Ajuga reptans, a natural supplement that counteracts hair loss

The Ajuga reptans, also known as bugle, carpetweed, carpet bugleweed, common bugle or St. Lawrence plant, is an evergreen ground cover plant. It is a small plant, never growing more than 30 centimeters (12 inches), that displays a beautiful blue or purple spring bloom.

The Ajuga reptans is not only a decorative plant for flower beds and gardens, even in cold climate areas, but it is known for its various therapeutic properties. In particular, it plays an important role in the natural treatment of hair loss, helping to counteract baldness for both men and women.

Here’s what to know about this treasured little plant.

What is Ajuga reptans

It is an evergreen plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It thrives well outdoors in cold climates, but fears heat and drought. This groundcover plant can grow no more that 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) and is covered with small blue and purple bell-shaped flowers in spring.

It is grown as a decorative plant in cold areas, in semi-shade, in places where other plants could not resist due to low temperatures and little light. The bugle is just perfect if positioned high up so that the plant can have a hanging effect.

It reproduces quickly on borders and rock gardens and sometimes tends to become invasive, wallflowering, so it should be grown in places where its growth can be contained.

There are several species, about 30 different species, producing white to pink, blue to purple flowers.

Where does the name Ajuga reptans come from?

The name Ajuga comes from the Latin a-jugum meaning ‘without yoke.’ Probably because of some characteristics of the corolla, while reptans derives instead from ‘crawling’ and stands for the easy expansion of the plant.

Its botanical classification dates back to the mid-18th century by the Swedish biologist Carl von Linné.

How to grow Ajuga reptans

It is not difficult to grow this plant, but it is important that it be grown in rich, well-drained soil, placed in semi-shade, and that the climate not be too hot. Let’s look at the details for its cultivation.

• Soil. It must be rich in organic matter and loose, but also well drained, because it fears root rot. Actually in nature the plant is also able to grow in rocky environments, roadsides, and poor, stony soils.
• Exposure. Small but strong, it is resistant to weather and frost. It should be planted in spring in a location that is not too sunny, half-shade. Important that the plant does not experience the heat of the sun’s rays during the hottest hours of the day. On the contrary, it does not fear cold and currents rather it prefers ventilated places.
• Watering. It should be watered regularly, especially in summer, so that the soil is moist but not stagnant. In winter water only if the soil is totally dry. What it really does not tolerate is drought or waterlogging.
• Potting. It requires little attention and care. Pruning may be recommended after a long flowering period to stimulate its growth and to keep the turf compact.

Reproduction of Ajuga reptans

The bugle can reproduce either by division of heads or by cuttings or by seeding. When it reproduces in spring or fall heads can be divided. While in spring you can also sow seeds, but reproduction by seed is more selective, only some will germinate and the seedlings will rarely be identical. When it reproduces in summer it can be reproduced by cuttings, in order to obtain plants that are identical.

What Ajuga reptans fears

The plant is hardy, tolerates cold and drafts, and is a groundcover plant that needs little care. However, we have seen that it does not tolerate:

• dryness and direct sunlight
• waterlogging and consequent root or collar rot.

Among the aphids that can ruin inflorescences. Natural preparations of garlic, nettle or Marseille soap can be used against aphids.

What are the properties of Ajuga reptans

Since the Middle Ages, the Ajuga Reptans seedling has been used for some of its therapeutic properties. It was taken in the form of an infusion of dried leaves to reduce intestinal problems and liver intoxication because of its action:

• antioxidant
• antibacterial
• anti-inflammatory

Taking dietary supplements containing Bugle, on the other hand, also has a beneficial effect in treating:

• beneign prostatic hypertrophy
• juvenile acne
• microcirculation diseases
• Crohn’s disease

But today this plant is used first and foremost as the basic ingredient of natural supplements to be used against alopecia.

Ajuga reptans against hair loss

The bugle boasts the valuable ability to inhibit the 5-alpha enzyme, thus becoming an ally in the treatment of male and female androgenetic alopecia in addition to being a powerful natural anti dht.

Why Ajuga reptans reduces hair loss

The therapeutic properties of Ajuga reptans are associated with an active ingredient, phenylpropanoid teupolioside, which has been shown today to play an active role in the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase enzyme.

This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT, which is a major contributor to hair loss and baldness. In particular, the active ingredient acts as a natural adjuvant in the process of miniaturization of the hair follicle.

In a nutshell, we explain the life cycle of the hair:

• first phase (anagen), the mitotic phase begins and the hair follicle begins to grow
• second phase (catagen)in which the vital functions of the hair begin to stop, its duration varies from two to three weeks
• third phase or telogen which lasts 2-3 months, when the hair deprived of its vital activities falls out

The active ingredient in Ajuga plays an important role in the first phase of hair growth by promoting healthy hair growth while reducing the loss of the telogen phase.

Ajuga reptans and benign prostatic hypertrophy

Excellent natural aid for the prevention and treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy, a condition brought about by hormonal imbalance that can cause elevated DHT levels, which bugola tends to inhibit.

Ajuga reptans or Serenoa repens: differences

Another natural supplement used to treat baldness naturally is Serenoa repens, which has the same characteristics: it reduces DHT levels. However, this plant owes its inhibitory properties to a different active ingredient, beta-sitosterol.

Analysis and studies have shown that.

• Ajuga is more effective immediately
• Serenoa has has long-lasting action

What are the contraindications of Ajuga reptans

Choosing a natural cure means relying on supplements that usually do not cause major side effects.

Bugola supplements also generally do not produce any serious side effects, but some discomfort may occur in individuals who are more sensitive to this active ingredient, such as:

• headache
• nausea
• gastrointestinal problems

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