Natural Health: What can I do about my thinning eyebrows?

Thinning eyebrows are a common part of perimenopause. Picture: iStock

My eyebrows have started to thin over the past few years. I first noticed the change during perimenopause. I’m filling in the gaps with a pencil, but I miss my full eyebrows. Is there anything I can take to encourage their regrowth?

This is a common complaint around perimenopause, and while some remedies may help encourage brow growth, it’s best to first ensure your hormones are optimised.

I suggest you contact a doctor who specialises in women’s hormonal health. Many take an individualised, holistic approach to perimenopausal and menopausal care, balancing HRT with alternative therapies.

While changes to hair (along with nails, skin, teeth and gums) are often linked to declining oestrogen levels and hormonal shifts, inflammation is another factor that may contribute to hair, lash and brow thinning.

Including plenty of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in your diet will help provide the nutrients that your body needs to reduce inflammation and nourish your hair from the roots. Flaxseed, borage, and evening primrose oils are all good choices, as they also help balance hormones.

Biotin, one of the B vitamins, is commonly prescribed to improve hair and nail growth. It is important to note that biotin supplementation can interfere with thyroid test results.

Thyroid disorders can cause thinning or patchy eyebrow hair.

If you want to apply a topical product that may help your brows, then you could try nourishing hair oils such as neem, argan, black seed (nigella), and jojoba, either alone or together with essential oils like rosemary and ginger, to promote growth and nourish the hair follicles.

Keep in mind that the results from any measures you take will not be instantaneous, so you will need to be patient and continue filling in your brows with a pencil in the meantime.

I’m a woman in my late 30s and get painful mouth ulcers whenever I feel rundown — they are like my weather bell. Is there a remedy I could take to stop them from appearing in the first place?

Identifying what triggers mouth ulcers is an important first step in finding a solution. Now it is just a matter of addressing your energy levels and supporting your immune system.

Individuals who suffer from repeated episodes of mouth ulcers are often found to be deficient in B vitamins, since chronic stress depletes the body of this nutrient group. A good B complex supplement is worth considering to boost your energy levels. These are best taken in the morning since they can interfere with sleep.

Magnesium is another nutrient often found deficient in people with mouth ulcers. You can take it as a supplement, use a topical magnesium preparation, or use both to cover your bases.

Vitamin C and zinc are key nutrients that may help speed the repair of sores and ulcers, stimulate the immune system, shorten healing time, and specifically target tissue repair. The dosage of vitamin C should be around 2,000-3,000mg, taken in 500mg doses. For the zinc, you will need 15-30mg daily as a preventative measure (increase this to 90-150mg daily if you have an active ulcer).

Simply swishing with a warm saltwater solution two to three times daily will also help relieve symptoms and prevent infection.

Tincture of myrrh is an effective and straightforward topical remedy to apply after the salt water rinse. Apply the neat tincture directly to any ulcers with a cotton bud.

• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.