Hair - Skin - Teeth - Nails

Herb Of The Week / Hair - Skin - Teeth - Nails

I've had more than a few requests for a post regarding herbs for
stronger and healthier hair, skin and nails. A number of things come
to mind off the top of my head.


FIRST and foremost, I would recommend drinking carrot juice, for
beta-carotene, a non-toxic form of Vitamin A. A vitamin A deficiency
also affects the skin. Dry, bumpy skin may occur, especially on the
backs of the arms. Since vitamin A promotes skin growth, moisture
retention, and proper cell differentiation, a deficiency causes
decreased skin tone and rapid aging of the skin and a variety of
blemishes, acne, or boils. Vitamin A supports the mucous-secreting
cells of the internal mucous membranes. Mucus protects these membranes
from infection and irritants. When vitamin A is deficient, these
internal epithelial cells secrete a protein (keratin) commonly found
externally in hair and nails. This keratinization process makes the
epithelial cells harder and dryer and thus less protecting. Vitamin A
along with adequate protein intake generates healthy hair. With a lack
of A, the hair may lack luster and dandruff is more likely because of
the loss of scalp skin moisture. Bone softness or abnormal
menstruation may also develop from vitamin A deficiency. Fatigue and
insomnia are also possible, as are a decrease in the appetite and some
loss of smell and taste.


For nails, I think about GELATIN. That's right, JELLO. Plain gelatin
can be bought at most grocery stores.... Knox gelatin is a brand that
immediately comes to mind (no, I don't work for them lol)


"....Gelatin is just a processed version of a structural protein
called collagen that is found in many animals, including humans. It is
actually made from the collagen in cow or pig bones, hooves, and
connective tissues. To make gelatin, manufacturers grind up these
various parts and pre-treat them with either a strong acid or a strong
base to break down cellular structures and release proteins like
collagen. After pre-treatment, the resulting mixture is boiled. During
this process, the large collagen protein ends up being partially
broken down, and the resulting product is called gelatin. The gelatin
is easily extracted because it forms a layer on the surface of the
boiling mixture......

...As you get older, your body makes less collagen, and individual
collagen fibers become cross linked with each other. You might
experience this as stiff joints (from less flexible tendons) or
wrinkles (from loss of skin elasticity)...."

If your wish to is to make your nails less brittle you might we might
have to supplement collagen from other sources. Also, as you get
mature (start to get old) you might have to supplement collagen.

SOURCE: http://home.howstuffworks.com/question557.htm


ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS, mainly Omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed
oil or fish oil are healthy fats that aid the body's peak function,
unlike saturated fats, which are precursors to heart disease and
stroke. Since the body cannot synthesize EFAs, add them to your diet
with flaxseeds or by supplementing with evening primrose, hemp seed,
and/or fish oils. The majority of Americans are deficient in EFAs,
which can contribute to dry skin, acne, dandruff, hair loss,
allergies, asthma, bumps on the back of the arms, and slow wound
healing.


CAUTION: Omega-3 oils such as flaxseed oils are ruined once exposed to
heat or light. So any oil such as flaxseed oil or primrose oil etc
should be bought REFRIGERATED in an opaque (non-see-thru) container.
Any oil touted for it's omega-3 content that is stored unrefrigerated
and/or in a clear bottle should not be bought. Good health stores
refrigerate their oils. I don't care what anybody tells you, good oils
are refrigerated, otherwise they become rancid. Yep, you guessed
right.... cooking oils stored at room temperature in clear bottles are
not too good for you. But oils such as flaxseed oil deteriorate much
faster.


HORSETAIL (Erigeron canadense), is a rush-like perennial related to
ferns. The hollow, jointed stems of this flowerless plant contain
large amounts of silica and silicic acids (5-8%). Silica is used by
the body in the production and repair of connective tissues while
accelerating the healing of broken bones. Our bodies use silica to
maintain and repair the nails, hair, skin, eyes and cell walls.
Because of it's very high silicone content it helps to repair
"structural" damage. It also helps the body absorb calcium and
contributes to healthier hair and nails. It is very good for helping
to heal broken bones when used with calcium, magnesium and zinc. It
also provides teeth, bones and gums with silicone, which helps
connective tissues and heals gum sores.

As an added bonus, Horsetail is also used for its diuretic and
astringent properties, making it a useful treatment for cystitis,
bladder and prostate problems, and kidney stones. Horsetail (silica)
reduces the risk of excessive bleeding and contributes to the building
of healthy blood cells.

WARNING: Because it is a strong diuretic, excessive use can damage the
kidneys.

But it gets even better. Its toning and astringent actions make it
invaluable in the treatment of incontinence and bed wetting in
children. It is considered a specific in cases of inflammation or
benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Horsetail is often combined
with Hydrangea and Saw Palmetto in the treatment of prostrate troubles.

So overall, horsetail is for brittle nails, edema (water retention),
osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and/or rheumatoid arthritis.

And then..... COCONUT OIL. Coconut oil is real good for moisturizing
your hair and your scalp.
Coconut oil also is a good skin moisturizer and will PREVENT sunburn
and aging due to sunburn.
If that wasn't enough, there is some evidence to shoe that it may work
against skin cancer.

Coconut oil is great for protecting skin from sunburn and even
preserving skin after sunburn.


For serious cuts, abrasions and burns use honey for healing without
scarring.

One can purchase 100% coconut oil at the health food stores and
sometimes from international grocery stores.


But..... of course... IT'S YOUR HEALTH. Why take my word for it?

You can research anything mentioned on this site yourself. Some good
search engines are www.mamma.com or www.google.com. or www.dogpile.com
or www.askjeeves.com ...etc. Enter one or more keywords and do your
own research.

Until next time remember .... most illness (upwards of 80% according
to experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can
weaken your immune system and your ability to fight off disease:

1. Anxiety, depression, anger, guilt and other STRESS factors
2. Improper and/or inadequate NUTRITION habits
3. A sedentary lifestyle that does not include enough EXERCISE
4. Not enough rest and quality SLEEP time

The United States Surgeon General warned Americans in a landmark 1988
report on Nutrition and Health that "diet related diseases account for
68% of U.S. deaths"

Remember, we ALWAYS recommend that you ALWAYS consult a professional
herbalist, naturopathologist or physician. We are just passing along
what we hope to be useful information.

Until next time,
Quinnten, Editor