Complete Ayurvedic Guide for Hair Loss: Herbs, Oils & Diet for Healthy Hair

Your hair fall is not just a cosmetic issue. It is one of the most important signs of deeper imbalances within your body. Nutritional deficiencies, stress, hormonal shifts, and toxins are among the most common internal factors responsible for your hair loss. Some of the visible triggers are excessive dryness, premature greying, and thinning. Today, the market is loaded with products to support your hair care regimen. However, the best Ayurvedic treatment for hair loss takes a deeper insight into the ancient science of life. It offers an inside-out approach rooted in natural harmony.

Finding the best Ayurvedic treatment for your hair loss requires a thorough understanding of how your doshas play a crucial role. These doshas are nothing but your unique mind and body constitution. According to Ayurveda, your hair health closely relates to the internal balance within your body, lifestyle, and stress.

Fortunately, Ayurvedic hair care relies more on the use of powerful herbs and oiling techniques. It offers a customized ritual and dietary wisdom to restore the health of your hair roots.

This blog guides you with the most effective Ayurvedic remedies to stop your hair fall. Using age-old botanicals for internal lifestyle modifications, Ayurveda offers you the necessary guidance for better hair health. Harness the healing powers of Ayurvedic hair care to revive your locks, balance your body, and nurture your mind.

Ayurvedic View of Hair Loss: Root Causes

The health of your hair runs much deeper than what you think and see in your room mirror. According to the Ayurveda texts, your hair is a byproduct of bone tissues or asthi dhatus. It means that your hair is built on the nourishment offered by your body tissues and bones. The healthier and well-supported your dhatus (seven fundamental tissues that make up the human body) are, the stronger, more vibrant, and thicker your hair looks externally. The moment you have a deficiency or a blockage in any dhatu, your hair becomes thin and weak.

Similarly, Pitta, one of the three Ayurvedic doshas, which is made up of fire and water elements, is considered to govern the health of skin and hair. If there is an excess of Pitta in the body, hair can be adversely affected.

Impact of the Pitta Dosha Imbalance on Your Hair Fall

Amongst the tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), Pitta dosha carries the heat and transformation principle. It governs your metabolism, digestion, and all other processes within your body. This processing is quite important for energy conversion.

With a balanced Pitta, you have a healthy and hydrated scalp with stronger roots. However, the moment you aggravate it with the wrong diet or excessive stress, or overexposure to heat or sun, your Pitta level increases scalp heat. This increased heat then leads to inflammation. The moment it turns chronic, it severely damages your hair follicles, speeds up the shedding process of your hair, and triggers premature greying. 

Contributing Factors

Here are the factors responsible for your imbalanced Pitta:

• Emotional Stress: A heightened emotional turbulence is an instant source of an imbalance of Pitta. Frustration, anxiety, and overthinking stir up your internal Pitta and Vata levels, resulting in a disrupted blood flow to your scalp. As a result, you have stunted follicle activity. 

• Poor Digestive Fire (Agni): When you lack a strong digestive power, the nutrients from your food do not break down and assimilate well. It deprives your hair of its essential building blocks. 

• Toxins (Ama): Your accumulated body wastes from undigested food, pollution, and the use of synthetic chemicals block your channels or srotas. These blocked channels further shuttle nutrition to your follicles. 

• Excessive Heat and Sun: Direct exposure to the sun or prolonged scalp treatments with hot products may trigger your Pitta imbalance. 

The result? Hair loss, brittle texture, dullness, and slower growth. 

Scalp Health Mirrors Internal Wellness

Balancing your internal health is, therefore, crucial to having minimal toxins built up. Your scalp stays healthy and well-nourished. It is calmer, composed, and resistant to any form of damage.

External treatments coupled with internal rebalancing work wonders. It helps to detoxify your body and supports your digestion, besides managing your stress levels and cooling down your scalp. Ayurvedic remedies for hair fall focus on the complete approach to treat both your hair and scalp by balancing your internal health.

Thus, Ayurvedic remedies for hair fall fundamentally aim to restore an internal equilibrium. It detoxifies your system and soothes overacting Pitta and offers a sustainable path to healthy and resilient hair growth.

Key Herbs Used in Ayurvedic Hair Care 

The power of Ayurveda lies in its sophisticated botanicals. Many of these have been time-tested for centuries in several herbal hair loss remedies. Here are the key herbs used in the process:

Bhringraj (Eclipta alba) - The King of Hair

Bhringraj or Eclipta alba is also known as ‘The King of Hair’. Ayurveda has deeply revered it for its astonishing effects on hair vitality. Being rich in flavonoids and plant sterols, Bhringraj ignites your dormant hair follicles to encourage new hair growth.

