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

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has long been seen as a condition of older adults, typically tied to years of smoking. But across India, pulmonologists are increasingly diagnosing it in people in their 20s and 30s. This shift, experts say, reflects a deeper and more troubling change: young adults are growing up and living in environments where the lungs never truly get a chance to breathe clean air.

A Shift From “Smoker’s Disease” to “Exposure Disease”

The biggest change is the cause itself. As Dr. Raja Dhar, Director & HOD, Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata, explains, “COPD is increasingly becoming an ‘exposure disease’ rather than a ‘smoker’s disease.’ In India, non-smoking COPD is numerically a much larger problem.”

This exposure begins early—sometimes in childhood.

Dr. Dhar highlights how even limited exposure can have lifelong consequences: “Severe airway obstruction can be traced back to just six to seven years of biomass smoke exposure in a poorly ventilated kitchen during a child’s formative years.”

Dr. Harshil Alwani, Consultant – Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, also points to the changing risk profile. According to him, “newer epidemiological data show that non-smoking drivers—especially air pollution and occupational exposures—are playing a disproportionately large role in younger people.” He adds that rapid urbanisation means more young adults are chronically breathing polluted air from childhood onwards.

Improved diagnosis and greater awareness also mean younger patients with persistent symptoms are now being evaluated more often, he notes.

Beyond Smoking: The Real Culprits Behind Early COPD

Air Pollution

Both experts agree that polluted air is the biggest trigger today. Dr. Alwani explains that long-term exposure to PM₂.₅ is directly linked to lung decline and COPD. “Recent research shows that temperature and humidity modulate the harmful effect of PM₂.₅, making COPD risk worse under certain climatic conditions,” he says.

Dr. Dhar adds that India’s air quality is deteriorating nationwide: “Ambient outdoor air pollution is a severe risk, as air quality across 98% of India is worse than WHO standards.”

Indoor Pollution

Household pollution remains a massive issue. Biomass fuel used for cooking is, as Dr. Dhar puts it, “the largest non-smoking contributor, resulting in numbers approximately three times that of smoking-related COPD.”

Occupational Hazards

Young adults working in construction, mining, welding, or factory settings face daily exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals. Dr. Alwani notes that such environments “carry a significantly increased risk.”

Childhood Lung Infections

Recurrent infections can impair lung development and reduce lung reserve, making early-onset disease more likely.

Genetic Factors

Conditions like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, though rare, still contribute when combined with environmental triggers.

Delhi’s Winter Pollution: A Direct Route to Lung Damage

Every winter, Delhi’s smog becomes a health emergency. According to Dr. Dhar, “High winter pollution, particularly hazardous levels of PM2.5, acts as a chronic, low-grade chemical burn on the young respiratory system.”

Dr. Alwani adds that winter inversion traps pollutants closer to the ground, amplifying PM₂.₅’s damage.

The Vaping Problem

Vaping and e-cigarettes, widely perceived as harmless, have added a new layer of risk. Dr. Alwani warns, “Vaping is not benign. Its aerosols contain volatile compounds, heavy metals, and ultrafine particles that trigger inflammation and oxidative stress—central pathways to COPD.”

Dr. Dhar echoes this concern: “Any inhalation of heated chemical aerosols is a significant lung irritant and pro-inflammatory agent.”

Symptoms Young Adults Should Never Ignore

Doctors urge young adults not to dismiss symptoms like:

• Persistent cough
• Breathlessness during routine activity
• Wheezing or chest tightness
• Frequent colds or bronchitis
• Fatigue or reduced stamina

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Early spirometry can dramatically change outcomes. As Dr. Dhar puts it, “Early intervention allows us to remove the source of exposure and start therapy, which can effectively preserve the patient’s remaining lung function.”

Dr. Alwani adds that catching the disease early can “significantly slow further lung damage” and prevent long-term complications.

We all know the feeling of FOMO, the fear of missing out, but there exist another fear, this is FOFO: the fear of finding out. This apprehension is what keeps people from boking their health screenings. The horrors of what will happen after a mammogram, a Pap smear, an STD test, blood panel, or even something as simple as a blood pressure check can scare those with FOFO.

While the term itself is not a medical diagnosis, it is a widely recognized behavioral pattern that both patients and doctors get to see frequently. Over the years, it has gained more attention among experts who deal with health anxiety. As one clinical psychologist explains, there isn’t much published research on FOFO, but practitioners who work with health-related anxiety are very familiar with its impact.

