Hair loss or thinning hair (alopecia) can begin with a few strands of hair on your comb or in the sink, and then progress to a balding scalp. While the average person typically loses about 100 hairs a day as a normal part of the regular hair growth cycle, hair loss in excess of this amount is a cause for concern. You can prevent hair loss and thinning hair with a few home remedies.
Scalp Massage with Sesame Oil
According to the ancient healing practices of Ayurveda, stresses that affect the body can also affect the head, and consequently hair growth. Melanie Sachs, of Diamond Way Ayurveda in California, says that heat in the head produced by stress can destabilize the hair roots and cause them to fall.
Massaging natural oil like sesame oil into the hair will lubricate the scalp, cool the head and release tension as well as stimulate new growth. With your fingertips, massage two to four teaspoons of oil into your head, starting from the base of the neck and working your way forward.
Eating Proper Foods
Women can experience excessive hair loss if they do not have enough nutrients, particularly iron, in their diet. Lihua Wang , in the book Chinese Home Remedies, notes that this deficiency can be corrected by increasing your intake of iron-rich foods such as eating lean red meat, carrots, bananas, eggs, fish and shrimp.
You should also strive to consume more foods that contain vegetable protein like corn, soybeans and black sesame seeds. Make sure to take multi-vitamins each day, if needed, to supplement your dietary intake. All these could contribute to enriching the body's nutrient reserve and help towards reducing or eliminating hair loss.
Castor Oil Topical Treatment
Castor oil is another natural vegetable oil, and has long been used in skin and hair products, and is believed to promote hair growth. Part your hair into small sections with a comb. Saturate a cotton ball in castor oil and apply it directly to the scalp not the hair. Massage it gently into your scalp with your finger tips. Leave the castor oil on overnight and rinse it out the next morning.
Fenugreek Hair Mask
A paste made with fenugreek powder and unsweetened coconut milk can encourage hair growth, says Dr. Raichur, an Ayurvedic practitioner in New York City. It helps to energize the scalp and stimulate hair growth. Apply the paste to the hair as a mask and cover it with a cap or towel. Leave it on for 30 minutes and then rinse it off. Continue this treatment twice a week for two months.
References:
- The Mayo Clinic on Hair Loss
- Chinese Home Remedies: Harnessing Ancient Wisdom for Self-Healing;� Lihua Wang; 2005
- Alternative Cures: More Than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies; Bill Gottlieb; 2008
- Connecticut DCF: Ethnic Hair and Skin Care Manual
Join the Conversation