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

A new study has revealed an alarming trend in stroke cases in the past three decades. Strokes have often been associated as an age-related disease. But according to a study published in Neurology, the rate of stroke among adults aged 20 to 54 has nearly doubled between 1993-94 and 2020.

Researchers examined data from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Stroke Study and identified 2,076 first-time strokes among people in this age group.

The rate of stroke rose from 33.9 cases per 100,000 person-years in 1993-94 to 62.2 in 2020. The increase was largely driven by ischemic stroke, which happens when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked.

The study points towards an alarming pattern, especially among younger age groups. It raises the question of why are strokes are occurring earlier in life?

High Blood Pressure, Diabetes And Other Risks

The researchers found that several risk factors of stroke became more common among younger people. These included lifestyle disorders like high blood pressure, diabetes and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of blood clots.

Apart from lifestyle diseases, researchers also saw an increase in substance use. Among younger adults who had suffered a stroke, substance use rose from 4.6% in 1993-94 to 40.2% in 2020. Much of this increase was linked to marijuana use.

However, the study does not prove that these factors caused the overall rise in stroke rates. Researchers did not have comparable information from people who had not suffered a stroke, making it impossible to determine whether the changing risk factors directly explain the surge in cases.

According to the study, the increase was concentrated mainly in ischemic strokes. The rate of ischemic stroke among 20- to 54-year-olds rose from 23.8 to 47.3 cases per 100,000 person-years during the study period.

Researchers did not observe a similar increase in intracerebral haemorrhage, which involves bleeding within the brain, or subarachnoid haemorrhage, which involves bleeding around the brain.

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What Is An Ischemic Stroke?

An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying part of the brain becomes blocked, cutting off oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells can start dying within minutes, which is why stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive.

The warning signs of stroke can appear suddenly. They include:

• Facial drooping
• Weakness
• Numbness in an arm or leg
• Difficulty speaking

The commonly used FAST acronym stands for Face, Arm, Speech and Time. If these symptoms appear, emergency medical care should be sought immediately.

Also read: UK Student Nearly Dies After Accidental Paracetamol Overdose: Why It Can Cause Liver Failure

More Young People Are Surviving Stroke

This is another interesting finding. Although stroke became more common among younger adults, the study found that the 30-day death rate declined modestly, from 11.7% in 1993-94 to 9.4% in 2020 after adjusting for age, race and sex.

That means more younger people may be surviving strokes but potentially living with their long-term consequences.

The researchers say the findings highlight the importance of identifying and managing stroke risk factors earlier in adulthood. More research is still required to understand what is behind the changing pattern and how it can be prevented.

A 20-year-old UK student nearly died after accidentally taking two over-the-counter medicines that both contained paracetamol.

Riley Lubas, a first-year University of Bath student, developed a bad cold in March 2025. Days later, he developed severe stomach pain and was found to have serious liver damage.

What Happened?

Doctors initially suspected hepatitis, but Riley's condition rapidly worsened. He became delirious and hallucinated as his liver began to fail. His lungs and kidneys also stopped working, leaving him in multiple organ failure.

He was placed on life support and dialysis before being transferred to King's College Hospital in London, where doctors identified the cause after asking about his paracetamol use.

"It didn't necessarily help with a solution, but it was good to know the cause at last," his father, Chris, said.

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Riley Had To Learn To Walk And Talk Again

Riley was assessed for a liver transplant after his parents were warned that some of the damage could be "irreversible". But his liver began to recover.

"We watched Riley's situation closely for a couple of days, and he continued to improve, until he was taken off dialysis and life support just a week later."

Riley spent six weeks at King's College Hospital and later moved to an ICU in Newport. After a tracheostomy and multiple organ failure, he had to relearn how to speak and walk.

"But just seeing him up and alive again was unbelievable," his father said.

Riley has since recovered and returned to work as a bartender.

"It was mad how quickly it all escalated," he said.

"Because I was already sick, when my stomach hurt I just assumed I'd caught a stomach bug, so I didn't notice the pain in my liver specifically."

