Hair Quality According to Chinese Medicine.
We can all inherit hair quality, style and colour from our parents, but that’s not where the secret to good or bad hair ends.
If your hair is either falling, greying prematurely or lacking in shine and health, you could well be deficient in nourishment from your diet, lifestyle and environment.
Read on to discover which internal deficiencies you could be suffering with and how to improve your hair by making some very important changes.
Hair is an extension of the blood, and a reflection of the health of the Spleen and Kidneys.
According to Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys have a direct effect on the head hair (as well as the bones, teeth and lower back). Therefore improving the health of the hair can be achieved via strengthening the kidney energy and improving the quality of the blood using Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture and nutrition. Blood building foods include Chlorophyll rich greens, seaweeds and nettles which are mentioned below.
On top of dry hair which may be falling, if you also suffer with the general symptoms of Blood deficiency below then you would benefit from taking Blood nourishing prescription of Herbs;
insomnia and anxiety,
memory loss,
wandering of the mind,
irregular heartbeat,
excessive dreaming,
(irrational behaviour, In extreme cases)
Too much sweet foods over whelm the Spleen and Stomach and this can have a direct effect on the hair due to the connection between the Spleen digesting the food and drink which we consume, the Spleen function of raising the pure energy from said food, leading to the production of blood (and Qi) in Chinese medicine. A weak digestion and poor diet can always be seen in unhealthy hair.
A kidney imbalance according to TCM includes the following general symptoms: if you have weak, lustless, prematurely greying hair on top of the symptoms below then you would benefit from taking a Kidney tonic prescription.
bone problems,
hearing issues,
head hair problems,
urinary, sexual and reproduction imbalances,
poor growth and development,
excessive fear and insecurity.
The following nutritional deficiencies can all manifest with hair loss. Always look firstly at your diet and see where you can improve.
Protein Deficiency
Who is prone to a protein deficiency?
Those with insufficient caloric intake,
Alcoholic liver damage,
Bulimia,
those who live on a high fat diet consisting of sugar, pastry and soft drinks,
Vegans who do not chew well and do not eat enough legumes and nuts and grains,
Fatty Acid Deficiency
Polyunsaturated oil contains essential fatty acids which the body can not provide. Omega 6 and Omega 3. it is important to only consume whole unprocessed foods or truly cold pressed, fresh flax and other similar oils rather than processed oils.
Who is at risk?
Vegetarians and Vegans. Nori seaweed is a great option, as are nuts and seeds.
Along side hair loss, you may also have dry scaly skin, gallstones, liver issues, varicose veins and infections.
Insufficient Calcium absorption
how to improve your calcium absorption.
Vitamin D
Magnesium
Chlorophyll
Exercise regularly
if you are lacking in calcium or eating too many foods which inhibit the calcium absorption you may also suffer from osteoarthritis, arthritis, bone degeneration and anxiety.
Chinese Herbal Medicine consultations look at your signs and symptoms and describe your patterns of disharmony. Individual prescriptions of herbs are put together to treat you as a whole. If hair loss is something that you are concerned with it is vitally important that you correct your diet and lifestyle taking Chinese Herbal Medicine along side is one of the most successful ways to ensure that you are restoring your inner health.
