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

Actress Amanda Peet has opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis, revealing a “weird” change in the skin that did not feel like the typical lump many people associate with breast cancer.

A breast lump is a well-known warning sign of breast cancer, but the disease can also cause changes in the breast’s skin, shape or texture. This makes it important to pay attention to changes that may not feel like a distinct lump.

What Did Amanda Peet Feel?

Peet, 54, recalled noticing something unusual while getting dressed.

“I was in my closet, I was probably putting something on and I felt a weird — it just didn’t feel like normal skin, but it wasn’t the frozen pea that everybody talks about,” she told Today.com.

Peet described the sensation as a change in how the skin felt rather than a clearly defined lump.

Other breast cancer warning signs can include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, swelling, redness, nipple changes or unusual discharge. Skin that becomes pitted and resembles an orange peel, known as peau d’orange, can also be a warning sign.

Importantly, breast cancer can sometimes be present without an obvious lump.

Peet had been undergoing regular breast screening and follow-up because of her breast health history. She has said that an MRI did not show the cancer, but a subsequent ultrasound detected an abnormality. A biopsy later confirmed a tumor.

She was diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive lobular carcinoma and underwent a lumpectomy followed by radiation.

What Is Invasive Lobular Carcinoma?

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common type of invasive breast cancer and accounts for about 10% of invasive breast cancers.

Unlike many breast cancers that form a distinct lump, ILC can grow in a more diffuse pattern. It may cause thickening, fullness or a subtle change in the breast rather than a clearly defined mass.

Because of the way ILC grows, it can sometimes be harder to detect on mammography. Additional imaging, including ultrasound or MRI, may be used depending on an individual's symptoms, breast density and clinical assessment.

Most invasive lobular cancers are hormone-receptor positive. Peet wrote that she had been seeing a breast surgeon every six months for checkups. Her cancer was diagnosed at Stage 1.

“I think about how lucky I was in so many ways,” she said.

Why Early Detection Matters

Breast cancer screening is designed to detect cancer before signs or symptoms become apparent. The goal is early detection, when treatment may be more effective.

The appropriate screening schedule depends on age, breast cancer risk, family history and other factors. In the US, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk aged 40 to 74 have a mammogram every two years.

People with a higher risk of breast cancer may need a different screening approach or additional imaging. Discussing individual risk and screening options with a healthcare professional can help determine what is appropriate.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with this year’s theme, “Every story is unique, every journey matters,” highlighting that every breast cancer experience is different.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. About 80% of breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age.

In 2024:

• 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide.
• 694,000 women died from the disease.
• 8.2 million women were living with breast cancer at the end of the year.

After eliminating measles in 2000, the US is now seeing a sharp increase in cases, with 3,659 confirmed cases reported as of September 24, 2026. Pennsylvania has reported five measles-related deaths this year, the first such deaths in the state in 35 years.

The number has risen significantly from previous years. The US reported 2,289 cases in 2025, compared with 285 in 2024 and just 85 cases in 2000.

Measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, or brain swelling, and can be fatal.

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine can prevent measles by up to 97%, although breakthrough infections can still occur.

Around 95% of reported cases have been among unvaccinated people, although breakthrough infections have also been reported among people who were fully vaccinated. However, measles is not expected to be as severe in people who are vaccinated.

“Their illness will be much more mild and less likely to cause serious illness than if they had not received two vaccines,” Dr. Pia Fenimore, chief and vice chair of pediatrics at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.

Yet according to experts some people can take a booster shot to stay safe.

Who May Need a Measles Booster?

The first measles vaccine was introduced in the US in 1963, but the formulation used between 1963 and 1967 was less effective than current versions.

Adults vaccinated during that period may need another dose if they have not received a later measles vaccine.

People born before 1957 are generally considered to have presumptive evidence of immunity because measles circulated widely before routine vaccination, and most people in this age group were naturally infected.

Some people may need individualized vaccination guidance rather than standard recommendations, including:

• People with uncertain vaccination status or no vaccination records
• People who received an inactivated measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967
• People with a weakened immune system
• Pregnant people

A measles vaccine booster may also be considered for children who received only one MMR dose, high-risk adults such as healthcare workers or international travelers, and people whose testing shows they lack immunity.

