Everything You Need To Know About Ayurvedic Treatments For Hair Falls

As seen above, Ayurvedic treatments, both preventive and curative, depending on the three Doshas seen above. In relation to hair fall, we will be looking at the Pitta dosha closely and ways to manage it. FYI, it is quite common to lose about 80 to 100 strands of hair every day. So, as long as your scalp is replacing the fallen strands you should not stress out too much about your hair. However, if you do notice excessive and visible hair fall, you might want to figure out why and deal with the underlying cause. Here's everything you need to know about Ayurvedic treatments for hair fall...

In Ayurveda, Pitta (fire) is considered to be the root factor that governs skin and hair health. An imbalance of the same (excess Pitta) can lead to issues like premature hair loss and early greying. The Dosha causes your hair follicles to heat up; it is also related to stress-induced hair fall in a similar manner. It is further aggravated by warm climates, high metabolisms, high body temperatures, acidity, reflux and general irritability of moods. Ayurveda says balancing the Pitta Dosha, by cooling it down, can help with hair loss; read on find out exactly how.

In Ayurveda, the key to balancing your Pitta is through a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Some of the recommended ways to 'cool down' the fire in your body are:

1. Avoid spicy and pungent foods that can be upsetting your digestive system. Indulge in cooling foods like milk, yoghurt, and grains.
2. Consume a balanced diet of animal products, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts, whole grains, carrots and even probiotics. Have set eating times and do not skip meals as it can lead to further digestive issues.
3. Fried and fermented foods are also known to lead to Pitta imbalance. Replace pore-clogging oily foods with fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain scalp health. It is best to avoid foods like pickles, vinegar, wine, and sour fruits as much as possible to avoid overheating your body.
4. Include meditation, yoga and breathing exercises in your daily routine to help manage high-stress levels that can contribute to the imbalance of Pitta.
5. Practice on building yourself a proper sleep routine that includes ample amounts of restfulness to help you wake up feeling relaxed. Focus on cool environments for your sleep as the time can be used by your body to repair itself in ways that it cannot do throughout the day.

Abhyanga, the Ayurvedic practice of massaging your hair with hot oil can be highly beneficial in combating Pitta-imbalance-induced hair fall. Regular hot oil massages can help boost the blood circulation in your scalp. The practice is recommended to get properly nourished hair follicles that help fight daily damage and inhibit hair loss. You could also DIY a hot oil massage at least twice a week. You can either use pure coconut, Bhringraj or Brahmi oil, or a carrier oil blended with essential oils like rosemary, lavender or juniper. The oil should be lukewarm to just about help maximize absorption without burning up your head. Massage with gentle pressure for about 15 minutes, keep for 2-3 hours and wash off with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.

Hair masking with cooling ingredients can help bring down the heat levels of your scalp and curb hair loss in the process. Some of the popular Ayurvedic hair masks are made with Amla, or amalaki (Indian gooseberry), shikakai and aloe vera - all of which help neutralise the heat on your scalp which makes your hair shiny and smooth. While aloe can be directly applied on to the scalp, amla and shikakai can be used for hair fall in the form of powders mixed with water or yoghurt. Leave your cooling masks on for 30 minutes to an hour and wash with a gentle, no-baddies cleanser. Make sure to mask at least once a week to make the best use of this practice.

DIY cleaners treated with Ayurvedic herbs can be a good way to calm irritated and heated scalps. These herbs also work towards nourishing your scalp and do not strip it of its natural oils while cleaning it. Some of the popular medicinal herbs known to make for amazing hair cleansers are reetha, methi (fenugreek seeds), and triphala. Enriched with antibacterial properties and nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, iron, calcium, potassium, and folic acid, these DIY cleaners can help boost scalp health from the first wash. All you need to do is soak them in water, leave it overnight and rinse or shampoo with the strained solution in the morning. For best results, alternate your regular shampoos with these DIY hair cleaners and follow up with a hydrating conditioner every single time.

**A. **Yes, since Ayurvedic remedies are all-natural, they should not be causing any adverse effects when combined with your regular routine. Having said that, if you are on medication for a more serious hair concern, like alopecia, it is recommended to strictly follow the routine prescribed by your doctor, and not self-indulge in natural remedies as well. Ayurvedic treatments for hair should be preventive in nature, instead of trying to fix a medical condition that only expert professionals should be dealing with.

**A. **The DIY Ayurvedic remedies mentioned above are all-natural, but still, need proper storage rules to avoid spoilage. One of the precautions to take while storing these remedies is to use glass or any non-metallic container. You also need to keep them away from sunlight, so either stores them in a cabinet or use dark exteriors for storage. Also, try and limit plastic use while storing or applying these remedies as the ingredients can be corrosive in nature. One tip often doled out by experts is to store these vials in wooden boxes. So if you are a frequent user, it will be a good idea to invest in a nice wooden box for long-term use.

**A. **Since Ayurvedic head massages are usually accompanied by steaming or hot oils, they do pose the danger of developing bacteria if left on your scalp for too long. So, it is often recommended to leave Ayurvedic oils for a couple of hours and wash them off as they get easily absorbed and do not need to be left overnight to work their magic.