Natural Oil for Beautiful Hair

06:12 Health 0 Comments

Today I would like to tell you all about a few of Indian Ayurvedic oils for hair care. Hair is an important part of our body and hence the outer beauty. A healthy hair adds to the overall personality of an individual. Here are a few of the ayurvedic hair oils on which I did a detailed research.

AMLA OIL

Amla oil is one of the most common hair oils used in the Indian sub-continent. It is a natural, herbal product made from amla (also known as Indian gooseberry or Dhatrik or Amalika in Sanskrit) which is a fruit of a deciduous tree of the family Phyllanthaceae found in India. Its scientific name is Phyllanthus emblica. Amla fruit is light green in color and round in shape with a dark color single seed at the centre. It is edible in raw form and has a tangy taste to it which is made to taste better by adding salt. It has great importance in the Ayurvedic science of India both for body care and hair care purposes. Because of its cool nature it is used in stomach ailments for digestive purposes. Having an amla empty stomach early in the morning everyday is said to keep digestion problems away. It is rich in vitamin c, fatty acids, protein, carbohydrate and other essential vitamins. It is believed to help in premature greying of hair, hair fall, dandruff and dryness of scalp. As per Ayurveda its local application on scalp stimulates hair follicles thus promoting hair growth and improving the texture of the hair which adds shine to dry and damaged hair. It also acts as a natural hair conditioner and has a cooling effect.

Amla oil is made by drying the amla fruit and immersing it in oil which is usually coconut, sesame or mineral oil. The mixture is kept in a container for a few days after which the dried fruits are removed and the oil is filtered and purified for further usage. The oil has a very strong smell often pungent and bitter. It has medium consistency and it usually greenish yellow in color which may change due to the composition of other hair oils in it. Amla oil is applied directly to the scalp and massaged till the tips of each strand of hair in circular motion so that the oil is best absorbed. There are various brands of amla oil like Dabur Amla, Khadi Amla, Fab India Amla, Arogya, Bajaj Brahmi Amla, Ayur Amla, Shanti Amla and many more. However, the best to use would be home-made amla oil.

How to make Amla oil at home:

You will need Dried Amla fruit and Coconut oil

1.     Warm the coconut oil and add the dry amla fruits in the ratio 2:1.

2.     Keep the mixture in a glass container under the sun for a week.

3.     Drain the mixture and your amla oil is ready.

4.     You can add olive oil but in one-third of the quantity.

You may use amla powder or grated amla instead of dry amla. Also you may add reetha, shikakai powder to the mixture for a better effect.

How to apply Amla oil:

1.     Part your hair and pour ample amount of oil on your scalp.

2.     Massage gently with your finger tips for about 15 minutes. It should give you a cooling effect.

3.     Leave the oil for about 2-3 hours.

4.     You also can wrap a warm towel or keep it over night to allow the oil to enter your hair follicles.

5.     Rinse thoroughly.

Shampoo and condition your hair well to avoid any smell.

MUSTARD OIL

Mustard oil is the most commonly used oil in Indian household.  It is made from the seeds of mustard plant or ‘sarson’ in Hindi and is scientifically known as Sinapis hirta. It is also mixed with water, lemon and other ingredients to make a thick paste commonly known as mustard sauce. The mustard seeds are used as spices in Indian cooking. This oil is used for cooking, body massage and even as hair oil. The vegetable and essential oil is made by pressing and grinding the mustard seeds respectively. A pure mustard oil is dark yellow in color with a pungent and a very strong smell which is due to the presence of allyl isothiocyanate, an activator. The vegetable oil is very thick in consistency and often the most preferred oil for cooking in the northern and eastern part of India. The oil can be produced from black, brown or white mustard. Mustard oil if used in the right quantity due to its high acidic nature is very good for heart and prevents cardiovascular diseases. Mustard oil is also used as massage oil for infants in India. It is said to stimulate growth and provide strength to the muscles.  It also helps in relieving joint pain, cold, reducing risk of cancer, stimulate digestion and has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.  It reduces tan and dark spots, lightens skin tone, acts as a sunscreen, stimulates sweat glands, and treats rashes and infections. It has zero carbohydrate and very less fat. Mustard oil has very high importance in religious activities of Hindus as well. It is very thick in consistency and used in lighting earthen and brass lamps to please Indian Gods and Goddesses and acts as an essential ingredient in traditional gatherings in Indian culture. It is also used in Indian musical instruments such as Dholak and dholki to add weight to the bass membrane.

