Do you want lustrous, thick and beautiful hair that defies age? Then treat your tresses to a divine tonic. Gifted by nature for antiaging and longevity, the Amalaki or Indian gooseberry can work wonders for your mane.
Read on to understand how to use amla for hair and reap its many benefits.
Highlights:
Is Amla Good For Hair Growth?
Ayurveda considers amla as a ‘divya aushadhi’, recommending it to restore your hair's lost beauty and vigor. Its therapeutic effects can make your hair healthier, with a long-lasting darker shine.
In Ayurveda, your body's health (including hair) is dependent on the three doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. If any dosha exceeds its normal range or transfers to a place where it is not needed, it leads to an imbalance and simultaneously causes hair fall. Amla is a fruit that balances all the three doshas in our body, especially Pitta dosha.
Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, says, “Though general imbalances of doshas cause hair loss, excess Pitta dosha majorly affects your hair. Pitta manages the metabolism in your hair follicle cells, which includes the production of proteins and pigment. Its imbalanced state can trigger thinning and greying of hair. Amla's fiber content can help improve metabolic rate in your cells."
She further adds, "Excess Pitta also overheats your hair follicles, causes inflammation in your hair shafts, and damages your hair growth. Amla berry acts as a coolant and reduces excess heat caused by Pitta.”
It is interesting how you can experience 5 out of 6 tastes when you eat amla. Saltiness is an exception. Every flavor of amla impacts your doshas. The goodness of amla works wonders by curing and preventing most hair problems. This is achieved either by ingesting amla or even by using it topically.
|
Dosha Type |
Equilibrium State (Prakriti) |
Imbalanced State (Vikriti) |
Amla |
|
Vata Air + Ether (responsible for movement and motion) |
Combination of curls and straight strands, grows quickly, unruly hair condition, thin or coarse in density. |
Dry, brittle, frizzy, lackluster, split ends, stunted hair growth, falls out in clumps |
Sweetness and sourness pacifies Vata dosha |
|
Pitta Fire + Water (responsible for metabolic activity) |
Soft and straight mane, manageable hair, moderate thickness, very fine strands. |
Premature thinning, greying, damaged hair roots by accumulating excess heat. |
Sweetness and Astringency balances Pitta dosha |
|
Kapha Earth + Water (responsible for strength, structure, and lubrication) |
Thick and fuller volume, wavy, strong, lustrous texture. |
Oily scalp and sticky hair strands. |
Astringency and Pungency mitigates Kapha dosha |
In Mythology, it is said that amla originated from the holy drops of heavenly nectar (Amrita).
Benefits Of Amla For Hair
1. Boosts Growth & Thickens Your Hair
Subcutaneous blood flow is especially crucial during the growth phase of a hair strand's life cycle. Blood circulation ensures that every hair follicle absorbs nutrients and activates hair growth. Amla contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and amino acids that stimulate blood circulation to your hair roots. It inhibits an enzyme called 5alpha reductase [1], which commonly triggers hormonal hair loss.
Amla’s concentrated form of vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis, which strengthens your scalp tissues. Polyphenols in amla proliferate dermal papilla cells of hair follicles, encouraging new hair growth. As hair is a by-product of bone tissue, absorption of calcium is necessary. Intake of amla improves calcium absorption in your body.[2]
2. Fights Scalp Inflammation & Minimizes Premature Greying
Free radicals can damage your cells and cause diseases. Amla is a powerful detoxifier that removes dead cells and helps replace them with new cells. It is rich in powerful antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals and repair damaged cells.
This protects your scalp from inflammation, helps slow down your body's aging process, and promotes the longevity of hair along with healthy growth. Additionally, amla's abundant vitamin C [3] helps oxidize melanin in your hair follicle pigment cells that minimizes premature greying of hair.
3. Improves Hair Quality
Nutrients in amla deeply nourish and condition your tresses. These help to enhance overall hair quality and bring shine and luster to your mane.
Amla is an effective clarifying agent that removes chemical build-up from your hair follicles. It can remove the grime on your scalp, without stripping off your natural moisture levels. This maintains your scalp pH level, which helps prevent dandruff and other scalp diseases.
Tannins in amla protect your hair from heat damage and photodamage. The protein molecule of Keratin, which is the building block of your hair, easily binds with tannins. This provides strength to the hair, preventing hair breakage and split ends. Carotene in amla helps produce sebum, keeping your hair from drying out.
6 Effective Ways Of Using Amla For Hair
1. Amla Oil For Hair Growth
Applying amla with coconut oil works wonders for longer hair. Coconut oil promotes hair growth by balancing Vata Dosha, reducing protein loss, and moisturizing your hair.
A. Take 1/4 kg of dried amla and powder into a smooth paste. You can also use readymade amla powder.
B. Heat 1/2 kg of coconut oil in a saucepan and add the amla powder to it.
C. Boil until it turns brownish and you see powdery particles sink to the bottom of the pan.
D. Close the lid of the pan and put aside until it cools down to room temperature.
E. Store in a container and apply at least thrice a week to your hair.
Vedix Tip: Add sesame seed oil and almond oil to amla oil. Apply the mixture of these oils to repair damaged hair strands.
