Boost your barnet with superfoods

Are your tresses looking a little sad? Sometimes, despite eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep, our hair can feel and appear worse for wear. Perhaps you've fried it with some hot summer sun, hair dyes and heat tools, or maybe your hair is naturally prone to dryness and breakage. Well, here are a few hair care tricks that you may not have thought of. 

For instance, did you know that when applied directly to your scalp and hair, superfoods can truly work wonders and leave you looking at your shiny strands in the mirror thinking, 'is that really my hair?'

Firstly, we cannot stress the importance of coconut oil enough. Did you know that the most damaging thing most people put on their hair is actually water? When we wash our hair, the water penetrates our hair shaft and causes it to swell. This puts pressure on the outer layer of our hair (which is called the cuticle), often causing it to break. This breakage is what prevents shine, as it takes a smooth cuticle to reflect shine. However, coconut oil can essentially waterproof your hair if applied before washing and allowed to soak in. The oil will stop any water from getting inside your hair shaft when you wash it, therefore greatly reducing breakage. Coconut oil is the only oil which has been shown to have this effect, which is just another reason it's a superfood!

Secondly, amla powder - the powder of a fruit native to India and Burma - has been used for centuries to enhance hair condition, growth and natural texture. Amla powder is very often added to henna and indigo mixtures, as it adds moisture as well as cooler tones for red and brown dyes. You can nourish your hair by using amla as a conditioner, add texture to fine hair or boost curls by simply making a paste of amla powder and water, which you then massage into your hair and scalp in relaxing circular motions. Leave your hair in a shower cap for 30 minutes so that your head heat works its magic and then shampoo and condition as usual. 

Lastly, add a touch of oregano oil to your conditioner for a natural anti-dandruff solution. This fabulous-smelling oil is full of antioxidants and is antibacterial and antifungal, so it's capable of treating skin complaints like dandruff as well as generally promoting scalp health. As a bonus, it also encourages hair growth when added to olive oil and massaged into the scalp.

When you want to buy superfoods online, look no further than Detox Trading and rejuvenate your look as well as your diet.

The benefits of coconut oil for your nails

The health benefits of using coconut oil in your cooking have been widely publicised in recent years, and rightly so. Unlike many complex fats that we consume, that can take up to 26 steps to process, the MCFAs found in coconut oil are easier digested and turned into fuel with a simpler three step process instead. Other benefits include reducing inflammation due to its antioxidant properties, boosting the immune system due to its lauric acid and a healthier balance of insulin levels (and therefore reduction of the risk of Type II Diabetes) due to the MCFAs. The benefits, however, are not only confined to the body’s internal processes, as it will also improve the strength and appearance of your nails too.

The top four benefits of using coconut oil for nails 

1. It acts as a moisturiser 

Applying coconut oil directly to your cuticles will smooth out any torn cuticles or ragged hangnails (a much cheaper alternative to expensive cuticle creams) and its moisturising properties will prevent nails from drying out and becoming brittle. 

2. It has anti-fungal qualities 

The lauric acid within coconut oil acts as an anti-fungal treatment. Lauric acid reduces candida, fights bacteria and makes the overgrowth of bad bacteria very difficult. Massage coconut oil, along with oregano oil, into the nails until the infection subsides. 

3. It assists nail growth 

By strengthening your cuticles, preventing hangnails and keeping your nails naturally moisturised you will notice an increase in nail growth when using coconut oil. 

4. It reduces ridges and white spots 

Ridges and white spots can be a result of a moisture deficiency or fungal infection. Because of its microbial properties, coconut oil can help eliminate unsightly ridges and white spots. 

Coconut oil is widely available both online or in-store and you can buy premium quality organic, raw, extra-virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil from Detox Trading now on offer 2 for £12! 

The Beauty of Health

For me, health is obviously a lot about the food you eat, the superfoods and suppliants you can take to support your body, but also about what you are putting on your skin, in your hair and around your home.

