Loss of Eyelashes with Stress
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Tia
Posted on: February 29, 2004

I have a problem (seems like when I get under a lot of stress) of my eye lashes falling out in the middle of my eye for the main part. Is there any herb you can think of that would help my eye lashes grow and not fall out? Or is there something you know of that I’m lacking in my diet?

The eyelashes are sometimes affected in alopecia, the loss of hair on the head. Severe stress can cause alopecia. Other causes of alopecia include hormone deficiency associated with pregnancy, menopause, or discontinuing birth control pills, or by skin diseases, cosmetics, excessive sunlight, strong chemicals such as in cancer treatment, which interfere with nutrition of the hair follicles. When only the eyelashes are affected, there could be an infection involved.

It is important to know the cause of your loss of eyelashes. A natural health practitioner,such as a medical herbalist or a naturopath, can give you a complete assessment and recommend a diet and herbs for your specific needs.

For information on alopecia, please see our web site at www.richters.com. Select "Q&A" from the main menu, then enter "alopecia" for the search. For information on nutrition to promote hair growth, search for "Herbs for Healthy Hair".

After looking at nutritional needs and causes of alopecia, if stress appears to be the only factor, then look into ways to improve stress handling, such as regular exercise, meditation, yoga and relaxing herbal teas such as chamomile and lemon balm, and nerve nourishment with oats (oatstraw tea or oatmeal porridge), and skullcap. Vitamin B complex nourishes the nervous system.

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