189. Why Your Hair Is Thinning — And What This Five Botanical Blend Can Do About It.
Updated: 3 days ago
Written by Clinical Herbalist Donna Cleary for Spiral Herbal Remedies, September 15, 2026
From our Founder: My Hair Fell Out. Here's What I Did.
"When I formulated our Comb Again Hair Serum, I never imagined I would need it myself.
After severe food poisoning, my hair fell out dramatically 3 months later. I didn’t connect the hair loss to the food poisoning, so I went to the Dermatologist. She recommended a well-known pharmaceutical brand — and in the same breath told me my hair would fall out again when I stopped using it. A solution that creates dependency is not a solution. She also said it would take a year for the hair to grow back without using this Pharmaceutical brand.
Once I knew why my hair was falling out– you can imagine that my brain went to all the worst-case scenarios – I turned to our Comb Again. I’ve seen my formula work again and again and again on others. Now it was time to walk the walk.
I had to wear a wig for a while (check out the attached images to see how bad it was), but three months later my hair was baaaack. And the best part is that it didn't fall out when I stopped using the formula.
Before and After Comb Again for Donna, our Founder.
That is the difference between a pharmaceutical dependency and a botanical protocol.
Why Hair Thins:
Physical stress-related hair loss happens when a major physiological shock or trauma pushes a large number of hair follicles into a premature resting and shedding phase, a condition known as Telogen Effluvium. These include major surgery, severe illness, postpartum, rapid weight loss, and burns. Sometimes the cause is hormonal shifts due to the thyroid, menopause, or stress. Another very common cause of hair thinning — in both men and women — is influenced by a molecule called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.
DHT is derived from testosterone (we all have some). When DHT binds to hair follicles, the follicles shrink, the active growth phase shortens, and over time the hair that grows back is finer, shorter, and less dense. Eventually, some follicles stop producing hair altogether.
This process is called androgenetic alopecia — and it’s the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. It affects up to 70% of men and 40% of women over the course of their lifetimes.
The two FDA-approved pharmaceutical treatments — Finasteride and Minoxidil — work by either blocking DHT production or forcing follicles into the growth phase after trauma or hormonal shifts. Both work. Both come with significant drawbacks: Finasteride can cause sexual side effects, and Minoxidil creates a dependency effect where hair loss accelerates when you stop.
There is a third path: our Botanical solution, Organic, Plant-Based, Toxin-Free Comb Again Hair Loss Oil.
It addresses hair loss from every angle, and the research behind these plants is strong.
The Full Botanical Protocol
Comb Again now brings five botanicals to your scalp, each chosen for a specific purpose:
We added a newcomer to the lineup, and this one directly addresses DHT levels.
Pumpkin Seed is the newcomer: Rich in zinc, essential fatty acids, and phytosterols. A 2014 study suggests its regrowth potential comes from phytosterols in the plant that support healthy DHT levels — a key factor in androgenetic hair thinning. Again, this is without the sexual side effects that accompany the Pharmaceutical alternative. But pumpkin seed alone is not the story - it's what happens when you combine it with the four botanicals below that makes Comb Again superior.
Our formula was very effective before adding this ingredient. I used the old formula when I lost my hair in 2023, but we're not above adjusting when we learn something new.
Peppermint: Research demonstrates peppermint can stimulate hair growth by increasing dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth — outperforming minoxidil in laboratory studies.
Lavender: Studies show lavender can significantly increase the number of hair follicles and support cell growth — particularly effective for stress-related hair loss.
Eucalyptus: Traditionally used for its antimicrobial and circulation-supporting properties, increasing local blood flow to the scalp for healthier follicle function.
Oatstraw: A nutritive tonic rich in silica, calcium, and magnesium that strengthens hair integrity and supports the nervous system — particularly valuable for stress-related thinning where the nervous system is dysregulated.
What the Research Shows on the Full Formula
Laboratory studies on the herbs in this formula found hair growth that was longer and thicker than results achieved with minoxidil — with no dependency effect. (We share this for informational purposes only. This product is not intended to treat or prevent any disease. We have to include this statement for regulatory purposes.)