Sophia - the clean green beauty machine

You would be amazed how absorbent your skin is and the effect this can have on your health. There have been links to the aluminum in deodorant and breast cancer, skin sensitivities and the use of sodium laurel sulfate in shower gel and shampoo (a chemical also used for cleaning car engines!) and the use of paraffin in moisturizers which block your pores, which in turn can cause ache, sleeplessness, excessive sweating and much more.

So here are my top 5 alternative products for keeping those harsh chemicals away from your skin….

Shampoo and Shower Gel

For both my shampoo and shower gel I use products by JASON. Available in most health food stores and online I absolutely love the small of the Apricot shampoo, not only is it free from harmful chemicals it also makes my hair feel clean, soft and shiny. Of the range of shower gels I adore the lavender scent, it’s so relaxing for post –gym showers, or try citrus for a fresh morning wake me up.

I would also recommend shampoos by Faith in Nature, again free from harmful chemicals I particularly like their range of soaps.

Deodorant

I have been on a mission to find aluminum free, propolyne glycol free deodorant that actually works. Deodorants will often be advertised as ‘natural’ or ‘clean’ but still contain ‘potassium alum’ or other lymph clogging chemicals. One of the best I’ve found is by American company ‘Honestly pHresh’ – available in some health food stores and from www.healthmonthly.co.uk it comes in a range of fragrances for women and men. If you have found a good deodorant I’d love to hear from you, leave me a message or Tweet me :)

Toothpaste

Most of the major toothpaste manufacturers add fluoride to toothpaste, this can cause a number of health issues including stomach ailments, rashes and acute toxicity. So much so in fact, that all toothpaste brands in the US that use fluoride have had to add a poison warning to every tube.

My favourite fluoride -free toothpaste is AloeDent, it’s super minty, leaves my teeth feeling clean and is available in loads of shops including Waitrose.

Second to that I also like Kingfisher, best known for its fennel flavor toothpaste (you will either love or hate it), Kingfisher also does mint, bicarb, aloe and strawberry for children. Plus Kingfisher prides itself on being cruelty-free and ethical, Yay!

Moisturizer

Having a great moisturizer is important to many people, from experience I know I rely on it to keep my skin soft, especially at the change of seasons when I tend to get dry skin. 

It’s certainly hard to find a perfect brand but there are a lot of companies paving the way for organic, clean and green skincare.

The price can vary hugely, for super luxury I love Dr Hauschka, the quality of their products is fantastic.  My mid-range favourites include Neal's Yard, Avalon Organics, and Aromatika. All of which are available online or in stores around the country.

Alternatively, my secret for great skin is Coconut oil, I put it on my face every night before bed and when I need a moisture injection. You can buy a jar from Detox Trading for only £6.95 and it lasts ages.

Finally, it’s always worth buying from a cruelty-free brand, look for the ‘Leaping Bunny’ symbol, check the website or if in doubt email the company to ask.

Tampons

I realise this is a rather personal matter but I think this is another important health issue that tons of women may not be aware of.

Many conventional tampons are made of rayon, are bleached for whiteness, contain chlorine and come with a plastic applicator. Not only are these contributing to waste levels, there have also been links to reproductive issues from these tampons.

I am on board for sure that sanitary products should be tax-free, after all it’s not a choice for women, but I do also think it’s worth spending the extra money on organic-cotton, biodegradable, chlorine and plastic free tampons.

Why not try Natracare, they have a great range of products available online or in health food shops. They have a great ethos and have been producing eco-friendly, body-friendly sanitary care for many years.

I also just want to give a shout out to two fab websites that you can get some wonderful clean, green beauty products. Love Lula is one of my absolutes faves, such a great range of brands with so many cosmetics that will benefit your health and the planet.

Along with that I also love Being Content Health and Wellbeing, again with fab products you can find them both online and in their London store.

Sophia x

About Sophia

Sophia Harvey is one one of the owners of the successful online health food retailer Detox Trading, and is currently studying to become a natropathic nutritionist with the Nutritional Healing Foundation. Complementary therapy has been in the Harvey family for four generations, Sophia's great grandfather being one of the UK's first Osteopaths.