Talk about an inexpensive, readily available Anti-Androgen. A published study reported that simply drinking 5 cups of Peppermint (spearmint) tea a day altered hormone profiles in a way that would benefit hirsutism, a disorder in women featuring unwanted hair growth in various areas of the body.

      Hirsutism is a classic androgen mediated disorder that often accompanies, and has similar hormonal substrates to androgenetic hair loss (AGA). It is generally more resistant to treatment than AGA, and serves as an excellent model for gauging the effectiveness of systemic anti-androgenic treatments for hair loss.

      The anti-androgens used for treating hirsutism in women are the same used for hair loss. The standard pharmaceutical treatments of choice for hirsutism are oral Spironolactone, (Aldactone) in a dose of 200 mg. a day, and Cyproterone Acetate, 2mg/Ethinylestradiol 35mcg (Diane 35). Both Aldactone and Diane 35 are *fairly* effective at stabilizing hair loss in MPB and FPB, (Female Pattern Baldness) and are slightly more effective at initiating regrowth than finasteride, (Proscar/Propecia).

      Their use in men is precluded by their feminizing side effects, although some have resorted to their use out of sheer desperation. In women their usage is not without significant age accelerating side effects, including blood clotting, electrolyte imbalances, increases in body fat, reductions in libido, and a significant increase in the risk of breast cancer.

      Although Spearmint tea has not been thoroughly evaluated for long term side effects, it has been around for centuries, and it is highly unlikely that there are any, health compromising issues associated with its usage.

      Looking at the following study, it appears Spearmint tea may provide a dirt cheap (and refreshing) anti-androgenic agent in the fight against hair loss.

Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism.
Akdoğan M, Tamer MN, Cüre E, Cüre MC, Köroğlu BK, Delibaş N.

      Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.

      Mentha spicata Labiatae, known as spearmint and Mentha piperita Labiatae, known as peppermint can be used for various kinds of illnesses in herbal medicine and flavoring in industry. M. spicata Labiatae grows on the Anamas plateau of Yenithornarbademli town of Isparta, located in southwest part of Turkey. In this town, clinicians thought that consumption of tea steeped with M. spicata or M. piperita caused a diminished libido. Because antiandrogenic effects of spearmint and peppermint were found previously in rats, it was decided to observe the effect of this herbal tea on the androgen levels in hirsute women.Twenty-one female hirsute patients, 12 with polycystic ovary syndrome and 9 with idiopathic hirsutism were included to the study. They were took a cup of herbal tea which was steeped with M. spicata for 5 days twice a day in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles. After treatment with spearmint teas, there was a significant decrease in free testosterone and increase in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol. There were no significant decreases in total testosterone or dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate levels. Spearmint can be an alternative to antiandrogenic treatment for mild hirsutism. Further studies are needed to test the reliability of these results and the availability of spearmint as a drug for hirsutism.

      Comment: Spearmint is readily available in the bulk section of any larger health food store. A teaspoon steeped for 5 minutes, twice a day, would be satisfactory. These effects occurred after only a 5 day usage during follicular phase, so don’t over do it.