Tanzania finds natural cure for baldness, hair loss and skin ageing
Scientists in Tanzania have discovered a natural cure that can help people regrow hair and make their skin look younger.
The Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri) announced the breakthrough on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Arusha.
The discovery comes after 12 years of research on endangered medicinal plants. The new hair treatment is made from the bark of the Mporojo tree, also called Albizia anthelmintica.
Local communities in the Ngorongoro District, including the Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga, and Iraqw people, shared their knowledge to help the scientists.
"This is a significant development for people facing baldness, thinning hair, or breakage. Scientific testing has confirmed that Albizia anthelmintica possesses unique properties that promote hair regrowth and prevent hair loss," said Dr Julius Keyyu, Tawiri’s director of research.
The hair remedy has been officially registered under the name Composition for Hair Growth Stimulation or Hair Loss Prevention Using an Extract of Albizia anthelmintica.
It has also shown it can treat other health problems like intestinal worms, malaria, and leg pain using its roots.
Tawiri has given a license to a South Korean company, Winwik Enterprise Ltd, to produce hair care products such as shampoos, oils, and treatments.
These products will be sold both in Tanzania and in other countries.
Because the Mporojo tree is now in high demand, Tawiri has started new research on how to grow the tree sustainably to ensure it does not disappear from the wild.
The Tanzanian scientists also found a plant called Mugufe, known as Maerua edulis, that helps lighten the skin and reduce wrinkles.
This plant is called Ekwida in the Datoga language. The new skincare product has been registered as a Composition for Skin-Lightening and Improving Wrinkles Using Extract of Maerua edulis.
However, Tawiri is still looking for partners to help produce and sell it on the market.
Speaking for the director general of Tawiri, Mr Rogastian Msafiri said the bigger goal is to protect traditional medicinal plants by growing them in botanical gardens and using them in a way that helps local communities.
"The broader objective of the research was to conserve traditional medicinal plants at risk of extinction by integrating them into botanical gardens and ensuring their sustainable use for community benefit," he said.
The project was carried out by Tawiri, the Institute of Traditional Medicine under the Ministry of Health, and South Korea’s National Institute of Biological Resources.
