Is your hair thinner than it used to be? Do you have nails that break off easily? Hair loss or thinning may be a sign that your body is out of balance. There are some simple natural solutions you can try to have thicker hair and stronger nails. Here are some suggestions for foods, herbs and essential oils that may help improve these conditions.
1. Take Fish Oil.
Make sure you are getting proper amounts of vitamin A & D and essential fatty acids.
Blue Ice cod liver oil is the fish oil of choice. It is the gold standard in pure fish fat/oil from the liver of the cod fish extracted through fermentation rather than cold/hot temps or chemical extraction as the rest of the industry uses. Blue Ice is available at The Lamb Shoppe.
OmegaAvail Ultra with lipase, vitamin D3, K1 & 2 by Designs for Health is another great product.
2. Balance Your Thyroid Gland.
Whether you have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, hair growth may be affected. If you have thyroid issues, work closely with your healthcare professional as it requires a complex holistic approach. Sometimes iodine may help balance your thyroid. If this is the case for you, add sea vegetables such as kelp, nori, dulse, kombu and wakame to your diet. Liquid kelp available at The Lamb Shoppe may also offer support.
3. Eat Foods Rich in Biotin.
It is well known that biotin encourages hair and scalp health. Here are some foods that contain good amounts of biotin.
Grassfed meat
Wild caught salmon
Pastured eggs
Sprouted nuts and seeds
Cabbage, onions, garlic, and broccoli. If you have hypothyroid, limit the amount of raw cruciferous veggies and opt for eating them cooked or fermented.
4. Take Organic Sulfur.
Organic sulfur is used by the body to build hair, bone and nails. The Lamb Shoppe carries organic sulfur that is 99.9% pure. Many other products on the market contain fillers such as anti-caking agents which renders the product ineffective. Studies and clinical trial have shown that those taking organic sulfur have reported noticeable differences in hair and finger nail growth.
5. Use Herbal Remedies.
Stinging Nettle. Not only does this herb support the whole body, but it is one of the best for promoting hair growth. This plant helps stimulate circulation. Use Nettle as a tincture, tea, or juice. Another excellent traditional remedy for hair loss and making your hair thicker and stronger is to make a Nettle root infusion. Nettle is very rich in numerous vitamins and minerals.
Horsetail. Taken as a tincture in small dosages over a two to three week period helps to thicken hair and promote stronger nails due to its high silica content.
Sage, Rosemary and Nasturtium. These are all stimulating herbs that improve circulation and nerve supply. Nasturtium is an old-time hair tonic and used for baldness and hair loss due to its high sulfur content. Tinctures of all of these herbs are available at The Lamb Shoppe.
Walnut Leaves. This recipe comes from Austrian herbalist Maria Treben. Add 1 cup of hot water to 2 heaping teaspoons of finely chopped fresh walnut leaves. Steep for at least one hour. Massage into scalp as a hair rinse.
6. Try Essential Oils.
Add 2 drops of any of the essential oils below to 1 teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil and massage into scalp and let sit for at least 30 minutes before shampooing out. Also, try adding these to your shampoo and conditioner.
Rosemary
Basil
Peppermint
Ginger
Thyme
Tip: For thicker eyelashes, add 1 drop of Rosemary essential oil to your mascara. This not only acts as an antibacterial, but it helps to thicken lashes at the same time!
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.