Ayurvedic Remedies for Hair Loss

30 Nov Ayurvedic Remedies for Hair Loss

To call the feeling awful could be an understatement. But surprisingly, practically everyone goes through the same sometime or the other in life. Imagine the tension one goes through (more so for women!) when one sees tufts of hair just sticking to the pillow case! It is heartbreaking, stressful and quite likely the reason most women go thru depression at some stage or the other in life.

Hi, this is Dr Madhura Bhide and I am sure I am the right person you should turn to where you want a cure from hair-fall! Yes, cheer up, there is a cure! And for once, it does not represent modern science but something which has been with us for ages: Ayurveda! Being around that long (close to 3000 years), most if not all ayurvedic methodologies have gone through thousands of real-life usages with their pedagogies now being seen as words etched in rock! Yes, these remedies have stood the test of time and thus their effects are known to one and all. Besides, being plant-based with practically negligible use of chemicals, chances of adverse side-effects are close to nil.

Of the three doshas which affect us, it is said that Hair-fall is in most cases the result of imbalances in the Pitta Dosha which takes care of transformation and metabolism and is the fire that brings in energy to our bodies. Typically, Pitta Dosha is characterized by penetrating heat & brightness, high intensity, pungency and is quite acidic. A balanced Pitta Dosha is most needed if we are to metabolize what we consume and derive the right levels of energy. It can just as easily go out of hand and all that it needs is anxiety, wrong eating habits (wrong timing), wrong foods (excess consumption of tea, coffee and alcohol, consumption of fried foods, foods rich in oil and spices and regular consumption of meat and flesh) and being continuously under stress.

At Recova Life, our sessions invariably advocate life-style changes as prescribed in Ayurveda, specifically with respect to Diet, Exercise and Meditation. Only these have long-term desirable changes which can pacify a Pitta Dosha imbalance. Besides, there are herbs available in most of India which do have a positive effect on hair-loss. We mention a few below.

1. Use of Ritha (Soap Nuts)
India has everything ancient. Including the use of soap! Ritha or soap nuts has been a regular with women here since time immemorial and is said to improve hair texture and its sheer volume. Being rather mild, it cleanses the hair but does not take away its natural lubrication and oils leaving the scalp feeling young and fresh.

Add a handful of soap nuts to 2 cups of water and let it soak overnight. Boil the concoction the next morning. Once it cools, strain the solution and use it to rinse your hair. While doing so, massage your scalp vigorously till a light lather is formed. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Repeat it every alternate day.

2. Use of Amla or Indian Gooseberry
Amla, that is Indian Gooseberry is one of the most effective solution to completely do away with dandruff and scalp-related conditions. In addition, it is known for its blood-cleansing properties. Put together, it is one of the most effective treatment for hair-regrowth. Most use it with shikakai, a natural dye which give the hair a natural brown tone.

For its usage, mix 6 table-spoons of amla powder or almost the same quantity of grated amla in half a cup of water. Make sure the water is lukewarm (not even warm and never, ever cold). Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply to portions of the scalp with maximum hair-fall. Leave the application on the scalp for 30 minutes and then wash it.. Repeat twice a  week.

3. Use of Neem
Before the advent of bottled & advertised hair-care, neem leaves were the one-stop treatment for most hair and scalp problems. Be it dandruff, psoriasis, excess sebum or hair damage, neem was used in some form or the other! Over the year, Neem lost its usage to packaged shampoos and hair tonics but what it did not lose was its potency when it came to hair-care! It helps in the conditions mentioned above, soothes the scalp and brings back hair to life- with life!

On its usage, put a handful of neem leaves in a sauce-pan with 2 cups of water. Bring the concoction to boil for 15 minutes and then cool it. Once cooled, strain it and keep it aside in a vessel. Wash your hair as you normally do and use the cooled neem-water as a final wash.  DO NOT WASH IT OR USE ANY OTHER PRODUCT FURTHER!

Use it on alternate days in cases of dandruff.

4. Use of Bhringraj, the King among herbs!
Yes, its Sanskrit name means just that, the King of Herbs, and true to its name, it does a lot for humans! Besides promoting hair growth, it is said to even reverse balding besides preventing premature hair greying. It’s natural propensity to cool is said to provide a calming effect when applied to the scalp and is said to help those with sleep disorders.

Being around in India for as long as time, it’s available in various forms including a powder and processed oil.

On its usage, start with either a handful of leaves or about 5-6 tablespoons of powder. Put the powder/ leaves in a small vessel like a bowl or a tumbler and pour a few tablespoons of water. Mix the ingredients into a thick paste and apply the same to the scalp. Leave the same for about 20 minutes by which time it should ideally dry into flakes. Wash it off with a light shampoo. Repeat every alternate day till you get the desired results. Bhringraj works just as well with amla and tulsi. Where this form seems a chore, massage your scalp with Bhringraj processed oil on alternate days of the week.

5. Use of Shikakai
What does one say of a fruit whose name in English translates to ‘fruit for hair’! With abundant antioxidants, it is one of the best ways to restore hair back to its original form and health. Slightly lathery in the presence of water, this is one herb which does not take away the hair’s natural oils . Rather it helps with reducing dandruff and turns hair a lot manageable and full!

On the best way to use it, mix 5-6 table-spoons of shikakai powder in 2 cups of water and leave the concoction to stand for about 30 minutes. After washing your hair in the normal manner, use this concoction as a final rinse. Once your hair is wet with this solution, massage your hair and scalp for a full 5 minutes and then rinse once again with water. Do the same on alternate days.

There! For those of you with hair-fall problems, these should ideally provide you a solution. If you think you need an extensive study on your condition, do visit us at Recova Life in Pune. Our contact details are mentioned in our website www.recovalife.com and #roadtorecova.com

Where you wish to know more about hair-care remedies under Ayurveda, you are welcome to attend our session on the same which shall be held on 22 Dec 2018 at our Aundh branch between 2 and 5 PM

Disclaimer :

This article is meant solely to provide information about remedies under Ayurveda and is not meant to be used for diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease.
Where the reader or any other person has chronic and/or dire health issues, it is advisable to consult a trained and certified medical practitioner for a complete and comprehensive diagnosis which can address the underlying issues effectively.
Recova Life and its constituents are also certified medical practitioners who can be consulted. Our numbers are +91 83800-16119 and Email ID atul@recovalife.com
With respect to the consumption of any herbs, fruits, vegetables and the likes mentioned here, it would be advisable where you consult a certified medical practitioner for his/her opinion before-hand.