Mustard oil is very beneficial for hair as well. It is often used in diluted form by mixing it with other hair oils. It is warm so is very beneficial and best suited for winter season. Massaging your scalp with mustard oil stimulates hair growth as it increases blood circulation in the roots of the hair. It is high in beta-carotene which converts itself into Vitamin A, excellent for hair growth.  It also contains fatty acids, iron, magnesium etc all important for hair growth. Mustard oil darkens the hair naturally thus preventing premature greying. It prevents scalp infections by combating fungal growth. It also acts a hair vitalizer and fights against hair loss, dandruff and baldness by keeping the scalp hydrated. It also treats dry and damaged hair. Warm mustard oil can be combined with olive, coconut and almond oils for a perfect massage for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner after 2-3 hours to get excellent lustre and result. There are various brands which manufacture mustard hair oil like Nyle, Dhara, Dabur, Arogya, Hair and Care, Ayur, Khadi, Fortune and so on.

MAHABHRINGRAJ OIL

Bhringraj oil is also an Indian ayurvedic oil used for improving hair and body ailments. Bhringraj oil contains an extract of Bhringraj plant, scientifically known as Eclipta Alba and a natural oil, usually sesame or coconut. It is a part of the Asteraceae family and also known as false daisy. Few other names are Babri, Galagara, Gunta-kalagara, Kaikeshi, Karisha-langanni, Karisirang-kanni, Kesharaji, Kesuri, Kesuria, Kesutti, Maka and Mochkand. It is a weed which grows in moist places in warm temperature and tropical areas worldwide. It has white color solitary flowers. It grows throughout India and South-western America.  It is abundantly found in India, China, Thailand and Brazil. It has a bitter, sharp and dry taste. It is greenish in color and has a distinct but not a strong smell and thus fades away unlike other hair oils. The plant is rich in protein and has antibacterial, anticancer and antioxidant properties. Bhringraj is said to treat health problems such as difficulty in sleeping, rejuvenate teeth, eye sight, memory, bones and hearing as well. It also improves complexion and skin disorders. Studies have shown that Bhringraj helps in treating high blood pressure and diabetes. If mixed with salt it also relieves burning urine sensation. In Ayurveda Bhringraj root is used to treat hepatitis. It is also said to prevent repeated miscarriage, abortion and used to treat post delivery uterine pain and bleeding. The extract from its leaves are used to expel worms from infants. Bhringraj oil has anti ageing properties and brings relief in piles. Since it is an anti oxidant it is used to treat hyperacidity and stomach ailments.  There are a variety of brands selling Bhringraj oil nowadays like Dabur Mahabhringraj oil, Khadi Bhringraj tel, Biotique Bhringraj oil, Neev Bhringraj oil, Aloe Veda, Baidyanath Bhringraj tel, Nurture Mahabhringraj oil to name a few.

Benefits of Bhringraj oil on hair:

1.       It is a herb used in ayurveda for hair growth.

2.       Rejuvenates and brings back life into dry and damaged hair.

3.       Makes hair darker thus treating greying of hair.

4.       Treats hair fall.

5.       Relieves headache and migraine promoting hair stimulation.

6.       Increases hair thickness and lustre.

7.       Daily massage relieves mental stress.

8.       Prevents dandruff and irritation in scalp.

In order to use Bhringraj oil for hair growth, take ample quantity of warm Bhringraj oil and gently massage your scalp with tips of your fingers for 10-15 minutes.  Leave the oil for about 2-3 hours or overnight for best results. Rinse thoroughly with a mild shampoo.

You can also use Bhringraj leaves or Bhringraj powder to make oil at home. Heat coconut oil or sesame oil and add Bhringraj leaves or powder to it. Bring the mixture to boil for about five minutes. Once done, strain the mixture and allow it to cool. Your home-made Bhringraj oil is ready for use.