Holistic Remedies for Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss is a sensitive subject for both men and women. Baldness is generally associated with men, yet the American Association of Dermatology claims that more than 30 million women in the United States suffer from hair loss. There are many underlying causes of hair loss for both men and women. However, until recently the common belief was that male balding was the same as female balding, but this isn't so. Female pattern balding is an umbrella terms that encompasses a number of factors that contribute to hair loss in women. One of the most common is an excess of testosterone in the system, but, this is not the only cause of female balding. Other contributing factors include polycystic ovary syndrome, a common hormone imbalance in women as well as childbirth, crash dieting, emotional breakdown or stress, surgery and nutritional deficiencies. Holistic health takes a whole body approach to health, and treating hair loss in women from a holistic approach incorporates the use of herbs, vitamins and food to address the underlying cause of balding patterns.

Holistic Health and Hair

When women find that their hair is thinning excessively, the holistic solution is to find out the cause of the hair loss and understand hair in general. There could be several causes of hair loss in women including poor diet, stress, hormone changes and genetics. Hair loss is generally a symptom of some greater underlying problem.

Each shaft or strand of hair has its own individual life span, which encompasses three stages: anagen, catagen and telogen. During anagen, the hair follicle sprouts a shaft of hair that continues to grow for 2 to 5 years. Catagen is a resting stage in which the hair stops growing in length but does not fall out either. This resting stage only lasts for a few days before the final cycle begins, when the hair shaft falls out and the follicle produces another shaft. Hair loss begins to be a problem when new hairs stop replacing the ones that fall out.

Herbs

Herbs often perform multipurpose functions that can produce results that are beneficial for both the hair loss and the overall condition causing hair loss. Dong quai, saw palmetto and black cohosh are excellent herbal supplements that can be found at most health food stores. These herbs are beneficial for hair loss that stems from excess testosterone because they contain plant based estrogen. Stress and emotional turmoil cause hair loss as well. Taking a vitamin B supplement will help the body cope as well as encourage hair growth. Vitamin B and essential fatty acids are both beneficial in the treatment of malnutrition.

Diet

Crash dieting, malnutrition and excess saturated fats can also cause hair loss. In addition to vitamin B and essential fatty acids there are many other diet related ways to treat balding. Soy, the main ingredient in tofu and many other popular foods, has plant based estrogen similar to black cohosh. Diets that are high in iodine-rich sea vegetables will kick-start thyroid function, which may slow down during menopause, giving women two menopausal reasons for hair loss. Eating a diet rich in fish, nuts, fruits such as avocado and green leafy vegetables like spinach will address malnutrition and allow the body to absorb more vitamin B. Calcium, iron and silica are also essential for healthy hair production.

Aromatheraphy

In addition to eating right and utilizing herbal treatments, there is a number of aromatherapy options to help ease stress and stimulate hair growth. Practitioners utilize lavender, jojoba, cedar wood, lemon and chamomile oils to massage the scalp. These methods aim to condition the scalp for optimal growth while reducing stress through the soothing scents.

Care

Hair grows at a slow rate. So when trying to address hair loss, it is important to note that it can not be cured overnight. It can take 8 months to a year to recoup the loss of excess hair. So while undergoing an herbal or vitamin regimen, it is essential to take care of the remaining hair while creating healthy lifestyle habits. One important step for gentle hair care is to avoid harsh shampoos, conditioners and styling products. A number of cleansing products utilize Castile, a gentle cleanser made from olive oil, as well as incorporate nourishing botanicals such as jojoba, chamomile, lavender and calendula. Seek styling products that have flaxseed or guar gum and avoid anything with alcohol.