Hair loss is, among one of the most common problems, that one usually suffer these days. Losing hair can be a painful and horrible experience for every person as hair plays an integral role in enhancing beauty. Having good lustrous locks boosts self esteem and confidence. Today's demanding lifestyle and increasing pollution level has done enough damage to everything including the quality of hair. It is not surprising to see the youth fussing over the issues of hair loss.
What causes Hair Loss?
There are many reasons for hair fall:
- Genetic reasons (in which case it happens with age).
- During or after a severe illness.
- Post pregnancy.
- Slow but significant hair loss can be due to rapid weight loss.
- Prolonged anxiety and stress.
- Other reasons can be infection of the scalp, severe dandruff etc.
According to Ayurveda, hair fall is the result of excess of pitta and vata element in the body. Pitta is the fire and acid element and by becoming excessive in the body it can lead to too much of dandruff and acid in the roots. Increase in the vata element leads to dry and brittle hair which breaks easily.
What are the solutions?
Thankfully, adequate number of solutions are available to help the distressed, spending sleepless nights over their hair:
- Apply almond oil mixed with olive oil on scalp with few drops of lemon juice and leave it overnight. It can be washed the next day.
- Eat 5 almonds, 1 teaspoon flaxseed, 1 walnut, and 1 fig daily. In winters, one can add half teaspoon of sesame seeds also.
- Brahmi oil is good for stimulating the roots for improving hair growth.
- Consume more of healthy proteins like sprouts, tofu and soy flour which go a long way to provide a healthy source of protein.
- Taking zinc supplements also helps to improve hair growth.
- Leave fenugreek seeds (methi dana) overnight in water. Next morning, apply this in a hair pack in the roots.
- Vegetable juice of carrot (gazar) with Indian Gooseberry (amla), curry leaves (curry patta) and ginger (adrak) is good for getting vital nutrients for the hair.
- Drinking juice of spinach (palak), lettuce (salad patta) and beetroot (chukandar) is good for the hair, as it is rich in several vitamins and minerals.
- Consuming seeds of all kinds is good for hair. Seeds like sesame (til), flaxseeds (alsi), almonds (badam), walnuts (akhrote), sunflower seeds, pumpkin (petha) seeds etc can work wonders.
- Wheat germ (tilula) is also good for hair and skin. One can put a teaspoon of wheat germ in roti (chapati) and consume regularly.
How to avoid Hair Loss?
It is important to also take care of some of the avoidable foods and lifestyles to ensure that the above measures work for you.
- Key offenders are maida (white flour), and refined flours.
- Excess alcohol and smoking.
- Tight hairstyles, hair rollers and very hot blow drying.
- Overuse of setting jells and hair sprays.
- Harsh colorings.
- Acidic and oily food can lead to dandruff in your hair.
- Over use of sugar and chemicals.
- Irregular eating habits and lack of sleep.
- Excessive stress prone personality.
- Harsh shampoos.
Hair loss can further be prevented by consuming a healthy and well-balanced diet with generous amount of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits augmented by milk, vegetable oils, honey, wheat germ, yeast and liver.
Proper hygiene should also be observed in preventing hair loss. A combination of all good nutrition, hygienic practices and a dose of home remedies can go a long way in preventing or treating hair loss.