It also addresses your thinning patches and produces a cooling effect to pacify your aggravated Pitta and address your inflamed scalp symptoms. Bhirngraj also works on your scalp itchiness and dandruff by improving your blood circulation at the root level. It is an excellent example of hair nutrition. 

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) - The Root Strengthener

Amla, or Emblica officinalis, is a rich source of Vitamin C. It also contains several natural antioxidants and phytonutrients, which protect your scalp against oxidative stress.

Amla cools down the scalp, soothes inflammation, and imparts a remarkable shine and softness to your hair. You can use it either as a powder, an oil, or a juice. It produces a fortifying effect to restore the health of your depressed or lifeless hair.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) - The Stress Reliever

Chronic stress is one of the most underestimated contributors to hair fall. Brahmi has been known since ancient times as ‘Herb of Grace’ for its soothing effect on hair fall. It is popular for calming down the nervous system and balancing hair follicles.

There are several Brahmi-induced hair oils and masks available for your scalp health. These remedies are best to soothe redness and support restful sleep. They are also important contributors to your hair growth cycle.

Neem (Azadirachta indica) - The Purifying Defender

Neem or Aadirachta indica is your natural purifying defender. It is the powerhouse of nature’s antimicrobial properties. It cleanses your oily, flaky, and infectious scalp, banishes dandruff, and unclogs your blocked pores. Neem counteracts the impurities or ama to protect your hair follicles from fungal or bacterial attack. In case you are struggling with itchiness or boils, or chronic dandruff, your answer is neem. It restores a healthy and balanced scalp environment. 

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) - The Regenerator

Hibiscus or Hibiscus rosa-sinensis blossoms and leaves have amino acids and alpha-hydroxy acids or AHAs. They are also rich sources of vitamins A and C. The plant wakes up your ‘sleeping or dormant follicles’ to boost new hair growth cycles. It also lends a rich color and softness to your hair strands. Hibiscus masks or powder blended with coconut oils speed up visible thickening of hair follicles to promote a youthful bounce. 

Combining these herbs according to your dosha levels enhances their potency to reduce side effects. For example, if you have an oil-prone scalp, you have a Kapha dominance. A neem and hibiscus combination is the best remedy in this case.

Bhringraj, Brahmi, and Amla combination works wonders on dry and heated scalps. Such herbal hair loss remedies are the backbone of Ayurvedic mechanisms to revitalize your hair.

Best Ayurvedic Oils for Hair Fall

Now, after exploring herbal hair loss remedies, let's move on to the best Ayurvedic oils for your hair fall.

Ayurvedic oiling is central to your hair loss treatment. In Ayurveda, oiling is not just about conditioning your hair follicles. It is a therapeutic ritual to restore the imbalanced doshas of your scalp and activate your blood flow.

The moment this happens, it nourishes your hair deep down. While there are several oils available in the market, you need to understand which mixture of the base oils and botanical infusions will work for you. 

Top Ayurvedic Oils

Here are the top Ayurvedic oils to improve hair health:

Bhringraj Oil:

Bhringraj oil is prepared by slowly cooking the leaves of the Bhringraj plant. A cold-pressed sesame or coconut oil is used as a carrier oil for this purpose.

The formula is popular to tackle even the chronic or hereditary hair fall types. It prevents the premature greying process of hair and eases an inflamed scalp.

Neelibhringadi Oil:

Neelbhringadi oil is a complex concoction made from Indigo (Neeli), Amla, Bhringraj, Coconut oil, and Licorice. It is meticulously crafted for its maximum potency.

The oil reverses the signs of premature greying to thicken your roots and cool your overly heated scalp.

Jatamanasi-Infused Sesame Oil:

Jatamanasi powder and sesame oil produce both antistress and neurosedative effects. It is an ideal pick for you if you overdo your work, are an insomniac, or deal with infrequent anxiety issues.

The Warm Oiling Method

Follow the steps below and experience the benefits of the warm oiling method:

• Select the hair oil that works best for you. Gently heat it by placing the oil bottle in hot water. Ensure that water is actually lukewarm and not too hot.

• Partition your hair and massage the slightly warmed oil generously on your scalp. Use your finger pads to apply a slight pressure on your scalp. Rotate your finger pads in a circular motion or outward motion. 

• Work oil throughout the length and tips of your hair follicles.

