With a hair color so beautiful, it is only natural that redheads would want thick, shiny, healthy hair. Many are turning to the natural root plant, maca and calling it a ‘miracle’.
“It has been used for centuries, dating as far back as the 1500’s, a time in which its benefits were so well known that maca was often traded for goods and services in place of gold and silver,” says Samantha Van Vleet, owner of Cassava Shop, an organic, non-GMO herbal supplement company. “Maca root is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it works with each individual’s unique body chemistry without the introduction of any plant hormones. This adaptogenic nature is believed to be due to a specific component of maca known as glucosinolates.”
Van Vleet goes on to say maca is a herb for both men and women. It is believed to support fertility, regulating estrogen levels in women and promoting healthy reproductive cycles, and relief from menopause symptoms, while supporting male reproductive health by reducing estrogen levels in men. It is even said maca can increase energy and reduce lethargy.
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To understand why this root plant also helps hair, we consulted Dr. Jolene Brighten, ND, a Naturopathic Doctor from Oakland, California. “Maca contains alkaloids that act upon the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain which in turn encourage healthy levels of estrogen, testosterone and cortisol. If redheads are facing hair loss it can be due to hormonal imbalance or stress, and maca can help rebalance hormones and minimize the effects of stress and thereby encourage normal hair growth.”
There isn’t proof that maca will transform your hair from thin to thick overnight, but there is evidence it can balance any irregularities you might have. Make sure to consult a doctor and see if maca is right for you.
Rock it like a Redhead!