‘Proven Tips for Strong and Healthy Fingernails’ By Ela Gold

Fingernails are more than just a cosmetic feature — they can provide valuable insights into your overall health. Changes in their appearance, texture, or strength often point to underlying health issues, nutritional deficiencies, or even external factors like improper care. By understanding what your nails reveal and adopting a natural, holistic approach to their care, you can ensure they remain strong, healthy, and beautiful. In this article, discover the essential nutrients, remedies, and lifestyle tips that support optimal nail health.

Healthy Fingernails — Protectors and Weapons
If your goal is to achieve healthy fingernails then with a little effort by applying our tips, you can achieve this goal again.
Primates are the only creatures on earth that have fingernails and toenails. The nail plates are made up of dead skin cells that are mainly made up of keratin — a fibrous protein. We also find the same keratin in our hair, in the claws of predators, in the feathers of birds and even in the spines of hedgehogs.

Today, fingernails are often reduced to a certain decorative function. In reality, however, they fulfill numerous functions: fingernails protect, they serve as self-defense, and they are excellent tools — but only if they are healthy fingernails. Fingernails can reveal a lot about a person and their state of health. Changes to the nails are particularly common. They can be harmless but can also be symptoms of numerous diseases.

Healthy Fingernails with the Right Diet
Eating a balanced diet increases your chances of keeping healthy fingernails. The vital substances that protect fingernails and support healthy nail growth include the following:

• Vitamin A (e.g. in carrots, kale and pumpkin) stimulates the metabolism, and fingernails are particularly dependent on an active metabolism — the recommended daily dose is between 1 mg (men) and 0.8 mg (women) and can be covered with just 150 g of spinach.
  
• Biotin or vitamin B7 (e.g. in soybeans, oatmeal and nuts) strengthens the nails — the recommended daily intake is 30 to 60 micrograms, 150 g of peanuts already provide enough biotin for one day.
  
• Vitamin B5 (e.g. in whole grain products, avocados and pine nuts) has a protective function on the nails — the average daily requirement for an adult is 6 mg, which is also found in about 100 g of porcini mushrooms.
  
• Zinc (e.g. in walnuts, mushrooms and lentils) strengthens the fingernails — the daily requirement is 12 mg for women and 15 mg for men. Half of the daily requirement can be covered by 50 g of dried lentils, 50 g of oat flakes and 50 g of Brazil nuts.
• Iron (e.g. in wheat bran, pumpkin seeds, sesame and linseed) gives the fingernails stability and elasticity — the recommended iron intake is 18 mg for women and 12 mg for men, which corresponds to about 180 g of broad beans; a diet rich in vitamin C also supports the absorption of iron.
  
• Silicon (e.g. in horsetail, nettle and barley) is particularly important for nail growth — the recommended daily dose is between 20 and 50 mg per day, 10 g of millet already contains 50 mg of silicon — and a daily dose of organic silicon as a dietary supplement (drops) already provides 70 mg of silicon and can compensate for deficiencies particularly quickly.

Soft, thin and brittle nails can be caused by a lack of nutrients. In this case, it is worth taking targeted nutritional supplements. However, it should not be forgotten that vital substances can only reach the fingernails to their full extent if the intestine is healthy and the body is in the right alkaline balance.

Healthy Intestinal Flora — Healthy Fingernails
The intestines not only affect our immune system, our weight and our feelings, but also our toenails and fingernails. This is partly due to the fact that only a healthy intestine can really absorb sufficient nutrients and vital substances. In addition, part of the intestinal flora can apparently also produce biotin itself, so that a disturbance of the intestinal flora — which can manifest itself in a wide variety of symptoms — can pose a problem for fingernail health. In this case, a lot can be achieved by building up the intestinal flora.

Deacidification for Beautiful Fingernails
In addition to dull hair, premature skin aging and cellulite, brittle nails are also a typical sign of latent hyperacidity. Hyperacidity occurs when the body’s acid-base balance is out of balance. This makes it easy for bacteria and fungi to thrive and there is an increased risk of nail bed inflammation or nail fungus. Regular deacidification, in combination with an alkaline lifestyle, strengthens the immune system and, as a result, also protects the nails.

Chemicals Make Fingernails Brittle
Brittle nails, affecting 20% of the population, may result from chemicals in soaps, detergents, and nail polish removers. Opt for organic products, wear gloves, and avoid acetone-based removers. Remedies include oil baths with olive or almond oil and hand packs with healing clay.

Artificial Fingernails Cause Nail Fungus and Cancer
Gel nails, popular for covering flaws, can trap fungi and bacteria, increasing the risk of infections and nail fungus. They also soften natural nails and block oxygen. Research links gel nails to a higher risk of skin cancer and infections, particularly in healthcare settings. Healthy natural nails, maintained through proper care and nutrition, are safer and more resilient.