• Leave the oil for at least 1-2 hours on your scalp and hair. An overnight application might offer additional benefits.
  
  

Weekly Routine

Follow a weekly routine for hair oiling. Here’s a snapshot of it:

• Oil your hair at least 2-3 times a week. This is ideal for you if you have normal to dry scalps. If you have oily scalps, go for once a week warm oiling. 

• Always wash your oiled hair with a natural and sulfate-free shampoo. This shampoo helps to eliminate the residue left on your scalp.

• If you want deep nourishment, wrap your head in a warm towel after you are done with your oiling procedure. In this way, you open up your clogged pores to enhance absorption through them.

Regularly using the best Ayurvedic oil for hair loss nourishes your scalp from within. 

Ayurvedic Scalp and Hair Masks

Hair masks work wonders for both your scalp and strands. They are best to restore hair moisture, provide nutrition, and create a pH-balanced environment for proper hair regrowth. 

Natural Ayurvedic hair mask recipes are gentle on your hair. You can customize them the way you want. Here are a few natural Ayurvedic hair mask DIY remedies:

Amla + Fenugreek + Yoghurt Mask

Amla fortifies your hair roots with its vitamin C and antioxidants. Fenugreek helps to deliver essential proteins and nicotinic acid for your hair growth. Yoghurt soothes and softens your scalp to prevent dandruff.

How Should You Use It:

Mix two tablespoons of Amla powder, one tablespoon of Fenugreek powder, and enough yoghurt to achieve a creamy texture. You can even use ground soaked seeds in place of Fenugreek powder.

Apply this creamy mask to your hair and scalp and leave it for 30 to 45 minutes. Rinse it with lukewarm water.

Neem + Aloe Vera + Tulsi Mask

Neem’s antimicrobial properties help clear your dandruff and calm down your scalp itchiness. Aloe vera, on the other hand, keeps your scalp deeply hydrated. It also cools your scalp down. Tulsi, or holy basil, helps your scalp to fight off infection.

How Should You Use It:

Blend two tablespoons of neem powder or paste with two tablespoons of freshly prepared Aloe vera gel. Add one tablespoon of Tulsi powder.

Apply this mask to your hair and scalp. Leave around 30 minutes and then wash it off. 

Brahmi + Hibiscus Powder + Coconut Milk Mask

Brahmi works to soothe your stress levels. Hibiscus helps to wake up your dormant follicles, and coconut milk keeps your scalp hydrated. It also adds increased softness and shine to your scalp and hair.

How Should You Use It: 

Mix the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it to your hair and scalp and wash off after 30 minutes.

How Often Should You Use A Hair Mask

Use a natural Ayurvedic hair mask about 1-2 times a week. Make sure that you apply it to freshly washed or damp hair to increase its absorption. Wrap your hair in a warm towel to enhance nourishment.

Regular use of these masks not only strengthens your existing hair but also revives dormant hair roots. It improves your overall hair texture and shine – a simple, yet holistic ritual in your Ayurvedic hair care journey.

Ayurvedic Scalp Rituals: Massage, Detox, and Balance

Ayurvedic scalp treatment is not just restricted to topical application. It is also about stimulating your senses, harmonizing your prana or life force, and clearing both your visible and subtle scalp blockages and energy systems.

Abhyanga (Self Massage) Before Hair Wash

A daily or weekly head massage with warm oil soothes your scalp to boost its follicular activity.

Start from your crown. Work your way towards your temples and nape using your fingertips. Give it a gentle kneading massage. It works wonders by increasing your microcirculation and easing your tensed nerves. It also helps you loosen your dead scalp skin, allowing more nutrients to penetrate deep down.

Nasya (Nasal Oil Application) for Hormonal and Emotional Balance

There are a lot of medicated nasal drops available these days. Administering medicated Nasya drops just 5-10 minutes before you go for a shower or a steam offers a surprising effect. It is quite beneficial in lubricating your nasal tissues to calm down your emotional turbulence.

According to Ayurvedic literature, Nasya helps to influence the balance between both reproductive and stress hormones involved in the process of promoting hair growth and preventing further hair loss.

It is always advisable to use Nasya oil or Anu Taila, preferably under the guidance of an expert, especially when you are using it for the very first time. 

Shirodhara (For Severe Stress or Burnout)

You might have heard about Shirodhara for relieving severe stress and burnout symptoms. It is quite frequently used in clinical or spa settings. Shirodhara is a procedure that involves the use of a continuous flow of warm and herbalized oil over your third eye region or the centre of your forehead. It plunges you into a deep state of relaxation. Moreover, it is a reset for you if your hair issues coincide with your overwhelming stress, anxiety, and insomnia levels.

