Masters of Health Magazine June - July 2026 | Page 69

Nature has evolved over millions of years to perfect every part of the human body, the environment, and everything on our planet.  So when Nature put hair on your head, it was for a purpose.  Nature created every part of your body for a specific reason. 

 

Head hair is one of the first things other people notice when they meet you.  It frames your face and identifies your image.  But that is not all it does.  Throughout history, head hair has played an important role.  Read about some of the secrets of a Hair Shaman.

 

Long, beautiful hair is often seen as symbolizing strength, health, beauty, and a spiritual connection in many cultures.

According to the Hair Shaman and in various cultures, during the Middle Ages (c. 1100-1453) and earlier, one of the requirements to become a king was to have long hair.  Short hair or no hair was only acceptable for monks.  To eliminate competition, some kings would have the heads of their rivals shaved.  Among Merovingians (c. 500-751), an unsuccessful contender or dethroned king would be tonsured and sent to a monastery, where he would remain until his hair grew back.  During the 8th century, in the Byzantine Empire, the practice of tonsure coupled with disfigurement, usually by blinding and castration, was inflicted on deposed emperors and their sons.

 

In contrast, religions held different views on head hair.  To this day, some religions consider long hair banal and vain.  Those who practice or preach in these religions follow the tradition of partial or complete shaving of head hair.  This practice is known as “Tonsure” (from the Latin Tonsura, which means to clip or to shave).  And, depending on the type of religion, it is used as a symbol of religious devotion, humility, or renunciation of worldly fashion and esteem.  But, is this a disguise for religious control, dominance, and programming?

HEAD HAIR COMPOSITION

Head hair is a protein fiber primarily made up of alpha keratin, which is a type of strong, fibrous protein.  In addition to quality protein, circulation (the movement of blood through your body, silica (a mineral important for hair strength), and sulfur (another element vital for hair structure)  play vital roles in hair health and growth. 

 

Hair grows from follicles found in the dermis just beneath the skin.  Follicles are composed of 20 different cell types with distinct functions.

HEAD HAIR

by Lady Carla Davis, MPH

Specializing in Nutrition

GEP Minister for Environment