A Naturopath’s Guide to Restoring Your Luscious Locks

As a naturopathic doctor with over 30 years of clinical experience, I’ve seen how deeply hair loss impacts confidence and wellbeing. Having been blessed with thick hair most of my life, I never truly understood the devastation until it happened to me.

One day, my hair began coming out in clumps and I felt the same shock my patients describe. Why is this happening? What’s the cause? Will it ever stop?

Did you know? The average person loses 50–100 hairs per day as part of a normal growth cycle. But when shedding turns to clumps or bald patches, your body is signalling imbalance.

Thankfully, my naturopathic detective skills kicked in. What I discovered not only restored my hair, but also became part of my clinical toolkit to help others regrow strong, healthy hair naturally.

My Personal Hair Loss Story

I ran a mineral and heavy metal scan and found elevated aluminium levels. Aluminium blocks absorption of silica, iodine, and zinc all crucial for hair growth. The culprit? Unfiltered town water in a temporary rental. Once I boosted silica, zinc, and iodine, shedding slowed but didn’t stop.

I also suspected hormones. A saliva hormone test confirmed low progesterone from adrenal fatigue. With the right herbs, my hormone balance improved and my hair loss stopped.

The lesson: hair loss is rarely “just one thing.” It can be driven by stress, nutrient deficiencies, hormones, toxins, gut health, or underlying conditions.

Causes of Hair Loss (and Natural Solutions)

Stress & Trauma

Stress raises cortisol, disrupting the hair growth cycle and sex hormone balance. Hair shedding often appears 3 months after trauma, illness, or surgery.

Did you know? Harvard research shows stress can literally turn hair grey, damaging pigment stem cells in follicles.

Ask your naturopath for a saliva cortisol profile to check stress hormones.

Hormonal Changes

Menopause, pregnancy, PCOS, and endometriosis commonly cause hair loss.
PCOS raises androgens, leading to scalp thinning but sometimes excess facial/body hair.

Did you know? This “two-sided” hair pattern is one of the most telling signs of PCOS.

Request a saliva or DUTCH hormone profile for accurate hormone testing.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies in iron, zinc, silica, iodine, biotin, and B vitamins are among the top culprits.

Did you know? Hair follicles are like tiny organs they have their own blood supply and stem cells. Without minerals like silica (which makes up 90% of each hair strand), the follicle simply switches off.

At Wholistic House, we use spectrometry and hair analysis to uncover deficiencies and heavy metal imbalances instantly.

Thyroid Conditions

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause brittle, thinning, or shedding hair.

Did you know? The outer third of your eyebrows is often the first to thin with hypothyroidism a classic diagnostic clue.

Ask for a complete thyroid panel (T3, T4, Reverse T3, antibodies).

Autoimmune Conditions

Conditions like alopecia areata (immune attack on hair follicles) and lupus often trigger patchy or diffuse hair loss. Medications used to treat them can worsen shedding.

Medications

Hair loss can be a side effect of antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, NSAIDs, blood thinners, methotrexate, and chemotherapy.

Gut Health & Parasites

Parasites and poor absorption can rob your body of iron and zinc, starving hair follicles.

Did you know? Parasites literally “steal” the nutrients your hair needs to grow.

A microbiome mapping test can help uncover hidden causes.

Circulation & Lifestyle Factors

Tight hairstyles, neck tension, spinal misalignment, and lack of exercise can restrict blood flow to follicles. Without circulation, hair starves.

Did you know? Hair grows about 1 cm per month but only if it’s well-fed by oxygen and nutrients.

Best Diet & Foods to Stop Hair Loss Naturally and Support Hair Growth

If you’re struggling with thinning hair, shedding, or hair loss, your diet may be the missing link. The right foods deliver the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats that hair follicles need to thrive. Here’s my naturopathic guide to the best foods for hair growth and thickness.

Mineral-Rich Superfoods for Hair Growth

Onions, garlic, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts
These foods are packed with sulphur, selenium, and zinc, three of the most important nutrients to prevent hair loss and strengthen follicles. Zinc deficiency, in particular, is one of the most common hidden causes of thinning hair.

Leafy Greens for Thicker, Stronger Hair

Parsley, kale, spinach, watercress, rocket
Dark leafy greens provide iron, folate, and chlorophyll to boost circulation and oxygen delivery to the scalp. If you’re wondering how to stop hair loss naturally, start by adding leafy greens to at least one meal every day.

