Winter weather is hard on hair. Combine the cold, dry air outdoor air with the often too-warm indoor air, and you have a recipe for disaster, hair-wise. This seasonal issue causes hair to get brittle, fall out more, and just take on a dullness that's not flattering. But if you're open to taking some advice from the Ayurveda branch of natural medicine, you may find the answer to this pesky problem.

It's in ginger powder. Yes, that common staple found in most kitchen cabinets. Considered one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurveda, ginger is known to have stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties that increase circulation and help hair grow faster. And if you're dealing with thinning hair, ginger benefits hair follicles by stimulating blood flow to them. It even acts as a fertilizer to help give hair a growth spurt.

If you read the labels on many popular natural shampoo bottles, you'll notice ginger oil as a key ingredient. Ginger powder does the same thing, however, if you simply add it to coconut oil or honey (a carrier). Make a paste and work it into your scalp after shampooing - it will enhance hair growth, revitalize your hair, and give your hair an added shine and luster. Let it sit on your hair for about 15 or 20 minutes, then rinse well.

Many professional hair stylists have discovered this same trick and are using it in their salons now. Since a healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair, they are favoring ginger because of how it stimulates circulation to the scalp. The pros say they especially like adding it to the above mentioned coconut oil or honey for the extra shine and moisture these kitchen ingredients provide.

I went onto the Internet hunting for a recipe for such a concoction and didn't really find anything. So I experimented and came up with a formulation that worked well. I used a tablespoon of ginger powder (that's a lot, but I wanted super circulation), 1 tablespoon of honey, and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. My coconut oil is solid right now because it's cooler in the house, so I melted it in the microwave, then mixed in the honey and ginger. The warmth of the ingredients made the paste spread nicely and made my scalp feel wonderful. After I massaged the mixture into my scalp for about 3 minutes), I wrapped my head in a terry towel (covering your hair with your shower cap will work as well).

The amount I mixed was just enough. But, my hair is VERY short. You may want to experiment like I did until you find the right amount of ingredients that works for you. It's not rocket science - you can't go wrong no matter what you come up with.

So there you have it - a natural, healthy, and pleasant answer to one of winter weather's common issues. Let me know what you think if you do try this. We'll compare notes! Meanwhile, onward to healthier, prettier hair.

Sources:
www.hairaccessoryblog.com
www.indobazaar.com
www.koraorganics.com
www.livestrong.com