The Japanese women's Secret...Seaweed for hair growth, shine, and luster!!!

[pistachio]

Komba, nori, and arame seem to be top ones for hair growth. The Komba had 775% Iodine per serving, the nori 70%, and arame 100%+ of iodine per serving. I remember my hair having a three inch growth spurt in two months time a couple of years ago, and I remember that back then i ate the SAME thing for dinner each night: a bowl of miso soup, salmon, rice, and seaweed added to the miso. I even snacked on seaweed throughout the day. I'm taking this up again, to see what happens...

Who's with me??!!

 

[Amour]

me

Where can I get the komba seaweed from? and whats miso?

Any suggestions on how I should incorporate it into my diet!?

 

[Kimberly]

Yes, please. I need more info on where to find it and how to eat it. How do you "snack" on seaweed?

 

[LoveLiLi]

It sounds tempting, but I know that iodine would tear my skin up.

 

[Nice & Wavy]

Hmmmm....how does it taste?

 

[Angelicus]

Devil's advocate here... don't run to the seaweed yet.

Following how they eat is extremely more important than what they eat.

After staying in Japan for two weeks I noticed that their diet is a small part of the reason why their hair is long. Keep in mind that they do not eat as much sugar as we do. For instance, Japan's "Froot Loops" taste totally different from the American ones, as they have much less sugar content. Also many of their desserts are made straight from beans and rice: i.e., sweet bean breads. They also don't eat too much processed food. They eat out a lot, but the food that they eat is not the typical fast food: Misu soup, white rice, fatty meats and fish, pan seared stuff (instead of fried crap) at one sitting. They eat a lot.

They also get their beef from Australia because America puts too much crap in their meat-- steriods, hormones, milk fillers. Even the apple juice is different: comes straight from the apple-- not that crap in American Stores passing for apple juice.

Food out there is not something that you gorge on. They always present their food with flair (Eating is 90% visual, if the plate is pretty, chances are you'll enjoy it). Try eating at a table, without the TV on; make your plate a work of art.

I would change my whole mindset on what I eat before just running to eat what the Japanese eat.

Also, keep in mind that genetics and heredity plays the bigger role. AND they walk everywhere! Exercise helps in hair growth. Only rich people in Japan have cars so everyone walks... or runs to try to catch the subway

Thanks for reading my long ramble.

 

[pistachio]

Well I've never been there to Japan, but I can say that I did eat the seaweed daily for two months and got that 3" of growth.

As far as where to get it, and how to eat it, I got mine from Whole Foods Market(Eden brand), and tells about how long to let it soak, and then how to prepare it. The Kombu you have to let pre-soak for 12 hours, and the arame just five minutes in cold water since it's finely shredded, therefore not requiring much soaking time. The nori, is sold in thin sheets(since used for sushi) and already toasted, so you can eat those right out of the bag like chips!

As far as the taste, it taste no different to me than eating greens

 

[nadine1977canada]

Yes it does !!!! seaweed makes hair grow!!! My ex is japanese, and he is the one who told me about it way back in 2004. He also does ressearch in labs. He told me that eating seeweed makes not only grow out but it makes it thicker and longer.

Now that i think of it , the reason he and i were discussing seaweed was because was loosing hair due to stress. I was looking for some supplements to purchase and try. Mind this was before i knew about this forum. I did a search and I noticed that Phyto had hair growth vitamins.. Phytophanere ( i beleive the name is not sure) and one of the ingredients in there was seaweed. So i was asking him radomely each ingredients if it grows hair. Well when we got on seaweed he told me alot of stories!!!

However i never bought the phyto vitamins due to the price its like 45$ us... Mind you im in canada... add the shipping fees to that. That is a lot of money when you are on a budget.

I plan to try it eventually to see.

Thanks for the reminder !! I forgot about seaweed.

 

[fancypants007]

Well I've never been there to Japan, but I can say that I did eat the seaweed daily for two months and got that 3" of growth.

As far as where to get it, and how to eat it, I got mine from Whole Foods Market(Eden brand), and tells about how long to let it soak, and then how to prepare it. The Kombu you have to let pre-soak for 12 hours, and the arame just five minutes in cold water since it's finely shredded, therefore not requiring much soaking time. The nori, is sold in thin sheets(since used for sushi) and already toasted, so you can eat those right out of the bag like chips!

As far as the taste, it taste no different to me than eating greens

Thanks for the tip. I want to incorporate seaweed into my diet. I bought some nori thin sheets and I could not eat it and threw it out. I know Isis eats sea vegetables and when I was in the asian market, I saw some that looked like black strings. The package said to soak for 30 minutes and you can add to soups or salads. I want to try this kind in my soup or salad to see it it is better. I've heard the same thing, that seaweed makes your hair beautiful. Outstanding that you got 3" of growth in 2 months.

