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

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is emerging as a major public health threat, according to new guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA), which identify obesity as a key driver of the condition's development and progression.

The guidelines, jointly issued by the AHA and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), reframe excess weight as more than a number on the scale, describing it as a significant health risk closely linked to diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.

According to the AHA, nearly 9 in 10 adults in the United States have at least one condition associated with CKM syndrome. These include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and other lipid disorders, high blood sugar, reduced kidney function and excess body weight.

With obesity rates continuing to rise, the guideline urges healthcare professionals to have prevention-focused conversations with patients about maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the risk of future heart, kidney and metabolic diseases.

“CKM syndrome is a real, rising public health threat,” said Chiadi E. Ndumele, an American Heart Association volunteer and chair of the writing committee for the new guideline.

“In terms of CKM health, weight is not just about a number on a scale — people with the same body weight can have very different health profiles. Rather, what’s most important is how fat tissue affects your metabolic health. This includes how your body manages blood sugar levels and how fat is used and stored,” Ndumele, who is also director of obesity and cardiometabolic research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

The New CKM Syndrome Guideline

Also read: Bryan Johnson's Autoimmune Gastritis: US Doctor Explains the Hidden Signs of Autoimmune Disease

The updated guideline replaces the 2013 recommendations for managing overweight and obesity. CKM syndrome itself was first formally defined by the American Heart Association in 2023.

The guideline highlights several strategies to improve the prevention and treatment of CKM syndrome:

• Use the Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTs (PREVENT) equations to estimate 10-year and 30-year cardiovascular disease risk. Unlike previous tools, PREVENT incorporates kidney and metabolic health factors for a more comprehensive risk assessment.
• Screen patients for social determinants of health, including food insecurity, housing instability and financial strain, which can increase the risk of CKM syndrome.
• Promote coordinated, multidisciplinary care focused on healthy lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity, nutrition, weight management, blood pressure control, blood sugar management and cholesterol reduction.
• Alongside lifestyle interventions, use medications and surgical therapies when appropriate to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and obesity while protecting heart and kidney health.
• For the first time, the guideline recommends GLP-1-based therapies for select individuals with obesity and/or Type 2 diabetes who are at elevated cardiovascular risk. Metabolic and bariatric surgery is also recognised as an effective treatment option for eligible patients.

How Can CKM Syndrome Be Prevented?

Read More: Are You Getting The Right Cholesterol Test? ApoB May Be Better Than LDL

The guideline emphasizes that early lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure.

People are encouraged to follow the AHA's Life's Essential 8, which promotes

• regular physical activity,
• a heart-healthy diet,
• maintaining a healthy weight,
• controlling blood pressure,
• maintaining blood sugar
• better cholesterol control,
• avoiding tobacco,
• getting sufficient quality sleep.

The monsoon brings welcome relief from the heat, but it also creates conditions that make infections spread more easily among children. Parents should understand that a few common household mistakes can increase the risk of illness in children during this time of year. So, parents must exercise caution and take utmost care of their children during those rainy days.

Why Monsoon Raises Infection Risk in Children

The arrival of the monsoon often means more time spent indoors for children, muddier surroundings, and increased exposure to germs. So, the main focus of parents is on protecting their children from rain and cold weather. However, parents must understand that certain everyday habits at home may unknowingly increase the risk of respiratory infections, stomach illnesses, and mosquito-borne diseases.

Common Mistakes Of Infections In Children

So, many children can get drenched during those heavy rains and remain in wet clothes or footwear for long periods after returning from school or outdoor activities. Damp socks and shoes can create an environment where germs and fungal infections thrive. Parents should ensure that children change into dry clothes and footwear as soon as possible. Moreover, stagnant water collected in flower pots, buckets, coolers, balconies, and outdoor containers can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising the chances of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya in children.

