Hair loss herbs get the Marshall-Blum treatment

A blend of herbs designed to help prevent hair loss among ageing women and created by the US group Biotech Corporation has been given the thumbs up by independent research lab Marshall-Blum.

Biotech's formula, NuHair, contains several Chinese herbs with a long tradition for helping prevent hair loss claims, and the Marshall-Blum trial was designed to test the efficacy of these ingredients.

The randomised, triple blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial focused on women aged between 40 and 60. Anyone who had had prior surgical procedures to replace lost hair, or who had a history of alcohol abuse, severe co-morbid conditions or the inability to tolerate the herbal blend was excluded from the trial.

The subjects were given a dietary supplement and used a lotion on the scalp on a daily basis. Of the 100 women who started the six-month trial, just 33 completed it, 27 in the product group and seven in the placebo group. At the end of the trial period, participants were asked to complete a self-assessment form, as well undergo a number of tests to assess hair loss.

The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The efficacy of NuHair was demonstrated with subjective measures of hair thickness, perceived appearance, satisfactions, continued used and recommendations. There were indications that actual hair growth was attained but Biotech is awaiting a second trial before confirming these results.

No significant adverse events were reported in this study, and a second, larger, study is currently underway with both men and women using an ultra sensitive digital photographic technique.