Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry) Oil in Human Subjects with Alopecia in Cebu City, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Alopecia is a significant hair problem worldwide. Phyllanthus emblica, commonly known as Indian gooseberry, is one of the most important medicinal plants in Indian traditional systems of medicine. Phyllanthus emblica is a potent 5α-reductase inhibitor and hair growth promoter. The main objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of Phyllanthus emblica oil in promoting hair growth. The study utilizes a true experimental research design on human subjects. Human subjects with alopecia were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A was treated with Phyllanthus emblica oil and Group B was treated with castor oil. The mean change in hair length and rate of hair growth in both groups were monitored by measurement of the hair length using a tape measure on a weekly basis. The extracts of Phyllanthus emblica hair oil significantly increased hair growth of (p < 0.05) human subjects with alopecia. The rate of hair growth in Group A (Phyllanthus emblica) is 1.58 cm/month, and 1.1 cm/month for Group B (Castor Oil). Therefore, the rate of hair growth is faster in Group A (Phyllanthus emblica) compared with Group B (Castor oil). This study showed that the extracts of Phyllanthus emblica oil is effective in promoting hair growth in human subjects with alopecia in Cebu City. In addition, Castor oil was also able to exert a hair growing-effect. However, Phyllanthus emblica oil has a faster rate of hair growth compared with Castor oil throughout the course of the experiment.