Tips to have a Healthy Hair

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. Saut - 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!