Many families keep doors and windows closed throughout the day to prevent rainwater from entering the house. However, limited air circulation can lead to the growth of mold, dampness, and indoor allergens, which may trigger respiratory infections, coughing, wheezing, and allergies in children. Even having uncovered food, improperly stored leftovers, or contaminated water can increase the risk of stomach infections, diarrhea, vomiting, and food poisoning in children.

Tips Parents Should Follow During the Monsoon

Parents should ensure that the child changes wet clothes, socks, and shoes immediately after returning home. Parents should empty and clean containers that can collect stagnant water from time to time. Use mosquito nets, screens, and child-safe mosquito repellents to prevent mosquito bites. Keep rooms well ventilated whenever the weather permits. The child should follow good hand and personal hygiene, eat freshly cooked food, and drink safe drinking water.

The parents should ensure to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption. The child should eat a nutritious diet, sleep well, and stay hydrated to boost immunity and prevent any illness. Parents should seek immediate help if the child is having any symptoms, such as a cough or allergies, and follow the expert's guidelines. Parents should not give any medication to the child on their own without the doctor's knowledge. So, parents should stay alert during the monsoon and help the child stay healthy.

Billionaire entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, known for meticulously tracking his health and pursuing longevity, recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with Autoimmune Gastritis, an incurable autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks the stomach lining.

Describing the disease on social media platform X, Johnson said: "My stomach is eating itself." He also noted that despite undergoing extensive medical evaluations over the years, the condition went undetected because autoimmune diseases often develop quietly, with symptoms that can easily be mistaken for everyday health issues such as fatigue or digestive discomfort.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells and tissues, triggering inflammation and damage to organs or other body systems.

The burden of these conditions is significant. In May 2025, researchers from the Mayo Clinic and collaborating institutions estimated that nearly 15 million Americans are living with one or more of 105 recognized autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms Can Be Easy to Miss

Because autoimmune diseases often begin with vague, non-specific symptoms, they can remain undiagnosed for months—or even years.

Dr. Cory Rice, a US-based Functional Medicine physician, said these warning signs frequently go unnoticed until the disease has progressed.

"First and foremost, symptoms of autoimmune disease can come and go, and be on and off, or they can be more persistent in nature," he told Newsweek.

Also read: Paxlovid Safe for Children Aged 6 And Older, New Study Finds

The Hidden Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

While symptoms vary depending on the various autoimmune conditions, several early warning signs are shared across many autoimmune diseases.

According to Dr. Rice, common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Joint pain
• Unexplained rashes or hives
• Dry eyes and dry mouth
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Mouth ulcers
• Increased sensitivity to cold temperatures

He said when people suffer from fatigue, "it is usually both profound and debilitating."

Dr. Rice explained that many people try to manage this overwhelming exhaustion by relying on caffeine and other stimulants, taking thyroid medications or hormone treatments, or opting for therapies such as intravenous infusions and vitamin B12 injections.

However, when an underlying autoimmune disease is responsible, these approaches often fail to provide lasting relief.

Read More: Can Arsenic, Lead and Other Metals In Tampons Pose A Health Risk? FDA Says No

Why Autoimmune Diseases Are Often Diagnosed Late

One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing autoimmune diseases is that their symptoms overlap with those of many other medical conditions.

Johnson also said that "2-5 per cent of people have this (autoimmune disease). Likely more, because it hides".

Symptoms may also appear intermittently before becoming more persistent.

"It all depends on the disease process in play and the severity or progression of the disease itself in a particular person as to whether symptoms are more constant or intermittent," Rice said.

He added that many primary care physicians are not routinely trained to identify autoimmune diseases in their early stages. As a result, patients are frequently referred to specialists, including rheumatologists, only after symptoms have become more pronounced.

"Unfortunately, by this point, the autoimmune disease may already be far along in whichever parts of the body are impacted," he said.

Dr. Rice emphasized that recognizing symptoms early and obtaining a timely diagnosis can help slow disease progression and improve long-term outcomes.