Dear Susun
I'm writing to you because after listening to your podcasts, enjoying making and drinking herbal infusions and feeling relieved that I don't need to "detox" in order to be healthy, I now have a question for you about holistic hair care.
I've done a lot of research on the subject after finding out I was sensitive to the sulphates found in most commercial shampoos and having suffered from seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp since puberty (I'm now 34.) I also had cradle cap as a baby...
The condition is caused by the overgrowth of a type of yeast that feeds on sebum and sufferers are therefore advised to wash hair frequently so the scalp doesn't become congested and flaky.
Washing does indeed keep flakes at bay, however I'm not completely satisfied with this approach. I seem to be intolerant to the majority of both natural and synthetic personal care products, over washing dries out the lengths of my hair leaving them brittle and frizzy and perhaps most importantly, I know that the most hated word in your vocabulary when applied to a living organism is the word "cleanse."
I recall you recounting how otters died of cold shortly after having been cleaned by vets because all their protective oils had been removed and wonder whether the cosmetic industry's fear of, and war on, human sebum might be counter productive.
In my research I found that the most primal way for humans to groom themselves is by scritching: lightly scratching the scalp with clean fingernails or a (wooden or bone) fine tooth comb in order to remove dead skin cells and sebum plugs, and preening: using fingers or a boar bristle brush to distribute the sebum down the length of the hair so it doesn't accumulate at the roots and can nourish and hydrate the ends.
I've always had greasy roots and dry ends so this really appeals to me and after having been told repeatedly to stop scratching my scalp (it really itches), permission to gently scratch it with a comb feels delightful! Sebum is said to have natural anti bacterial properties and is what enables hair to eventually clean itself if it's not constantly being stripped away.
I've not been able to go the sebum or water only route the way some brave souls have but I apply the above methods together with twice weekly CO washing (washing hair with just unscented conditioner). I usually include a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse to counter my hard water and kill the yeast and I'm starting to see improvements, no doubt because my acid mantle is no longer being stripped off by harsh detergents, but I still get some itchiness.
I was wondering if you might have any comments or advice on this topic. Sally fallon talks a bit about beneficial flora that live on the skin and I remember watching a video of yours saying that candida is a helper and advising people to eat more mouldy food. Do you think the yeast on my scalp is also a helper? Is there a way you know of to boost good skin flora? What do you think of dry skin brushing? Helpful or harsh?
It might be worth mentioning that I have PCOS which tends to upset skin in general. I had very severe acne as a teen and still break out occasionally
Hello Julia,
I will read your question to Susun on Blog Talk Radio when time permits. In the mean time you can try putting raw honey on your scalp and hair, covering with a towel or plastic bag and letting it sit for a couple hours. I do this every few months when I see the flakey yeasty scalp returning. I tries a number of things, but this seems to keep it at bay and decreases itching and such. I am happy to hear your are drinking infusions as they help promote healthy flora throughout your body. I would also eat at least a quart of full fat plain yogurt a week. Susun has a whole chapter on PCOS in her book 'Down There' which I will include a link for below. Her help box states:
Help! Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Expect results within 2-4 months
• Remove vegetable/seed oils from your diet. Eat more animal fats.
• Take 2-4 dropperful of vitex or saw palmetto tincture daily.
• Take dandelion tincture as needed.
• Control bleeding with frequent doses of shepherd's purse tincture.
• Drink 3-6 quarts nourishing herbal infusion weekly.
Lots more information in her book :)
http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.php?id=1000578&item=down-there:-sexual-and-reproductive-health-the-wise-woman-way
Hope this helps. If you have any questions for me, please let me know.
blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team
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