Encyclopedia · botanical
Hibiscus
Hibiscus leaf and flower extracts grew hair in rats and cultured rat follicles, but no human hair trial exists.
What it is
Hibiscus here means the flowers and leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, used in South Asian hair oils and pastes. The mucilage-rich leaves and petals are slippery conditioners.
How it works
The mechanism has not been tested in humans. The rat paper reports longer hair and more follicles in the growth phase in treated animals (Adhirajan 2003).
What the studies show
- In albino rats over 30 days and in cultured rat follicles, a 1% petroleum-ether extract in liquid paraffin lengthened hair and shifted follicle phases. The leaf extract was more potent than the flower extract. Adhirajan 2003
- A search for hibiscus with clinical hair terms found nothing. The extract tested was a petroleum-ether extract, unlike a home tea or paste.
Side effects and safety
There are no hair-specific safety data. Dietary hibiscus is considered safe for most people. Patch-test it.
Bottom line
Weak evidence. Hibiscus is a pleasant slippery conditioner, not a growth treatment. Whether it helps graying or growth in people is untested.
Studies 1
Adhirajan N et al. In vivo and in vitro evaluation of hair growth potential of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003
Tested: 1% petroleum-ether extract of leaf or flower in liquid paraffin
Result: Hair grew longer and follicles shifted phase; leaf extract was more potent than flower extract.
Read the study ↗Related
- BhringrajBhringraj is the Ayurvedic "king of hair" herb; extracts speed regrowth in rats and mice, but no human hair trial was found.
- AmlaAmla fruit has one small positive placebo-controlled trial of an oral syrup in women with pattern hair loss, plus lab and animal data; amla oils and masks are tradition.
- Aloe veraAloe gel is a soothing, water-binding scalp and hair conditioner, with no solid human trial showing it grows hair.