4.8
Hirsutism: natural remedies and the evidence behind them
Hirsutism is the growth of excess, coarse, or dark hair in areas where women typically have little hair, such as the face, chest, or back.
7 options · 2 graded B · 1 graded C · 4 traditional or ungraded
What best describes your situation with excess hair growth?
I have (or suspect) PCOS, irregular cycles, or blood-sugar issues — I want to work on the root cause
Spearmint Tea
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleHuman RCT: spearmint tea lowered androgens in hirsute women
- Why this matches
- Since you want to work on the underlying hormones, spearmint tea is a simple daily drink that, in studies of women with excess hair growth, lowered the male-type hormones (androgens) that drive it.
- Why try it
- In a randomized trial, drinking spearmint tea twice a day significantly lowered free testosterone in women with PCOS-related hirsutism, and an earlier study found the same androgen-lowering effect. It is gentle, inexpensive, and easy to add to a daily routine, though visible changes in hair take longer than these short studies ran.
- Dose or use
- Typically one cup of spearmint tea twice a day; follow product labeling.
- Time to results
- Typically 8-12 weeks
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2010, PMID 19585478): spearmint herbal tea taken twice daily for 30 days significantly reduced free and total testosterone in women with PCOS and hirsutism; an earlier study (2007, PMID 17310494) showed the same androgen-lowering effect. Reductions in visible hair take longer than these short trials measured.
- Caution
- May not be suitable in pregnancy or with hormone-sensitive conditions; check with a healthcare practitioner first.
Zinc Deficiency
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleRCT: zinc supplementation reduced hirsutism in PCOS
- Why this matches
- Since you want to support your hormones internally, zinc is worth attention: it helps regulate the enzymes behind androgen-driven hair growth, and low zinc may quietly add to the picture.
- Why try it
- In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 50 mg of zinc daily for 8 weeks significantly reduced hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallwey score) and hair loss in women with PCOS. Zinc supports the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and androgen metabolism, so it is a reasonable, low-cost option to consider, especially if your zinc intake is low.
- Dose or use
- The trial used about 50 mg of zinc daily (as zinc sulfate) for 8 weeks; take with food to reduce stomach upset. For longer-term use, have a practitioner check your zinc status.
- Time to results
- About 8 weeks in the clinical trial
- Key study
- Zinc is involved in androgen-metabolizing enzymes; correcting a confirmed deficiency is a supportive angle, but this specific use has not been confirmed by a cited trial here.
- Caution
- Do not take high-dose zinc long term without medical guidance; excess zinc can deplete copper, so longer-term use may need zinc-status testing and balancing copper intake.
Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Combination
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleHuman-studied for lowering androgens in PCOS
- Why this matches
- If your excess hair growth is tied to PCOS or insulin resistance, this pairing targets that root by helping your body handle insulin and calm androgen levels.
- Why try it
- Myo-inositol with D-chiro-inositol improves insulin sensitivity and has been shown to reduce androgens and normalize cycles in women with PCOS, the most common driver of hirsutism. The hair-growth benefit is indirect, through better hormone balance.
- Dose or use
- Commonly taken in a 40:1 myo-to-D-chiro ratio; follow product labeling and consult a practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 3-6 months
- Key study
- Human study in PCOS women found improved ovulation, reduced androgens, and more regular cycles (European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2015); benefit for hirsutism is indirect via lower androgens.
- Caution
- Generally well tolerated; higher doses may cause mild nausea or loose stools. Consult a practitioner if pregnant or on diabetes medication.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleTraditionally used to support androgen balance
- Why this matches
- If you're looking to address hormone levels internally, licorice root is traditionally used to help moderate androgen activity.
- Why try it
- Traditionally used to help balance androgen levels, which are commonly associated with excess hair growth in women.
- Dose or use
- Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 6–12 weeks
- Key study
- Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Not recommended for long-term use or in high doses; avoid if you have high blood pressure, kidney issues, or are pregnant.
My hair growth is mild — I just want gentle, low-risk ways to soften what's visible
Spearmint Tea
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleHuman RCT: spearmint tea lowered androgens in hirsute women
- Why this matches
- Since you want to work on the underlying hormones, spearmint tea is a simple daily drink that, in studies of women with excess hair growth, lowered the male-type hormones (androgens) that drive it.
- Why try it
- In a randomized trial, drinking spearmint tea twice a day significantly lowered free testosterone in women with PCOS-related hirsutism, and an earlier study found the same androgen-lowering effect. It is gentle, inexpensive, and easy to add to a daily routine, though visible changes in hair take longer than these short studies ran.
- Dose or use
- Typically one cup of spearmint tea twice a day; follow product labeling.
