Haircare – keep your hair healthy and strong by using these tips and natural methods
Hair loss can occur due to various reasons such as diet, stress, hormones, underlying condition, hereditary disorders and auto immune disorders. As per American Academy of Dermatology it is important to know the underlying cause for hair loss. Always consult with your doctor and work with an integrative and functional medicine professional to manage your hair loss and health.
Diet Management Tips
- Start your day with drinking 1 glass of warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. This helps to detoxify, improve metabolism and aids in weight loss.
- Drink warm water or milk at night before sleeping. You can add 1 teaspoon of Trifala Churn if your stomach is upset and not able to clean daily.
- Add raisins and figs in your diet.
- Avoid consuming fried food, pickles, chutney and salty snacks (gives indigestion, acidity and bloating).
- Include Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, protein, beta carotene, collagen, biotin, zinc and iron rich foods. Some examples of food vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian are listed.
- Vitamin D– cow’s milk, fortified foods such as soy milk, orange juice, cereal & oatmeal, salmon, herring, sardines, canned tuna, egg yolk, mushrooms.
- Vitamin E- avocado, sunflower seeds, almonds. peanuts, spinach. mustard greens, swiss chard, oils such as wheat germ, rice bran, grapeseed and safflower, butternut squash, beet greens, trout.
- Vitamin C– lemons, oranges, strawberries, papayas, lychies, bell peppers, oranges, Kakadu plum, acerola cherries, rose hips, cjillie peppers, sweet yellow peppers, guavas, blackcurrants, thyme, parsley, mustard spinach, kale, kiwis, broccoli, brussel sprouts, American persimmon.
- Protein– almonds, peanuts, garbanzo beans, soy, quinoa, oats, lentils, cheese, yogurt, eggs, milk, broccoli, seafood, white meat, pork, lean beef, turkey
- Beta-carotene– sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin, grape leaves, moringa leaves, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, fresh parsley
- Collagen– bone broth, salmon, chicken, egg whites, cantaloupes, cucumbers, beets
- Biotin– egg yolk, salmon, chicken, liver, cauliflower, carrots, bananas, soy flour, yeast, wheat germ, whole grain cereals, whole wheat bread, dairy, nuts, swiss chard.
- Zinc – spinach, nuts, beans, pumpkin seeds, dairy, cereals, red meat, poultry, oysters
- Iron – tofu, quinoa, spinach, broccoli, legumes, white beans, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, beef, oysters, shell fish, liver, turkey
Over the Counter Vitamins and Supplements
- A good quality Multivitamin
- Biotin for hair, skin and nails
- Cod liver oil for Vitamin D
- Iron, Zinc, Protein
Scalp applications
- Apply fresh aloe vera gel from the aloe vera plant to the scalp for 1 hour and then clean your hair with good quality natural shampoo. This protects your scalp from itching, drying and prevents bacterial/fungal infections. After treatment, your hair will become shiny, healthy and dandruff free.
- Apply a paste of mashed ripe bananas with 2 teaspoon milk, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon bentonite clay (multani mitti) and a few shredded mint leaves for 1 hour and then clean with shampoo. This provides moisturizing to your hair and treats dandruff
- Apply pure castor oil for restoring natural moisture balance and aid for hair growth
For Preventing Split ends
- Mix 2 teaspoons rose water with 2 teaspoons honey and water. Apply to scalp and leave for 30-60 minutes then wash off. Repeat 2 times weekly for optimal results
- Lemon water as natural conditioner- Mix 2 teaspoons lemon juice with water and then apply to hair and scalp. Leave for 1 hour and then wash off. Repeat once weekly
- Do not dry hair using hair dryer right after washing. Let them dry naturally and help prevent split ends. Avoid using too many hair products
- Avocado pulp plus 2 teaspoon almond oil. Apply to scalp and leave for 1 hour. Then wash with shampoo.