Herbal Scalp Steam

Post-oil massage, steam your hair with a warm towel draped over your head and a bowl of hot neem or Hibiscus leaf-infused water. It opens up your pores to help your scalp ‘drink-in’ herbal actives that you supply externally. It facilitates your scalp detoxification process to soften your crusty scalp for easy removal.

Such Ayurvedic scalp treatments are usually subtle but powerful. They open your blocked energy channels or marma points to release the pent-up tensions and lay the foundation to generate stronger hair. Consistency is the key to facilitating these self-hair care rituals as much as your routine habits.

These Ayurvedic scalp treatments work actively on boosting your scalp circulation. They drive away the toxins to recharge your hair follicles for renewing your hair growth cycle.

Daily Ayurvedic Routine for Hair Health (Dinacharya)

Ayurveda teaches you how achieving regularity in your daily rituals brings mastery over doshas. Here are Ayurvedic tips for hair regrowth:

1. Early Morning Routine

Wake up before the sun knocks on the panes of your window. Brahma-Muhurth time is between 4:30 and 6:00 am. This time is the most ideal to optimize your hormonal cycle. Gently brush your scalp with your fingertips.

If your skin is sensitive, fingertips are the best. Otherwise, you can use a wooden comb for a normal scalp. Both techniques awaken your sleeping nerve endings to increase the blood supply to your scalp and prana to your hair follicles.

2.  Daily Scalp Nourishment

The next step is to massage a few drops of nourishing oil on your scalp. You can pick either Bhringraj or Brahmi oil. Schedule your massage activity either in the morning or evening. A minute of focused massaging is enough to stimulate your hair follicles.

3. Clean, Warm Meals

Cold foods, raw and processed snacks, and leftovers clog your srotas to impair your digestive fire. It is therefore essential that you switch to nourishing and freshly prepared food that supplies the essential building blocks for your hair. 

You can pick up soups, stews, soft grains, or khichdi for this purpose.

4. Herbal Water for Hydration

Herbal water is an excellent pick for hydrating your hair and scalp. Sip in warm water infused with cooling and cleansing herbs such as coriander, fennel, and mint throughout the day.

This flushes out harmful toxins built up in your body to soothe your Pitta levels.

5. Regular Mask and Massage Sessions

Apply a deep Ayurvedic hair mask once or twice a week. It is good to use it after washing your hair properly.

Give a full head massage to your scalp with oil at least once a month. This oiling acts as a restorative therapy.

6. Pranayama and Mindful Rest

Include 10-15 minutes of daily pranayama or meditation in your routine. Alternate-nostril breathing or deep belly breathing are some of these techniques. Pranayama and meditation techniques help to keep a check on your stress hormone levels.

They also facilitate your internal hair health healing process. Nevertheless, make it a habit to sleep at around 10 pm. This sleeping habit induces a good night's sleep to allow your hair tissues to undergo natural repair and rejuvenate your hair follicles overnight.

By weaving all these steps together, you create a fertile ground for your natural hair regrowth. Ayurvedic tips for hair regrowth work in harmony with each other and with your external care to elevate the beauty and overall wellness of your hair follicles.

Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations

Supporting internal wellness is crucial to stopping hair fall. No matter which quality of topical regimen you follow, what you eat, or how you live, your hair is bound to undergo changes with your lifestyle choices.

Pitta-Pacifying Diet

Aggravated Pitta levels are the prime triggers for modern hair fall types and an inflamed scalp. Focus on providing your scalp with the foods and flavors to cool, moisten, and stabilize your scalp’s pH and environment.

Reduce or avoid:

• Spicy, fermented, fried, oily, or overly acidic dishes (hot peppers, garlic, onions, pickles, vinegar, caffeine).

• Processed snacks and excessive sugar.

Include plenty of:

• Ghee (clarified butter): Lubricates tissues and calms internal heat.

• Milk (ideally organic, warm, and spiced): Provides protein, calcium, and a grounding effect.

• Amla: Whether fresh, dried, or as a powder, amla addresses dryness and dandruff issues.

• Curry leaves: They help promote hair growth and prevent hair graying. You can add them to soups, stews, or ghee blends to harness hair regrowth and pigment-preserving benefits.

• Soft, cooked proteins: Moong dal, red lentils, and tofu supply essential amino acids.
  