Lavender Oil Against Nail Fungus
A study in the Journal of Medical Microbiology highlights lavender oil’s effectiveness against nail fungus, requiring only a small concentration to kill yeast and fungi. Naturopaths suggest combining lavender and tea tree oils for treatment. Apply the mixture to infected nails 3–4 times daily for a week; improvements often appear by day three. Self-diagnosis is challenging, as nail diseases like psoriasis may mimic fungal infections.

Indigo Oil is Effective Against Nail Psoriasis
Indigo oil, derived from the Indian indigo plant, shows promise for nail psoriasis. A Chinese study found that applying indigo oil extract twice daily significantly improved symptoms within a month. Regular use alleviates nail issues without side effects, although it temporarily turns nails blue. The following tips will show you how you can do something good for your fingernails with further holistic and naturopathic measures.

8 Tips for Beautiful and Healthy Fingernails
There are plenty of simple home remedies that can help strengthen and maintain nail health.

1. Nettle and Silica Against Brittle Nails
The active ingredients of nettle and silica (silicon) strengthen the fingernails. Drink nettle tea in the morning and evening. Its natural silicon content can be increased by adding organic silicon in drop form, which can eliminate the risk of fingernails breaking in the long term. To prepare it, pour 1/4 liter of boiling water over a tablespoon of dried nettle leaves. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes and then add the silicon as per the application instructions (see packaging).

2. Almond Oil Regenerates Fingernails
Almond oil makes fingernails particularly resilient. If nails are over-stressed due to nail polish or other stress, they will benefit from extra care. Almond oil helps nails and cuticles to regenerate. Rub your fingernails carefully with it every two days.

3. Garlic Protects Against Nail Fungus
Garlic has an antifungal effect and therefore prevents fungal infections. Boil a peeled garlic clove in a cup of milk and bathe your nails in the cooled broth. If you have already suffered from nail fungus, this can prevent a new infection.

4. Marigold Heals Nail Bed Infections
If your nail bed is inflamed, a marigold finger bath is recommended. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried marigold flowers to a quarter liter of water and let the tea simmer for 5 minutes. Then strain the tea and let it cool. Bathe the affected finger in it twice a day for 10 minutes.

5. Healthy Fingernails with Grape Seed Extract
In order to increase the elasticity of fingernails, taking grape seed extract has proven to be effective. The antioxidant OPC it contains gives the nails stability and counteracts nail bed inflammation. To protect healthy fingernails and to help damaged fingernails recover, 1 to 3 mg OPC/kg body weight has proven to be optimal.

6. Healthy Fingernails with Olive Oil Baths and Peeling
Both the fingernails and the cuticle skin benefit from a weekly hand bath in lukewarm olive oil. The nails feel particularly supple after such an oil bath and small injuries around the nail can heal better. To do this, warm up some cold-pressed olive oil and then dip the fingertips in it for a few minutes. Adding some fine sand to the olive oil bath achieves an additional effect: a gentle peeling is also good for the fingernails now and then.

7. Healthy Fingernails with Healing Clay Packs
Hand packs with healing clay (e.g. bentonite) give brittle fingernails new strength and also help with nail psoriasis. To do this, mix about 1 tablespoon of healing clay with a little water, half a teaspoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of argan oil to form a creamy substance. The pack is then applied to the nail area — and to the hands if necessary. The exposure time is 10 to 15 minutes.

8. Cinnamon Powder Against Nail Fungus
This is an old home remedy that has helped many people with nail fungus. 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder are mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey and rubbed onto the affected nail in the evening before going to bed. A cotton finger cot ensures that the remedy does not end up on the bed sheet while you sleep. In the morning, the nail is rinsed with lukewarm water and rubbed with arnica tincture — the first results are usually seen after a few days.

Conclusion
Fingernails are often given too much attention and are “manicured to death”, but they often lead a sad, shadowy existence when it comes to care. The golden rule for healthy fingernails is regular TLC using holistic means.

Meet Our Contributor — Ela Gold
Ela Gold is a trailblazer in alternative health, with over 30 years of expertise in internal cleansing and detoxification. Her personal health challenges sparked a lifelong journey, studying modalities worldwide — Naturopathy and Nutrition in Germany, Ayurveda in India, Acupuncture in Korea, Shamanic practices in Brazil, and Feng Shui in China. Since 1992, Ela has called Australia home, integrating Holistic Colon Hydrotherapy (HCHt) and a range of her own supplements into her practice. Guided by her motto, “The only healer that can heal you is YOU,” she emphasizes self-empowerment and holistic well-being. Currently, Ela is focused on training practitioners in the Gold Standard of Holistic Colon Hydrotherapy, imparting her expertise in a clinical and patient-centered environment. Whether you are a client seeking holistic healing or a practitioner aiming to enhance your skills, Ela’s profound experience and wisdom offer invaluable guidance and inspiration. Her work continues to empower individuals to take charge of their health, fostering a journey towards inner peace and holistic well-being. Learn more about Ela’s work here.