Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Oriental Medicine
Oriental medicine practitioners believe that the condition of the hair is a direct reflection of the blood, the organs responsible for cleansing the blood (especially the kidneys), the sex organs, and the adrenal glands. The condition of the hair follicles are directly affected by the toxicity in the blood. The hair follicles are responsible for the nourishment of the hair and they also support the growth of hair.
Stress can tax the adrenal glands significantly and can cause hair loss. Some oriental doctors suggest that hair that is frizzy and has split ends reflects poor condition of the sex organs, as well.
So, the first step in treating hair loss is to improve the quality of the blood. This can be done by strengthening the kidneys. Excessive amounts of animal protein, and sweet foods can cause the hair at the top of the head to fall out. According TCM, the sweets, acidic blood, and oils create excessive energy (excess fire); this excess energy escapes from the body through the top of the head. This causes the hair follicles to expand. As a result, the follicles lose their grip on the hair and allow them to fall out.
The solution is to draw the energy back into the body, especially to the body's vital center, known as hara. This restores vitality to the hair follicles and allows them to regain their ability to contract tightly around the roots of the hair, holding it in place.
Many foods, herbs, and certain physiotherapies cause the energy within the body to move downward into the vital center, or hara.
Herbs for Hair Loss
Important Herbs for Hair Loss
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Ayurvedic Herbs
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Chinese Herbs
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Aloe
Arnica Birch Burdock Catmint Chamomile Horsetail Licorice Marigold Nettles Parsley Rosemary Sage Southernwood Stinging nettle |
Brahmi
Jatamamsi Dashamoola Bhringaraj |
Psoralea seeds
Mulberries Oyster |
Herbal remedies increase circulation, disinfect the scalp and stimulate hair growth.
Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and sage tea. This helps hair grow. Catmint or chamomile infusions used as a final rinse can help with itchiness, a source of hair loss.
Aloe, nettles, stinging nettle, birch leaves and watercress are excellent blood and skin cleaners. Drink 1 tbsp. of juice of stinging nettle, birch leaves and watercress, mixed in a glass of water to cleanse the blood.
Licorice extract may help prevent hair loss.
Used as a tea, parsley strengthens the kidneys. A tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is also good for they kidney.
Horsetail is a good source of silica. Silica helps to keep hair strong and looking shiny and sleek. To shampoo hair, steep 2 tbsp. horsetail in 4 oz. hot water and add to a baby shampoo.
Massage scalp regularly with tinctures of stinging nettle, birch, horsetail and rosemary for hair growth stimulation, to disinfect the scalp and to increase blood circulation.
Rosemary or stinging-nettle may help combat dandruff, a source of hair loss. Put a large handful of rosemary into a pan and cover with water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes and leave to cool. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a jug containing a few drops of wheatgerm or any oil. Use this as a rinse after you have washed your hair with a very mild shampoo. Finally rinse thoroughly with tepid water.
Arnica, marigold, rosemary, or southernwood are also useful for hair loss. For best results, massage an infused oil into the scalp.
A tea of marshmallow and burdock is good for dry hair. To make the tea, add 1 tsp of marshmallow and 1 tsp of burdock to a cup of hot water.
Ayurvedic Antistress Tea
Ayurvedic Antistress Tea
Mix equal proportions of jatamamsi and brahmi. Steep 1 teaspoon of this mix in 1 cup of hot water. Drink 2 or 3 times a day to relieve stress, which is a cause for hair loss.
Chinese Herbs
Psoralea seeds: Eat 3 to 9 grams of the seeds daily. A study examining the effects of psoralea extracts and exposure to ultraviolet light in forty- five bald men found that, within six months, hair was completely restored in 36 percent of the cases and there was a significant restoration in another 30 percent.
Oyster and clam shell. Crush and decoct into a tea to increase kidney qi.
Mulberries: The Chinese doctors believe that mulberries are an excellent tonic for the kidneys, liver, and blood.
