Hair Care
The structure of hair is
like the scales on the skin of a fish that has overlapping scales around
a central core called the cortical. Smoother overlapping more shiny and
smooth the hair looks. This also leads to easy combing while a tangled
or roughed-up structure makes the hair look rough and dull.
Diet and lifestyle are two
major factors that influence the health of the hair. 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. spoil the hair.
In an individual the condition
of the hair is a reflection of the complete constitution of him. If the
person is not healthy then the health of the hair will be deplorable.
Example: If a person has
vata constitution, the hairs are dark, dry, coarse, wiry or frizzy and
tend to tangle easily, are prone to dullness, split ends and dandruff.
The constitution comprising of Pitta has hair that is light brown, blonde
or red and tend to grow gray or thin prematurely and are fine and silky
with a tendency to become oily. Hairs are thick, wavy and shiny if the
composition is of kapha.
Regularly cleaning and brushing
the hair is very important. 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.
Some common hair related
problems are as follows:
Dandruff
Dry skin flaking off the
scalp and itchiness is referred to as dandruff. The aggravation of Vata
generally causes this dryness.
Remedies
Add 1 teaspoon of camphor
to half a cup of coconut or neem oil. Store it in glass container. 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 one part of lemon juice
with two parts of coconut oil. Massage into the roots of the hair regularly.
Dosage: Wash with warm water
after three to four hours or leave overnight.
Hair loss
when the amount of hair lost
grows higher than the normal hair fall that takes place due to the change
in environment, increasing age or growth of new hairs, it is referred to
as hair loss problem that needs special care. 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, 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.
Premature graying of hair
Graying of hair is a natural
process that happens with 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.
Itchy scalp
Aggravation of Pitta dosha,
stress, allergic reaction to shampoo, air conditioning, pollution and central
heating lead to an itchy and red scalp, with tiny pimples or sores, dull
and dry hair.
Remedies
Add 1 teaspoon of camphor
to half a cup of coconut oil and store it in glass container.
Dosage: Massage this oil
into the scalp before bed.
Grind some jasmine roots
with lime juice. Wash the hair and scalp with it. The causes for these
hair conditions are as follows:
Excess of Pitta dosha in
the body is the chief cause of hair problems.
Excessive intake of tea,
coffee, alcohol, meats and excessive smoking.
Eating too much fried, oily,
greasy, spicy, sour and acidic foods.
Intake of too many chemical
medicines, low blood circulation, anemia, general weakness after disease,
stress, anxiety and mental tension.
Chronic diseases like typhoid
fever, presence of dandruff or lice and hormonal imbalance.
Treatment
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.
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. |