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For most of my life I've struggled with dry skin
and dandruff. I've gone through every cream and shampoo available on
the market without any acceptable results. I started to look to diet
and more alternative practices for help. I've realized that it is
possible to find solutions to dry skin and dandruff through diet, in
combination with other health models, such as the Eastern practice of
Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurvedic is an ancient medical system from India
which empasizes more natural paths to healing through diet, massage and
holistic remedies. It classifies individuals according to a metabolic
body type or dosha. Each dosha is characterized by a combination of the
earth's elements like fire, water, wind, etc. When your doshas are out
of balance, ill health can occur. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and
Kapha.
Depending on what body type you are, you could be
more prone to dry skin and dandruff. For example, a person with an
imbalance in their Vata dosha is prone to dry skin. Various herbal
rememdies and oils can help to restore balance to specific problems.
With Vata, a regular body and scalp massage with sesame or sweet almond
oil is recommended. For Pitta the oil would be coconut and for Kapha
try olive oil. These can all be found in health food or grocery stores
if you don't have a store that specializes in Ayurvedic remedies. You
can also gently heat the oils in the microwave for a more intense
moisturizer. Another great natural moisturizer is a mixture of egg
yolks and honey. Thick and messy, but it works!
In addition to topical remedies, you can also work
on your body from the inside out. Diet has a great impact on dandruff.
Try these following dietary tips:
-Cut back on sugar and yeast. Foods that contain
high levels of these ingredients can encourage fungus growth that
causes dandruff. Unfortunately, that includes beer and wine!
-Pack your diet full of B-vitamin, Omega 3 fatty
acids, and zinc rich foods like egg yolks, fish, whole grains, bananas,
avocados, nuts, seeds, flaxseed, and spinach. These nutrients help
maintain healthy hair and skin and zinc is actually found in many
anti-dandruff shampoos.
-Use a tea tree oil shampoo on your hair. This is
a very popular natural product from Australia, and has been used as an
antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal agent. This is the only
anti-dandruff shampoo that has worked for me!
These are only a few tips that can help to restore
your body to optimal health. Ayuvedic medicine is as vast as the
Western model requiring years of study and knowlege. I hope to have
simply provided an introduction to a wide range of help available.
Find out what your dosha is by visiting: http://www.ayurbalance.com/explore_articlethreedoshas.htm
Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and part-time
beauty buff. You can get more health and beauty tips at her website at:
http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html
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Jane Arnold
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