Noelle (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Usa) on 08/22/2009
I went through nine years of hell with hair loss, which started at perimenopause. I would be out to dinner with a friend and hunks of hair would fall into my plate. I'd wash my hair and would fill up the toilet bowl with the hair that would come out. (And yes, I originally had a ton of hair, below the shoulder in length and very thick.) This wasn't just a general thinning, but patchy fallout and breakage. Every winter the hair would change texture, get hard as a rock and break off at the roots at the left side of the crown and at the nape of the neck. When I couldn't hide the damage, I wore wigs. I wore wigs for five out of those nine years. Doctors and herbalists couldn't find the cause. My thyroid checked out normal on blood tests; I did not have a fungal infection of the scalp. I tried everything I could think of: MSM worked for a little while, so did Black Walnut Hull tincture. I had some luck with Black Cohosh for a year, then it rebounded on me and I had to stop.
Finally, in 2006, a friend of mine sent me to a lecture on adrenal fatigue. I later had myself "spit" tested for levels of estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol and DHEA. Well, it turns out that at 5PM each day, I had no cortisol. Zip, nada. My adrenals were in trouble and there was no way they could take over and compensate for the lowered hormone output of menopause. The protocol for raising levels of cortisol is to take DHEA and Pregnenalone (sp?). Unfortunately, between slop bucket hot flashes, extreme fatigue and flipping out, I was too sensitive to take those "precursor" hormones.
Four months after this, I got very sick with Bronchitis and could not get rid of it for three months. A herbalist I was seeing for the Bronchitis decided that my problems were nutritional and prescribed a herbal mix that I was to take as nutrients and not as medicine. Well, my body didn't react too well to that, either, so I decided to buy the herbs in bulk and try them one by one to see which one was disagreeing with me. One of the herbs was RED RASPBERRY LEAF, WHICH ALONG WITH KELP, GAVE ME MY HAIR BACK!!!! It was noticeable within days. I started the tea in March; by early May my hair had filled in enough that I was able to cut my hair in a short style and ditch the wig. Red Raspberry is known as a female tonic and mild alterative that tones the uterus, stops hemorrhages and diarrhea, reduces fevers, cures mouth ulcers and stimulates hair growth. It's delicious, inexpensive and you don't need much of it.
Purchase Red Raspberry Leaf in bulk at any reputable herb store or coop. When buying Kelp in bulk, get the granulated kind that looks like pepper. The fine powder Kelp is too clumpy and doesn't mix or sprinkle well.
Formula:
Put 1/2 teaspoon of Raspberry Leaf in infuser or strainer.
Pour boiling water in cup to cover. Steep for 10 minutes, or if you like, to lukewarm.
Drink a cup of this twice a day. When your hair is recovered, reduce to once a day.
Kelp: 1/4 teaspoon twice a day; once in AM, once in late afternoon. Just put it on the spoon and follow with a big glass of water, or sprinkle it on your food. Can cause sleeplessness if taken in evening. Can also take 1/2 teaspoon once a day. Adjust dosage depending on how it effects you.
Another thing that's helpful -- switch to an organic shampoo and conditioner. Especially conditioner! You'll notice a difference right away. My hair texture really changed; it became much more elastic! Some "organics" are really organic and some are not. If you email me, I'd be glad to tell you what I used. If you go to Organic Consumer website you should be able to find a link to a list of products that are NOT AUTHENTIC or are contaminated with toxins, so you can screen any hair products you are interested in against the list.
I realize this is long, but I thought the story needed to be told. It wasn't until last year on an annual physical that it was discovered that I had hundreds of tiny cysts on my thyroid, yet all my numbers were still normal. Red Raspberry might work for you. Good luck, Melinda.
Replied By Loraine (Orlando, Fl) on 08/22/2009
Loraine
Replied By Noelle (Minneapolis, Mn, Usa) on 08/23/2009
As for my adrenal problem, it's not entirely fixed. Underlying infections can pull adrenal function down. I had a huge double abscess tooth removed last year, but I was disappointed that my energy did not increase. I seem to be carrying a virus that we cannot identify and have allergies that occasionally fog my head so much I walk into walls. (Claritin-D cuts that one right quick!) I was tested by a hematologist for everything they could think of. Allopathically, my bloodwork was normal. I ran the results by a naturopath: two indicators pointed to either parasites or low iron or both. Nobody seems to want to believe I have parasites! I'm currently using Bill Munro's H2O2 inhalation method. Its been two weeks; my energy is a little better, but I'm not seeing spectacular results yet. So . . . I'm still working on it!
Replied By Kate Saggu (Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK) on 12/23/2012
Replied By Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 12/24/2012
Replied By Roberta (Charlotte Nc, Usa) on 03/30/2013
Replied By Noelle (Minneapolis, Mn) on 03/31/2013
There are a couple of types of hair vitamins that really contribute to softness and texture, although I can't name brands on Earth Clinic. (I can tell you to check out the reviews on Swanson Vitamins and iHerb. ) Also, if you're looking to thicken the hair Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) really works and fast, but you have to take at least 500mg per day. B5 is also indicated for energy production in the adrenals.
As for me, hair growth is fine, but I've been experiencing a different set of hair problems since starting constitutional homeopathic treatment in late 2010. I've been on Naja (cobra venom) for 1-1/2 years now and there were problems with dosages in 2011 & 1st half of 2012. Homeopathy tends to push things out through the skin and hair, and I had an extreme reaction with both. (Hair formed huge knots, totally uncombable; I had to cut it off! I won't tell you what was going on with my skin and where. Wanted to murder my homeopath; got a second and third opinion instead. ) Things are much better now. When I comb my hair, I have no shedding whatsoever. All that's left of the damage are a couple of alopecia spots and a receding hairline in the front, which I am working on. I had to stop relaxing and coloring my hair -- it grew back in in big patches of black and white and looks really cool! People are always asking me, "how did you get your hair like that?"
Anyway, for growth I recommend:
1) Nettles, both drinking the tea and rubbing on the scalp. Make a strong infusion of Nettle Leaf; it'll keep in the fridge for about 48 hours. Longer than that, it's ineffective.
2) Get a big aloe leaf, rub some of the gel on the scalp. It seems to stimulate the hair follicles.
3) And, of course, Red Raspberry Leaf.
So there!