How Does Ayurveda View Your Hair?
Again, Ayurvedic remedies rely on the balance of the doshas. They believe that an imbalance in the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas would lead to certain diseases such as hair fall.
- Vata – An imbalance in the vata dosha might result in excessive dryness and flaky dandruff in the scalp. Furthermore, your hair becomes more prone to frizz and breakage.
- Pitta – When the Pitta on the other is imbalanced, your hair might start premature greying and it might get thinner which also results in receding hairline.
- Kapha – Lastly, an imbalance in Kapha dosha produces more oil in your hair. Thus, the excess oils block the follicles in the scalp causing wet and sticky dandruff.
Ayurvedic Herbs for a Healthier and Thicker Hair
Just like the skin, it is also important to take care of our crowning glory. We cannot deny the fact that having shiny and healthy hair greatly improves our appearance and makes us feel more confident.
So whether you’ve wanted to have long and healthy hair or currently suffering from hair fall, we got you!
Bhringraj
First on the list is Bhringraj which is also known as Kehraj in Assamese and Karisalankanni in Tamil. This is an Indian medicinal herb that specifically grows in moist areas. It works by soothing the scalp, improving blood circulation, and in turn, provides nourishment to the hair follicles. As a result, it promotes hair growth and lessens hair fall.
How to Use: The traditional process of making Bhringraj oil is by drying and grinding the leaves which takes a lot of time. To make things easier, you can heat powdered bhringraj leaves with coconut oil and apply them directly on your scalp for about 30 minutes then rinse. It is recommended to use it regularly to achieve desired results.
Brahmi
This is also another wonder herb that helps treat your scalp and reduce hair fall. It works by providing strength and nourishment to the scalp for stronger and thicker hair. All while calming you down and improving your mood at the same time since stress is also the reason for hair loss.
How to Use: Brahmi powder is readily available in the market. But if you prefer to make your own, you can do so by sun-drying Brahmi leaves and turning them into powder.
You can mix Brahmi powder with a cup of fresh coconut water to form a thick paste. You can also add amla powder to it as well. After getting the right consistency, apply it all over your hair. Wait for it to dry, and then rinse. Massaging your scalp with Brahmi can be also a relaxing routine due to its soothing effects.
Fenugreek
Also known as methi seeds. This is an important spice found in every Indian household. Fenugreek contains a lot of nutrients including folic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and Vitamin C. This makes methi a great ayurvedic medicine for hair loss, baldness, hair thinning, and regrowth.
Furthermore, it also contains a high protein and nicotine acid content which are known to be effective against dandruff and other scalp problems.
How to Use: You can either incorporate the seeds in your diet or use methi hair oil that you can massage onto your scalp and hair strands. Leave it for a couple of minutes then rinse.
Jatamansi
Most commonly known as Muskroot or the Indian Spikenard. This ayurvedic medicine is perfect for those who are struggling with dry and brittle hair. This is because it provides nourishment to the scalp and at the same time improves blood circulation. Continuous use of jatamansi oil promotes hair growth and makes the hair shinier and healthy-looking.
How to Use: A combination of Jatamansi Essential Oil and Carrier Oil is said to be an effective way of maximizing its benefits. Massage it onto your hair and scalp for 15-30 minutes. Then, you can rinse with shampoo and lukewarm water.
Shikakai
Shikakai which translates to “fruit for hair”, is an Ayurvedic treatment that can be used as a substitute for shampoo minus the chemicals. This is because of its cleansing properties that restore scalp health and treats hair fall without stripping off the natural oils.
How to Use: You can make shikakai powder through grinding. Then, you mix it with either coconut oil or water and gently massage it to your hair and scalp. Again, constantly using it would yield better results.
Amla
Amla is said to help strengthen the hair to reduce hair fall. This fruit is also considered as a miracle cure for the hair because of its effectiveness in making the hair healthy.
Furthermore, Amla provides a lot of benefits for the hair. Including, enhancing the natural hair color to avoid premature greying of hair. As well as preventing dandruff and improving scalp health.
How to Use: Making your own amla oil is easy. You just have to mix and heat amla powder with coconut oil until it turns brown. Let it cool for a while then you can start applying it onto your hair and scalp. But if you prefer to buy, then there are a lot of ready-made amla oils as well.
Henna
Henna is a popular beauty ingredient in India, which has been used for years as a natural hair dye. It also offers a lot of great benefits for your hair. Just like Amla, it also has antifungal and antimicrobial properties that will prevent dandruff and help in maintaining a healthy scalp.
Moreover, it also promotes hair growth and works on improving the texture of the hair for healthier and stronger-looking hair.
How to Use: Traditionally, the leaves of henna plants were used for the hair. But today, the pure henna powder is now widely used to get the same benefits.
The easiest way is to make a paste of henna by mixing the henna powder with water. But, if you prefer, you can also add other hair nourishing ingredients like herbal tea, ACV, or even yogurt.
The Ayurvedic Way
Having shiny and healthy-looking skin and thick hair is what all women want to achieve. With the use of the right products, those are definitely possible to achieve. But because of the harmful chemicals used in many cosmetic products, people are now looking for natural and chemical-free ways to take care of their skin and hair, which is what Ayurvedic herbs claim to do.
This traditional Indian wellness system has been used for thousands of years to ensure you are free from illnesses and other health problems. However, do note that the ayurvedic treatment requires a holistic approach.
Remember that ayurvedic herbs don’t work on their own. Making efforts in lifestyle changes and having a good dietary practice is an important part of holistic wellness, which will yield positive results and benefits to the body.
AUTHOR BIO:
Hi there! I’m Laura from BBRI.org, I love exploring and learning the world of skincare, dieting, and well-being in general. My goal is always to spread that useful knowledge to the best of my ability and save people’s research time. I’m also passionate about Karate and anything Japanese 🙂
Ayurvedic Herbs for Shiny Skin and Thicker Hair (Part I)