re: Hair thinning

Hi, I am a 33 year old female that hasnt been on macrobiotics for over 5 years. Ive noticed significant changes but most especially my hair is thinning and isnt full like it used to be. Id like to start back into macrobiotics. Is there anything I can do right now to help with the hair thinning? Thank you,
Mia nullcalmiaa@aol.com

[Katya]

I would like some help with this subject too.You may email me at leovolkov2001@yahoo,com

There are nutrients needed for hair growth and health, and hormonal changes to consider -and while you may be researching that info- the amazing thing that I found that really has helped with all-that-hair-in-the-hairbrush problem - is scalp massage! Everyday for just a few minutes you can try to really move the scalp around in little circles with the figertips [not nails]. [and pretty inexpensive!] Try it and let us know!

Happy circles, Rebecca

From the macrobioitc viewpoint hair thinning
and/or hair loss can be attributed to either too yin or too yang a diet. Usually the yin extreme factor will also be accomapnied by frequent urination and light color. The yang extreme factor by infrequent urination
and darker/stronger color.

In general a diet that avoid the extremes of
yin and yang (like standard macro diet) will
help curb this probalem to a degree, but there are some hereditary issues that may also be going on. For too yang cause you need to back off on salt, baked foods, and use more greens and cooked fruit and salad
(pressed or raw). Also more liquid -- 6 to
8 cups daily. More seaweeds and soy products
will also help.

For more yin cause you need to drink less overall and avoid all fruit juices, concentrated sugars, raw salads, dairy, desserts, oils, OTC drugs, honey, soy milk products, carbonated beverages, iced drinks,
alcohol, black tea and aromatic teas. Umebosi juice or ume concentate watered down
woth stinging nettle tea and massaged into the hair for 1 week will prove beneficial for yin cause.

Please look carefully at your diet and elimination to see if your problem is from yin or yang cause.

I hope this helps.

In peace, Roy

[Bruce Paine]

...it is not the only one.

Hair care is also important.

Yes, stimulating your scalp with a natural bristle brush is excellent, but it's also important what you wash and condition your hair with.

The primary purpose of shampooing is to clean the scalp and hair. The hair collects dust particles, natural oils from the sebaceous glands, perspiration, and dead skin cells which collect on the scalp. This accumulation creates a breeding place for bacteria which with a poor diet can lead to scalp disorders.

The hair and scalp should be thoroughly cleaned and nourished frequently using acid-balanced (4.5-5.5 Ph) shampoos and conditioners. Of course, if you are the type that perms and/or colors your hair, you probably need other kinds of hair care products.

Shampoos like Prell, Head and Shoulders, etc., are alkaline and harsh to both hair and scalp.

There are many brands of acid-balanced shampoos and conditioners found in natural food stores, catalogs, supermarkets, hair product stores and salons (and barbershops), and on the Internet: ( http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Ec...s/Brand_Names/ )

I was introduced to the acid-balanced shampoo (and conditioner) concept by a single chair hair salon owner and RedKen ( http://redken.com/products/ ) distributor in San Francisco in the early 1970s. By 1974, as I was being introduced to macrobiotics, working in a restaurant in Maine, and at the same time I was introduced to Tom's ( http://208.5.178.253/products/poo.htm ) Apple Shampoo. Soon after Tom introduced Rosemary Shampoo and Rosemary Conditioner (whch was providant because of my then dark, coarse, and oily hair). I used Tom's Rosemary products until they were phased out sometime in the early 80s.

Until I was introduced to Weleda's ( http://usa.weleda.com/products/hair.asp ) Rosemary Shampoo and Rosemary Conditioner in the mid 80s, I tried a variety of different shampoos and conditioners, and did not find satisfactory products.

There are people who believe that thinning hair and hair loss is genetically derived, and that may be a factor as well.

But macrobiotics is the philosophy of the big picture, so all factors, diet, products, genetics, environent, state of mind, and so on contribute to the health of scalp and hair.

Thank you, very much.

Bruce Paine

[backbeat]

have you seen danny waxman lately???....nuff said..

I would also like to receive information regarding help with thinning hair. I can be reached at acook8252@yahoo.com. Thanks.