Alopecia areata is quite a common condition that causes patchy and sometimes complete hair loss, usually from the scalp, but can affect any part of the body. The condition can occur at any age and is considered to be due to autoimmunity i.e. where the body’s immune system attacks and damages normal body tissues. In this case, it attacks the hair follicles or bulbs beneath the skin and “turns off” their ability to grow.
About 50% of these patients recover spontaneously within 6 to 12 months, but many can suffer the condition for many years. There is reputedly no known cure, but I have increasing numbers of patients recovering completely using my wheatgrass extract. The patient and/or carer however, needs to commit to daily application for at least 12 months. The case below emphasizes the importance of perseverance when using wheatgrass for alopecia.
Recovery may be brought about in the same way that wheatgrass produces rapid healing of injured body tissues such as skin, muscle and bone following injury. Wheatgrass appears to contain hormone-like molecules that stimulate growth factor activity. Growth factors are essential for promoting cell division and proliferation and for immune stimulation. This may well create an environment for re-activation of dormant hair follicles and subsequent hair re-growth.