Is hair fall getting you down? Does the bunch of hair in the shower depress you every morning? Do not worry! Forget chemicals and over the counter products to combat hair loss. Try Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall instead!
Ayurveda is a form of alternative medicine, which dates back more than 5000 years. It has a holistic approach and has 3 key concepts, such as Nidana (diagnostic measures), Ahar (food that can be used as preventive medicine) and Chikitsa (support and self care).
Hair loss is caused because of pitta dosha. Pitta governs our metabolism and digestion. A balanced pitta leads to a healthy body and mind. It controls our general well being. Once you identify the reasons of pitta dosha, it becomes easier to correct it. Typically, bad eating habits, anxiety and stress cause pitta dosha, which in turn lead to hair loss. Excessive consumption of tea, coffee, alcohol, meat, fried and spicy food imbalances the pitta.
Aloe vera juice with a pinch of cumin seeds reduces hair fall to a great extent. Regular intake of curd also helps control hair loss. Additionally, green leafy vegetables and fruits provide vital nutrients that promote hair growth.
Top 7 Ayurvedic Treatment For Hair Loss:
Ayurveda propagates the use of several herbs directly on the scalp to treat hair loss. These herbs are available in powdered form or in the form of oil in most Ayurvedic stores. Some are also packaged and sold commercially at local grocers. Let’s have a look at the some of the ayurvedic treatments, which are proved beneficial for preventing hair loss:
1. Bhringaraj:
Bringharaj has natural rejuvenating properties. Literally translated, it means “king of hair”. Not only does it help promote hair growth, it also reverses balding. It can be used to prevent premature graying. Considered as a natural conditioner, it is commonly available in powdered form and as an oil. It has a calming effect when applied to the scalp and helps insomniacs sleep better. When you are stressed about work or are tossing and turning, massage some bhringaraj oil onto your scalp and feel the immediate difference.
How to Use It:
To get the best results, massage it onto your scalp and leave it on overnight. Shampoo in the morning and wash off with lukewarm water. Alternatively, you can make a paste of bhringaraj powder, amla powder and tulsi. You can add some coconut oil to this mix to make your hair look shinier. Wash the hair pack after a couple of hours. Acting as a conditioning pack, the combination of bhringaraj, amla and tulsi helps hair growth.
2. Neem:
For years, neem has been used to treat skin conditions and hair loss. Since it has several medicinal properties, doctors recommend neem soaps during minor ailments and illnesses. It is often used to relieve itchiness and inflammation during chicken pox and measles. Regular use of neem on the scalp improves blood circulation and strengthens the roots, which in turn promotes hair growth. Neem is also used to reduce dandruff and lice. When the scalp is affected by dryness, scaliness, dandruff, eczema, psoriasis and excessive sebum, the hair roots get damaged. This causes hair loss. Promoting hair growth, neem helps treat these conditions.
How to Use It:
Neem soaps available commonly in stores can be used on the scalp as well as skin. However, for best results, boil neem leaves in water and make a hair rinse. Use it after shampooing. You can also add neem leaves to your bath water. For lustrous and shiny hair, add neem oil to olive or coconut oil. Apply it to your scalp and wash it with a mild shampoo. You can also make a paste of neem powder and warm water. Apply and leave it on the scalp for 30 minutes before shampooing.
3. Ritha:
Ritha or soap nuts have been used by women for centuries as a natural shampoo. When used regularly, ritha promotes hair growth and makes hair thick and beautiful. Since it is mild, it can be used as an everyday shampoo without causing damage to your hair. If shampooing your hair everyday worries you, choose this natural alternative. Ritha also conditions your hair while cleansing it.
How to Use It:
To make your own ritha shampoo, remove the seeds, crush them and soak them for 8 hours or overnight. Soaking them for so long ensures that all the goodness in the form of saponins is extracted. Saponin is what makes your hair healthy and strong. Once you are sure all the saponin is extracted, you can now start making your own shampoo. You can also boil this liquid. Once it starts boiling, let it simmer for a bit. Use this concentrated liquid as a shampoo. Remember that it does not lather much and you may need to use it a few times to understand the quantity you may need.