  

Lifestyle Shifts

Adjusting your lifestyle habits also contributes to the betterment of your hair and scalp health. Adhere to below lifestyle shifts below:

• Sleep schedule: Make a habit of going to bed sharp by 10 pm. This sleeping pattern allows your brain and body time to repair.

• Screen time: Limit your eye exposure to blue light in the evenings. This helps to keep your melatonin levels cycling healthily.

• Stress management: A 15-minute deep breathing, yoga, and mindfulness walking activity is a great stress buster. It highly reduces your stress-induced hair loss.

• Exercise: Mild and regular movement, such as walking, swimming, or gentle yoga, enhances your microcirculation to deliver more and more essential nutrients to your scalp.

Remember that your mental and emotional well-being is as important as your physical health. Reserve some time in your day to laugh, socialise, and be alone. All these are dosha-balancing rituals in their own way.

Incorporating these dietary and lifestyle adjustments with your chosen ayurvedic hair care essentials lays the groundwork for inner health to keep your scalp calm and your hair roots vibrant. It also boosts new hair growth that may last longer.

FAQs

Q1. Which dosha causes hair loss most frequently?

Pitta dosha is the main culprit of hair loss. When you have excessive Pitta manifesting in your body, it increases your scalp heat and sends out signals of burning sensation. This leads to early greying, thinning, and even induces a patchy hair loss. 

It is the phase where many of Ayurvedic remedies for hair fall are designed to soothe your scalp, purify your blood, and stabilize your internal digestive fire.

Q2. Can Ayurvedic treatment regrow hair on bald spots?

Ayurveda primarily focuses on restoring your imbalanced doshas. It eliminates the toxic buildup within your body to stimulate your dormant follicles. Ayurveda relies on its age-old and proven herbal activators for this purpose. Herbal activators manifest well when you use them in conjunction with Ayurvedic scalp treatments. These consistent scalp rituals for hair loss can help to relieve early signs of hair loss, such as Alopecia areata.

Q3. How long does it take to see visible results with Ayurvedic hair care?

Ayurveda follows a holistic approach. It not only works on your external factors but also treats the underlying root cause and boosts your hair’s gradual rejuvenation. You generally need to follow it religiously for around 8 to 12 weeks to observe significant changes.

Factors such as chronic illness, high stress levels, and the aging process may slow down its progress. However, Ayurvedic scalp treatments and dietary guidance ensure that you follow sustainable improvements to the density and texture of your hair.

Q4. Are Ayurvedic oils safe for daily use?

Ayurvedic oils, when made out of genuine cold-pressed carrier oils and pure herb blends, are usually safe to apply daily. However, your scalp type also matters. Oily scalps require oiling every 2-3 days, while dry scalps need regular oiling. If you are only using a potent herbal blend such as Bhringraj or Neelbhringadi oil, start using them 2-3 times a week. It is always good to do a patch test before trying anything new with your hair care regimen.

Q5. What are the side effects of Ayurvedic treatments for hair fall?

Ayurvedic remedies for hair fall are usually safe as they are naturally composed. Potential side effects could be minimal but include:

• Temporary increase in hair shedding (as weak follicles detach)

• Mild scalp irritation, if allergic to any herb

• Oily residue, if not rinsed thoroughly

It is therefore essential to choose high-quality and authentic Ayurvedic hair care products and practice moderation for the best outcomes. If you feel irritated with your Ayurvedic hair care regimen, discontinue its use and visit your Ayurvedic practitioner.

Integrating the best ayurvedic oil for hair loss, regular ayurvedic scalp treatment, and simple ayurvedic tips for hair regrowth can transform your hair health naturally, with minimal side effects and maximum nourishment.

Final Thoughts

Ayurvedic literature is nothing but a hidden wisdom to teach you that your hair is a reflection of how harmonized you are internally. A holistic Ayurvedic hair care approach integrates potential herbal oils, natural hair care masks, and mindful scalp enhancement rituals. Additionally, you need to focus on incorporating nourishing dietary habits into your daily hair care regimen.

To address hair loss concerns and encourage new hair growth, connect with Traya hair care experts to embrace an Ayurveda, dermatology, and nutritional multidimensional hair care approach to restore your internal balance. Take  Traya’s hair test today and reclaim your confidence with shiny, natural, and lustrous hair that truly looks good deep down.

References:

• https://www.ayurvedacollege.com/blog/asthi-dhatu-bones/
• https://somatheeram.org/en/pitta/
• https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/09/16/bhringraj-eclipta-alba-benefits-usage-dose-side-effects/
• https://www.wjpmr.com/download/article/38082018/1535706575.pdf