 

[gloomgeisha]

You mean all this Kim Bap I've been eating has been for a good reason? Schwing! I like the roasted laver and you can find this and raw seaweed at any Hanareum, Lotte, Happy Grand Mart, International Grand Mart, or Hyundai Foods. I'm sure many other asian groceries will carry this as well.

True about the desserts being less sugar based too, there is an awesome one called "Mochi" (I think) that is made from rice cake (soft chewy) and mung bean paste (slighty sweet and nutty), it's delicious, filling (1 or 2 pieces will do you), and you don't feel guilty at all after eating it.

If you have raw seaweed, you can toast it yourself in a pan with a bit of sesame oil. Toast the seaweed on both sides until it's a little crispy and has a shiny exterior. I know this barely explains it but it's something you have to do a few times and get the timing to how far "done" you like your laver. I only toast it about a minute on each side.

Check out another product called "Grain Mix" too. It's over 13 grains and legumes dried and prepackaged together. Pop it in the rice cooker for a side or base that has more than enough protein and fiber. I'll post a pic soon.

Asian markets are also gems for produce, charging MUCH less than Safeway or Giant for most of their fruits and vegetables. They also tend to have a better selection of seafood, nuts, grains, and teas. I've seen foot long aloe leaves for sale, fat and dripping with gel...I don't know if people eat it or use it in their hair.

 

[cicilypayne]

I want to try this too. Will we soon have a seaweed challenge. I can eat almost anything. Is the taste that bad?

 

[DAX]

I have been taking Phyto Phtophanere vitamins for about a year now and they are overpriced for the results you get. I didn't get any growth from them, but my nails were a lot healthier.

I read the ingredients and seaweed is not mentioned anywhere. However, it does contain soybean oil, wheat germ oil, bran oil and brewers yeast, which are all said to be good for the hair, skin and nails.

Again, not worth $45.00.

 

[Guapa1]

Devil's advocate here... don't run to the seaweed yet.

Following how they eat is extremely more important than what they eat.

After staying in Japan for two weeks I noticed that their diet is a small part of the reason why their hair is long. Keep in mind that they do not eat as much sugar as we do. For instance, Japan's "Froot Loops" taste totally different from the American ones, as they have much less sugar content. Also many of their desserts are made straight from beans and rice: i.e., sweet bean breads. They also don't eat too much processed food. They eat out a lot, but the food that they eat is not the typical fast food: Misu soup, white rice, fatty meats and fish, pan seared stuff (instead of fried crap) at one sitting. They eat a lot.

They also get their beef from Australia because America puts too much crap in their meat-- steriods, hormones, milk fillers. Even the apple juice is different: comes straight from the apple-- not that crap in American Stores passing for apple juice.

Food out there is not something that you gorge on. They always present their food with flair (Eating is 90% visual, if the plate is pretty, chances are you'll enjoy it). Try eating at a table, without the TV on; make your plate a work of art.

I would change my whole mindset on what I eat before just running to eat what the Japanese eat.

Also, keep in mind that genetics and heredity plays the bigger role. AND they walk everywhere! Exercise helps in hair growth. Only rich people in Japan have cars so everyone walks... or runs to try to catch the subway

Thanks for reading my long ramble.

An excellent post Anky! This advice is not just for hair, but the skin and body will benefit from this.

 

[Victorian]

I've seen seaweed and stuff in health food/organic stores, but it tends to be more expensive. I'd look for a Japanese market if you want to buy a lot or start buying it regularly.

Sort of OT: I LOVE Japanese apple juice. I was born in Japan and a lot of my earliest memories involve those little black cans of apple juice from the vending machine Seriously, you'd just have to try some to understand. It has a totally different flavor. It's like it's "jucier" than American apple juice and not as syrupy. Kinda hard to explain.

 

[pistachio]

Thanks for the tip. I want to incorporate seaweed into my diet. I bought some nori thin sheets and I could not eat it and threw it out. I know Isis eats sea vegetables and when I was in the asian market, I saw some that looked like black strings. The package said to soak for 30 minutes and you can add to soups or salads. I want to try this kind in my soup or salad to see it it is better. I've heard the same thing, that seaweed makes your hair beautiful. Outstanding that you got 3" of growth in 2 months.

yeah that kind is called "arame". I eat it in my miso soup.

 

[Candiss]

Komba, nori, and arame seem to be top ones for hair growth. The Komba had 775% Iodine per serving, the nori 70%, and arame 100%+ of iodine per serving. I remember my hair having a three inch growth spurt in two months time a couple of years ago, and I remember that back then i ate the SAME thing for dinner each night: a bowl of miso soup, salmon, rice, and seaweed added to the miso. I even snacked on seaweed throughout the day. I'm taking this up again, to see what happens...

