On a daily basis we lose between 50 – 100 hairs. Have you noticed some excess hair loss whilst washing your hair in the shower or brushing your hair before work? Excessive hair loss and hair thinning can affect both men and women. The causes of hair loss can vary with each individual but are usually related to risk factors such as emotional or physical stress, hormonal imbalances, family history, thyroid health, nutrient deficiency or even medication side effects.
It is important to see your local health professional to discover the cause of your hair loss, but sometimes you need to look no further than to delve deep into the roots of herbal medicine to find some classic natural treatments. Outlined below are my top tips on treating hair loss and stimulate hair growth the herbal way, by increasing circulation to the head.
1. Eat a healthy whole food diet.
A major risk factor of hair loss is nutrient deficiency. We need to ensure that we are eating a well balanced diet filled with foods containing all the nutrients we need for healthy hair such as zinc, iron, and iodine. I always recommend enjoying grass-fed and organic produce when possible to ensure you feed your body with quality nutrient dense foods. Food sources of iron, zinc and iodine are listed below:
– Iron: dark leafy green vegetables, spinach, oysters, grass-fed beef, molasses, lamb and eggs
– Iodine: wakame, arame, sea weed, kelp, cranberries
– Zinc: oysters, grass-fed meat, organic dairy.
2. Head Massages
Increasing circulation is vital to preventing hair loss. Regular head massages will help increase the blood flow, oxygen and circulation to the head and encourage hair growth. A classic remedy is mixing 1 tablespoon of a carrier-oil (such as coconut oil or almond oil), with 10 drops of some rosemary essential oil and massaging into the scalp for five minutes on a daily basis.
3. Nettle Tea
Another traditional remedy for hair loss is Stinging Nettle (urtica diocia). Nettle is a very nutritive plant rich in iron, silica and has been traditionally used as a hair tonic. Enjoy 3 cups of nettle tea daily to help promote hair growth and feel the all round benefits of this plant.
4. Silica
If you are suffering from brittle and dry hair increase the amount of silica in your diet or consider taking a silica supplement. Silica is another nutrient associated with healthy connective tissue – hair, skin and nails. Natural sources of silica include green beans, strawberries, leeks and alfalfa sprouts.
5. Calming Herbal Tea
Stress related hair loss is extremely common and I always recommend a daily dose of calming herbal tea to help reduce stress levels. Picking a calming herbal blend, made from therapeutic flowers, herbs and leaves can be the perfect remedy. I always recommend enjoying herbs like chamomile, lavender and linden flowers for stress relief. Other herbs like zizyphus, passionflower and hops are also fantastic to include in relaxing cup of tea.
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