People spend a lot of time and effort on hair care. Lustrous, shiny hair can make you feel and look like a million bucks! Summer can present some extra challenges for hair and scalp, but Ayurvedic hair care can provide the solution with practices and products that promote hair health while keeping unwarranted hair issues like dandruff, premature graying, and hair loss at bay.
What is Ayurvedic Hair Care?
Ayurvedic hair care uses a holistic approach to help ensure hair health by focusing not just on herbal products but on a range of dietary, lifestyle, and therapeutic practices that help promote healthy hair.
Ayurveda recognizes the importance of nutritious food and digestion for health. The digestive fire or Agni determines the quality of our tissues. If Agni is weakened, then the body fails to receive the nutrients needed. Strong digestion ensures the hair is nourished. The food to be consumed should depend on the weather and the innate constitution or Prakriti of the individual.
Stress can seriously impact hair health. Stress causes many changes in the body and can lead to hair fall, premature greying, and other problems. Ayurveda recommends the practice of Yoga, meditation, and Pranayama to help cope and maintain stable mental health. This helps relax the mind and helps keep the body healthy.
Ayurveda recommends the use of therapies like Shirodhara (pouring warm herbal liquid on the forehead), Shiro Abhyanga (massage with warm herbal oils), and Shiro Lepa (use of an Ayurvedic paste on the scalp). These therapies can be very helpful in promoting healthy hair and maintaining optimal levels of the Doshas.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Hair
Ayurveda has many herbs that are beneficial for the hair. Some of these herbs have formed an integral part of traditional hair care routines from ancient times. These herbs are used in Ayurveda to improve hair health.
- Bhringraj (Eclipta prostrata) is one of the most potent herbs that work on the hair roots to help promote the healthy growth of hair. It supports healthy and abundant hair growth, and hence is also known as Kesharaj or “king of the hair”. The benefits of this wondrous herb are the reason that it has been used since ancient times as an herbal hair care expert. It helps maintain the hair’s natural color and luster. And with the intense heat of summer, it acts as a coolant helping to calm the mind.
- Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica) is rich in Vitamin C. Regular usage of Amalaki can help in maintaining the natural strength of the hair. It supports the normal digestive fire and maintains the natural health of the scalp. It has been traditionally used as a herbal support for hair health for premature graying as it is classified under “Vayasthapana” or anti-aging group in Ayurveda.
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Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is one of the Ayurvedic herbs for hair that supports normal hair growth by rejuvenating the scalp. It offers the additional benefit of helping calm the mind.
Ayurvedic Hair Oils
Ayurveda hair oils come in many forms with each created to address specific hair issues and scalp health. Some Ayurveda products for hair include:
- Neelibringadi Keram helps promote healthy hair growth and maintains the natural health of root hair.
- Kesini Oil helps nourish the scalp and hair roots and helps maintain the natural color and texture of hair.
- Eladi Thailam helps in the normal rejuvenation and nourishment of the scalp.
- Durvadi Keram helps promote hair and scalp health naturally.
- Durdurapathradi Keram helps soothe the scalp.
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Chemparathyadi Keram helps maintain the strength and natural color of the hair.
How to Use Ayurvedic Hair Oils?
Ayurvedic hair oils are nourishing and renewing to the scalp and hair. For the best results, follow the steps below:
- Use the appropriate quantity of hair oil (as recommended in the product or by your Ayurvedic health provider). Either pour the oil onto your palm or in a cup. Dip your fingers into the oil and massage your hair and scalp.
- Massage the scalp gently in a circular motion to cover the entire head and promote blood circulation in the scalp. Massaging helps sustain a relaxed mind.
- Next, massage the oil on your hair completely from root to tip.
- Leave the oil on your head for a minimum of thirty minutes to ensure it is completely absorbed.
- Wash your hair and scalp with warm water. You can use an Ayurvedic shampoo to clean the hair.
- Repeat weekly.
Tips For Maintaining Healthy Summer Hair
Summer can wreak havoc on your locks with the drying effects caused by the intense sun, harsh chemicals encountered in swimming pools, and clogged follicles due to a sweaty scalp. Busy vacation and travel schedules often leave you eating poorly further contributing to your hair woes. Following these tips will help you to maintain healthy summer hair.
- Thoroughly rinse hair following excessive sweating and dips in chemically-treated swimming pools.
- Wear a head covering or hat to shield your hair from the sun.
- Brush your hair gently and regularly to help stimulate your scalp.
- Exercise and physical fitness can help to open up pores on the scalp, thus helping in hair growth. But excessive heat on the scalp is not recommended so find time in the early mornings while temperatures are cool for your exercise regimen.
- Reduce the heat to your head by avoiding the use of a hair dryer, curling irons, and straighteners.
- Overall, choose a healthy diet that helps pacify your unique Dosha balance. Foods such as ghee, buttermilk, certain nuts and seeds, coconut, Moringa, cucumber, etc. can assist with various hair issues.
- Use an Ayurvedic hair care product that is suitable for your hair type based on your Dosha.
Ayurvedic hair care utilizes a holistic approach to ensure hair and scalp are healthy and nourished. And while summer or Pitta season can bring special challenges, simple adjustments in lifestyle and diet plus a little help from herbs and oils can help support hair health and leave you with gorgeous locks.
