Herbal & Vitamin Protection for Your Hair While Under Chemo Therapy

Many of the drugs used for chemotherapy treatment for cancer have the side effect of causing hair loss. While it varies for each person, the sudden loss of large amounts of hair can be traumatic, even when you know it might happen. Vitamins and herbal supplements may be able to help keep the loss to a minimum, or at least keep what hair you have looking as good as possible.

Vitamins

• When you undergo chemotherapy, your physician will advise you to do all you can to support your over all health. Many of his recommendations will help with the looks of your hair, as well. While fighting cancer, you need to be more conscious than ever of the nutritional value of the foods you eat. The vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, protein and fiber you get from your food are the fuel and cleaning power you need to strengthen your immune system. Eating poor-quality food with lots of additives will drain your energy rather than support you. Opt for vegetables, fruit and whole grains (no white flour products). Eat enough protein: at least two servings a day of lean meat, fish, poultry and eggs.

  Your body uses vitamins from food much better than from supplements; however, chemotherapy can affect your appetite and cause nausea. Only choosing excellent food may not be enough if you can’t eat it or keep it down. Talk to your doctor about any supplements you take internally. Look for shampoos that are very mild and contain vitamin A, E and the B vitamins. Aloe vera is an excellent ingredient to look for as well.

Herbal and Natural Remedies

• Chinese herbal remedies have been shown to provide some protection against hair loss for some users. They are topical oils or creams that rely mainly on ingredients that improve the circulation to the scalp. Crush chili peppers in a shallow bowl and cover with wine. Let these soak for an hour, then anoint your scalp with the liquid. You may try rubbing a slice of ginger root on your scalp daily. Drinking ginger tea is a good way to improve overall circulation. One herb that is found in many Chinese hair loss remedies is ho-shou-wu, derived from the polygonum tree. It contains lecithin, which also helps control cholesterol in the blood stream.

  A shampoo originally formulated by German scientists has had very good results. Begin using it before your chemotherapy begins and continue throughout. It isn’t herbal; it’s made from the thymus gland of calves that have already been slaughtered for other reasons. Claus O. Koehler, PhD, department head of Medical and Biological Informatics at the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, Germany, reported that tests during the development, showed this shampoo had greater than an 80 percent success rate. Thymus supplements are also available, and they assist with immune disorders like Hepatitis C, so they may be beneficial for chemo patients.