- Time to results
- Typically 8-12 weeks
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2010, PMID 19585478): spearmint herbal tea taken twice daily for 30 days significantly reduced free and total testosterone in women with PCOS and hirsutism; an earlier study (2007, PMID 17310494) showed the same androgen-lowering effect. Reductions in visible hair take longer than these short trials measured.
- Caution
- May not be suitable in pregnancy or with hormone-sensitive conditions; check with a healthcare practitioner first.
Lavender Essential Oil
Limited human trials so far· Most of the research is laboratory or animal work (Evidence grade C · No traditional record)Studied topically, in a lavender+tea tree blend
- Why this matches
- If you want something you can apply directly to the skin, lavender oil was included in a small topical study for mild excess hair growth.
- Why try it
- One small RCT tested a topical lavender oil AND tea tree oil combination in young women with mild idiopathic hirsutism, so any benefit belongs to the blend rather than to lavender alone. It is a gentle, low-risk topical to try.
- Dose or use
- Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 4–8 weeks
- Key study
- Small RCT (2013, PMID 23211454) of a topical lavender + tea tree oil combination in young women with mild idiopathic hirsutism; because two oils were combined, the effect cannot be attributed to lavender alone.
- Caution
- For external use only; do a patch test first to check for skin sensitivity.
No diagnosis, but my hormones feel off — I want to calm the androgens driving the hair
Saw Palmetto
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleTraditional anti-androgen (lowers DHT)
- Why this matches
- If you want to address hormones from the inside, saw palmetto is traditionally used to soften the effect of androgens like DHT that fuel excess hair growth.
- Why try it
- Saw palmetto is believed to lower dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, the same pathway involved in androgen-driven hair growth in women. Its use for hirsutism is traditional rather than proven.
- Dose or use
- Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 3-6 months
- Key study
- Traditionally used as an anti-androgen; its specific use for hirsutism has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- May affect hormone levels; avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding and if on hormonal or blood-thinning medication without practitioner guidance.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleTraditionally used to support androgen balance
- Why this matches
- If you're looking to address hormone levels internally, licorice root is traditionally used to help moderate androgen activity.
- Why try it
- Traditionally used to help balance androgen levels, which are commonly associated with excess hair growth in women.
- Dose or use
- Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 6–12 weeks
- Key study
- Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Not recommended for long-term use or in high doses; avoid if you have high blood pressure, kidney issues, or are pregnant.
SP6 (Sanyinjiao) - Spleen 6
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleTCM point for women's hormonal balance
- Why this matches
- If you like hands-on, at-home support alongside working on your hormones, SP6 is the traditional point used for women's menstrual and hormonal regulation.
- Why try it
- In Traditional Chinese Medicine, SP6 (where the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians meet) is the go-to point for women's menstrual and hormonal balance. It is a calming, no-cost self-care practice used traditionally rather than clinically proven for hirsutism.
- Dose or use
- Press the point three finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, firmly for 1-2 minutes on each leg, once or twice daily.
- Time to results
- Variable; used as ongoing supportive care
- Key study
- Traditionally used in TCM for women's hormonal and menstrual regulation; its specific use for hirsutism has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Avoid strong stimulation of SP6 during pregnancy, as it is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.
What kind of approach fits you best?
I'd rather build simple daily rituals — a cup of tea, a pressure point, something for my skin
Spearmint Tea
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleHuman RCT: spearmint tea lowered androgens in hirsute women
- Why this matches
- Since you want to work on the underlying hormones, spearmint tea is a simple daily drink that, in studies of women with excess hair growth, lowered the male-type hormones (androgens) that drive it.
- Why try it
- In a randomized trial, drinking spearmint tea twice a day significantly lowered free testosterone in women with PCOS-related hirsutism, and an earlier study found the same androgen-lowering effect. It is gentle, inexpensive, and easy to add to a daily routine, though visible changes in hair take longer than these short studies ran.
- Dose or use
- Typically one cup of spearmint tea twice a day; follow product labeling.
- Time to results
- Typically 8-12 weeks
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2010, PMID 19585478): spearmint herbal tea taken twice daily for 30 days significantly reduced free and total testosterone in women with PCOS and hirsutism; an earlier study (2007, PMID 17310494) showed the same androgen-lowering effect. Reductions in visible hair take longer than these short trials measured.
- Caution
- May not be suitable in pregnancy or with hormone-sensitive conditions; check with a healthcare practitioner first.
Lavender Essential Oil
Limited human trials so far· Most of the research is laboratory or animal work (Evidence grade C · No traditional record)Studied topically, in a lavender+tea tree blend
- Why this matches
- If you want something you can apply directly to the skin, lavender oil was included in a small topical study for mild excess hair growth.