2. Amla Shampoo To Clear Build-Up
Using reetha and shikakai along with amla powder makes for a perfect shampoo. Reetha pacifies Kapha dosha and removes excess oil and grease from your scalp. Shikakai pacifies Pitta and Kapha and helps remove impure blood blockages from your hair follicles.
A. Take equal quantities of amla, reetha, and shikakai powders and soak in water overnight.
B. Warm the soaked paste on a stove. Turn it off before it starts boiling.
C. Once it cools down, blend it into a pulp and strain it.
D. Use this DIY shampoo to cleanse your hair thoroughly with the natural foam produced by herbs.
3. Amla + Hibiscus Hair Mask For Thickening Your Hair
Hibiscus[4] pacifies Pitta and mitigates Vata and Kapha. It is rich in nutrients that thicken your hair follicles. Combining amla and hibiscus increases your hair density, making it lusciously thick.
A. Pluck a bunch of hibiscus petals and leaves and blend them into a fine paste.
B. Add two tablespoons of amla powder to the hibiscus paste.
C. Bind it with water or coconut oil. Apply it to your scalp and hair and leave it for 30 minutes.
D. Have a cold shower bath before using a shampoo.
E. Choose a herbal shampoo with 100% natural ingredients. This will help retain the benefits or your hair mask.
F. Follow this 1-3 times a week.
4. Raw Amla + Honey Conditioning Hair Pack
Honey pacifies Kapha dosha and deeply conditions your hair. Adding it to amla gives satin-soft texture to your hair.
A. Take organic amlas and blend them into a smooth paste.
B. Buy fresh honey and mix it with the amla paste.
C. Apply it on your entire scalp and spread it evenly from root to tip of your hair. Let it rest on your scalp for 20 minutes.
D. Have a warm shower bath before cleansing your hair with herbal shampoo.
E. Repeat this before every hair wash or at least once a week.
5. Amla + Lemon Anti-Dandruff Hair Mask
Lemon pacifies Vata. It treats dandruff and detoxifies your scalp. Combine amla and lemon to make an excellent medicine for removing dandruff flakes from your hair.
A. Take 1-2 tablespoons of amla juice by straining the pulp after blending amlas.
B. Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
C. Apply the blend to your scalp and leave it for 40-50 minutes.
D. Have a cold shower and cleanse it with herbal shampoo.
E. Follow this process once or twice a week.
6. Amla + Henna Hair Mask For Alleviating Grey Hair
Henna pacifies Pitta and Kapha doshas while balancing Vata. It consists of a dye pigment molecule called lawsone that gives your hair the orange-red tinge. Mixing it with amla can delay the greying process of your hair and enhance its shine.
A. Powder a few dried amlas. You can also buy readymade amla powder and mix 2 tablespoons with henna powder.
B. Take ¼ cup buttermilk or curd if you are a Vata dosha dominant and add it to the mixed powders. If you are a Pitta dominant, use the same amount of coconut milk/cow milk and if you are a Kapha predominant, use aloe vera gel.
C. Spread the paste uniformly on your scalp and hair strands from root to tip. Leave it for 30-40 minutes.
D. Take a shower with cold water before having a herbal hair wash.
E. Follow this process 1-3 times a month.
Can I Apply Amla Juice Directly On Hair?
Yes, fresh amla juice can directly be applied to your scalp and hair. You can leave it for a few minutes to one hour. Remember to apply it only on a clean scalp for best results. Do a patch test on your skin before using it on your scalp to ensure you are not allergic to amla. If your scalp is affected by fungal or bacterial infection, please ask your doctor before using amla on your scalp and hair. [5]
How To Eat Amla For Hair Growth?
There are various ways in which Amla can be consumed. Here are a few suggestions. [6]
1. Raw amla:
Eat one raw amla everyday for three months to boost hair growth. One amla contains 600 to 700 mg of vitamin C. You can sprinkle salt or add honey for taste.
2. Amla juice:
Drinking 2 tbsp of amla juice once a day on an empty stomach helps maintain overall health.
3. Powder/capsule:
If you want to eat it in powder form, take ½ teaspoon twice a day. If you want to take amla in capsule form, please consult your doctor to know the right dose required for you.
4. Other options:
Finally, those who are picky about taste can consume amla as candy and as pickle.
Amla helps you reduce bad cholesterol, which is a factor for hair loss. Regular intake of amla boosts your overall health. But remember that amla contains a concentrated form of vitamin C. Therefore have it in limited quantities.
Side Effects of Amla
The wonderfruit, is however not for everyone. Being aware of the side effects can help.
1. Too much amla consumption can cause liver problems, especially if you take amla with ginger.
2. Amla decreases blood sugar levels. You need to adjust your diabetes medication if you want to add amla to your diet.
3. Amla raises the risk of bleeding. So stop eating amla, if you’re injured. If you're going in for a surgery, stop taking amla for two weeks before and after the surgery.
4. Don't take too much of amla during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The Last Word
Amla amazingly transforms your hair to make it longer, thicker, and lustrous. Tannins present in Amla stabilizes its vitamin C content. Therefore, amla maintains its vitamin C even after it is processed. This is why most Ayurvedic herbal hair care products use amla as the primary ingredient.
Choose the best herbal hair care product to pacify your doshas and beautify your hair. Adding amla to your diet helps boost your immune system in these tough times, benefiting you both internally and externally. To know more about your hair health, do check out the Vedix questionnaire here.
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