A Review on Tectona Grandis Seeds and their Potential Role in Hair Growth

Tectona grandis Lf., commonly called teak or sag, is a tree best known for its timber. Its seeds have also attracted attention because they have traditionally been described as a hair tonic in India. This review summarises the plant’s basic features, the available research on teak seed extract and hair growth, possible explanations for the observed effects, and the steps needed for further study. One experimental study reported that petroleum-ether extracts of teak seeds promoted earlier hair growth and changed the hair-cycle pattern in albino mice. This is an interesting early finding, but animal results cannot confirm that the same effect will occur in people. Research on teak leaves is more recent and includes a human trial, but leaf findings should not be treated as proof for seed extracts. More work is needed on seed chemistry, standardisation, safety and human effectiveness.