"I'm just so grateful that I was able to come out the other end alright."

Why Combining Cold And Flu Medicines Can Be Risky

Read More: Are GLP-1 Drugs Safe for Children? Study Finds Nutritional Deficiency in Nearly 17% Within a Year

Riley's case highlights the risk of taking multiple medicines without realizing they contain the same active ingredient.

Dr Will Mackintosh, a GP and chairman of RCGP Cymru Wales, said accidental paracetamol overdose in young people was "a fairly rare occurrence", but warned that people can inadvertently take two products containing paracetamol, BBC reported.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned that "simple misunderstandings" about medicines can have serious consequences, highlighting the importance of checking the ingredients beforehand.

The Royal College of General Practitioners Cymru Wales also advised people to "read the label carefully" before taking medicines.

How Much Paracetamol Is Safe?

For most adults, the usual dose is 500 mg to 1,000 mg at a time, with at least four hours between doses.

The usual maximum is 4,000 mg in 24 hours, although some people may need a lower dose because of their weight, liver or kidney problems, alcohol use or other health conditions.

The important point is to count paracetamol from all medicines, including cold and flu products.

How Can An Overdose Damage The Liver?

The liver breaks down paracetamol. When too much is taken, a toxic substance can build up and damage liver cells. Severe overdose can lead to liver failure and death.

Early symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, but serious poisoning may not cause obvious symptoms immediately. Later signs can include jaundice, confusion and extreme sleepiness.

What To Do After Taking Too Much

If you think you have taken too much paracetamol — including by combining medicines that contain it — seek urgent medical advice immediately.

Do not wait for symptoms. Early treatment can reduce the risk of serious liver damage.

Always check the active ingredients on painkillers and cold and flu medicines before taking them together.

Doctors at a Mumbai hospital successfully performed a complex coronary angioplasty on an elderly diabetic patient with severely calcified coronary arteries using an advanced technique called Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), helping restore blood flow to the heart despite multiple procedural challenges.

The patient, who had been experiencing symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease, was found to have extensive calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. Further evaluation also revealed poor blood flow in the leg arteries, making conventional vascular access for the procedure difficult.

What Is Coronary Artery Calcification?

Coronary artery calcification is commonly seen in elderly individuals and people with long-standing diabetes. Excessive calcium makes the arteries rigid and narrow, often making routine angioplasty technically challenging and increasing the risk of incomplete stent expansion, which can affect long-term outcomes

Severely calcified coronary arteries remain one of the biggest challenges in interventional cardiology. The calcium makes the arteries extremely rigid, making it difficult to properly expand the stent. In such situations, conventional angioplasty alone may not be sufficient.

Despite the patient’s complex anatomy and poor peripheral vascular access, the team successfully performed the procedure through the radial artery in the wrist, avoiding access through the diseased leg vessels.

Also read: Stopping Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro Linked To 22% Higher Heart Attack, Stroke Risk: Study

Breaking Deep Calcium Deposits In Artery Wall

To prepare the artery for stenting, doctors used Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), an advanced technology that delivers controlled sonic pressure waves to fracture deep calcium deposits within the artery wall. This allows the blood vessel to expand more effectively, enabling safe and optimal placement of the coronary stent.

IVL works on a principle similar to the technology used for breaking kidney stones, but it is specifically designed for heavily calcified coronary arteries. By modifying the calcium before placing the stent, we can achieve better stent expansion, reduce procedural complications and improve long-term outcomes in appropriately selected patients.

The procedure was completed successfully, with excellent blood flow restored to the affected coronary artery. The patient recovered well and was discharged in a stable condition.

Doctors say the case highlights how newer technologies are expanding treatment options for patients who were once considered extremely difficult to treat due to severe coronary calcification.

Advanced techniques such as IVL are transforming the management of complex coronary artery disease, particularly in elderly diabetic patients, allowing us to safely treat lesions that would have been significantly more challenging with conventional techniques alone.

The case underscores the growing role of advanced interventional cardiology in treating complex heart disease while minimising procedural risk and improving patient outcomes.