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Let’s talk about sarsaparilla root, what it can do for your health, and how it might be able to help you with a variety of different conditions that you might have. It may seem like a strange choice of plant to be considered a great source of nutrients, but emerging research is showing sarsaparilla root may be a great way to treat some skin conditions, and to have a powerful effect on how fast and how thick one’s hair grows.

Not Just a Tasty Drink

Sarsaparilla root, as with many things good for our health, comes from a plant. People have been using the root of this plant for centuries but it wasn’t until the 1400’s that the sarsaparilla root became available in European countries. If you’ve heard of sarsaparilla before, it’s probably because you’ve heard of the drink that became very popular. Perhaps you are not aware though that a pharmacist originally came up with the idea for the Sarsaparilla drink.

What Can Sarsaparilla Do for Me?

Number one, sarsaparilla helps to purify the blood and provide relief for inflammation and spasms of the muscles. So, if you have any type of condition that causes inflammation or muscle spasm, sarsaparilla is a lesser-known root you should definitely get your hands on. It’s also been known to work well as an antiseptic.

What Makes It So Powerful?

The sarsaparilla root has a ton of nutrients in it, including selenium and iron. These ingredients can be used to help with gout and fevers. Sarsaparilla is also suggested for a variety of different problems related to the skin and hair. A study has shown that sarsaparilla root is good for treating psoriasis and allergies.

Sarsaparilla root has also been shown to be potentially powerful at helping to grow or regrow hair. It’s been used in the past by Native Americans for this purpose, and has seen a modern resurgence in use.

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For many women (and some men) long hair is a symbol of sexuality, beauty and power. Some people even go to great lengths (pun intended) to get it. Studies have shown that medium and long-length hair have a significant impact on the perception of attractiveness.

Although it hasn’t been studied, it seems reasonable to conclude that regular cardiovascular exercise stimulates circulation, which in turn stimulates hair growth. It also has numerous benefits on your health which may also eliminate the cause of seemingly ‘stunted’ hair growth or even thinning hair. For these reasons, many people notice a difference in their hair once starting a regular cardiovascular routine.

Many women experience mood swings and even hair shedding which could be a result of hormone imbalances caused by eating too much saturated fat, processed foods or hormones. One of the signs of many hormonal or thyroid problems is hair loss. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly are so important for combatting stress and reducing stress hormones from making their way into the blood. Here are some specific exercises that will lower your stress and keep your hair growing like Rapunzel.

Cardiovascular Exercise – By doing cardio or high-intensity running or walking for short bursts, you will help oxygenate your blood, get your circulation moving, digestion going and experience the many benefits of what exercise can do for your hair. Modern exercises like high-intensity training (HIT) and Zumba are especially good for increasing circulation.
Yoga – Certain yoga poses or asanas can actually stimulate your hair follicles through gravity or by also increasing circulation, relaxing tense nerves and relieving stress. Stress is also a cause for hair loss in some people, due to the release of cortisol and certain hormones triggered by it. By relaxing and releasing this stress, a number of bodily functions improve, resulting in optimal hair growth.
Add little ‘extras’ to your daily routine to increase your fitness level. Take the stairs instead of those crowded elevators or park your car a bit further than usual from your destination to force yourself to walk more. While watching tv, do lunges or squats, which will not only lift and shape your butt; they will also improve your cardiovascular health and in turn, your hair.

Some experts say that adding these fitness habits every day is important for optimal health, but the time depends on your fitness levels. Remember to check with your doctor before embarking on any strenuous activity!

Thiamin, also known as vitamin B1 is beneficial in hair growth, and health in general. The primary use your body has for thiamin is in the process of metabolization (we’ll get to this). Thiamin is naturally found in many foods, including meat, grins, beans, and similar products. You’ll also find it in foods artificially injected with thiamin, and in B1 supplements.

Thiamin has a number of great uses in the body including boosting the immune system, handling cataracts, canker sores, heart problems, and it can even reverse or prevent premature hair loss.

Without thiamin in your diet you will most likely suffer unhealthy hair, loss of hair, loss of appetite, and a number of immune system disorders. Overdosing on thiamin is difficult to do due to its nature as a water soluble vitamin. Excesses of vitamin B1 present in the body will be flushed out regularly by the process of going to pee. In other words, unless you are specifically trying to overdose on thiamin you are not going to!

If you find yourself low on thiamin and suffering symptoms of low thiamin then you may want to increase the amount in your normal diet by eating foods that contain it and possibly trying out a vitamin b supplement.

Thiamin helps the body produce ATP, which acts as energy for cells. It also helps to overcome stress. A major cause for damage to your hair and a big cause for hair loss is indeed stress and dealing with stressful conditions. Better adapting to and handling stress and stressful conditions with thiamin will prevent damage to your hair and your hair’s health. Thanks to its boost to your immune system, it can help prevent stress from illnesses and nasty colds.

Everything about thiamin is natural and necessary for your body. Thiamin is not some sort of magical drug; it is just a basic component that your body needs as fuel to do what it does. Keep your hair and body healthy by giving them what they need.

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A wild, untamed mane of hair while walking against the wind might look sexy in commercials but we all know in real life, a cold, windy day does a number on your hair. High winds and dropping temperatures can contribute to knotty hair which leads to damage. So how do you go about protecting your gorgeous tresses from those blustery, sharp winds?

Accessorize Your Hair

If you have longer hair that tends to whip you in the face (or worse) sticks to your lip gloss like super glue, it might be time to invest in some hair accessories to keep your hair pulled back. Make sure never to pull hair too tightly as this can lead to hair loss. If you have short hair, you can begin a hat collection to keep your scalp and hair warm, protected and (maybe) in place! Wrapping a scarf or shawl around your neck to cover the ends of your hair is also a good idea and with so many ways to tie a scarf the style possibilities are endless!

Protection From The Cold

When hair gets cold, the shaft of each strand is more susceptible to damage, just like our skin. Deep-conditioning treatments only work on protecting the surface of the hair, but by nourishing your body with healthy fats like those from avocados and salmon, you will notice a difference in your hair. It will look shinier and the oils will help protect your hair from the cold. Studies have found that getting adequate omegas in your diet can even stimulate hair growth, thus preventing extra hair shedding that Swedish researchers found happens more often in the fall.

Moisturize Your Ends

Moisturizing the ends of your hair is as easy as a trip to your kitchen; take a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and rub in between fingertips and apply to the ends of your hair while hair is slightly damp from the shower. This will seal in some of the moisture already there and help protect the ends of your hair before you go outdoors.

Eat Plenty of Dark Leafy Greens

Dark, leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, Swiss chard and kale are filled with vitamins A and C which helps boost oil production in your scalp, which will in turn, protect and nourish your hair. Not a veggie fan? Never fear; these vitamin powerhouses also can be added to your favorite fruit smoothies!

By protecting our hair early on before any damage occurs, you can rest assured that your hair will look and feel healthy for years to come, with less visits to the salon….and doctor!

healthy hair central

Monthly Archives: August 2014

Sarsaparilla – Full of Rooty Goodness