… But He Could Try These Quirky Cures

FOR at least 5,000 years people have been combing through a variety of weird and wonderful methods in a desperate attempt to cure baldness.

One of the favourite theories was that rubbing all manner of unpleasant substances into the scalp would somehow stimulate hair growth.

Cleopatra proposed a potion made from ground-up burnt domestic mice, horse teeth, bear grease, and deer marrow to treat the baldness of her lover Julius Caesar.

A supposedly reputable 17th century medical textbook advised men to apply chicken dung to the scalp.

Other popular treatments involved the saliva of various animals – commonly a cow or horse – or rubbing the scalp with pork rind. Spicy ingredients from around the world were also thought to help the follically-challenged.

A traditional Indian technique involves massaging curry powder into the skin, while Chinese alchemists once swore by a concoction made from animal testes and herbs.

According to English folklore, sleeping on stones is supposed to help reduce hair loss. One remedy recommended in 1747 by Methodist Church founder John Wesley was to rub the head with onions in the morning and evening until the scalp was red and then apply a dollop of honey.

One enduring theory is the idea that standing on your head will increase blood flow to the scalp and thus boost the growth of those reluctant hairs. A bald guru in India recommends combining headstands with a herb called bhringara.

In Victorian times, quacks recommended brushing the hair at least 100 times a day to improve circulation to the head.

In the 1920s, among other technological contraptions on offer was a suction pump ‘cap’ designed to draw blood up to the scalp.

More recently, scientists have speculated that coffee could hold the secret to curing baldness.

The only drawback is that you would have to drink 60 cups of coffee a day to get the required amount of caffeine..

(c) 2007 Daily Mail; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.