Rosemary often steals the headlines when it comes to strengthening hair health and stimulating hair growth. For decades, this aromatic herb has received praise for its ability to thicken hair and ward off thinning. And while rosemary certainly gets its due, there may be another herb that stands a better chance of improving hair health: ginseng. This age-old root is prized for its widespread benefits for health but has become part of the hair care regimen as a result of its strong influences on encouraging hair growth and scalp wellness.

For ages, ginseng is used as an effective adaptogen: this plant enhances general wellness, decreases stress, and boosts mental functioning. Newer research has shown another excellent advantage of ginseng: its promotion of hair growth. Most people have heard of ginseng in the Chinese traditional healing practices, but only over the last decade have researchers started to analyze it on a deeper level and look into its hair-related impacts. As it turns out, this humble root may hold the key to not just healthier hair, but more voluminous, thicker locks.

While genetics undeniably play a significant role in hair loss and thinning, factors such as stress, diet, scalp health, and circulation are all contributing elements that can exacerbate these conditions. This is where ginseng comes into play. It enhances the circulation of blood on its scalp, hence becomes fundamental in hair development and stimulating healthy growth in nourishing the scalp. That more blood flows into it thus enables the strong transport nutrients to the follicle site.

Recent studies have proven that ginseng is a potent herb that promotes hair growth. Red ginseng extract may significantly enhance hair growth, according to a study conducted in the Journal of Medicinal Food. It is crucial for those individuals who experience hair thinning or alopecia because such a discovery opens up a new window of possibilities through natural, herbal interventions.

Active ingredients of ginseng, especially ginsenosides, are considered to play a crucial role in this process. Ginsenosides enhance blood circulation towards the scalp, thereby stimulating hair follicles and increasing keratin production. The latter is a protein responsible for hair strength and structure. Moreover, the mentioned compounds inhibit the action of 5-alpha reductase, which causes male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. This helps ginseng in reducing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that is responsible for hair loss.

Also Read: This Surprising Chilled Item Can Give You Shiny, Smooth Hair

Other Benefits of Ginseng for Hair Health

Aside from promoting hair growth, ginseng also offers a variety of other benefits that can help in creating a healthier scalp and stronger hair. Here are some reasons why ginseng should be part of your hair care routine:

1. Antioxidant Protection

Ginseng is full of antioxidants, which protect your hair from free radicals with harmful oxidative effects. In other words, these little molecules bring about oxidative damage, hair breakage and thinning, and unnatural aging of hair. All these problems are neutralized by powerful antioxidants in Ginseng from the inside hair cells outwards.

2. Keeps the Scalp Healthy

Ginseng has natural antimicrobial properties that keep the scalp clean and healthy. This is important in keeping conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis away from the scalp, thus impeding hair growth. A clean and balanced scalp ensures that hair follicles are not obstructed to create an optimal environment for hair to grow.

3. Hydration and Nourishment

Another property that is being provided by ginseng is to balance the scalp's natural oils. With fatty acids, it hydrates the scalp without getting greasy, making it ideal for people with both dry and oily scalps. This moisture balance will prevent hair breakage and split ends.

4. Stress Reduction

Stress is one of the most significant causes of hair loss, and ginseng is known to have an adaptogenic property. That is, it will make your body capable of resisting the effects of stress much more effectively. Ginseng would indirectly lead to a healthy scalp, as less stress would impact the body. This indirectly minimizes the chances of hair thinning due to the effect of stress factors.

How to Use Ginseng for Hair Health

If you want to add ginseng to your hair care process, then there are different ways through which you can do that. Many companies now create hair care products with added ginseng extract: shampoos, conditioners, hair masks- all of it. Thus, you'll be using ginseng without doing much.

Others prefer direct application of the ginseng-infused oils right on the scalp. However, pure ginseng oil can be quite strong, and blending it with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil is suggested for the best results. Just apply this mixture to the scalp and massage it very gently to stimulate blood circulation and nourish the roots of the hair. The oil should be kept for an hour before it should be washed off the oily hair.

Another option is to create a nourishing ginseng hair mask. Combine ginseng powder with olive oil to create a mask that you can apply to your scalp. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This mask not only nourishes the scalp but also helps to repair damaged strands and improve overall hair health.

As with any hair care regimen, consistency is key when using ginseng for hair growth. To see the best results, these ginseng-based products should be used two or three times a week. One must be patient while using ginseng; hair growth is slow and gradual. If one suffers from hair thinning and scalp problems even after consuming ginseng, a visit to a dermatologist or trichologist to determine the underlying conditions will be advisable.

