Nail Heath with Conditioning Recipes

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Nail Heath with Conditioning Recipes

Debra Raybern, N.D, M.H., C.N.C.

Copyright 2007

Remember when the doctor used to look into your eyes and at your

hands when you went in for a check-up? Why? Because our fingernails

are a window into our body's health. Changes in the look, shape, or

color of our finger nails can indicate a nutritional deficiency or

disease somewhere in our body long before other symptoms manifest.

Though your doctor may not do this anymore, you can use the following

guide to evaluate your overall health. Don't ignore your nails, they

can serve as an early warning signal for your health. If you are

used to polishing your nails, give them a break, let them breath and

take a look at what they are telling you.

Healthy nails are pink indicating a rich blood supply. Nails are made

of keratin, a type of protein and sulfur. It takes approximately

seven months to fully grow a fingernail, at a rate of about .05 to

1.2 millimeters a week. The following are some of the nutritional

deficiencies that can show up in the nails.

· White fingernails with pink coloring near the tips

can be a sign of cirrhosis of the liver. If the entire nail is white

it could mean kidney or liver disorders or anemia.

· White lines across the nail may also indicate liver

disease, while white lines in a horizontal fashion may indicate heart

disease, high fever or arsenic poisoning. A half white nail with dark

spots on the tip could indicate a kidney disorder.

· If the moon part of the nail area turns red, heart

problems are suspect. If the moon area turns blue, then possible

heavy metal poisoning or lung problems may exist.

· Two white lines that do not seem to move as the nail

grows indicate hypoalbuminemia which is a protein deficiency in the

blood.

· Abnormally thick nails might be due to the blood not

circulating properly in the vascular system.

· Yellow nails can mean there are problems with your

liver, diabetes, respiratory disorders or problems with the lymphatic

system.

· Dark nails that are flat and/or thin, or are spoon

shaped, can be a sign of vitamin B(12) deficiency.

· Brittle nails are often a sign of iron deficiency

and thyroid problems. You could also have impaired kidneys or

problems with circulation.

· Nails that are very bendable could be a sign of

rheumatoid arthritis.

· Pitted brown spots or split fingernail tips may mean

you have psoriasis.

· Very deep blue nail beds can indicate pulmonary

obstruction or emphysema.

· Nails that crack, peel and chip easily mean a

general nutritional deficiency and insufficient hydrochloric acid

production which facilitates the digestion and absorption of

protein. More protein and minerals may be needed in your diet.

· Thyroid problems can be seen in nails that are

brittle, soft, separate from the nail bed, have ridges or like a

bumpy road.

· Nails that resemble hammered brass indicate a

tendency toward partial or total hair loss.

· Flat nails can indicate Raynaud's disease. This

disease affects the circulatory system, which in turn affects the

limbs. It leaves hands and feet continually cold.

· Unusually wide nails that are square can mean a

hormonal disorder.

· Red skin at the very bottom of your nail bed could

indicate a connective tissue disorder.

· Greenish tints to nails can signify a fungal

infection of the nail or a bacterial infection in the body.

· Black splinter like bits under the nails can

indicate infectious endocarditis, a serious heart infection. You

should seek professional help immediately.

· Lack of B vitamins cause nails to become fragile,

especially indicated with ridges.

· Dryness and brittleness together often indicate a

lack of Vitamin A and calcium.

· Lack of sufficient gut bacteria can contribute ot

nail fungal infections.

Many women with not-so lovely nails often have acrylic nails glued on

top of their natural nails. This is an extremely bad practice. The

glues and acrylics are toxic and can penetrate into the bloodstream;

the fake nails cut off oxygen to the nail making it weak and thin;

and many a nail fungus had it's beginning with a manicure or

pedicure.

For the sake of your health—let your natural nails grow out and take

steps to make them strong and healthy by getting your whole body in

balance. Yes, for a while you will have soft nails; keep them cut

short and they will improve in a short while.

Excessive exposure to water and detergents or soaps can cause the

nails to swell. When they dry, they shrink, which results in loose

brittle nails. Rubber gloves should be used when washing the dishes

or getting your hands in lots of water.

Herbs that provide the body with nutrients specific for the nails

include alfalfa, black cohosh, burdock root, horsetail, oatstraw,

dandelion, Gotu kola and yellow dock—all rich in minerals and silica.

r and therapeutic essential oils (Young Living) that can be

applied topically that will nourish the nail include borage, flax,

parsley, lemongrass, primrose, pumpkin seed, frankincense, lemon and

myrrh. (See recipes at the bottom for more choices).

Supplements that nourish the nails include Sulfurzyme*, Amino Tech,

Protein Complete, Balance Complete. *Sulfurzyme, by its very nature

aids the body in ridding itself of viruses, so if you begin a regimen

of Sulfurzyme and begin to feel rather puny, just reduce the amount

you take and build up to 6-8 capsules per day for a healthier you.

Here are a couple of simple recipes that nourish the nails.

Nail Ointment

1 jar Rose Ointment

10 drops V6 oil

4 drops geranium oil

4 drops Palo Santo

4 drops Citrus Fresh

4 drops myrrh

Scoop out Rose ointment into a stainless steel double boiler. Warm

the ointment until it melts. Remove from heat and pour into glass

measuring cup with a pouring spout. Add V6 oil and essential oils,

swirl gently with a toothpick. Pour back into Rose ointment jar, re-

label or pour into smaller jars, label and give as gifts. Using a

cotton swab, apply a small amount to nail bed and massage in, twice

daily.

Nail Butter

2 tbls beeswax

2 tbls cocoa butter

3 tbls jojoba oil*

1 tbls grape seed oil*

20 drops essential oils—rose, carrot, rosemary, geranium and

sandalwood—4 drops each.

* In place of these two oils you can substitute 4 tbls V6 oil.

Combine beeswax, cocoa butter and jojoba oil in a saucepan and warm

on low heat in a double-boiler until cocoa butter and beeswax have

melted. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Stir well, let

cool slightly and pour into jars. Use a Q-tip swab or orange stick

to get a small amount of the cream from the jar. Apply to nails and

massage with your fingers.

Quick Nail Growth Oil

10 drops incense

10 drops Lemon oil

10 drops Myrrh

Combine in a small vial or bottle. Apply with a paint brush to bare

nails twice per day.

Other nail health tips:

Oils that soften cuticles: eucalyptus & peppermint

Oils for fungal infections: Melaleuca alternafolia, oregano,

Purification, Thieves, thyme, Ravendara.

Hangnails are a vitamin & mineral deficiency.

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See web site below

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