DAILY Factors that can lead to thinning and loss of hair include poor circulation, long term stress, pregnancy, hormone changes, sudden weight loss, poor diet, vitamin deficiencies, hypothyroidism, smoking, and drugs… of many sorts.
Important nutrients for the hair include
B vitamins, especially Biotin and Pantothenic Acid, (B-5), inositol & pyroxodine (B-6), niacin, (B-3) These are important when stressed.
Vitamin C, E, calcium and zinc
Eat more greens with B vitamins prominent.
Unsaturated fatty acids (primrose oil, linseed oil, salmon oil)
Using sage tea, or apple cider as a rinse, help hair grow
Any herbs or tonics that affect cardiovascular, energetic circulation will bring more blood to the scalp.
Garlic in its many delicious forms invigorates, offers resistance to stress, improves hair, skin, and muscle tone.
Ginger tones circulatory system, plus having anti-cancer effects. (Blocks tendency of some carcinogens to cause mutations in DNA.*)
Ho Shou Wu This Chinese blood tonic is known as a powerful rejuvenator. It increases energy cleans the blood, nourishes hair, and teeth. It also has renown as a sexual tonic if taken regularly. It increases sperm production in men and fertility in women.
Reading
“Spontaneous Healing” by Andrew Weil, MD
“Perscription for Nutritional Healing” by the Balch’s MD
“The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies” by Vasant Lad
“Yoga & Ayurveda; Self Healing and Self Realization” by David Frawly
Basic Ayurvedic Hair Tips
Ayurvedically, hair and nails are considered by products of bone care because the dhatu, (basic body tissue) in charge of bones is the same for hair and nails. Dhatus are responsible for the function and structure of the systems and organs in the body, and they unfold successively with the nourishment from digestion. This makes calcium, magnesium, zinc, and Vitamin D very important not only for bones but hair, and nails. If your hair is unhealthy, it might speak of your bones needing more attention.
Astrologically, Skin, hair and bone are ruled by Saturn, They are the tissues that construct, protect, and build, all interrelated by rulership. What heals one, helps all, like the Ayurvedic system. When Saturn is stressed in a chart, or by transit, we need to pay more attention to taking greater care of bones, hair and skin.
Pay attention to diet, adding more calcium rich foods such cabbage, cooked apples, daikon, coconut, dairy products. Coconut water, or coconut meat blended with water has a great deal of calcium. Eat sesame seeds. One handful has over 1000 mg of calcium and magnesium.
Take mineral supplements of calcium, magnesium, D, and zinc. Like bones, hair depends on enough of these minerals to be healthy.
Stimulate scalp by gently combing or brushing hair in opposite direction of growth, especially if hanging upside down over the bed.
Oil massage is wonderful for the scalp. If you know your dosha, link to that and find the oil most satisfying to your energy. Otherwise Amla, bhringaraj, and brahmi oils are cooling and helpful for all body types and hair care.
When massaging, begin at the center of scalp, moving down toward ears. Do not pull oil through the hair, it’s for scalp only. Wrap your head in a soft dishtowel and leave on for the night or several hours.
Yoga Poses for Healthy Hair
Any pose to increases circulation for neck and scalp. This includes all inversions.
Salamba Sarvangasana – Shoulder Stand (The longer the better)
Salamba Sirsasana
Halasana – Plow Pose
Ustrasana – Camel Pose
Pincha Mayurasana – Feathered Peacock Pose
Vrschikasana – Scorpion
Bhujangasana – Serpent Pose
Dhanurasana – Bow
Kurmasana – Tortoise Pose
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana – Upward Facing Dog