★★★★★
Red Raspberry Tea, Kelp
★★★★★
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.
