Loss of hair at a very tender age has become a common disorder these days. Hair loss also known as Alopecia (scientific name), kes galane (Marathi), vypadeniye volos (Russian), cula para (Bengali), balon ka jhadana (Hindi), perdida de cabello (Spanish), hair loss (Chinese). It causes a great deal of concern to persons affected by loss of hair, especially Indian women who regard good hair growth with thick long hair as a sign of beauty. Hair is formed in minute pockets in the skin, called follicles. An up growth at the base of the folic, called the papilla, actually produces hair; when a special group of cells turn amino acids into keratin, a type of protein of which hair is made. The rate of production of these protein “building blocks” determines hair growth. The average growth rate is about 1.2 cm per month, growing faster on women between the ages 15 and 30. Alopecia areata, Telogen effluvium, Anagen effluvium, and Male pattern baldness are some common types of hair loss. The most important cause of loss of hair is inadequate nutrition. Even a partial lack of almost any nutrient may cause hair to fall. Persons lacking vitamin B6 lose their hair and those deficient in folic acid often become completely bald. But the hair grows normally after the liberal intake of these vitamins. Another important cause of falling of hair is stress such as worry, anxiety and sudden shock. Stress leads to a severe tension in the skin of the scalp. This adversely affects the supply of essential nutrition required for the healthy growth of the hair. General debility, syphilis, chronic cold, influenza and anemia, also gives rise to this disorder. It makes the roots of the hair weak, resulting in the falling of hair. Unclean condition of the scalp can also cause loss of hair. It weakens the hair roots by blocking the pores with the collected dirt. Heredity is another predisposing factor which may cause hair to fall.
Stop Hair Loss Naturally
- Aloe Vera: Drink Aloe Vera juice (1/3 cup) or take some aloe vera gel (1 tablespoon with a pinch of cumin) 3 times a day for about 3 months.
- Liquorice: A part of head where its bald, levigate Liquorice (licorice) with milk. Add pinch of saffron in it. Apply this paste everyday at bed time. Repeat procedure for several days for better results.
- Mustard Oil and Henna: Take 3 cups of mustard oil and 60 gm henna leaves in a pan. Bring it to boil on a medium flame. Boil it for few minutes. Cool it and drain. Store this oil in air tight bottle and message everyday with same.
- Onion: If baldness is for only specific part of hair then try this one. Rub onion on that specific part till it becomes little pink and then immediately apply a layer of honey on it.
- Coconut Oil: Another effective way is to rub some coconut oil on your scalp and on the soles of your feet at bedtime. Wear some old socks, and to preserve the health of your pillow, wear a loose woolen cap or cover the pillow with a towel so it won’t get damaged by the oil.
- Neem Leaves: Here is a best hair fall treatment suggested in Ayurveda. Bring a water to boil. Add Neem (Indian Lilac / Azadirachta indica) leaves in it. Boil it for few more minutes. Drain the water and use this water to wash hair. This stops hair loss effectively.
- Sesame Seeds: Eat a handful of white sesame seeds every morning. One handful of these small seeds contains about 1,200 mg. of calcium and magnesium and is a good source of nourishment for your hair.
- Jatamamsi and Brahmi Herbs: Stress can cause a hair loss. To help you deal with stress, make a tea of equal proportions of jatamamsi and brahmi. Steep 1 teaspoon of the mix in 1 cup of hot water, and drink 2 or 3 times a day. You will also find meditation an effective means for reducing stress and tension. Try sitting quietly and observing your breathing.
- Fenugreek Seed Infused Oil: Massage the scalp with infused oil of fenugreek or ginger. Mix powdered methi seeds with coconut oil to form a paste. Then massage the paste on your hair. Repeat procedure for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Fenugreek seeds contains proteins, nicotinic acid and lecithin that helps to stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
- Lemon and Jujube Leaves: Grind lemon tree leaves and Jujube tree (ber / bor) leaves together. Apply this paste on scalp to get stimulate hair growth.
- Bramhi and Bhringaraj Oil: Massaging the scalp with brahmi oil or bhringaraj oil at bedtime can help to prevent hair loss and encourage new hair growth. In addition to the qualities of the oil, the massage itself will improve circulation at the root of the hair, thus bringing more nutrients to support hair growth. Massaging the hair with vitamin E oil or olive oil may also be effective in preventing or slowing hair loss.
- Home Made Shampoo: Instead of washing hair with chemical shampoos try this simple home made shampoo. In bowl take yogurt, or lemon juice. Mix gram flour in it. Apply this paste on hair and wash with lots of water.
- Effective Herbal Formula: Certain herbs are useful for nourishing the hair. Try this beneficial formula: dashamoola 5 parts, bhringaraj 4 parts and jatamamsi 3 parts. At bedtime, add ½ teaspoon of this mixture to 1 cup of goat’s milk, heat to boiling, and drink. This will build up the bones and nourish the hair.
- Beneficial Yoga Posture: Also try yoga posture shoulder stands. It increases the blood supply to the scalp and nourishes the root of the hair, thus preventing the loss of hair and graying of hair.
- Vegetable Juice: Grind spinach and lettuce together. Take out juice and drink at least 3 cup juice everyday to stimulate hair growth. OR take carrot juice, lettuce juice and garlic leaves juice in equal quantity. Mix it and drink. Combination of all 3 juices provides all necessary nourishment for hair growth.
- Coconut Milk: This is self tested hair fall cure. Take a coconut and grind it with little water. Drain the juice this is called “coconut milk”. Apply this milk on scalps and message slowly. This really works if repeated for several days.
- Balanced Diet: Healthy hair depends upon a nourishing diet. Dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt are beneficial for the hair (assuming you digest them well), as they are white radish and daikon. Coconut, cooked apples, and cabbage are also useful.
- Herbal Tea: Nettle tea helps to cleanse the system, and encourages the growth of hair. Sage tea, drunk and applied externally, will stimulate hair growth. Improve circulation to the head with a daily intake of rosemary tea.
Healthy Tips to Prevent Loss of Hair
- You may be allergic to certain shampoo. After using particular shampoo if you feel hair loss then stop using the shampoo immediately.
- The healthy condition of the hair depends, to a very large extent, on the intake of sufficient amounts of essential nutrients in the daily diet. Hair is made of protein and adequate protein is necessary for luxuriant hair. Women require 60 grams, men 80 to 90, adolescent boys and girls 80 to 100 grams of protein. It is supplied by milk, buttermilk, yogurt, soya bean, eggs, cheese, meat and fish. A lack of vitamin A may cause the hair to be rough and dry. A deficiency of some of the B vitamins, of iron, copper and iodine may cause hair disorders like falling of hair and premature graying.
- Sour fruits such as lemon, orange, amla, tomato are also helpful as they provide vitamin C. Your body needs at least 1000 to 3000 mg of vitamin C everyday.
- Try neck message and simple neck exercises everyday.
- Spinach, beet root, apricot, raisins are good source of iron. It helps to improve blood circulation in scalps and nourishes hair roots.
- Lack of inositol causes loss of hair. Any person having trouble with his or her hair should eat foods rich in inositol such as yeast, liver and molasses. Research has, however, shown that women have a low requirement of inositol. Although this vitamin may help to stimulate the growth of a woman’s hair, its lack is probably not a major cause of slow growth . Women are generally deficient in iodine and vitamin B1, either of which can slow down circulation to the scalp to such an extent that hair may fall out and new hair grow in very slowly. Women who keep their diets adequate in iodine, the B vitamins and iron have a better growth of hair.