1. Amla:
Amla or the Indian gooseberry is rich in Vitamin C and nourishes the hair from root to tip, thus reducing hair fall. It also acts as a preventive measure for dandruff. It is also a rich conditioner. By itself, it cannot impart color, but the combination of amla and shikakai is used for natural brown hair. One can apply amla to one’s hair or even eat it for strong, healthy and lustrous hair. It also reduces itchiness of the scalp.
How to Use It:
Make a paste of amla and shikakai powder and warm water and leave it overnight. Apply on your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash the hair with a mild shampoo. You can also crush the amla fruit and apply the juice on the scalp. This is said to provide nourishment to the roots and make them strong. You could make amla oil by soaking the fruit in coconut oil for a few days. Apply this oil on the scalp and wash off after an hour.
5. Shikakai:
Shikakai literally means fruit for hair. When the fruit is mixed in water, it foams up like soap. Shikakai is rich in antioxidants and contains large doses of Vitamin C and D. This is helpful for hair growth and nourishment. Regular use of shikakai will help your locks become long and lustrous. It has low pH levels and is hence mild. Most damage to hair is done by hair products that have harsh chemicals. Shikakai won’t strip your hair of natural oils. It detangles hair, which also reduces hair fall. It reduces dandruff and conditions hair to make it look shiny and beautiful.
How To Use It:
Shikakai shampoos are available everywhere; however, making your own shikakai shampoo is better than commercially sold counterparts. You can use shikakai powder and make a fine paste with warm water. Use this paste as a shampoo. It will lather a little. You can also use this paste as a hair mask. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash it off. You can also make shikakai tea and use it as a rinse. Boil a few spoonfuls of shikakai in herbal tea and let it steep for 5 hours. Pass this through a sieve and add a cup and a half of hot water to it. Use this as a hair rinse after shampooing. Make a batch of shikakai oil and use it on your scalp instead of the regular oil you use. To make this oil, mix a few spoonfuls of shikakai powder and coconut or olive oil and store in a jar. Shake the jar vigorously. Keep it in a cool and dry place for a few weeks. Keep shaking it so the shikakai does not settle.
6. Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha or the Indian Winter Cherry is an amazing herb for hair rejuvenation. It is most commonly used ayurvedic medicine for hair fall. The hormone cortisol causes hair loss and slows down hair growth. Ashwagandha, when applied to the scalp reduces cortisol. It also increases antioxidants and helps scalp circulation. It is a great remedy for dandruff and stimulates production of melanin, which is important for hair growth.
How To Use It:
Ashwagandha is available to be consumed orally as well. However, visit a physician if you wish to ingest ashwagandha since only the exact dosage must be administered. For hair loss, you can use ashwagandha powder mixed with brahmi and amla. Add this mixture to warm water. This can be used as a hair mask. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
7. Brahmi:
Brahmi helps strengthen hair and promotes hair growth. It provides nourishment to the roots and promotes new follicle growth. Regular use of brahmi makes hair thick and lustrous. It is also useful in reducing dandruff. Brahmi hair packs help reduce itchiness of the scalp. When applied regularly, it reduces split ends. It covers the hair follicles with a protective layer which in turn makes hair shiny and thick.
How To Use It:
You can create a paste of brahmi with ritha, amla, tulsi and ashwagandha powder and a generous amount of curd. Mix the powder in warm water slowly and then add the curd. Maintain a thick consistency as this is easier to apply. Use as a hair pack. Leave it on for an hour and wash it off with lukewarm water only. Remember to always use lukewarm to cold water to wash hair. Avoid hot water completely. Another way of using brahmi is to boil some water and add brahmi, tulsi and neem powder. Let this sit overnight. Strain this water in the morning and use it as a hair rinse after shampooing. For best results, use this regularly and notice that your hair has a gorgeous shine to it.
You can also combine brahmi powder, warm water and coconut oil and apply as a paste to your head. Wash it off only with water.
Following a balanced and wholesome diet along with the regular use of ayurvedic herbs will lead to visible rejuvenation of hair growth and stop hair loss. For hair that’s shiny, bouncy and straight out of a shampoo ad, make it a point to use these ayurvedic herbs regularly.
Do you use natural measures to treat hair fall? Do share your ayurvedic hair fall treatment tips with us in the comments section below.
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