The Scottish Hedgewitch: healthy hair
By Pamela Spence
In my herbal practice, patients often ask me for healthy hair tips. A healthy head of hair has been coveted since as far back as there are records. From the biblical story of Samson, to Aphrodite’s infamous good looks and the eerily beautiful mermaids of Scottish folklore, they are all renowned for their crowning glories. The sheer number of adverts in the media today reveal that healthy hair is still top of the list of must-haves. It’s not only women who worry about their hair – and fear of thinning hair and going bald is high on men’s stress lists.
Spring birch
In times past in Scotland, things were no different. Young women would wash their hair with nettles to keep it strong and to combat dandruff. Highland lasses rinsed their hair with an infusion of spring birch twigs and birch sap was used as a hair shampoo. Many Scots treated falling hair by washing the scalp with a decoction of dock roots – while east-coasters preferred their local hound’s tongue herb. Some of the stranger concoctions used to this day include beer, eggs and even urine!
Nowadays, we don’t need to go to such extreme measures and we may never have the mane of a supermodel, but there are some simple, natural steps we can take to ensure that our hair is the best it can be. Making your own hair tonic is not only simple but it can also be great fun. Best of all – it’s easy on the wallet.
Natural hair tonics
Pamela Spence, medical herbalist, demonstrates how to make your hair naturally healthy from herbs growing around Scotland. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Affairs Correspondent Allan Little describes some of the key moments from his career and answer questions about what it is like to report the world in an age of conflict. Bill Boyd reads his poem Hogmanay, written in the style of Robert Burns.
You probably know of more plants commonly used for their health benefits to hair than you think. Numerous natural hair products contain jojoba oil. Its rare chemistry closely resembles human sebum and it nourishes the scalp and soothes irritation. Chamomile is often used in recipes for blonde hair to enhance the colour. Henna is a plant used for herbal hair dyes to create vibrant shades of red, while our native horse chestnut has long been added to deepen brunette tones.
Some hair products can contain a lot of chemicals that are harsh on your hair. Others can leave a build-up causing your hair to look dull or lifeless. Try to use natural hair products that will gently cleanse and condition, allowing the hair’s own oils to protect and nourish.
Sometimes, changes in hair can be linked to a medical condition or to hormonal imbalances. So if you think your hair has changed recently, have a word with your GP or other qualified health professional and make sure you get it checked out.
The first requirement for luscious locks is a healthy diet. So ditch the junk food and make sure you’re getting a good variety of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Your body needs lots of vitamins and minerals to build hair – especially B vitamins and zinc. It’s also time to make friends with essential fatty acids! They are essential building blocks for your hair and can easily be incorporated into your diet. As you start to eat more healthily, not only should your hair start to improve, but you’ll feel better too.
Foods rich in B vitamins
Asparagus, broccoli, spinach, bananas, potatoes, dried apricots, dates and figs, dairy products, nuts and pulses, fish, wholegrain cereals.
Foods rich in Zinc
Oysters, shellfish, Brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, wheat bran, pine nuts, pecans, cashews, pumpkin seeds.
Essential fatty acid sources
Fish and shellfish, vegetable oils (flaxseed (linseed), hemp, soya & rapeseed), nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables.
Hair also needs a good blood supply to grow strong. Regularly massaging your head can help. We have some big muscles across the skull and when we get stressed, these can tense up, restricting blood flow. Dehydration can also make the muscles of the scalp constrict so make sure you are drinking enough water. It is generally recommended that adults drink an average of 2 litres of water a day.
Healthy scalp oil
Healthy scalp oil
100ml Sweet Almond Oil
5 drops each of Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Lemon essential oils
Massage into scalp and leave for 15 minutes before washing hair to improve circulation and encourage hair growth
Naturally healthy hair needs a holistic approach. So brush up on your diet, clean out your old products and discover the perfect herbal combination to create your own stressless tresses!
Disclaimer
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