Re: Taking Vitamins? Cathy Howse\'s Statement
I found Cathy Howse's Book, Ultra Growth II, a very good book and it has encouraged me to look after my hair properly, like moisturising, and washing more regularly. I also have Lisa Akbari's book as well. From Cathy's Howse "Ultra Black hair Growth II" 'The majority of time, I purchase my iron, in 18.0 mg and my zinc in 15 mg. these are the RCA (recommended daily allowance set by the National Research Council, and consure one tablet each daily. Since these two supplements have an unusual after taste, I prefer to take them with fruit juice, to help conceal the flavour. Iron is also known to absort best when Vitamin C is present in the body.' on page 109.
I don't agree with her saying that other ethnic groups don't take vitamins for their hair, because they do. Hair vitamins were not done for black people in mind, they are done for the European market. Holland and Barratt, Hair Vitamins, (American company) Pil Food (Swiss company), HF35 and Hairtopia (on-line US companies). The Asian market traditionally, used various herbs, such as Cherry blossom, (Hair growth) Various seaweed teas (for Hair strength and weight loss) Japanese beauty book, Chinese, Fo ti and other various herbs, for hair loss, hair strength, hair growth etc, they would make various teas and drink it. The Indian including Pakistan, used various oils, hair massages, and various teas also. Also how our hair is more suited to a warmer, more humid climate. Quite a lot of African descent people live in colder climates, such as USA, Canada, UK, France, Sweden and the rest of European countries. The food, we eat is different, so our hair has to adapt to the climate, if we were in warmer climates, we need not bother so much about protective styles, because the climate more dry and colder, how hair needs more moisture, hence it likely to break. The food over the last hundred years have changed through processing etc, in most countries. We have to eat more green and other vegetables lightly cooked or even fresh fruit and vegetables. I have to say, that when I was in my twenties, I used to take a lot of vegetables, and my hair was fine, it grew, not special. It drew to shoulder length, and it was thick. I stopped taking supplements for ten years, I found that my hair was very thin and it did not grow very thick. I kept my hair short for many years. I got Cathy's book and I started washing my hair more often, also I was swimmming twice a week and I noticed that my hair was getting thicker, I also had a texturiser at the time. I tried HF 37, also added flaxseed supplement, and I found that my hair grew back very quick and I was able to give it a french braid. I then stopped perming and cut off the permed ends, and just concentrated on improving my circulation, I started on exercising more, I eat more vegetables, I rinsed every single day. I put my hair in Buntu knots or double twists, my hair grew past my earlobes, to the bottom of my jaw, at the sides, my front hair always grew long: with my back hair, I always suffered from thin ends, my back hair has grown, and I am very pleased at the progress, I have more hair now at the age of 42, than I had when I was a teenager.
What I would say, yes, her book has helped my a lot. Also supplements has helped me a great deal, because I buy my supplements for a health shop, plus I wet my hair more often, that I have ever done, every single day, I spray or rinse or do both, I spend less money that I have ever did and I don't go to the hairdressers, for any braiding or twisting or trimming, or conditioning treatments, I do my hair myself and I am pleased with my results. My hair comfortably stretches to shoulder length. It will be two years in February of being natural.
For a long time, hair was used as a weapon for black women, now that we know the secrets, a lot of people are getting extremely upset, I'm not saying Cathy is, but now, there is the negativity, white people and other ethnic groups don't take hair products and their hair grows etc, that is a BIG LIE, they have been taking things for years. Jane Seymour used hair products by Phillip Kingsley, so does Jeri Hall. I read, all how takes what is in the quality papers like the Sunday Times. All the actress, takes hair vitamins, Jennifer Anson, not sure of spelling, more of the girls in the model industry do.
What you ladies need to do, do what works for you. Do worry about Cathy Howse, or your friend's grandmother who could grow her hair down to her knees. Grannie was taking her herbal teas. Do your research ladies, if you find taking supplements, your health is improved, your looks have improved, your hair is improved, whether you have your hair, relaxed, texturised, or natural, or coloured and natural. Do what works for you. I know that half Japanese woman, her mother was Japanese and her father was German. She was admiring my hair and she was telling me how thick it is and I told her I take supplements, she then told me her white German friend, could never grow her hair up to shoulder length. Whenever it reached shoulder length, the ends would get thin. She started using hair vitamins and she saw her a year later, her hair is thick and it is passed her bra length, nearly waist length and she is so pleased. For the first time in her life. She was extremely happy. Her friend always had short hair, she had known her since she was five. Every one likes to tell vitamins are a waste money, Royal Jelly was expensive water, so the experts said and it is a waste of money, however since my daughter has been taking it, her period pains have been not been so painful, and she was able to take part in her school activities, before she had to take the day off school, the last time, she passed out.
I personally think that there is a great fear, about black women growing their hair to extremely long lengths.