Whereas rosemary has long been the darling of herb enthusiasts claiming to help your hair grow, ginseng has emerged as one of the most powerful tools in the quest for healthy, thick hair. Through its properties of enhancing circulation, feeding the scalp with nutrients, and stimulating growth, ginseng proves to be an excellent remedy for people looking to get healthier-looking hair. Whether you use a commercially available product or make your own DIY treatments, you can enjoy great long-term benefits from ginseng when added to your hair care routine. The good news? It's completely natural and very effective as it supports the overall health of your scalp while fostering thicker, fuller hair.

Active ginseng components in cognitive impairment. Oncotarget. 2018

Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng. PLoS One. 2013

While the National Capital is dealing with cold wave, the air quality also continues to worsen. In several parts of Delhi, the air quality reached severe category. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an Orange alert on Tuesday for cold wave. Dense fog also engulfed the city, with air pollution or the particulate matter being trapped in the air, turning the fog into smog.

The condition of air pollution in Delhi has remained concerning and the levels have spiked to 20 to 30 times above the safety levels recommended by the World Health Organization or the WHO. Many studies, including the official website of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US notes that the small particulate matter found in the air pollution is directly linked to health problems. "Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream," notes EPA.

The particulate matter could lead to:

• premature death in people with heart or lung disease
• nonfatal heart attacks
• aggravated asthma
• irregular heartbeat
• decreased lung function
• increases respiratory symptoms like irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing

What Are Smog-Eating Surfaces And How Do They Help?

The government is pursuing "smog eating" surfaces to deal with the pollution problem in Delhi. While it may sound like a strange thing in India, not to the world. In fact, in the Netherlands these were used to reduce local nitrogen oxide or the NO concentrations in the air, rather than greenhouse gas concentrations.

Smog usually contains a mixture of hydrocarbons, ozone, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, and particulates. The pollution is caused by both photochemical reactions that involve sunlight, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, along with high concentrations of particulate matter, especially from vehicle exhaust, construction dust and biomass burning.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced "smog eating" surface as part of its pollution control plan, for which the government has also signed an MoU with IIT Madras.

The smog eating surfaces will be public surfaces coated with photocatalytic materials like titanium dioxide or TiO2 that is used to degrade pollutants.

The Deccan Herald quoted Dr Pradeep Singh, professor and head at the School of Advanced Chemical Sciences, Shoolini University, who explained: Photocatalytic materials are basically semiconductors. Substances like TiO2₂or zinc oxide are typically used as photocatalysts. When light falls on these semiconductor catalysts, electrons within them jump from one energy level to another, creating a hole. These photocatalytic holes and electrons subsequently form free radicals, which have strong oxidizing properties and can break down certain air pollutants with which they interact."

How Do Smog Eating Surfaces Work?

Smog contains mainly nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter. When all of these interact with photocatalytic materials, gaseous pollutants convert into less harmful compounds, such as nitrogen oxides become nitrates or decompose into ions. This process is also known as pollutant mineralization.

Fun Fact: It was in 2017, when scientists in Italy developed a type of photocatalytic cement that could absorb pollutants and convert it into harmless salts. Palazzo Italia in Milan, opened in 2015, was the first building to use the cement.

How Effective Are These Smog Eating Surfaces?

As per Dr Ashish Moon, Head of the Civil Department at Smt Radhikatai Pandav College of Engineering, Nagpur, the impact depends on environmental conditions. He explained that titanium dioxide can locally reduce certain gaseous pollutants like nitrogen oxides under ideal conditions, rather than absorbing up to 50 percent of all harmful gases.

He also co-authored a paper in 2021, titled: Detailed Case Study on Smog Eating Tile, where he noted, "It is better to use it in liquid form than a powder. I have not come across any harmful interactions between TiO2 and particles or gases in the air." However, he also points out that how it will work in Delhi will depend on its weather conditions and atmosphere. "There should be enough UV light for the nanoparticles to activate," he said.

Will this arrangement really work? That is yet to see, although a 2023 Spanish study found that although this measure showed some improvement, but it only yielded a modest reduction in ambient NO2. We are yet to see how well it will work in Delhi and its neighboring city's pollution problem.

As temperatures fall, a growing number of people are seeking medical advice for sudden, painful rashes and nerve-related discomfort. Superdrug Online Doctor has reported a 50% rise in patients requesting consultations for shingles over recent weeks. Shingles develops when the chickenpox virus, which stays dormant in the body after childhood infection, becomes active again later in life.

What Is Shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral illness that causes a painful, blistering rash, usually appearing on one side of the body. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, becomes active again after lying dormant in the nerves for many years. This reactivation is more likely when the immune system is weakened.