- Why try it
- One small RCT tested a topical lavender oil AND tea tree oil combination in young women with mild idiopathic hirsutism, so any benefit belongs to the blend rather than to lavender alone. It is a gentle, low-risk topical to try.
- Dose or use
- Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 4–8 weeks
- Key study
- Small RCT (2013, PMID 23211454) of a topical lavender + tea tree oil combination in young women with mild idiopathic hirsutism; because two oils were combined, the effect cannot be attributed to lavender alone.
- Caution
- For external use only; do a patch test first to check for skin sensitivity.
SP6 (Sanyinjiao) - Spleen 6
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleTCM point for women's hormonal balance
- Why this matches
- If you like hands-on, at-home support alongside working on your hormones, SP6 is the traditional point used for women's menstrual and hormonal regulation.
- Why try it
- In Traditional Chinese Medicine, SP6 (where the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians meet) is the go-to point for women's menstrual and hormonal balance. It is a calming, no-cost self-care practice used traditionally rather than clinically proven for hirsutism.
- Dose or use
- Press the point three finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, firmly for 1-2 minutes on each leg, once or twice daily.
- Time to results
- Variable; used as ongoing supportive care
- Key study
- Traditionally used in TCM for women's hormonal and menstrual regulation; its specific use for hirsutism has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Avoid strong stimulation of SP6 during pregnancy, as it is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.
I'd rather use targeted supplements that fix nutrient gaps and support metabolism
Zinc Deficiency
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleRCT: zinc supplementation reduced hirsutism in PCOS
- Why this matches
- Since you want to support your hormones internally, zinc is worth attention: it helps regulate the enzymes behind androgen-driven hair growth, and low zinc may quietly add to the picture.
- Why try it
- In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 50 mg of zinc daily for 8 weeks significantly reduced hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallwey score) and hair loss in women with PCOS. Zinc supports the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and androgen metabolism, so it is a reasonable, low-cost option to consider, especially if your zinc intake is low.
- Dose or use
- The trial used about 50 mg of zinc daily (as zinc sulfate) for 8 weeks; take with food to reduce stomach upset. For longer-term use, have a practitioner check your zinc status.
- Time to results
- About 8 weeks in the clinical trial
- Key study
- Zinc is involved in androgen-metabolizing enzymes; correcting a confirmed deficiency is a supportive angle, but this specific use has not been confirmed by a cited trial here.
- Caution
- Do not take high-dose zinc long term without medical guidance; excess zinc can deplete copper, so longer-term use may need zinc-status testing and balancing copper intake.
Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro-Inositol Combination
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleHuman-studied for lowering androgens in PCOS
- Why this matches
- If your excess hair growth is tied to PCOS or insulin resistance, this pairing targets that root by helping your body handle insulin and calm androgen levels.
- Why try it
- Myo-inositol with D-chiro-inositol improves insulin sensitivity and has been shown to reduce androgens and normalize cycles in women with PCOS, the most common driver of hirsutism. The hair-growth benefit is indirect, through better hormone balance.
- Dose or use
- Commonly taken in a 40:1 myo-to-D-chiro ratio; follow product labeling and consult a practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 3-6 months
- Key study
- Human study in PCOS women found improved ovulation, reduced androgens, and more regular cycles (European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2015); benefit for hirsutism is indirect via lower androgens.
- Caution
- Generally well tolerated; higher doses may cause mild nausea or loose stools. Consult a practitioner if pregnant or on diabetes medication.
I'd like traditional herbs known for taming androgens like DHT
Saw Palmetto
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleTraditional anti-androgen (lowers DHT)
- Why this matches
- If you want to address hormones from the inside, saw palmetto is traditionally used to soften the effect of androgens like DHT that fuel excess hair growth.
- Why try it
- Saw palmetto is believed to lower dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, the same pathway involved in androgen-driven hair growth in women. Its use for hirsutism is traditional rather than proven.
- Dose or use
- Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 3-6 months
- Key study
- Traditionally used as an anti-androgen; its specific use for hirsutism has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- May affect hormone levels; avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding and if on hormonal or blood-thinning medication without practitioner guidance.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleTraditionally used to support androgen balance
- Why this matches
- If you're looking to address hormone levels internally, licorice root is traditionally used to help moderate androgen activity.
- Why try it
- Traditionally used to help balance androgen levels, which are commonly associated with excess hair growth in women.
- Dose or use
- Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 6–12 weeks
- Key study
- Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Not recommended for long-term use or in high doses; avoid if you have high blood pressure, kidney issues, or are pregnant.
Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for Hirsutism, not a promise of results. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.