No matter what
type of hair nature blessed you with, there are things you can do
to keep it healthy, lustrous, looking its best. Here are some tips
for a healthy head of hair from the tradition of Ayurveda, the
5,000-year old healing tradition that originated in India:
1. Like everything else about true, lasting beauty, healthy hair
begins within your body. Start with your diet. Include lots of
green leafy vegetables and sweet juicy fruits. Dairy products such
as milk and fresh yogurt will also help. Fresh coconut is also
considered excellent "hair food" – sprinkle grated coconut over
salads, diced fresh fruit, or rice.
2. Cut down on refined, processed and canned foods. Ayurveda
considers foods with artificial preservatives and chemical
additives stripped of their inherent "intelligence" and therefore
not helpful in supplying nutrition to your body and mind. Ice-cold
beverages also hamper the process of digestion and assimilation of
nutrients.
3. Cooking with certain spices adds flavor to your food and
provides nourishment for your hair. Cumin, turmeric and black
pepper are some "hair-friendly" spices. Add a healthy pinch of
each to single-portion soups and stews as they are cooking. Sauté
1/8 –1/4 teaspoon each of the three spices in a teaspoon of ghee
(clarified butter) or olive oil and add to cooked veggies. Roasted
ground cumin and ground black pepper can be sprinkled over fresh
yogurt.
4. Stress can be seriously
injurious to long-term health and color of hair. Try and manage
your time and tasks to minimize time-related pressures. Practice
relaxation techniques such as meditation. Seek out tranquil sights
in nature to help restore balance to your mind. Relaxing or
uplifting music can be therapeutic. Get adequate, good
quality sleep to help the natural process of rejuvenation.
5. Ayurvedic herbs that help hair health include Eclipta alba
and Gotu Kola. Eclipta alba is called "Bhringaraj" – literally,
king of tresses. It nourishes the hair and helps resistance to
stress as well. Brahmi, sometimes called Gotu Kola, also helps
balance the mind and nourishes the hair and scalp. Since Ayurveda
considers the health, color and luster of hair so dependent on
overall mind/body health, synergistic Ayurvedic herbal
preparations for hair can also include herbs such as Country
Mallow, which is supposed to strengthen the physiology, and Winter
Cherry, which aids resistance to stress.
6. Stay away from harsh chemical topical products that can
damage hair over time. Look for gentle, natural cleansers and
conditioners, especially if you wash your hair more than three
times a week. Shampoos and conditioners that contain nourishing
botanicals are even better. Read labels carefully – sometimes,
products that say "herbal" or "natural" can include no-no
chemicals.
7. A warm oil scalp massage
two or three times a week will help stimulate and moisturize the
scalp. You can use good quality coconut, almond or olive oil
Ayurvedic hair oils also contain some of the herbs mentioned
earlier. Apply some mildly warmed oil to your hair and gently
massage into your scalp evenly with your fingertips. Leave on
overnight if you can, if not, leave on for at least an hour or
two, then get it out by shampooing your hair. The scalp massage
helps you relax and aids sound sleep as well.
8. Never attack wet hair with a brush, no matter how rushed for
time you are. Tangles in wet hair are best removed with a
wide-toothed comb. Use a wooden comb if you can find one; it won't
generate static electricity. Excessive blow-drying can damage hair
in the long-term, making it brittle and causing split ends. If you
can, let your hair dry naturally, then brush into place.
9. Last, but not least, brushing your hair regularly to
stimulate the scalp will keep it looking healthy and lustrous.
Brush each night in all directions in turn – left to right, right
to left, front to back and back to front use smooth long strokes
from scalp to hair-tips.
Your hair can indeed be your crowning glory if you treat it
right!.
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