Symptoms often begin with burning, tingling, or itching in a specific area, followed by clusters of fluid-filled blisters that eventually dry out and form scabs. Starting antiviral treatment early can help reduce the severity and length of the infection. A shingles vaccine is also available and is recommended, particularly for people over the age of 50, to lower the risk of developing shingles and to prevent complications such as long-lasting nerve pain, known as postherpetic neuralgia.

Who Is Most At Risk Of Shingles?

The condition is more likely to affect older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Dr Babak Ashrafi, Superdrug’s Online Doctor, explained that many patients are caught off guard by how quickly symptoms appear. “Shingles often begins unexpectedly,” he said. “People may wake up with a burning or tingling sensation, followed by a rash that rapidly becomes more painful. We typically see higher numbers during colder months, when immune defences are under greater pressure.”

Winter-related factors such as stress, poor sleep, and seasonal infections can all take a toll on the immune system. When immunity dips, the virus responsible for shingles has a greater chance of reactivating, increasing the likelihood of flare-ups during colder periods.

Shingles Early Warning Signs To Watch For

According to the NHS, early symptoms of shingles often include a tingling, itching, or painful sensation on one side of the body. Some people may also experience headaches or feel generally unwell before a rash appears. The rash usually develops a few days later and is most commonly seen on the chest or abdomen, although it can occur anywhere on the body.

Superdrug Online Doctor has outlined five situations where people should seek prompt medical advice rather than rely on self-care. These include cases where:

• the rash appears on or near the eye
• pain is severe or spreading
• the person has a weakened immune system
• the individual is pregnant
• symptoms are worsening quickly

Shingles Treatment

Superdrug Online Doctor provides an online assessment and photo-diagnosis service, allowing clinicians to review symptoms remotely. Where appropriate, patients can be prescribed antiviral medication without needing to wait for a GP appointment.

Dr Ashrafi stressed the importance of acting quickly, adding: “The most important advice is not to wait and see. Starting treatment early can make a significant difference to recovery and long-term outcomes.”

Doctors are reporting a change in the way the flu is presenting as a new strain spreads across the UK. Hospital admissions linked to the flu rose sharply at the beginning of the year, with an average of 2,924 people a day admitted by January 4. Four hospital trusts have declared critical incidents, citing ongoing and intense pressure on services. These include three trusts in Surrey and one in Kent.

Surrey Heartlands Trust said winter pressures had been made worse by a rise in flu and norovirus cases. NHS national medical director Professor Meghana Pandit said the situation remains difficult, with hospitals seeing another increase in patients admitted with flu and other respiratory infections last week.

She said it is still vital for people to seek medical help when needed and reminded the public that there are many chances to get vaccinated against flu. Health Secretary Wes Streeting also stressed that flu can be dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, and those with existing health problems. He urged everyone who qualifies to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible, calling it the best form of protection.

Doctors Report Unusual Symptoms As New Flu Strain Spreads Across The UK

Doctors say this latest flu strain appears to be causing different symptoms. The virus, known as subclade K, is a variant of the A H3N2 type of influenza.

Dr Mark Loafman told NBC Chicago that many patients are experiencing much higher fevers than usual. He said the fever can last five to seven days, which is longer than people typically expect and is a cause for concern.

In some cases, doctors say the fever does not respond well to common medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Lung specialist Dr Juanita Mora said this strain is linked to very high temperatures, a severe and persistent cough with heavy phlegm, vomiting, diarrhoea, and widespread joint and muscle pain.

Doctors have also noticed a rise in stomach-related symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, often referred to as gastrointestinal or GI issues. Dr Loafman said that, based on what doctors are seeing, adults infected with the subclade K strain seem to be showing more signs of GI illness than usual.

According to the NHS, flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and tend to be much more severe than those of a common cold. While most people start to recover within about a week, the illness can feel particularly harsh while it lasts.

Key Symptoms of Flu

The main symptoms usually begin abruptly and include:

• A sudden high temperature of 38C or higher
• Body aches affecting muscles and joints
• Extreme tiredness or exhaustion
• A dry cough
• A sore throat
• Headaches
• Problems sleeping
• Reduced appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, which are more common in children

How To Treat Flu at Home

Most people can deal with flu symptoms at home without needing to see a doctor. The NHS advises the following self-care measures:

• Rest and Sleep: Allow your body time and energy to fight off the infection.
• Stay Warm: Use extra layers or blankets to maintain body warmth.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Your urine should be pale yellow or clear.
• Pain Relief: Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and ease aches. Avoid taking combination flu medicines alongside paracetamol tablets, as this can lead to taking too much.
• Sore Throat Relief: Gargle with salt water if you are an adult, or have hot drinks such as lemon and honey to ease discomfort.