GIMME A HEAD WITH HAIR
80,000 to 150,000 slender threadlike
inert keratin outgrowths of the epidermis coating the human cranium, each
passing through three phases ... growing, resting, shedding ... independent
of all the others. That, in so many words, is an average head with
hair.
Shedding is a normal phase?
A loss of about 50 hairs per day is a normal part of the cycle. A healthy
head has about 90 percent of the hairs in the growing phase which lasts
4 to 5 years, followed by the resting phase which lasts a few months,
and then the hair is shed to allow for the next new growth.
Hair, like a fingernail, is inert.
It cannot biologically absorb nutrients. The future health of each hair
is determined in the follicle from which it grows. Thus, it is important
to maintain a healthy scalp if you want healthy hair. Nothing can change
the molecular structure of a hair after it has grown out. So don't fall
for those enriched products that claim to repair hair. It may appear to
be healthier, but it is only temporarily coated. That same product is
also coating your scalp, leaving it in an unhealthy condition. There
are some good natural treatments that may help, but damaged hair,
like a broken fingernail, cannot be fixed. So cut off the damage
and concentrate on the next growing phase.
STRONG ROOTS
Let's review those phases again
... growing, resting, shedding ... and the shedding "allows for the
next" growing phase. Hmmm! We may have another shot at this! The first
thing to tackle is improving the condition of the scalp. NO! Don't reach
for the conditioner! That may be part of the problem. Let's get to the
'root' of this.
If you are experiencing any
problems with your hair or nails, there is an underlying cause ...
no doubt about it. Determining the cause is another issue. It could
be illness, medications, emotions, stress, hormones, genetics, and
the list goes on. Some are temporary causes that can be corrected in
time, but some may not be reversible. If possible, determine the
underlying cause and start from there. Proper diet, regular exercise,
plenty of rest and fresh air ... you've heard it many times before,
but this advice is also good for your hair. Supplements that might
help improve the condition of the scalp and hair are A, B6, C, biotin,
niacin, and zinc. Every head is different, and we'll get to specifics
a little later. For now, the following DOs and DON'Ts hold true for
everyone. Men, that includes you.
HAIR DOs AND DON'Ts
1) DO shampoo regularly but not
constantly and use the minimal amount of shampoo. We're shooting for
a balance here. It is possible to strip your hair and scalp of the
natural oils necessary to maintain health. If you shampoo every day,
you are probably stripping your hair of its natural conditioner, the
oils produced by your scalp.
2) DO use "natural" hair care
products. Read the labels and keep in mind that manufacturers are not
required by law to list all the ingredients. It may be next to impossible
to find out what you are putting on your head, so you may have to wing
it on this one. My advice is to purchase products from a source you
trust. Some manufacturers proudly list all ingredients. :-)
3) DO massage the scalp daily.
Slip your fingers into the scalp and gently massage with the fingertips,
not the fingernails. Pull your fingers out gently through the hair.
This moves the natural oils from the scalp to the ends of the hair
where it is needed.
4) DO brush the hair daily.
Stand with your feet apart, bend over dropping your head to your
knees, and brush from the nape of the neck to the ends of the hair
stroking with the opposite hand following the brush. This can and
should be done by both men and women at least once or twice a day.
It is especially helpful for balding or thinning heads.
5) DON'T brush or comb the hair
when it is wet. Hair is elastic and wet hair is at the breaking point,
like a stretched out rubberband, it could break or split. Ideally,
the hair should be allowed to dried in sunlight and fresh air. Yeah,
sure, right!!! OK! I know this may not possible for most lifestyles,
but do it when you can and keep in mind that when your hair is wet it
more susceptible to damage. At least switch to a good brush or
non-plastic comb and be gentle.
6) DON'T use dryers or hair
spray. Again, I know this may not be possible for most lifestyles.
If you must, use hair dryers on the lowest setting and, if you must,
use the minimum amount of hair spray. Hair spray on a balding scalp
is murder.
7) DON'T use chemicals to color,
curl, or straighten the hair. I've cut you some slack on the last two,
but I'll not let you off on this one. Stay away from these!
VANITY, VANITY, all is vanity!
