Hair restorer containing vetiver grass extract

Abstract

The present invention includes methods for the treatment and/or prevention of hair loss and methods for the regeneration or restoration of hair growth comprising a step of identifying an individual suffering from or susceptible to hair loss or hair thinning or in need of hair regeneration, and a step of administering an extract of the root of a Vetiver grass. Preferably, the extract is an aqueous extract and is administered topically. Also preferably, the Vetiver grass is a subspecies of Vetiveria zizanioides , and is most preferably Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash. The present invention also provides a composition, preferably in the from of a lotion, gel, cream, or other suspension, and a distinct chemical compound or class of chemical compounds therein, effective in restoring hair growth, preventing hair loss, and/or reversing the effects of hair thinning. The composition may include an effective amount of a hair loss preventative or hair growth promoting composition isolatable as an extract of the roots of a Vetiver grass, together with a pharmaceutically-acceptable topical carrier other than water.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for preventing hair loss comprising: 
 identifying an individual susceptible to hair loss;    applying to the skin of the individual an effective amount of a hair loss preventative composition isolated as an extract of the roots of a Vetiver grass; and    a pharmaceutically-acceptable topical carrier other than water.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Vetiver grass comprises at least one subspecies of  Vetiveria zizanioides.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Vetiver grass comprises  Vetiveria zizanioides  (L.) Nash.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is an aqueous extract.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extract is selected from the following: an alcoholic extract, a polar aprotic extract, and an organic extract other than an alcoholic extract or a polar apriotic extract.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is an aqueous carrier.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a non-aqueous carrier.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is selected from a lotion, a gel, and a cream  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual is a human.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual is a human male.  
     
     
         11 . A method for promoting hair growth comprising: 
 applying to the skin of an individual an effective amount of a hair growth promoting composition isolated as an extract of the roots of a Vetiver grass; and    a pharmaceutically-acceptable topical carrier other than water.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Vetiver grass comprises at least one subspecies of  Vetiveria zizanioides.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Vetiver grass comprises  Vetiveria zizanioides  (L.) Nash.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is an aqueous extract.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the extract is selected from the following: an alcoholic extract, a polar aprotic extract, and an organic extract other than an alcoholic extract or a polar apriotic extract.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is an aqueous carrier.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is a non-aqueous carrier.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is selected from a lotion, a gel, and a cream.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the individual is a human;  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the individual is a human male.