http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200408/000020040804A0230063.php
Activity of herbal extracts on the control of sebum secretion.Accession number;04A0230063
Title;Activity of herbal extracts on the control of sebum secretion.
Author;UCHIUMI YOICHIRO(Maruzen Pharm. Co., Ltd., JPN) YAMAMOTO SUSUMU(Maruzen Pharm. Co., Ltd., JPN) MIZUTANI KENJI(Maruzen Pharm. Co., Ltd., JPN)
Journal Title;Fragr J
Journal Code:G0987B
ISSN:0288-9803
VOL.32;NO.3;PAGE.53-57(2004)
Figure&Table&Reference;TBL.4, REF.13
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;Potential activity of herbal extracts on sebum secretion was studied. Among the herbal extracts tested, polyol-soluble licorice extract P-U (product name) derived from Glycyrrhiza inflata showed the most potent testosterone 5 .ALPHA.-reductase inhibition, androgen receptor binding inhibition and antimicrobial activities, which are closely related to sebum secretion. In addition to the findings on polyol-soluble licorice extract P-U, clove extract and peppermint extract showed testosterone 5 .ALPHA.-reductase inhibition, arnica extract and rose fruit extract showed androgen receptor binding inhibition, alpinia speciosa root extract and scutellaria root extract showed estrogen receptor agonists, and sophora root extract showed antimicrobial activity. (author abst.)
This is interesting because its HUMAN sebum secretions and HUMAN alpha five reductase being inhibited, as well as HUMAN androgen receptors being blocked.
Ive been using peppermint oil mixed with PURIFIED water topically for a while now, and am happy with the results after an initial shed a month or so into it. I tested peppermint oil/purified water on one half of my chin for a few months, and it reduced beard hair pretty impressively compared with the other side. Peppermint oil is very cheap, and costs about four bucks an ounce. One ounce mixed with fifty or so ounces of purified water should last a good year.
Some of the other herbals mentioned in this article like arnica root (a type of sunflower) and rose fruit (rose hips oil) can also be had very cheaply. Licorice might have a strong smell, but it was the most anti-androgenic of the lot.
I became interested in mints as anti-androgens after reading about the spearmint tea hirsutism study from Turkey, and the men who complained of no libidio or low libidio after drinking peppermint tea, and the anti-androgenic effects of peppermint on lab rats. Ive noted that peppermint extract or peppermint oil is in the following shampoos: Paul Mitchel LemonSage Thickeing, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree, American Crew Thickeing (in the form of mint leaves), Jasons Tea Tree, Tricomin Shampoo, Tricomin Conditioner, its in one of HairCycle’s products, and various “menthols” (which can be and often are synthetics) are in other shampoos also.
I think it might be an effective ADDITION to taking our finasteride or dutasteride. I would not risk going off a proven treatment however, but think this would/should be quite helpful. I’d love to see further testing for alopecia, but realize that probably wont ever happen.
If you google “peppermint and hair removal” or “licorice and hair removal” or “rose hips and hair removal” you will see that many compaines are obviously aware of the anti-androgenic properties of these substances.
My current regimine…finasteride, peppermint oil/purified water mix, prox-n, I use nizoral a couple of times a week also.
Hope someone else can be helped by this for all my pals in the HM forum. 