I, for one, do not see beauty in those who chemically bleach, dye, curl,
straighten, or otherwise alter the natural state of their hair. When
artfully done, natural hair is the best frame for any face.
HERBS FOR A HEAD WITH HAIR
(OR WITHOUT)
OILY conditions are aggravated
by frequent shampooing. This condition may be the toughest one to beat
simply because the tendency is to wash the oil away as often as possible.
Less frequent shampooing is advised followed by a rinse using any of these
herbs: quassia chips, lemongrass, peppermint, white willow bark, and
witch hazel leaf and bark. Supplements for oily conditions are vitamins
B2 and B6.
DRY conditions may be the easiest
to resolve. Less frequent shampooing is again advised followed by a rinse
using any of these herbs: comfrey leaf and root, acacia flowers, red clover,
melilot, orange flowers and peel, and elder flowers. Supplements for dry
conditions are vitamins A, E, and the fatty acids.
GENERAL HERBAL SHAMPOO RECIPE
For this recipe, you will need
two nonmetal pots with lids, a strainer, 8 ounces of a natural shampoo,
the appropriate herbs for the condition of your hair, the appropriate
essential oil(s) for the condition of your hair, a bottle, and
a label.
1) Add 1-4 heaping tablespoons
of the appropriate herb mixture to 1-1/2 cups of water in the nonmetal
pot.
2) Cover the pot and bring to a
boil. Immediately lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3) Pour about 8 ounces of shampoo
into the other nonmetal pot.
4) Strain the herb infusion into
the pot containing the shampoo.
5) Heat very gently and stir until
blended. Five or ten minutes should do it.
6) Cool and add the essential
oil(s) selected for the condition of your hair.
7) Pour into a clean bottle
and label.
8) Wet the hair thoroughly.
Apply a minimal amount of shampoo directly to the scalp and massage
gently with the fingertips. It is not necessary to apply shampoo directly
to the hair. Run off from the scalp will remove dirt particles in the
hair well enough. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
GENERAL HERBAL RINSE RECIPE
For this recipe, you will need
a nonmetal pot with a lid, a strainer, two large containers or bowls,
and the appropriate herbs for the condition of your hair.
1) Add 1-4 heaping tablespoons of the
appropriate herb mixture to 1 cup of water in the nonmetal pot.
2) Cover the pot and bring to a
boil. Immediately lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3) Strain into one of the large
containers or bowls and add 1 cup cool water to the infusion.
4) Pour the strained infusion over
clean wet hair catching the excess in the second container or bowl.
5) Massage the infusion into the
scalp and repour the infusion over the scalp repeatedly catching the
excess with each pouring. About a half dozen repours will do or continue
until you get bored.
6) Squeeze out the excess. It is
not necessary to rinse with plain water, but if you wish, you may
do so.
7) Allow the hair to dry. Sunlight
and fresh air would be nice at this point. Finger drying is my preference.
Bend over, lowering your head to your knees, and run your fingers gently
through the hair moving it about. Repeat this finger drying procedure
until the hair is completely dry. Do come up for air
intermittently!
8) Brush using the same procedure
when the hair is completely dry.
MORE CHOICES
Here's some more categories to
choose from when using the above recipes.
GENERAL HAIR AND SCALP CARE --
Herbs; alfalfa, birch, burdock root, coltsfoot, dandelion root, elder
flower, horsetail, jaborandi, kelp, lemongrass, maidenhair, marjoram,
nettle, parsley, rosemary, southernwood, violets, yarrow, yucca.
Essential oils; carrot, geranium, lavender, lemon, rosemary.
FALLING HAIR -- Herbs; nettle,
peach tree leaves, rosemary, sage, southernwood. Essential oils;
chamomile, clary sage, rosemary, thyme.
GROWTH STIMULANT -- Herbs;
jaborandi, nettle, rosemary, southernwood. Essential oils; basil,
lavender, rosemary.
DANDRUFF -- Herbs; birch bark,
chamomile, lemongrass, nettle, quassia chips, rosemary, white willow
bark. Essential oils; basil, carrot, lavender, lemon, lime, rosemary,
thyme.
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