Scalp Microbiota Dysbiosis in Seborrheic Alopecia and Restoration Following Herbal Extract Shampoo Intervention

May 2026 in “ Microorganisms ”

Jing Feng, Jiancong Huang, Zhou Shaolu, Xianghai Chen, Gang Zhou, Xudong Wang, Xia Wen, Qingshan SHI, Pianjuan Guo, Qiongfei Li, Xiaobao Xie

seborrheic alopecia scalp microbiota dysbiosis herbal extract shampoo ginger root Polygonum multiflorum Platycladus orientalis Staphylococcus Cutibacterium Malassezia ginger He Shou Wu Chinese Arborvitae

TLDR Herbal extract shampoo improves scalp health and hair growth in seborrheic alopecia.

The study examined the effects of a 12-week herbal extract shampoo intervention on scalp microbiota dysbiosis in 41 individuals with seborrheic alopecia (SA), compared to 29 healthy controls. The untreated SA group showed significant microbial imbalances, with increased Staphylococcus and Malassezia. Post-treatment, the SA group experienced restored microbial diversity, reduced hair loss by 39.57%, improved hair density by 25.36%, decreased scalp sebum by 25.59%, and increased hydration by 46.93%. These findings suggest that the herbal shampoo effectively alleviates SA symptoms, promotes scalp health, and supports hair growth by rebalancing the scalp microbiota.

View this study on doi.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

32 / 32 results

research Scalp Microbiome Alterations in Androgenetic Alopecia: Patterns and Emerging Mechanistic Insights

March 2026 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Changes in scalp microbes may contribute to hair loss, suggesting new treatment options.

research Cedrol From Platycladus Orientalis Regulates M1/M2 Polarization of Macrophages and Promotes Hair Regeneration

January 2026 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”

Cedrol promotes hair growth better than baricitinib by regulating immune cells.

Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Diagnostic Potential in Androgenetic Alopecia: Insights from Multi-Kingdom Sequencing and Machine Learning

research Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Diagnostic Potential in Androgenetic Alopecia: Insights from Multi-Kingdom Sequencing and Machine Learning

May 2025 in “mSystems”

Microbial imbalances on the scalp can help diagnose and manage hair loss early.

research Anti-Androgen Therapy for the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Clinical Review of Current and Emerging Therapies

May 2025 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral and topical anti-androgens can help treat female hair loss, but have side effects.

research Efficacy and Safety of Bicalutamide in Female Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature

March 2025 in “JAAD reviews.”

Bicalutamide can reduce female pattern hair loss, especially in those with certain conditions, but has limited effects on other hair loss types.

research Minoxidil Nano-Hydrogel Based on Chitosan and Hyaluronic Acid for Potential Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

March 2025 in “BioNanoScience”

The new minoxidil hydrogel improves delivery and is safe for treating hair loss.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2025 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

Male pattern baldness worsens with age and can be treated with medications like minoxidil and finasteride, but side effects and personalized care are important.

research Exploring the Scalp Microbiome Landscape: A Cross-Sectional Study of Female Pattern Hair Loss in Indian Women

November 2024 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Changes in scalp bacteria are linked to female hair loss, suggesting new treatment options.

research Clinical And Preclinical Approach In AGA Treatment: A Review Of Current And New Therapies In The Regenerative Field

August 2024 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

New regenerative therapies show promise for treating hair loss.

research Cedrol in Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) as a Promising Hair Growth Drug: The Effects of Oral and External Administration on Hair Regeneration and Its Mechanism

August 2024 in “Bioorganic Chemistry”

Cedrol from ginger can promote hair growth when taken orally.

Multifunctional Ionic Liquids-Mediated Topical Delivery of Minoxidil and EGCG for Treating Androgenic Alopecia Through Promoting Angiogenesis and Scavenging ROS

research Multifunctional Ionic Liquids-Mediated Topical Delivery of Minoxidil and EGCG for Treating Androgenic Alopecia Through Promoting Angiogenesis and Scavenging ROS

May 2024 in “Chemical engineering journal”

New treatment using Minoxidil and EGCG with ionic liquids improves hair growth and quality for hair loss.

research Composite Double-Layer Microneedle Loaded With Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

February 2023 in “Medicine in novel technology and devices”

Microneedles with traditional Chinese medicine can help regrow hair in androgenic alopecia.

research Water Extract of Cacumen Platycladi Promotes Hair Growth Through the Akt/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

February 2023 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology”

Water extract of Cacumen Platycladi helps hair growth by activating specific cell pathways.

research Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia in Shanghai: A Cross-Sectional Study

January 2023 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Androgenetic alopecia significantly affects mental health and quality of life, highlighting the need for psychiatric evaluations.

research Comparative Analysis of Scalp and Gut Microbiome in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Korean Cross-Sectional Study

December 2022 in “Frontiers in Microbiology”

The scalp microbiome is more diverse and may be more important in hair loss than the gut microbiome.

