Diet and lifestyle are two major factors that influence on hair are Poor diet, illness and deficiencies of any particular vitamin and mineral affects the quality of hair and problems like dandruff, thinning hair, balding, premature graying etc.
First find out Constitution and hair
Vata constitution: dark, dry, coarse, wiry or frizzy and tend to tangle easily, are prone to dullness, split ends and dandruff.
Pitta: Has hair that is light brown, blonde or red and tends to grow gray or thin prematurely and are fine and silky with a tendency to become oily.
Kapha: Hairs are thick, wavy and shiny if the
Causes for bad hair conditions:
- Excess of Pitta dosha.
- Excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, meats and excessive smoking.
- Fried, oily, greasy, spicy, sour and acidic foods.
- Intake of too many chemical medicines, low blood circulation, anaemia, general weakness after
disease, stress, anxiety and mental tension. - Chronic diseases like typhoid fever, presence of dandruff or lice and hormonal imbalance.
Regularly cleaning and brushing
When the hairs are brushed, oil-producing glands in the scalp get stimulated. This natural oil makes the hair glossy and healthy. To give extra shine to the hair, after washing rinse the hair with some lemon juice mixed in a cup of warm water.
Dandruff
Dry skin flaking off the scalp and itchiness is referred to as dandruff. (Vata)
- Add 1 teaspoon of camphor to half a cup of coconut or Neem oil. Dosage: Massage this oil into the scalp before bed.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of castor, mustard and coconut oil each and massage into the scalp.
- Mix 1 part of lemon juice with 2 parts of coconut oil. Massage into the roots of the hair regularly. Dosage: Wash with warm water after 3 to 4 hrs or leave overnight.
Hair loss
Improper or poor diet, exposure to a lot of chemicals or cosmetics, hormonal imbalance, stress, anxiety and mental tension are some causes of hair loss.
Remedies
- Massage the scalp gently with coconut or almond oil daily for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Boil Neem leaves in water. Cool it and strain and rinse hair with it.
- Increase green leafy vegetables, salads, milk, fruits and sprouts in the diet.
- Take more proteins, milk, buttermilk, yeast, wheat germ, soya beans, whole grains and nuts.
- Massage the scalp gently with coconut or almond oil daily for 10 to 15 minutes.
Premature graying of hair
Natural process: Increasing age, but if the hair starts graying before the age of 35, it is termed as premature graying that occurs due to the aggravation of Pitta dosha. Excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, meat, fried, oily, greasy, spicy, sour, and acidic foods increases pitta and leads to graying prematurely.
Remedies
Apply a paste made from 2-Tsp. henna powder, 1-tsp. curd, 1-tsp. fenugreek seed powder, 1 tbsp. coffee, 2-tbsp. mint juice and 2-tbsp. basil juice. Apply this paste to the hair for two hours. For a darker color, leave this paste in for 3 to 4 hours. Wash hair with any natural shampoo.
- Grate some fresh ginger. Mix with honey and place it in a jar. Eat 1 tea spoon everyday.
- Use natural shampoo or soap to clean the hair.
- Use amla (embilica officinalis), Shikakai (Acacia concinna) for washing the hair.
- Enhance oiling and massaging of scalp.
- Use coconut oil or mustard oil at least three times in a week.
- Hair Treatment
- Use medicated oils like ‘Mahabhringraj oil’, ‘Amala oil’ and ‘Arnica oil’. Put oil on the scalp and massage gently in the roots of the hair.
- Maintain a regular bowel movement everyday.
- The diet should contain more green leafy vegetables, salads, milk, fruits and sprouts. Take more proteins, milk, buttermilk, yeast, wheat germ, soybean and vitamin A.
- Do regular physical exercise.
A special Ayurvedic preparation made from Bhringraj (Eclipta elba), Amala, corals, iron and black sesame seeds is very useful and even stops the graying of hair.
Rub the scalp vigorously after washing the hair. It increases the blood circulation, and activates the sebaceous glands.
A mixture of lettuce and spinach juice is good to drink to induce hair growth. The juice of alfalfa mixed with that of carrot, and lettuce juice is also good to take.
Daily application of coconut oil mixed with lime- juice on the hair is also beneficial. Applying juice of green coriander leaves on the head is also good.
Washing the hair with a paste of cooked Urad dal (black beans) and fenugreek (methi) 2-3 times a week.
A paste of licorice made by grinding it in milk can be applied in the bald patches. It induces hair growth. A paste of seeds of lemon and black pepper may also be applied on the bald patches.
