on herbs for hair loss is limited or mixed.

If you’re thinking about taking herbal supplements to help with hair thinning, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional first, especially if you take any medications. 

Your healthcare professional can recommend a research-backed, FDA-approved hair loss treatment that actually works. Some effective hair loss treatment options include:

• Finasteride. Finasteride is an oral medication that blocks DHT. Studies show that when taken daily, it can reduce DHT levels by about 70 percent. 

• Minoxidil. Research shows minoxidil can help increase hair growth, too. It’s available over the counter in a foam or liquid solution. 

• Combination finasteride and minoxidil. Did you know that these two medications work better together? Try this topical finasteride & minoxidil spray for optimal results. 

While vitamins can’t directly kickstart hair regrowth, there’s evidence that products like biotin gummies might give your follicles a boost, especially if you have a nutrient deficiency. Check out our Essential Vitamins for a Healthy Head of Hair guide for a breakdown of which vitamins can help with hair health. 

The right hair care routine can also benefit your scalp and strands to prevent breakage and hair fall. Consider adding the following products to your hair loss toolkit:

• Volumizing shampoo

• Volumizing conditioner

• Moisturizing hair masks

• Thickening shampoo with saw palmetto

• Green tea hair rinse

If dandruff is causing buildup that’s exacerbating your shedding, a dandruff detox shampoo containing pyrithione zinc and salicylic acid may help.

Drinking a gallon of green tea a day won’t completely stop hair loss in its tracks, especially if your shedding is genetic. But so far, the research on green tea hair benefits is promising. 

Still, your best bet for treating hair loss lies with science-backed, FDA-approved medications like finasteride and minoxidil. 

And a good place to start is by booking a consultation with a healthcare professional to get advice on hair loss solutions that might be right for you.