Hair Health and Herbs: A Beautiful Friendship
by Skincare-news.com team
Noticing more hair loss than ever before? Don’t despair. Many natural remedies exist to support hair growth and guarantee shiny, sleek tresses.
Straight or curly, long or short, the desire for thick, healthy and beautiful hair is shared universally. Yet for both men and women alike, one of the biggest beauty dilemmas is thinning hair. Looking for a way to volumize your hair and encourage new growth, yet not sure about chemical-heavy products? Don’t stress. Many herbal and plant based products are available to help encourage healthy hair and hair growth without chemicals or side effects.
Nurturing Naturally
Using hair care products from Mother Nature’s cupboard is an excellent way to combat the problem of thinning hair. Featuring fruit extracts, flowers, essential oils, herbs and medicinal plants, these treatments can include shampoo, conditioner, treatment serums and even styling aids or supplements. When searching for hair treatments or shampoos, check the ingredients for herbs such as rosemary and capsicum, both of which may stimulate hair growth. Lemongrass adds fullness and body to hair, while aloe vera balances the pH level of the scalp, protecting it from irritation. Dong quai, a Chinese herb that contains high levels of phytoestrogens, is meant to be very useful for women going through menopause as the estrogens support healthy hair growth.
Try it at home
Dozens of home remedies exist to treat thinning hair or hair loss. All it takes is a little time and effort to observe results. Try a few of the following home remedies for exceptionally strong and healthy hair:
• Coconut milk is nourishing and protective. Massage the milk into the roots, allow it to soak in for thirty minutes and then rinse with warm water. Repeat the process three times a week.
• Massage a small amount of almond oil onto your scalp several times a day to help prevent hair loss.
• Combine honey and egg yolk in a small bowl, then rub a small amount into the hair. Leave on for thirty minutes and then shampoo as usual.
• Try applying a tonic of apple cider vinegar and sage tea to encourage quick hair growth.
• Use jojoba oil on the scalp to fight dandruff or psoriasis. For even more benefits, add a few drops of lavender, thyme, lemon, or grapeseed to a tablespoon of the jojoba oil and then massage into the scalp.
Additionally, since many of these at-home preparations require a scalp massage, you’ll be doing your hair another favor at the same time. Much like brushing, massaging the scalp for a few minutes every day stimulates blood flow and promotes hair growth.
Diet and Healthy Hair
As you seek all-natural solutions for your hair, don’t forget that a healthy diet is a significant part of the equation. Since hair is primarily comprised of protein, consider adding protein-rich foods to your diet, including green leafy vegetables, sprouts, mango, lean beef, chicken, spinach, dried apricots, fish, whole grain cereals, wheat germ, soybean, and dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and buttermilk. Protein will strengthen hair and stop strands from breaking. Also, consider a supplement designed specifically to support the hair with vitamins and minerals such as: N.V. Perricone Skin And Total Body Supplements. In addition to vitamins A, C, and E, these supplements also provide minerals like iron and zinc which are necessary for healthy hair, as well as skin.
Daily Routine
Choose a gentle shampoo that features herbal ingredients such as L’Occitane Damaged Hair Shampoo, which has lavender to strengthen dry or damaged hair. Or, for fine hair, try L’Occitane Fine Hair Shampoo with petit grain, sweet orange oil, wheat germ and a vegetable complex to purify and stimulate the scalp and hair. If you have very dry hair, keep in mind that shampooing your hair more than once a day may cause dryness or breakage so limit washing to every other day at the most. Finally, avoid over exposure to hair colorants, chemical treatments or chlorine which can aggravate the scalp and cause dryness or flaking.
With so many wonderful plants, herbs and flowers available to support the hair and scalp, don’t feel resigned to only harsh chemicals or difficult treatments. Instead, investigate products that draw on the healing power of nature and your hair will shine with health and vitality!
Add comment March 17th, 2008