Pygeum Bark for Hair: What the Research Shows

Pygeum (Prunus africana, African cherry) bark is best known as a prostate herb. For hair, the evidence is an 80-person placebo-controlled trial of a supplement that combined pygeum with L-cystine, saw palmetto, pumpkin seed and vitamins. Hair density rose over 6 months in the supplement group. Because it was a combination, it can't show what pygeum does by itself.

Here's what the trial found, what pygeum is used for, and what that means for hair.

I LOVE MY HAIR NOW

FullyVital hair serum and hair vitamins made tremendous improvements in my hair. I truly love my hair now.

Dorit S.,

Shop Hair Products

Key Takeaways

• Pygeum is the bark of the African cherry tree, used traditionally for conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• In an 80-patient, 6-month, placebo-controlled trial, a supplement of L-cystine, Serenoa repens, Cucurbita pepo, Pygeum africanum, vitamins and micronutrients increased hair density in chronic telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia.
• Reviews say pygeum's biological activity is attributed largely to its phytosterols, and that the whole extract and its isolated compounds differ in activity.
• We found no trial of pygeum alone for hair.

What Is Pygeum Bark?

Pygeum (Prunus africana) occurs in montane forests of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. The stem bark is taken traditionally for conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Does Pygeum Help Hair?

Not shown on its own. The hair evidence is for a multi-ingredient supplement. Pygeum's main research is in urology.

Our Best Sellers

3-Month Growth Bundle

$269.00

Shop Hair System

Hair Revival Supplements

$47.20

Shop Vitamins

Using Pygeum

• Treat pygeum alone as unproven for hair.
• Ask your doctor before taking it, especially if you take medication or have a prostate condition.
• See a dermatologist for the cause of hair loss.

Our Best Sellers

3-Month Growth Bundle

$269.00

Shop Hair System

Hair Revival Serum

$47.20

Shop Hair Serum

What The Research Shows

A Combination Supplement Trial

Eighty patients aged 18 to 60 with chronic telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia were randomized to take one capsule daily of a supplement containing L-cystine, Serenoa repens, Cucurbita pepo, Pygeum africanum, vitamins and micronutrients, or placebo, for 6 months. Hair density rose by 9.9 hairs/cm² at 3 months and 12.3 at 6 months in the supplement group, significantly more than placebo, and overall hair volume was better. It was well tolerated, with no moderate or severe adverse events (Piquero-Casals et al., 2025).

What Pygeum Is

A review describes Prunus africana as occurring in montane forests of sub-Saharan Africa, traditionally used for BPH and other conditions, with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-androgenic and other activities. The biological activity has largely been ascribed to phytosterols, mainly beta-sitosterol. The whole extract and single isolated compounds differed in activity (Rubegeta et al., 2023).

Use In Urology

A review of Pygeum africanum in urological practice says it is still used for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH, and rates the evidence level IV, based on expert opinion (Salinas-Casado et al., 2020).

See also: L-Cysteine and L-Cystine for Hair: What the Research Shows · Stinging Nettle for Hair: What the Research Shows

Frequently Asked Questions

Does pygeum bark help hair loss?

A supplement containing pygeum plus other ingredients increased hair density in a placebo-controlled trial. Pygeum alone hasn't been tested for hair.

Does pygeum block DHT?

A review lists anti-androgenic activity among its reported activities, based on lab and animal work. We found no study showing it lowers DHT in people's scalps.

Is pygeum safe?

It was well tolerated in the trial. Talk to your doctor first.

References

1. Piquero-Casals J, Saceda-Corralo D, Aladren S, et al. Oral Supplementation with l-Cystine, Serenoa repens, Cucurbita pepo, and Pygeum africanum in Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Study. Skin Appendage Disord. 2025. PubMed
2. Rubegeta E, Makolo F, Kamatou G, et al. The African cherry: A review of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023. PubMed
3. Salinas-Casado J, Esteban-Fuertes M, Carballido-Rodríguez J, et al. Review of the experience and evidence of Pygeum africanum in urological practice. Actas Urol Esp (Engl Ed). 2020. PubMed