< previous page | page_55 | next page >
Page 55
| The Nails |
| Nails are made of keratin, which is a fibrous protein produced by cells at the base of the nail underneath the cuticle. Like the epidermis of the skin and hair, they consist primarily of protein cells. Nails grow about haft an inch every four months, quicker in summer than in winter and more so between the ages of 18 and 28 as well as during pregnancy and when the body is in a state of healing. The nails on your dominant hand tend to grow faster than those on the hand you use less often. An adult nail can take eight to nine months to grow, whereas a child's nail can take only three to four months. Fingernails grow about twice as fast as those on the toes. |
| Foods to nourish the hands and nails include adequate protein such as that found in beans, organic eggs, yogurt and seafood. To nourish the nails from the inside out drink three daily cups of horsetail tea which is rich in the mineral silica. If you collect the herb yourself, be sure to gather it in the springtime as it can be irritating to the kidneys if collected later in the year. If the nails are very brittle, include three tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or one tablespoon fresh pressed flaxseed oil daily in your regime. |
| The word manicure is derived from the Latin word mani, meaning hand. To nourish the nails from the inside, eat more oatmeal and include sea vegetables in the diet. To make the nails stronger, soak them in warm olive, sesame or wheat germ oil with 4 drops of essential oil of lemon for ten minutes. |
< previous page | page_55 | next page >

If you like this book, buy it!