What is even worrying is how common this avoidance has become. As per a 2025 survey of 2,000 employed US adults, 3 out 5 avoid medical screenings altogether, due to fear of bad news or embarrassment. Another 2025 reveal that of 7,000 adults, only 51% attended a routine medical appointment of cancer screening, with a 10% drop from 2024.

The attitude is: "If I don't know it, I can't have it".

Where Does FOFO Come From?

According to psychologists, FOFO often roots itself in anxiety and the desire for control. When something feels uncertain—like a health test result—many people instinctively avoid it. Avoidance becomes a way to quiet the anxiety, at least temporarily.

Experts say FOFO is especially common in people with generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, or illness anxiety disorder. But anyone can experience it. For some, it’s a one-off situation—like hesitating over a prostate exam. For others, it’s part of a broader coping style that involves avoiding anything that feels threatening. Ironically, this sometimes goes hand in hand with endlessly checking symptoms online.

Previous negative experiences in healthcare settings can also feed FOFO. Some people feel anxious around doctors or medical procedures, while others fear being judged, especially when a screening could uncover conditions that carry social stigma—such as STDs. There’s also the fear of receiving results that might force lifestyle changes or treatments they’re not ready for.

A common unspoken belief behind FOFO is:

“If I don’t take the test, then the problem doesn’t exist.”

Waiting for test results adds to the anxiety too. When results take days or weeks, the uncertainty can feel more stressful than the test itself.

How Can You Break The FOFO Cycle?

The first step is by acknowledging what is at stake. Many experts recommend weighing the pros and cons of taking the test versus avoiding it. If FOFO is holding you back, ask yourself what exactly you’re afraid of. Many people underestimate their ability to handle bad news. Understanding this can help reduce the emotional weight of screening.

It’s also helpful to reflect on a few important questions:

• Do I want fear to dictate my health choices?
• What could happen if I keep putting this off?
• A year from now, will I regret not acting today?

These questions often shift the focus from fear to long-term wellbeing. As psychologists note, facing the fear usually leads to decisions that better align with your values.

On International Men's Day, we shift our focus on men's health and why is it important to talk about it. Time and again experts, doctors, and studies have shared how men generally visit GPs less than women. As per the NIH, US, the consultation rate is 32% lower in men than women. The difference is often attributed to a combination of women being more willing to admit sickness and seek help, while cultural factors and barriers for men keep them away from seeking help. However, not anymore, because both sexes require help when they need, especially when it is about their health.

Also Read: The Kessler Twins Die By Assisted Suicide in Germany; How It Differs From Euthanasia

As per a 2024 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, about 5.7 million men could be living with an autoimmune disease that they do not even know about. The disease in men are often overlooked, all thanks to the social barriers.

Sex chromosomes play a key role in predisposing men or women to an autoimmune disease. Females have XX chromosomes, while male have XY chromosome and each chromosome carries gene sequence, which means specific pieces of DNA. Since X chromosome carries a bunch of gene related immunity,, having two of them could explain why women often have a higher rate of autoimmune diseases.

However, men are less likely to book time with their doctors, which could impact the discrepancies between sexes. They could thus often be undiagnosed or could flag their symptoms only when the disease has progressed.

Four Autoimmune Diseases Men Should Be Aware Of

Psoriasis

This is an inflammatory skin condition which affects both men and women. However, studies including the one published in 2023 in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology have suggested that men could develop this condition near their genitals and butt than women.

Also Read: Delhiites, Skip Your Morning Walk, You May Be Inhaling 3x Toxic Air Than Usual, According To Doctor

Ankylosing Spondylitis or AS

As happens due to the inflammation of the spine's joints and ligaments and could cause back pain and stiffness. While the condition is rare in itself, it could affect men more than women, that too at a younger age, usually below 40. A South Korean study from 2018, published in Scientific Reports, AS was 3.6 times more prevalent in men than women.

Type 1 Diabetes

The 2018 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC), US, provides data that type 1 diabetes may be slightly more in common in men than women. Though, other studies have been a mixed bag. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 is an autoimmune disease, which means, here immune system attacks are specialized. What men should know is that both types of diabetes could up their risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) due to persistently high blood sugar, which could harm their nerves and blood vessels.

A 2016 study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that nearly 60% of 151 men being treated for type 1 diabetes had mild ED.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The most common forms are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, that take hold of digestive system. Chronic inflammation in the gut spikes the risk of colorectal cancer, which is one of the leading cause of death in men between 20 to 49 of ages. In fact, a 2023 study published in the journal Cancers noted that men with IBD faced a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than women with IBD.