Loss of hair everyday is a normal part of the growth cycle of hair. We would lose hair every 2 to 3 months with 90% of the hair in a growing phase and 10% in resting phase. When the hair fall is in excess of the usual limits, people get concerned. Reasons for this are many including: Hair loss can be due to several factors including: There are more than one reason for hair loss. The common manifestation is the appearance of one or more spots on the scalp. This is usually caused by a disorder of the immune system when the natural white cells attack hair follicles. When all the scalp hair is lost it is called Alopecia Totalis. Alopecia Universalis is a rare condition when the entire body hair is lost.

Hereditary causes: This can result in male pattern baldness which causes 25% of men getting bald by age 30. It is primarily genetic but is also due to the male hormone testosterone. This hormone either retards or stops growth and produces weak and unhealthy hair. Male pattern baldness can not happen to men without any testosterone.

Skin diseases: this can affect the scalp and be the reason for hair loss. The particular skin conditions which cause hair loss include: dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scalp fungus such as ringworm and tinea captis.

Sudden illness or fever: big chunks of hair sometimes fall out after an illness or fever. This is generally a temporary phenomenon.

Childbirth, menopause, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and aging could also be the other reasons for hair loss. These are the main reasons for losing hair but there are others.

Successful hair loss treatments are available where you not only stop hair loss but re-grow your hair too. Here are some natural ways you could treat hair loss:

1. One way is to include vitamins A, B, C and E in your diet. This promotes hair growth. Why are these vitamins important for hair loss? Their beneficial actions include: providing sebum, improving blood circulation to the scalp by increasing absorption of oxygen and collagen.

2. Taking care of your scalp: Learn to massage your scalp regularly with herbal oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, amla oil. Some of the essential oils which are effective in conditions of alopecia areata include that of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedar wood.

3. Avoid scalp abuse - Avoid daily use of chemical shampoos and blow drying. Hair and scalp get damaged by chemical treatments such as coloring and straightening. Daily hair wash with hot water depletes hair of natural oil and turn break-prone.

4. Herbal therapy: Powders of amla, shikakai, henna and ritha as shampoo and conditioner can be effective therapy options. This is also the richest source of natural vitamin C. It has a natural low pH. You could then use henna which acts like a natural conditioner.

5. Lead a stress free life: To do this, do exercises and meditation. Remember stress initiates hair loss. Give up Smoking: Smoking causes constriction of the blood vessel which supply blood to the scalp. Avoid sun exposure since the UV rays could damage the scalp.