In our busy lives, we hardly get time to nurture our hair, which usually bears the brunt of pollution, chemical shampoos, dust, heat, and other things. But if we incorporate good Ayurvedic hair oil in our hair care routine, all our problems can be sorted. According to Ayurveda, if we apply oil on our hair and massage it regularly, it strengthens the hair and improves the texture of our hair. Besides, it stops hair fall, calms the mind, and improves our sleep.
How Ayurveda sees hair problem
According to Ayurveda, there are three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which takes care of our body systems. Unless these doshas stay balanced, we experience problems. An excess of any one of these doshas throws the entire body’s functioning off-balance. Our scalp is composed of multiple energy-relieving points called marmas. This helps to cool our mind and keep us stress-free.
Once the excess doshas get out of our head, the balance is restored, and the negative effects of the doshas also leave us and save us from problems like premature greying, hair fall, dry hair, and dandruff.
Benefits of Ayurvedic hair oils
Ayurvedic hair oils combine with the natural oils of our hair and enhance the strength, volume and lustre of the hair. They restore the strength and reduce excessive split-ends by replenishing dry and damaged hair, and lubricating the scalp. When an Ayurvedic oil is massaged into the scalp, it improves sleep as well.
Ayurvedic oils are made up of one or more herbs like Bhringaraja, Amla, Aswagandha, Yashtimadhu, Brahmi, etc.
Bhringaraja activates the hair follicles and strengthens them. The herb also boosts hair growth. Ayurvedic oil with Bhringaraja helps in maintaining the natural colour of our hair, prevents split ends, and controls hair fall.
Amla contains essential fatty acids that can penetrate into hair follicles and make the hair softer, shinier and voluminous. Many good Ayurvedic hair oils, therefore, contain amla. It also boosts hair growth as it contains high iron and carotene content. Oil which contains amla treats dryness of scalp and reduces irritation and burning sensation.
An Ayurvedic hair oil that contains Yastimadhu prevents baldness, greying of hair and hair loss. The amazing demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties of Yastimadhu help in soothing the scalp of your head by reducing dandruff. Regular application of Ayurvedic oil with Yastimadhu boosts hair growth and controls premature balding.
Ayurvedic hair oils with Ashwagandha pacify problems like tension and sleeplessness, which are some of the reasons for hair fall. Ashwagandha possesses powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help in keeping the scalp cool and healthy. A rich source of flavonoids, Ashwagandha also possesses tyrosine, an amino acid that stimulates the production of melanin and restrains the loss of melanin in the hair.
Bibhitaki herb enhances hair growth and reduces premature greying of hair.
As a result, Ayurvedic oils rich in herbs help stimulate hair growth and prevent major hair-related problems like itchy scalp, dandruff, dead skin, inflammation, etc.
Ayurvedic oils also protect the hair from the harmful effects of the sun, dirt, and pollution.
When and how to oil your hair
According to Ayurveda, oiling your hair once a week is enough. But if your hair is exceptionally dry and you suffer from dandruff, it is advised to oil your hair twice or thrice a week.
It is always advisable to apply oil on your scalp in the night before going to bed. This increases the benefits of the oil. It is also advised to always warm the oil a little as it helps in better absorption. Massage the oil in a circulatory motion for at least 10 minutes and leave it on overnight or at least for an hour before you shampoo your hair.
Before selecting an Ayurvedic hair oil, you should know your hair type. If you have thin hair, is prone to split-ends and frizziness, you have Vata-dominant hair. People with fine hair, prone to hair loss, or premature greying have Pitta-dominant hair. On the other hand, those with thick or oily hair have Kapha-dominant hair.