Nut Grass Essential Oil: Hair Removal, Benefits and Uses
Nut Grass (Cyperus rotundus) is a type of weed, also known as Java grass and Coco grass. While the weed itself is invasive and can harm crops, nut grass essential oil is often mentioned for hair removal. But does it help for conditions like Hirsutism, where there is excess hair growth, or PCOS?
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a chronic hormonal condition which is also connected to excess production of androgens in the female body. Androgens are also called “male” hormones, as they lead to the development of body characteristics that are typically considered male, such as increased body hair. Androgens are also present in the female body in moderate amounts. However, due to PCOS, your body might produce these male hormones in excess, which results in various issues, including abnormal hair growth.
If you have abnormal hair growth due to PCOS, many women also consider using nut grass essential oil. But does it really help for PCOS or Hirsutism? Let’s have a closer look:
How to Use Nut Grass Essential Oil
Nutgrass oil is an essential oil. It’s not a good idea to use the essential oil on its own – even though the oil is thought to have many benefits, it can cause allergies if used as a single ingredient. Therefore, you should always use it in a diluted form with other oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
You should also check that your Nut Grass Essential Oil comes from a reputable source, and always check in first with your dermatologist to discuss if this oil is ok to use on your skin before applying it.
Why Does Nut Grass Oil Help Remove Hair?
Hirsutism, or the presence of excess hair in areas such as the chin, chest, legs, arms and back, is mainly caused by excess levels of androgens. Androgens are often called “male” hormones, as they lead to the developments of bodily characteristics that are typically considered “male”, such as hair growth, muscle growth and the deepening of the voice.
Women who have PCOS tend to grow hair due to excess amounts of androgens in their body. Nut grass essential oil is believed to have anti-androgenic properties, which means that the amounts of androgens in the body are lowered. This can then lead to a reduction of the hair growth, if it’s caused by high androgen levels.
In one study, the topical application of nut grass essential oil for the removal of axillary hair was found to be comparable to alexandrite laser treatment. However, there needs to be more research and larger studies performed to confirm this positive effect.
Nutgrass has also been used in traditional medicine, which focused on its anti-androgenic, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties.
Are There Other Essential Oils that Could Help With Hair Removal?
There are two other essential oils that are often mentioned when talking about hair removal – lavender essential oil and tea tree oil. In a small study, the topical application of these two oils led to a reduction of the hair growth in women with mild idiopathic hirsutism. Also in this case, more research is needed, but it’s an interesting observation already.
If you’re interested in starting to apply essential oil on your skin, make sure to discuss it with your dermatologist first to check if it’s safe for you.
Conclusion
If you experience excess hair growth and want to use essential oils to help reduce it, nut grass essential oil might be an option, as it is believed to have anti-androgenic properties. However, more research is needed to confirm this effect, and that it is really helpful to reduce hair growth. If you worry about your excess hair growth, make sure to talk to your doctor, as they can help you to identify the underlying cause and find treatment options for you.
Further Reading: If you would like to learn more about how various essential oils can benefit you, CLICK HERE to read our detailed article on the topic.