Can A Blood Test Check Measles Immunity?

In cases where people do not remember or have no records of two-dose measles vaccination, an Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody test can help assess whether they have antibodies against measles.

If testing shows sufficient measles IgG antibodies, the person is considered immune. If immunity is not established, vaccination may be recommended based on their individual circumstances.

Why Adults Also Need To Be Alert

Measles is often associated with children, but adults can also become infected.

“We often forget about adults getting measles ... 38% to 40% of cases this year of measles have been in adults. Adults become infected at the same, if not higher, rates than children themselves ... in 2025, just over half of the measles hospitalizations were actually ... adults,” Dr. Gavin Harris, an infectious diseases physician with Emory Healthcare in Georgia and the associate medical director of the Serious Communicable Diseases Unit.

What If You Were Exposed To Measles?

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through even limited exposure to the virus. With the virus outbreak, it is likely for people to get exposed to it.

The measles vaccine remains the absolute best way to prevent disease.

A shot within three days of exposure to the contagious virus can help prevent the disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) given within six days can also provide protection after exposure.

A 30-year-old law student with Type 1 diabetes was hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) after allegedly being advised to stop insulin while following the “VRK Diet” promoted by social media personality Veeramachineni Ramakrishna, popularly known as VRK.

According to the complaint, the student had been living with Type 1 diabetes since 2018. He alleged that he came across VRK’s social media videos claiming that the diet could permanently cure conditions including Type 1 diabetes, cancer and kidney disease.

The student later visited the VRK Health Care Centre in Hyderabad in September 2025, where he alleged that he was orally advised to stop taking insulin. He said he paid around ₹26,000 for supplements and services at the center.

Two days later, he was admitted to a private hospital with DKA and severe dehydration, according to the complaint. He was later discharged.

Hyderabad police have booked Ramakrishna and another person in an alleged fake-doctor and fraud case.

Why Type 1 Diabetes Patients Must Never Stop Insulin

Also read: Gut Microbiome Linked To 3x Higher Type 1 Diabetes Risk In Children

More than 9 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with Type 1 diabetes, including about 1.8 million children and adolescents.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce insulin. Insulin helps glucose move from the blood into cells, where it is used for energy. People with Type 1 diabetes therefore need insulin to control their blood glucose.

“Insulin is not optional in Type 1 diabetes,” Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said in a post on X.

He advised people with Type 1 diabetes to never stop insulin on their own, including when they are unwell or unable to eat.

“Insulin doses may sometimes need adjustment, but this should be done with guidance from your diabetes team,” he said.

What Happens If Insulin Is Stopped?

The NHS UK explains that the human body needs insulin to break down glucose, i.e. sugar, to turn it into energy. People who have type 1 diabetes need insulin devices as their own body cannot produce it.

When the body does not have enough insulin, it cannot properly use glucose for energy. It starts breaking down fat instead, producing chemicals called ketones.

If ketones build up in the blood, they can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.

DKA can develop when there is too little insulin, including when a person with Type 1 diabetes misses insulin doses.

Dr Kumar advised people with Type 1 diabetes to regularly monitor their blood glucose and check blood or urine ketones when indicated, particularly during illness or persistent high blood sugar.

Also read: H. pylori, HPV Among Five Infections Behind 1 In 8 Cancers Worldwide: Lancet

Warning Signs Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Dr Kumar said people with Type 1 diabetes should know the warning signs of DKA, including:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Rapid or deep breathing
• Drowsiness or confusion

Anyone with symptoms suggestive of DKA should seek urgent medical care.

Can Diet Or Supplements Replace Insulin?

Type 1 diabetes is an incurable condition. Dr Kumar warned people to be extremely cautious about claims that Type 1 diabetes can be “cured” through supplements, diets, herbs or alternative treatments that allow insulin to be stopped.

“Check the qualifications and registration of anyone giving medical advice. Social-media popularity is NOT a substitute for medical training,” he said.

“One wrong piece of advice can have life-threatening consequences. For Type 1 diabetes, evidence-based medical care and uninterrupted access to insulin are essential,” he added.