Strong Fingernails: Learn How to Get Long and Beautiful Nails Naturally

Silica

If you have brittle fingernails that split easily, you may have a deficiency in silica. Silica, a trace mineral the body does not make, has many important roles, including keeping the nails strong and healthy. The nails are composed of proteins and grow about one eighth of an inch per month. If your fingernails grow at a slower rate, eating foods high in silica, along with a well-balanced and healthy diet, may help improve growing time as well as strength within a short period of time. Foods high in silica include potatoes (with skin), bean sprouts, oats, buckwheat, lentils, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, kelp and asparagus. In addition to strong fingernails, silica can also improve skin, hair, teeth and gum health.

Biotin

In the 1940s, it was discovered that biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, helped make horse and pig hooves harder and stronger. According to trials conducted on women, biotin was shown to increase nail thickness by about 25% over a few months. Be sure to include foods high in biotin in your diet. These include salmon, egg yolk, cheese, nuts, oats, mushrooms, cabbage, cucumber, spinach and strawberries.

Circulation

Sometimes the problem with thin nails is poor blood flow. To get the nutrients to the nails, good blood flow is vital. Cayenne is the most powerful herb to improve circulation. Sprinkle fresh cayenne into soups and salads or shake some cayenne powder into a glass of juice or a cup of hot water. Eating garlic and drinking certain herbal teas, such as rosemary, passion flower, hawthorn berry and ginger root, can also help improve blood circulation.

Oils

Soaking your fingers in oils can help you get strong fingernails. Everyday, soak your fingers in some warm olive oil, sesame seed oil or wheat germ oil for 10 minutes. Afterwards, while wiping the oil off, give your nails a little massage from top to bottom.

Essential Oils

In a small dark glass bottle, add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil, 2-3 drops of rosemary oil, 2-3 drops of lavender oil, 2-3 drops of lemon oil, 1 ounce of carrier oil such as almond or jojoba oil and the oil from 3 vitamin E capsules. Each night before going to bed, take 2 to 3 drops of this mixture and massage your nails.

Chemicals

Chemicals can harm fingernails and cause them to be brittle. Wear gloves when cleaning with harsh chemicals and avoid nail polishes and removers that contain formaldehyde, acetone and sulfonamide.

References

Nail Doctors: Fingernail Health - https://www.naildoctors.com/nail_health.html

Holistic Webs: Silica - https://www.holisticwebs.com/cancer/silica.pdf

Beautiful Healthy Fingernails: The Benefits Of Biotin - https://www.beautiful-healthy-fingernails.com/benefits-of-biotin.html

Beauty Secrets Revealed: Essential Oil Blend For Strong and Healthy Nails - https://leonsbeautytipsandsecrets.com/essential-oil-blend-for-strong-and-healthy-nails/

Photo Credit

Photo by imagecodevn (CC/flickr)

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