research Exploring the Effects of Chinese Herbal Ingredients on the Signaling Pathway of Alopecia and Screening Effective Compounds

5 citations , April 2022 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”

Chinese herbal medicine can help treat hair loss by promoting hair growth and preventing cell death, maintaining a balance between hair growth and loss.

research Amplicon-Based Sequencing and Co-Occurrence Network Analysis Reveals Notable Differences of Microbial Community Structure in Healthy and Dandruff Scalps

13 citations , April 2022 in “BMC Genomics”

Dandruff scalps have unstable microbes, more Malassezia, less Cutibacterium, and targeting Lactobacillus may help.

research The Inflammatory Component of Androgenetic Alopecia

3 citations , November 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Androgenetic alopecia, a genetic disorder affecting up to 50% of adults, is caused by an excessive response to androgens leading to hair follicle shrinkage. Treatments include FDA-approved drugs, other therapies like low-dose oral minoxidil, and hair transplantation.

research Scalp Microbiome and Sebum Composition in Japanese Male Individuals with and without Androgenetic Alopecia

4 citations , October 2021 in “Microorganisms”

Men with androgenetic alopecia have different scalp oils and microbes compared to those without.

research A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study of Acupuncture Therapy for Seborrheic Alopecia in Young and Middle-Aged Patients

3 citations , April 2020 in “Medicine”

Acupuncture may be a safe and cost-effective treatment for Seborrheic alopecia.

research Investigation on Microecology of Hair Root Fungi in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

9 citations , June 2019 in “Mycopathologia”

Malassezia yeast linked to hair loss; ketoconazole helps treat it.

research Microbiome in the Hair Follicle of Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

26 citations , May 2019 in “PLOS ONE”

Hair loss patients have different microbes in hair follicles, possibly affecting hair loss.

In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of Hair Growth Potential of Cacumen Platycladi, and GC-MS Analysis of the Active Constituents of Volatile Oil

research In Vivo and In Vitro Evaluation of Hair Growth Potential of Cacumen Platycladi, and GC-MS Analysis of the Active Constituents of Volatile Oil

13 citations , March 2019 in “Journal of ethnopharmacology”

Cacumen Platycladi oil promotes hair growth better than minoxidil.

research Comparison of Healthy and Dandruff Scalp Microbiome Reveals the Role of Commensals in Scalp Health

65 citations , October 2018 in “Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology”

Certain bacteria and fungi are linked to healthy scalps and dandruff, suggesting that the scalp's microbial balance affects its health.

research Controversies in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: The History of Finasteride

13 citations , September 2018 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Finasteride effectively stops hair loss in most patients, but concerns about rare sexual side effects exist.

Inhibitory Activities of Some Traditional Chinese Herbs Against Testosterone 5α-Reductase and Effects of Cacumen Platycladi on Hair Regrowth in Testosterone-Treated Mice

research Inhibitory Activities of Some Traditional Chinese Herbs Against Testosterone 5α-Reductase and Effects of Cacumen Platycladi on Hair Regrowth in Testosterone-Treated Mice

25 citations , November 2015 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”

Certain Chinese herbs, especially Cacumen platycladi, can promote hair regrowth and reduce hair loss-related hormone levels in mice.

research Promotion Effect of Constituents from the Root of Polygonum Multiflorum on Hair Growth

51 citations , July 2013 in “Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters”

Compounds from Polygonum multiflorum root, especially a new one, can boost hair growth more effectively than common treatments.

Topical Application of Polygonum Multiflorum Extract Induces Hair Growth of Resting Hair Follicles Through Upregulating Shh and β-Catenin Expression in C57BL/6 Mice

research Topical Application of Polygonum Multiflorum Extract Induces Hair Growth of Resting Hair Follicles Through Upregulating Shh and β-Catenin Expression in C57BL/6 Mice

91 citations , April 2011 in “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”

Polygonum multiflorum extract helps grow hair by activating certain hair growth signals in mice.

research Androgenic Alopecia: A Counterproductive Outcome of the Anabolic Effect of Androgens

11 citations , May 2009 in “Medical Hypotheses”

Male pattern baldness is an unintended side effect of the body's use of androgens for muscle growth, especially in those genetically prone to it.

research Topical Estrogen Accelerates Hair Regrowth in Mice After Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia by Favoring the Dystrophic Catagen Response Pathway to Damage

76 citations , January 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research The Extract of Thuja Occidentalis Semen Inhibited 5α-Reductase and Androgenetic Alopecia in B6CBAF1/J Hybrid Mice

47 citations , April 2003 in “Journal of dermatological science”

Thujae occidentalis semen extract may help treat male pattern baldness by blocking a hair loss-related enzyme and reducing hair loss in mice.

research Decreased Lymphocyte Reactivity and Autoimmunity in Alopecia Areata

54 citations , August 1981 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is linked to reduced T cell function and auto-immunity.