Who's with me??!!

So why did you stop taking the seaweed?

 

[shiningstar84]

this thread is going to be 10 pages when I come back

how does seaweed taste? It sounds like it tastes yucky

 

[Isis]

Komba, nori, and arame seem to be top ones for hair growth. The Komba had 775% Iodine per serving, the nori 70%, and arame 100%+ of iodine per serving. I remember my hair having a three inch growth spurt in two months time a couple of years ago, and I remember that back then i ate the SAME thing for dinner each night: a bowl of miso soup, salmon, rice, and seaweed added to the miso. I even snacked on seaweed throughout the day. I'm taking this up again, to see what happens...

Who's with me??!!

Seaweed has been my diet staple for many years now, even before I started caring for my hair. I love just about all sea veggies and eat them everyday! You're right about what it does for our hair.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Komba, nori, and arame seem to be top ones for hair growth. The Komba had 775% Iodine per serving, the nori 70%, and arame 100%+ of iodine per serving. I remember my hair having a three inch growth spurt in two months time a couple of years ago, and I remember that back then i ate the SAME thing for dinner each night: a bowl of miso soup, salmon, rice, and seaweed added to the miso. I even snacked on seaweed throughout the day. I'm taking this up again, to see what happens...

Who's with me??!!

Lordy, I'm a recovering sushi addict...you are going to activate me again!

 

[FlawedBeauty]

He told me that eating seeweed makes not only grow out but it makes it thicker and longer.

i am skeptical on whether it makes hair thicker because most japanese/chinese women i have seen have healthy shiny very fine looking hair erplexed

 

[keluric]

Yep, I eat roasted seaweed and throw it into any soups that I make. Love the stuff.

 

[BackToMyRoots]

I don't know what seaweed does for hair, but a very popular Jamaican drink is made with it. My aunt makes this and it taste really good. Irish Moss (type of seaweed) is fabled to build sexual stamina...don't know if that's true or not, but this may be a tastier way to ingest it. You can also find this in most West Indian restaurants.



Recipe from Iriepeople.com
I'll give you one good reason to try this beverage. It has been said to increase a man's sexual ability. Long before Viagra, Caribbean men have been drinking this gel-like drink to increase their natural ability. ----Irie people.com

Irish Moss Beverage
2 packages Irish Moss
6 - 8 cups water
1 1/2 tbsp flax seed
1 can sweeten condensed milk
ingrediants
1 tbsp molassess
1/2 grounded or grated nutmeg
1 tbsp vanilla
A dash of salt
Wash thoroughly to remove sand before boiling.
Over high heat, combine moss, water, salt, flax seed and boil uncovered for about 30 minutes.
Remove from stove to cool.
Add an extra cup of water if moss is too thick
Strain liquid.
Discard remaining moss mixture
Set aside to cool mixture
Blend mixture with remaining ingrediants, vanilla, condensed milk, nutmeg and molassess.
Refrigerate and serve cool.

 

[keluric]

My parents drink irish moss tea. It's good stuff. If you do a search on this forum, I think some women are using it as a hair rinse.

 

[pistachio]

So why did you stop taking the seaweed?

I got lazy, and stopped eating it, and eventually forgot about it.

 

[Legend]

this thread is going to be 10 pages when I come back

how does seaweed taste? It sounds like it tastes yucky

Seaweed is quite delicious and can be prepared many different ways. I actually get CRAVINGS for some!!! I don't eat it daily, but I do have a bowl at least a few times a month from my local Thai eatery that makes a great seaweed salad. Just thinking about it makes me want to hit the Super 88 Asian market (awesome store, BTW) on the way home!

 

[Avin'sMom2010]

Can you buy Seaweed in pill form??

 

[locabouthair]

would you get the same results from using spirulina? just wonderign since they are both from the sea.

 

[Isis]

Can you buy Seaweed in pill form??

Yes, StephyPoo and Locabouthair, spirulina is a bluegreen algae or seaweed and comes in powder, capusle and pill form.
Different seaweeds have different properties, as mentioned in the beginning of this thread. Some contain more iodine than others Spirulina is a good form of protein also.

 

[Avin'sMom2010]

Yes, StephyPoo and Locabouthair, spirulina is a bluegreen algae or seaweed and comes in powder, capusle and pill form.
Different seaweeds have different properties, as mentioned in the beginning of this thread. Some contain more iodine than others Spirulina is a good form of protein also.

Thanks Isis I'm gonna go check out Whole Foods tonight!!

 

[Armyqt]

Great thread. Here's a link to another discussion http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=29557&highlight=seaweed

ETA: Another link
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=14060&highlight=seaweed

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=41230&highlight=seaweed