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What is ayurvedic hair care?

Ayurveda means “knowledge of life span”. It is believed to have originated in India about 5000 years ago and focuses on the use of natural oils and herbs to promote health and wellness.

Some of the herbs in ayurveda have now been used for hair health as well.

Herbs listed below are usually applied to the hair in paste form before shampoo/conditioner. I will warn you that the use herbs on your hair can be messy because they are usually applied to the hair in a paste form. You may want to consider doing application in the shower to make clean up easier. Many of the claims made about ayurvedic hair care have not been carefully researched, and rather are observational and anecdotal from its users but has been used for a long time.

I do not have exact instructions on how to mix the different herbs, as I think it is a worthwhile experiment to try to find the right mix for your hair. You can even add essential oils and butters to the mixture to add additional hair health benefits.

Henna

Henna powder is crushed henna tree leaves. It dates back to ancient Egypt where it was originally used to dye skin. The use of henna spread throughout West Asia, India, North and West Africa, and the Arabian peninsula.

Benefits of henna for hair include strengthening, thickening, and smoothing. Henna can help to add strength to hair by filling in the gaps in the hair and can lengthen the hair by adding weight to the strands.

Of note, henna can cause a reddish hue to hair and if overused can dry out/damage hair by product buildup.

Amla

Amla is ground up Indian gooseberry. It is believed to promote hair growth through its healthy vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin E, vitamin C, and iron. It comes in a powder form and is usually mixed with henna.

Shikakai

Shikakai is a spiny climbing shrub native to China and tropical Asia. Contains high levels of vitamin A, C, D, and K. Associated with healthier scalp, reducing dandruff, increase hair growth, reduce grays, and adds shine to the hair.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a clover-like herb native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe, and western Asia. It is high in protein and iron. Can be used to treat dandruff and scalp inflammation through its saponins and rich amounts of vitamin A, C, and K. It has also been found to strengthen hair and prevents shedding because of high levels of iron, protein, and anti-oxidants. Should be avoided if you are pregnant or allergic to nuts.

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