The hair is a barometer to the state of general health. Sickness, deficiencies and mental tension have an adverse effect on the health of the hair and leads to hair disorders like hair fall.

Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the main reasons for hair fall. Dandruff refers to the flaking of the scalp which falls like snow flakes and settles on one’s brows, shoulders and clothes. It assumes an unpleasant, irritating condition associated with bacteria in the case of excessive formation of scales of the scalp. The foremost consideration on the treatment of this hair fall is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimize the accumulation of dead cells.

Several home remedies have been found useful for treating dandruff. Two tablespoons of fenugreek (methi) seeds should be soaked overnight in water. The softened seeds should be ground into a fine paste in the morning and applied all over the scalp. It should be left for half an hour and hair should be washed thoroughly with soap or shampoo after that. The use of a teaspoon of fresh lime juice for the last rinse, while washing the hair is equally beneficial. Washing the hair twice a week with green gram (mung) powder mixed in curd is another useful prescription.

Nutrition

One more reason for Hair fall is inadequate nutrition. Even a partial lack of almost any nutrient may cause hair to fall. Persons lacking vitamin B6 lose their hair and those deficient in folic acid become completely bald. Another important cause for the falling of hair is stress, such as worry, anxiety and sudden shock. Stress leads to several tensions in the skin of scalp. Diseases like typhoid, syphilis, chronic cold, influenza also gives rise to hair fall.

Natural remedies for this is the oil from the Indian gooseberry (amla) prepared by boiling dry pieces of amla in coconut oil, is considered a valuable tonic for enriching hair growth. Mustard oil, boiled with henna (mehandi) leaves, is useful for healthy growth of hair. Effective remedy for hair fall is the application of coconut milk all over the scalp and massaging it into the hair roots.

Premature Graying of Hair

The hair has a tendency to lose its natural color with advancing age. It is therefore natural for the hair to turn grey with age.

Application of the fresh juice of the leaves of amaranth (chaulai ki saag) helps the hair to retain its black color and prevents premature graying. Indian gooseberry (amla) should be dried. The later should be boiled in coconut oil till the solid matter becomes like charred dust. This darkish oil is very useful in preventing graying which will help to stop hair fall.

The hair is constantly exposed to the environment as very few of us cover our hair. It can be damaged by over-exposure to the sun. The sun dries the hair makes it dull, causes breakage, frays the ends which lead to bad hair fall.