Want gorgeous, lustrous hair? Try out these dry hair home remedies and Ayurveda tips for common hair problems like dry hair, split ends, and dandruff.
Let me explain the top causes of dry hair first.
- Hair has no natural lubrication. It relies on oils made in the hair root to stay moisturized and looking lustrous. Sometimes, the hair root/scalp will not have enough oil production for making your skin soft and shiny.
- Each strand of healthy hair has a protective layer called the cuticle. In a healthy cuticle, the layers lie tightly together and keep moisture in. When a cuticle’s layers separate and peel away from hair, its ability to hold moisture is compromised and some oil escapes.
- Usage of harsh shampoos and hair grooming products
- Over-use of hair grooming products with chemicals, like hair dyes, relaxers, and perm
- Using hot tools, such as blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons
- Improper diet
- Over exposure to sun and/or cold
Ayurveda for Dry Hair
Ayurveda explains the cause of dry hair as excessive or imbalanced Vata. Excess Vata causes the hair to become dry, frizzy, brittle, and lusterless. It also causes hair to thin, fall out in clumps, become shorter and more difficult to grow out, and present with split ends.
Excessive Vata can also ruin your skin with dryness and eczema-like skin problems. The scalp might also be dry, which leads to hair that has less luster, more frizz, and ends that are not as strong and can split. As we age generally we have predominance of Vata in the body, age is also a factor which can lead to dry scalp and untamed hair.
Is it possible to address these imbalances and get a frizz free beautiful hair? I would say a big yes!
If you are familiar with Ayurveda, you might know the Ayurveda daily rituals which have been explained in detail in ancient classics, which says that oiling your hair and body before a bath should be a daily routine. If it’s not possible to oil your hair and scalp daily, do it thrice a week. Gently massage the scalp and hair roots with your fingertips for 10 minutes and wash off the oil with a mild/herbal shampoo.
Ayurvedic Hair Oil Treatments
What oil should be used? Either you can go for virgin coconut oil or jojoba oil to retain the natural moisture of scalp and hair, or medicated hair oil.
Here’s another simple hair oil recipe:
Hibiscus Oil: Take some coconut oil and heat it, add the juice extracted from hibiscus. Add mashed basil (Tulsi) leaves in this mixture. Heat the oil, until it starts to boil. Do not boil for too long. Cool the heated oil and filter it to remove the contents from the oil. Apply the warm hibiscus oil to the root of the hair. Massaging the hair regularly with this oil will ensure that the hair is revitalized, and Tulsi ensures the natural hair growth.
During my childhood days instead of using shampoo, hair was washed with hibiscus leaf juice. It acts as a natural conditioner and washes off excess oil from the hair.
Tips for Healthy Hair
Do not blow dry or use heated treatment to your hair much.
Avoid the use of chemical products in your hair, instead go for organic natural hair products.
Eat healthy. Minimize food with Vata aggravating properties. Go for fresh fruits and vegetables. Include plenty of leafy vegetables in diet. Stay hydrated, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Include aloe juice in diet daily.
Taking Triphala internally can also ensure good hair nourishment and growth. You can either consume in the form of capsules, or 1 tsp Triphala powder at bedtime with warm water is good option.
Apply an herbal hair mask once a week.
Herbal Hair Mask Recipe
Supplies:
- Amla dried powder – 2 tbsp
- Triphala powder – 1 tbsp
- Thick yoghurt – 2 tbsp
- Aloevera juice – 2 tbsp
- Muslin cloth – to wrap the head
Instructions
Mix all the ingredients and make a thick consistency paste. Apply to the scalp and hair follicles and wrap the head with a muslin cloth. Leave for 20 minutes. Wash it off with herbal shampoo or hibiscus leaf juice.
The above remedies can completely help in improving your hair health and can leave a lustrous beautiful hair.
Try making my recipe for Bhringaraj Oil. You can even substitute the Bhringaraj with hibiscus or amla (Indian goose berry)