Pumpkin Seed and DHT: In 2014, research suggests that the mechanism for hair growth in pumpkin seed is its phytosterols — plant compounds that may support healthy DHT levels by influencing the 5-alpha reductase pathway, the same pathway targeted by Finasteride. Unlike Finasteride, pumpkin seed produces no changes in testosterone levels or sexual function. Read the full study here.
The key distinction: botanical protocols work with your body's own systems over time. They do not force a pharmacological response and then leave your follicles dependent on a chemical to continue functioning. A three-month consistent protocol is what the hair cycle requires — and what our founder's own experience confirmed.
Pairing Comb Again for Your Type of Hair Loss:
Different causes of hair loss respond to different support:
Androgenetic thinning (DHT-related): Comb Again alone — the pumpkin seed, peppermint, and lavender combination directly addresses the follicle miniaturization pathway.
Stress-related hair loss: Pair Comb Again with one of our Reishi Blends A 2024 peer-reviewed study published in iScience found that Reishi extract helped protect hair follicle cells from stress-induced damage and restored the expression of hair growth factors. Stress is one of the most underestimated drivers of hair loss — addressing the nervous system and the scalp together is the complete protocol.
Hormonal hair loss from Menopause: Pair with our Balance Tincture to support hormonal equilibrium alongside our Comb Again protocol.
Overall hair health from the inside out: Our Vite-Achoo Tea formula supplies the essential minerals hair growth depends on — silica, zinc, and trace minerals that most diets are deficient in. It’s an organic, bioavailable multivitamin in a tea.
How to Use Comb Again
Apply a few drops to your fingertips and massage directly into the scalp to stimulate circulation and absorption. For best results, leave on as long as possible — resist washing out daily and reapply daily.
Results typically appear within three months as the hair cycle resets, though some customers notice changes sooner. Consistency is everything — this is a botanical protocol, not a quick fix.
What Customers Are Saying
"My eyebrows have regrown; applying it 2–3 times a week left overnight. Isn't it amazing?" — Izzy
"Ever since I started using this oil, my hair is thicker and in good shape." — Amal, Oman
"Amazing and pretty quick results in three weeks. It helped with my dandruff, I experienced growth all over my scalp, and my eyebrows grew." — Angelica
"In only three weeks, there has been complete growth all over my head. There are tiny dots all over my head — new hair follicles growing." — Anthony
Formulated by a Clinical Herbalist and Registered Nurse
Comb Again was formulated by Donna Cleary — Clinical Herbalist with her own shop for 9+ years, former Registered Nurse with 13 years at a Harvard teaching hospital, and heir to a hereditary Irish herbalism tradition documented to 1100 AD.
Every botanical was chosen for a purpose. Every batch is handcrafted in small quantities at the Brooklyn apothecary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this compare to Rogaine? Laboratory studies found the herbs in this mixture produced hair growth that was longer and thicker than minoxidil (Rogaine). Unlike Rogaine, botanical hair serums do not create a dependency effect where hair falls out when you stop. Our founder grew her hair back in 3 months using Comb Again after significant hair loss — and it stayed.
How long does it take to work? Results typically appear within 3 months as the hair cycle resets. Many customers notice new growth sooner. Consistency is the most critical factor — daily application is essential.
Can I use it on my eyebrows? Yes — several of our customers apply it to eyebrows with excellent results. Apply a small amount with a fingertip 2-3 times a week.
Is it suitable for all types of hair loss? Yes. It is used for a wide range of hair concerns, including thinning, postpartum loss, stress-related loss, and alopecia. For hormonal or autoimmune-related hair loss, we recommend pairing with our Balance Tincture or Reishi blends, respectively.
Will my hair fall out when I stop using it? Unlike minoxidil-based products, botanical serums do not create a chemical dependency. Our founder stopped using Comb Again after regrowth, and her hair did not fall out.
Want to learn to formulate your own herbal remedies? The Fall Clinical Herbalism Classes start September 23rd in Brooklyn — a few spots still open. [Learn more here.]
Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding any hair or scalp concern.
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