Abstract: Methods and compositions for promoting hair growth, preventing or minimizing hair loss, enhancing or restoring hair color or remelanization and treating other hair and skin conditions are disclosed. The methods include topical application of the compositions to the skin or hair follicles being treated. The compositions include as an essential component a treatment agent in an amount effective for treating the condition and selected from the class of compounds consisting of anole, anethole, analogs thereof, polymers thereof and mixtures thereof. Various combinations of these compounds may be found in herb families including umbelliferae, magnoliaceae, labiatae and rutaceae. The invention preferably contemplates selecting the treatment agent from the class of herbs consisting of Foeniculum vulgares (fennel seed), Pimpinella anisum (anise), Carum carvi (caraway seeds) and mixtures thereof with each other and/or other herbs.