http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/2 ... 230063.php



Activity of herbal extracts on the control of sebum secretion.Accession number;04A0230063
Title;Activity of herbal extracts on the control of sebum secretion.
Author;UCHIUMI YOICHIRO(Maruzen Pharm. Co., Ltd., JPN) YAMAMOTO SUSUMU(Maruzen Pharm. Co., Ltd., JPN) MIZUTANI KENJI(Maruzen Pharm. Co., Ltd., JPN)
Journal Title;Fragr J

Journal Code:G0987B

ISSN:0288-9803

VOL.32;NO.3;PAGE.53-57(2004)
Figure&Table&Reference;TBL.4, REF.13
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;Potential activity of herbal extracts on sebum secretion was studied. Among the herbal extracts tested, polyol-soluble licorice extract P-U (product name) derived from Glycyrrhiza inflata showed the most potent testosterone 5 .ALPHA.-reductase inhibition, androgen receptor binding inhibition and antimicrobial activities, which are closely related to sebum secretion. In addition to the findings on polyol-soluble licorice extract P-U, clove extract and peppermint extract showed testosterone 5 .ALPHA.-reductase inhibition, arnica extract and rose fruit extract showed androgen receptor binding inhibition, alpinia speciosa root extract and scutellaria root extract showed estrogen receptor agonists, and sophora root extract showed antimicrobial activity. (author abst.)



I thought Dr. Pickhart might find that interesting. I put a peppermint oil/purified water mixture on one side of my chin for three months, resulting in quite noticeably weaker beard growth on that side of my chin vs. the untreated side. There was no inflammation, and the skin was actually kind of "soft" and looked nice.

According to that study, licorice might even be more effective as a topical anti-androgen, especially if mixed with something like rose hips oil............

This is very interesting.

Doctor Pickart,

I thought that I might add that I have looked to see if peppermint oil was in any shampoos. I have found that it is.

Paul Mitchell LemonSage "Thickening" Shampoo
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo
American Crew Thickening (as mentha piperta--or
peppermint's latin name)
Tricomin Shampoo
Tricomin Conditioner
HairCycle Shampoo (Dr. John Cole's hairloss
shampoo, he's a HT-surgeon)
Jason's Shampoo line has peppermint oil
Alpecin SHampoo has "menthol" which can be
synthetic.
I think Nioxin has peppermint or spearmint in it, but dont remember after all these years.




I have seen a few more.
HairCycle shampoo also has licorice.



I have done google searches for hair removal products that have peppermint or licorice or rose hips..................and found quite a few matches.



I always thought that cosmetics companies would have tested topicals for anti-androgenic substances to deal with unwanted body hair and seemingly would have tested anti-androgens for acne and androgenic hairloss also. I wonder how long American Crew and Paul Mitchell in particular have been aware of the anti-androgenic effect of peppermint. Im virtually certain it is not put into these shampoos by chance.

This has got me thinking...if I mix peppermint or licorice or rose hips oil in my everyday lotion that I put on my legs wouldn't it make the hair thinner there....??? I think I'll do a test.

My husband uses NIOXIN and it does have a very minty smell so I checked out the ingredients here they are:
Bionutrient Cleanser #1 (Shampoo): Water, (Nioxin Complex), Extract of Balm Mint & Nettle & Chamomile & Yarrow & Sage & Rosemary & Hops, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Mucopolysaccharides, Aloe Vera, Tocopherol, Wheat Amino Acids, Biotin, Niacin, Sorbitol, Linoleic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Acetamide MEA, TEA Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, 6-(N-Acetylamino)-4 Oxahexyl Trimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, FD&C Blue #1.

What do you think Dr. Pickart??

Thanks for sharing this info.

I have no idea of what a "nioxin complex" is.

Many of the ingredients will stick to hair shafts and make the hair look thicker.