Great Hair, Nails and Naturopathy
The state of your hair and your nails says a lot about you. Is your hair full of luster and is it shiny with good body and a natural freshness to it, or is it lank, dull, lifeless and damaged? Is there excessive oil or excessive dryness or itchiness or is the balance of oils just right?
Also consider your nails. How do they appear? Are they firm and strong or are they ridged, thin and/or split?
How to Look after Your Hair and Nails
Hair and nails are traditionally considered within the realm of feminine beauty and also beauty therapy.
But like the eyes in Iridology, hair and nails are actually extremely important health indicators that can tell you and your practitioner a lot about the state of your natural health and any requirements you may have for natural remedies.
Dana Kington, naturopath from A Natural Self Clinic in Perthsays, “hair and nails can be incredibly important in the diagnostic process of a patient. There is so much information available to the naturopath and this is communicated directly by the actual state and condition of the body.
Your hair and nails can indicate ailments and a variety of deficiencies. You can treat your hair and nails with vitamins and minerals and good food. Improving your hair and nails improves your health. Start today.
Vitamins for Your Hair
Certain vitamins and minerals are necessary for healthy hair. These include
- B group of vitamins
- Amino acids – L-Cysteine and L-Methionine
- Essential fatty acids
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc (try eating more mussels and oysters and see your hair improve)
Make sure your diet contains the above groupings. The B group is very important for your hair, while essential fatty acids (fish oil and flaxseed oil) are very good for condition and lustre. Vitamin C can help with blood circulation to the scalp and Vitamin E can increase your overall oxygen intake which in turn helps with oxygen flow to the scalp. The latter also improves hair growth.
L-Cysteine and L-Methionine also improve quality and texture and prevent hair loss.
Nails
Vitamin deficiencies also causes weak and split nails and white streaks and ridges. The same vitamins that help your hair tend to help your nails.
You may also want to source the right kinds of food for your hair and nails. Lots of fresh food and lots of dark green leafy vegetables are very good fro strengthening your nails.
Other foods that help with nail and hair condition include:
- Kiwi fruit, berries – for collagen boosting vitamin C
- Avocado for antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
- Barley – great for selenium which is good for hair and nails
- Oysters and other shellfish – high in zinc
Looking after our hair and nails does not have to be difficult. It can be easy and straightforward. Make sure you are getting proper amounts of the vitamins and minerals listed here. You will not only improve your hair and nails but you will improve your general well being.
The Author:
The Naturopath at the centre has been practicing since 1998 and has first hand knowledge of illness, due to her discovery of natural medicine, through the treatment of her own disorders with natural health. http://anaturalself.com.au
Photo. Karolina Grabowska
