You have probably heard of the term before, and you may even practice the art of Ayurveda without realizing it until now. Nonetheless, if you have not heard of Ayurveda but want to practice a healthier routine for your natural hair, this is for you.
What is Ayurveda?
According to Zandu Ayurveda, “Ayurveda, is the art of living in harmony with nature. It comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Ayur’ , meaning life or lifespan. The word ‘Ayur’ literally means ‘life’ and ‘veda’, the ‘science’ or ‘knowledge.’
According to Zandu Ayurveda, “Ayurveda, is the art of living in harmony with nature.
When your hair is negatively affected by your mind, body, and spiritual imbalance, this deals with the Pitta component. A lack of proper care can lead to hair loss, premature graying, thinning edges, more breakage, and split ends.
While your specific cause may be due to a number of things–nutrition deficiencies, illness, stress, age, or hereditary factors, it is still something that can be proactively sought to better care for. This is where natural Indian-derived herbal remedies come into play.
The names of Ayurvedic ingredients may intimidate or overwhelm you, but incorporating them will show major benefits soon after making this lifestyle change. The following list shows a quick, straight to the point beginner guide of 6 imperative ways to get your Ayurveda fix for healthier hair–following the regimen you already use for curly hair. Find these ingredients at your local natural health store or online at Amazon.
Clarify and condition
Amla oil
Amla oil, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is a popular oil that is rich in its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal prevention capabilities. In place of your apple cider vinegar clarifying treatment, use amla oil to penetrate your scalp and remove excessive dirt and styling product build-up. Amla oil is also known to lessen the amount of hair shed during washing. If you have noticed more hair coming out, amla is a good Ayurvedic oil to consider using one to two times a month as needed. Also, amla in the powder form can be added to clarifying treatments to reduce premature graying strands, as well. This oil and powder is best for naturally oily, greasy and fine wavy to curly hair.
Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil tends to work quite nicely on texture that always feels dry and thirsty. It also promotes healthy hair growth by naturally stimulating the hair follicles when used in co-washes or shampoos. Both men and women can use rosemary oil as a topical treatment for pattern baldness. Get into the routine of massaging your scalp with warmed rosemary oil for a couple of minutes at a time every few days to allow it to penetrate deep into your pores. Those with eczema and dermatitis will benefit greatly from rosemary oil, either used alone or as the main ingredient in a clarifying shampoo.
Ayuuri powder
Ayuuri powder (soap nuts”> tends to be added to amla for herbal shampoo bar recipes. It is a natural astringent that is also safe enough to use on the length of the hair, too. It is a gem for those with sensitivities to strong fragrance, as it lacks a strong, lingering odor like other Ayurveda remedies. Ayuuri powder works hard to replenish the scalp from losing so much oil and helps to maintain a healthy balance for hair moisturizing and conditioning capabilities. It also naturally increases the bounciness and elasticity in textured hair that is severely heat damaged or lacks the necessary protein.
Seal and moisturize
Bhringraj oil
Bhringraj oil allows light to reflect off of the hair shaft, letting curls and coils appear more vital and lively. This herb is considered a Rasayana in Ayurveda, meaning that for hair care it is specifically used to revitalize dulling signs of aging. Many women use Bhringraj oil as part of a temple balm recipe, as it has natural soothing effects on strained muscles and easing tension headaches. At the same time, it will promote growth to the follicles in areas that have been thinning or weakening due to stress and age. What sets this oil aside from others in Ayurveda is that once in contact with the skin and scalp, it literally has a cooling sensation. With that being said, use this oil to seal the cuticle and promote shine after co-washing, but do not use it as an overnight or hot oil treatment.
Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds, also referred to a methi, can be boiled and then strained to be added to an at-home deep conditioning remedy to deeply condition brittle, weakened hair strands. This remedy also naturally and gently darkens your hue, so it is recommended for use on brunette to black curly or coily hair. Fenugreek seeds add a shiny, reflective coat to the hair, allowing for it to look more vibrant and healthy. Its anti-aging properties make it a wonder for sealing split and dull ends that are in need of a pick-me-up in between trims.
Neem leaves
Neem leaves are crushed and strained, forming an oil used in many Ayurveda medicines. With the ability to detoxify blood, this ingredient promotes healthy hair growth while it provides excellent moisture to curly hair. Neem contains a great amount of vitamin C, which is known to enhance the hair’s natural luster for a long period of time–when used regularly as part of a hair care routine. Those with frizzy hair can benefit from the effects of neem oil. It acts as a natural conditioner that seals the cuticles and lets hair lay down smoothly.
If you are not completely comfortable switch 100% to the Ayurvedic principles for balancing your Pitta, try slowly incorporating an ingredient or two into your regimen and find out what your curls like, what they currently lack, and what they don’t need any more of.
