For years, Ayurvedic practitioners claimed that herbs like Bhringraj, Mulethi, and Pumpkin Seed could block DHT — the hormone responsible for 95% of male pattern baldness. Western medicine dismissed these claims as folklore. Then the 2024 International Journal of Ayurveda Research study changed everything.
DHT: The Enemy of Your Hair Follicles
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone. In genetically susceptible individuals, DHT binds to androgen receptors in hair follicles and triggers a process called follicular miniaturization — the follicle progressively shrinks until it can no longer produce visible hair. This is the mechanism behind androgenetic alopecia, affecting 50 million men and 30 million women in India alone.
The Problem with Finasteride
Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) inhibits 5-alpha reductase and reduces DHT by 60-70%. It works. But it comes with a cost: sexual side effects in 3-5% of users (reduced libido, erectile dysfunction), post-finasteride syndrome, and is absolutely contraindicated in women of childbearing age. Millions of patients worldwide are actively seeking a natural, side-effect-free alternative.
The 2024 IJAR Study: Validating Ayurvedic DHT Blockers
The study published in the International Journal of Ayurveda Research in 2024 systematically tested 12 Ayurvedic herbs for their ability to inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity — the exact same enzyme targeted by finasteride. The methodology was rigorous: in vitro enzyme inhibition assays using standardized extracts.
The Key Findings
- Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) — Showed the highest 5-alpha reductase inhibition among all tested herbs. Called the "King of Hair" in Ayurveda for 2,000 years — and now validated by molecular science.
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (Mulethi/Licorice) — Demonstrated significant anti-androgenic activity via multiple mechanisms including 5-alpha reductase inhibition and direct androgen receptor blocking.
- Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin Seed) — Confirmed 5-alpha reductase inhibition, consistent with earlier RCT findings showing 40% increase in hair count at 24 weeks.
- Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto) — Validated inhibition via both competitive and non-competitive mechanisms.
This study provided the scientific validation that allowed Dr. Nav Vikram to confidently formulate NeoVitals DHT Defence — combining the top-performing herbs in a single, synergistic formula.
Saw Palmetto: The Western World's Most Researched Natural DHT Blocker
While the IJAR study validated Ayurvedic herbs, Saw Palmetto has an established evidence base in Western medical literature. A 2020 systematic review in Dermatology and Therapy found that Saw Palmetto at 320mg/day was associated with a 60% improvement in overall hair quality, 27% increase in total hair count, and 83% of participants reported improved hair density ratings.
→ Learn more about NeoVitals DHT Defence — 7 Natural DHT Blockers in One Capsule
→ The complete science behind NeoVitals