Seafood & Seaweeds for Healthy, Shiny Hair

Oysters, prawns, salmon, sardines, seaweed (wakame, nori, kelp)
Rich in iodine, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, seafood and seaweeds support thyroid function, hormone balance, and shiny, strong hair. Oysters are considered one of the best natural foods for hair growth thanks to their high zinc content.

Whole Grains & Seeds to Strengthen Hair Follicles

Quinoa, millet, buckwheat, pumpkin seeds
These gluten-free grains and seeds are excellent sources of plant-based protein, B vitamins, and amino acids. They help build keratin the main protein in hair and improve overall follicle strength.

Circulation-Boosting Foods for Hair Regrowth

Ginger, beetroot, cucumber, parsley
Strong circulation is key for nutrient delivery to your hair follicles. These foods improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the scalp, supporting natural hair regrowth.

Did you know? Parsley, cucumber, and alfalfa have been used as natural hair loss remedies for centuries and modern research confirms they improve scalp circulation and follicle health.

Omega-Rich Foods for Scalp Health

Avocado, hemp seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, oily fish (mackerel, trout, salmon)
These are full of essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation, nourish the scalp, and keep hair follicles hydrated. If you suffer from dry scalp and hair thinning, omega-rich foods are essential.

Protein & Collagen Builders for Strong Hair

Eggs, cottage cheese, grass-fed meat, bone broth, legumes
Hair is made of protein specifically keratin. These foods supply the amino acids and collagen precursors needed for strong, resilient strands and less breakage.

Antioxidant Fruits for Healthy Hair Growth

Berries, papaya, kiwi, pomegranate
Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, antioxidant fruits protect follicles from oxidative stress and boost collagen for stronger hair. They’re some of the best natural foods for hair growth and thickness.

Super Supplements for Hair Growth

Activated B Vitamins (folate, biotin, B3, B5, B12)
Essential for cellular energy, keratin production, and follicle metabolism. Biotin in particular supports stronger, thicker hair.
Zinc (citrate or picolinate, 30–50 mg/day)
A core mineral for follicle repair, scalp oil gland health, and hormone balance. Zinc deficiency is one of the most common hidden causes of hair loss.
Iodine (150–400 mcg/day, or via kelp/seaweed)
Supports thyroid function, which directly regulates hair growth cycles. Low thyroid is strongly linked to thinning, brittle hair.
Essential Fatty Acids (evening primrose, borage, blackcurrant seed oil)
Rich in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) which reduces inflammation, balances hormones, and nourishes the scalp for healthy growth.
Amino Acids (L-cysteine, L-methionine)
The building blocks of keratin, the protein that forms hair strands. These sulfur-rich amino acids are crucial for hair strength and resilience.
Silica (absorbable forms, e.g., Icelandic silica)
Key structural mineral for hair shaft integrity, elasticity, and shine. Supports collagen and connective tissue around follicles.
Iron (only if deficient confirm with blood tests)
Vital for oxygen delivery to hair follicles. Iron deficiency (especially in women) is one of the top causes of diffuse hair shedding.

Herbs & Superfoods for Hair Loss and Growth

Polygonum (He Shou Wu / Fo-Ti)
Famous in Chinese medicine as a longevity tonic; helps slow greying, nourishes blood, and supports hair regrowth.
Ginger
Powerful circulation stimulant that brings blood and nutrients to the scalp; also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Rosemary
Proven to stimulate follicles and encourage regrowth; topical rosemary oil has shown results comparable to minoxidil in some studies.
Ginkgo Biloba
Increases microcirculation to the scalp, improving nutrient delivery to hair follicles.
Burdock Root
Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids; supports a healthy scalp environment and reduces inflammation that can damage follicles.
Sage
Traditionally used as a rinse to reduce shedding and strengthen hair; antimicrobial properties help scalp health.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Ayurvedic superfruit packed with vitamin C and antioxidants; strengthens hair, boosts collagen, and helps prevent premature greying.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Naturally high in silica, which supports strong, shiny hair and strengthens connective tissue around follicles.
Withania (Ashwagandha)
Adaptogen that lowers cortisol and stress-related hair loss; also supports thyroid and adrenal balance for healthier growth.