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Be Your Own Herbalist

Western civilization seems to have turned away from natural healing, however, most  man-made prescription drugs active ingredients are from herbs. This earth is full of everything we need to battle any ailment we may encounter even cancer, HIV or AIDS. Herbs can be dangerous so please educate yourself as much as possible. There are many books available for Western and Eastern herbal remedies. You should also contact your physician before following any herbal treatments.

There are many cause for hair loss. The number one cause for hair loss is hormonal for both men and women. For men testosterone is converted to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which latches on to the follicle cutting off the blood supply to the hair and causing it to die. For women high levels of estrogen can be the cause for hair loss and many other health problems. There are many things in our environment which could cause hormonal imbalances and some things you just can not avoid. So your best defense is to take care of your body with a proper diet, exercise, and a low stress lifestyle.

Here is a list of herbs and supplements (please see: Nutritional & Vitamin information for hair ) that are known to help stop hair loss and increase hair growth by treating some of the causes of hair loss. I firmly do not recommend any herbal treatments for pregnant women. If you have kidney or liver disease please consult your doctor before following any herbal regimen. NOTE: It is very important to understand that what may be true for one person is not necessarily true for another. The journey of hormonal changes is an individual one. What this also implies is that the treatment for one individual can be quite different from that of another. Please consult your health care provider for guidance. See my herbal remedy recommendations below:

Gotu Kola - helps to increase circulation and blood flow to the scalp. It stimulates hair roots and supplies natural supplements that promote and increase hair growth while it prevents hair loss. Gotu Kola has many other great healing properties. I suggest making a tea from this herb for optimal absorption, however, you can find it in a extract or capsule at any health food store. Herbal Fuzion has a concentrated Gotu Kola oil available.

Nettles and Oatstraw are Nourishing herbs. One cup of each a day may be sufficient.

Nettle leaf (Urtica urens, U.diocia), one of the best sources of digestible plant iron, rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, boron, silica, and vitamins A and D. It also stabilizes sugar levels because it is rich in chromium and manganese. I highly recommend using hair products with Nettle because of its wonderful results for increasing hair growth. You can find Nettle infused with Jojoba (another natural resource that helps battle hair loss) at www.herbalfused.com.

Red clover "Wonderful for Women" is considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens and are found in many plants). Red clover also promotes healthy skin and is wonderful for strengthen hair and nails. For women, Red Clover is quite special. It contains stilbene which stimulates estrogen activity, thus increasing fertility, and reduces hot flashes experienced by women during menopause.

 Saw Palmetto "Wonderful for Men" is traditionally used as a topical treatment to help improve skin and scalp conditions and combat hair loss by reviving the follicles. It is also known to revitalize mature skin. Saw palmetto extracts help heal benign prostate enlargement and prostatitis by stopping the conversion of 5-dehydrotestosterone into testosterone, but the whole berries have a gentler effect on the hormone, helping preserve male potency, while offering a wider range of effects to treat the conditions. You may find this in an oil infusion at www.herbalfused.com. Precautions for the use of saw palmetto extract do not apply to the use of saw palmetto berries. Even tinctures of saw palmetto berries do not contain large doses of the testosterone-modifying chemicals which can be a problem in using most products; these products are manufactured with the use of chemical solvents like hexanol.

Oatstraw (Avina Sativa), a rich source of Calcium, Magnesium, and B complex. It is a safe, natural tonic for the nervous system, is good for strong bones, stabilizes blood sugar, and relieves depression. PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS. Please talk to your doctor about your choice to take any supplement that affects your hormones.

Red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) tones and nourishes the uterine muscles, is rich in vitamins and minerals, and is especially high in readily absorbable iron. Diindolylmethane (DIM) may improve estrogen metabolism and has also been used by both men and women to improve free testosterone/estrogen ratio. Recommended dosage is 75mg 1-2 times daily with food. Warning: Women who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or nursing should not take DIM. Women who are using oral contraceptives (birth control pills) should consult with a health care professional before taking this product. Also persons taking prescription medications should consult with a health care professional before using this product. Harmless changes in urine color may occur with the use of this product. Store in a cool, dry place.

Myomin is a formula of four Chinese herbs that helps promote proper hormonal balance. Calcium D-Glucarate is a botanical extract found in fruits and vegetables that can be beneficial in helping to remove excess, used hormones before they become re-absorbed back into the bloodstream where they can be deposited into fatty tissues and areas such as breast tissue and the uterus.

My Herbal Remedies for Hair loss:

Use a mild herbal shampoo and conditioner. Stay away from Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates. This chemical can be damaging to fragile scalp and hair. Also do not use products that contain mineral oil or petroleum. Use an herbal infused oil with hair-loving herbs that increase blood circulation to the scalp such as: Rosemary with Peppermint, Gotu Kola, Horsetail and Nettles. See ingredients for Komaza Hair Nourishment Oil.

Give yourself a scalp massage for 1 to 2 minutes a day. This also encourages blood flow to the scalp.

Have one cup daily of Green Tea with added Nettle, Horsetail, Gotu Kola, and Red Clover leaf or blossom steeped for 3-5 minutes with ¼  teaspoon of MSM. For men you should add Yarrow instead of Red Clover. Passionflower is another great tea to stop hair loss.

Before bedtime have on cup of Hibiscus and Chamomile Tea to help relieve body of stress. Stress has a direct affect on hormone levels which can also cause hair loss.

And as always: Exercise, eat well, get 7-8 hours of sleep, and drink plenty of water. This also increases hair growth and hair restoration.