Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Non-randomized controlled clinical trial
PubMed 12126069 · doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2002.tb00277.x
What was done
A controlled trial evaluated topical crude onion juice versus tap water applied twice daily for two months in patchy alopecia areata. The intervention group had 23 patients (16 males, 7 females; mean age 22.7 years). The control group had 15 patients (8 males, 7 females; mean age 18.3 years). Regrowth of terminal coarse hair was assessed over 8 weeks.
What was found
Terminal hair regrowth began after 2 weeks of onion juice application. Regrowth was observed in 73.9% (17/23) of patients at 4 weeks and 86.9% (20/23) at 6 weeks, with higher response in males (93.7%) than females (71.4%, P < 0.0001). In the tap-water control group, regrowth occurred in 13.3% (2/15) at 8 weeks with no sex difference. Regrowth was significantly higher with onion juice than tap water (P < 0.0001).
Why it matters
Crude onion juice may represent an inexpensive, accessible topical option to stimulate hair regrowth in patchy alopecia areata.
Limits
The study sample was small (n = 38) and the abstract does not describe randomization, blinding, or allocation concealment. The distinctive smell of onion juice makes true blinding difficult. Long-term maintenance and recurrence rates beyond two months were not assessed.
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- supports Applying onion juice helps treat a specific type of hair loss, supported by research.