Dear Humorous Herbalist,Some time ago you published an article about stimulating hair growth. The herbal ingredients included jojoba oil, essential oils of rosemary and basil, I believe. Would you reprint the formula? My son, who has chronic alopecia areata, is having good luck using this herbal treatment and it’s time to build a new batch. Unfortunately he misplaced your article. Thank you very much for your reply. Sheryl (via email)Dear Sheryl,That original article was from July 14, 2002. I’m glad to know this popular external hair growth remedy is working for your son. For those readers who missed the first article, this herbal treatment works over time by increasing circulation and removing excess sebum around the hair shaft, thereby releasing stress on the follicle. The remedy combines jojoba oil, rosemary essential oil and basil essential oil. Jojoba oil is a great penetrating moisturizer that conditions and adds shine to the hair. It also helps unplug the hair growth cells. Rosemary essential oil is renowned for its rejuvenating and stimulating effects on the scalp. The addition of basil essential oil further enhances that stimulating effect. Place one-half ounce of jojoba oil and one-half ounce of rosemary essential oil into a one ounce, amber glass dropper bottle. Add 5 to 10 drops of basil essential oil to that combination. Place several drops of this formula to your hairbrush and brush it through your hair one to two times each day. In addition, massage about 25 drops of the remedy into the scalp, three to four times per week to condition as well as activate the hair follicles. (Understand that due to the rich jojoba oil, this treatment will leave oil stains on your pillowcase.)Remember that daily intake of specific supplements helps the hair growth process. Flax seed oil – which is high in Omega-3 oils – is an essential supplement for healthy hair growth. Combining flax seed oil with Coenzyme Q-10 will potentiate its ability as it stimulates circulation throughout the body. A good, daily therapeutic dose of these nutrients is three, 1,000-milligram capsules of flax seed oil taken with three, 60-milligram capsules of Coenzyme Q-10. Dear Humorous Herbalist,What was the name of the aromatherapy book you highly recommended in your column a while back? You said it was one of the best reference sources available for those learning and involved with essential oils. I want to give it as a gift to my daughter who is studying the use of therapeutic plant oils. Thank you.Lydia (via email)Dear Lydia,The book I referred to in the column is Jeanne Rose’s “The Aromatherapy Book.” Jeanne Rose, an international authority on plant medicine and the use of essential oils for therapeutic application, writes from a hands-on perspective and goes into great detail in this particular book on how to use over 200 essential oils. Check out her other great books as well. She is a invaluable source of information.The information in this column is not meant to take the place of your physician, nor is it intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. Pregnant or nursing women should consult their doctor before using herbal therapy.E-mail your questions to The Humorous Herbalist at writer8@sopris.net.Laurel Dewey is extending the discount offer on autographed copies of her book “The Humorous Herbalist.” Purchase two books for $10 each and receive a third book free. Send $20 plus $3 s&h to The Humorous Herbalist, P.O. Box 1984, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601. While supplies last, Laurel will include one copy of her second book, “Plant Power” for an additional $15 plus $3 s&h. Include names of the individuals receiving the books and Laurel will personalize the greeting.