Although hair is not essential to life, it is of sufficient cosmetic concern to provoke anxiety in anyone when it starts thinning,
falling, or disappearing. To a woman, the sight of a comb or brush covered with lost hair can cause intense mental strain.
Hair is formed in minute pockets in the skin called follicles. An up growth at the base of the follicle, called the papilla,
actually produces hair when a special group of cells turn amino acids into keratin, a type of protein of which hair is
made. The rate of production of these protein 'building blocks' determines hair growth. The average growth rate is about 1.2
cm per month, growing fastest on women between fifteen to thirty years of age.
The most important cause of loss of hair is inadequate nutrition. Even a partial lack of almost any nutrient may cause
hair to fall. Persons lacking in vitamin B6 lose their hair and those deficient in folic acid often become completely bald.
But the hair grows normally after the liberal intake of these vitamins. Other important causes of loss of hair are stress such
as worry, anxiety, and sudden shock; general debility caused by severe or long standing illnesses like typhoid, syphilis,,
chronic cold, influenza, and anaemia; an unclean condition of the scalp which weakens the hair roots by blocking the pores
with the collected dirt; and heredity.
Hair Loss Treatment with Onion:
Onion has also been found beneficial in patchy baldness. The affected part should be rubbed with onions morning and
evening till it is red. It should be rubbed with honey afterwards.
Hair Loss Treatment with Coconut Milk:
The application of coconut milk all over the scalp and massaging it into the hair roots is also beneficial in the
treatment of loss of hair. It nourishes the hair and promotes hair growth. Coconut milk is prepared by grinding the
coconut shavings and squeezing them well.
Hair Loss Treatment using Liquorice:
The paste of liquorice, made by grinding the pieces in milk with a pinch of saffron, is another valuable remedy for patchy
baldness. This paste should be applied over the bald patches at night before going to bed.
Other Remedies for Hair Loss:
Daily application of refined coconut oil, mixed with lime water and lime juice, on the hair, prevents loss of hair and
lengthens it. Application of the juice of green coriander leaves on the head is also considered beneficial.
