The constant exposure to social media and its high beauty standards has messed with our head, and hair, right? Firstly, we no longer appreciate or love our natural, god-gifted hair! Moreover, in the bid to achieve frizz-free, smooth, lustrous and celeb-like locks, we end up damaging our hair further by torturing them with styling and chemicals.
The end result: dry, brittle, frizzy and damaged mane along with severe hair loss [1]. But, can Ayurveda save you from such a scenario? “Yes! Ayurvedic herbs come with incredible medicinal benefits. Ayurvedic formulations are rich in vital nutrients that nourish the hair root to tip. They ensure the cuticle stays hydrated and lock-in moisture to prevent frizzing,’’ says Dr. Zeel, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.
Keep reading to understand how Ayurveda can bring your dull and frizzy hair to life while healing the underlying core issues inside out.
Highlights:
How To Know If Your Hair Is Dry?
Dry hair is the result of inactive or ineffective oil glands that fail to produce adequate sebum on your scalp. Dry and frizzy hair problems are often accompanied by dry scalp, split ends and hair loss.
To identify if you have dry hair, just dab your scalp with a tissue on the second day after your hair wash. If the tissue does not have any oil blot mark, then you have a dry hair and scalp condition.
What Causes Dry And Frizzy Hair According To Ayurveda?
In the Ayurvedic system, the unique and individual constitution of a person is derived from the correlation of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas. This constitution type or innate Prakriti predetermines and governs the person’s physical, emotional and mental activities.
According to Ayurveda, an individual with dominant or aggravated Vata dosha is more prone to dry and frizzy hair. Here are some of the main reasons behind an imbalance in Vata dosha.
1. Diet
Vata levels are deranged when the food you intake lacks nutrients [2] essential for undisturbed bodily activities. Thus, even your hair follicles do not receive necessary nutrients, which in turn results in poor sebum production in the scalp, causing dry hair. Eventually, your hair may become thin with split ends and fall out in clumps.
Also, your Vata levels spike when you intake foods that are processed, baked, fried or even staples like urad dal, potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, etc. Thus, your diet plays a very important role in keeping your doshas in balance.
2. Increasing Age
In general, the predominance of Vata dosha in your Prakriti [3] increases as we age. Hence, dry, thin, and lusterless hair is more visible in elderly people in general.
3. Weather
Vata levels are high during summer. “The cuticle is exceptionally prone to dryness during the extremes of weather, especially during summer. Exposure to sun disturbs the Vata dosha levels in the body and saps out moisture, leaving your hair frizzy,’’ says Dr. Zeel.
4. Living Environment
As the wind is a component of Vata, if you live in geographical locations where there are high-speed winds, there can be a natural increase in the Vata dosha level in your body. Also, urban lifestyles that demand high mobility (nature of wind) of an individual contribute to the elevation in Vata dosha.
5. Working Late Night
The period from 2.00 am - 6.00 am is the Vata Kala, when the Vata dosha in your body is in predominance. When you have improper work schedules which demand you to function during Vata Kala, it may cause a severe imbalance in your Vata dosha, which causes dry hair and split ends.
6. Heat Styling
When your hair is exposed to excessive heat from blow-drying, curling, and straightening processes, the natural moisture in your hair strands get stripped away.
7. Chemicals
Chemical-leached hair products like dyes, shampoos, conditioners, etc. contain sulfates and alcohol, which damages the natural oil on your scalp cells. This results in a dry scalp and dry hair.
When you style your hair, a wet hair strand stretches up to 30% and then contracts to 30% when dried, leaving your hair in the style in which it was set. However, dry hair lacks sufficient elasticity and could stretch to only 10% on average when it is wet, making it very difficult to style.
How Does Ayurveda Treat Dry & Frizzy Hair?
1. Regular Scalp Massaging With Ayurvedic Oils
Massaging your scalp and hair regularly with Ayurvedic oils that specifically pacify Vata dosha must be included in your hair care routine. Oils provide nourishment to your scalp while massaging improves the blood circulation. Ensure you massage your scalp with Ayurvedic oils at least twice a week for about 15 minutes.
Ayurveda recommends you to apply hair oil and leave it overnight before you wash your hair the next day with herbal cleaners. Here are a few powerful Ayurvedic herbs that control aggravated Vata dosha, and in turn, dry and frizzy hair.
A. Vidarikand (Pueraria tuberosa)
The holistic herb, Vidarikand (also known as Indian Kudzu) has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners since ancient times to enhance core strength and rejuvenation of the body. While it is well known for its Aphrodisiac properties, Vidarikand excels in calming down aggravated Vata as well as Pitta doshas. Ayurveda suggests Vidarikand as one of the primary herbs that people with Vata constitution need to take regularly.
B. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
The traditional Ayurvedic medicinal herb, Shatavari is heavy and oily in nature, while its oil balances Vata dosha very well. With rich vitamins and minerals, Shatavari provides a grounding and nourishing effect on your scalp that individuals with dry and frizzy hair should aim for.
C. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha, which is also known as Indian ginseng, is popular for its grounding and healing abilities. This works excellently in treating all Vata-related hair problems, especially dry [4] and frizzy hair. As a very high potential drug, you may need to consider hair oils with Ashwagandha in moderate quantities as it may vitiate Pitta dosha.
D. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
Guduchi or Gaduchi, which is commonly referred to as ‘Amrith’ in Ayurveda is one of the most effective herbs that strengthen the nervous system and balance Vata dosha. While it can act as a potential detoxifying agent, it strengthens your hair by neutralizing free radicals with its antioxidant properties.
E. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
Since ancient Ayurvedic age, Brahmi has been a magical herb that is handy for practitioners to treat various disorders caused by instability in all three doshas, especially Vata. It has tremendous potential to treat nervous disorders, dry hair, premature greying and hair loss. A regular scalp massage with Brahmi oil works wonders to treat insomnia.
2. Hair Washing With Ayurvedic Shampoos/Cleansers
Here are few Ayurvedic herbal combinations that act as natural hair cleansers for your dry and frizzy hair.
A. Reetha, Shikakai and Amla (Soap nut+Soap pod+Indian gooseberry)
Boil Reetha, Shikakai, and Amla peel separately for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze the ingredients, strain the juices into a clean bottle and let it cool down to room temperature. Use this liquid as a natural shampoo regularly.
B. Neem
Mix 2-3 tablespoons of dry neem powder and water to make a grainy paste. Wet your scalp and apply the paste thoroughly. After 20-30 minutes, wash your scalp and hair with lukewarm water while massaging your scalp in circular motions with your fingers.
C. Brahmi+Fenugreek+Hibiscus
First, prepare a liquid base by boiling and straining the juices from Reetha and Amla. Now, add Brahmi, Fenugreek, and Hibiscus powders in the liquid base and use it as a herbal shampoo regularly to attain soft and shiny locks.
These herbal cleansers are free of harmful chemicals and do not strip away the natural oils from your scalp even on regular usage, while providing moisture and luster to your hair naturally.
3. Conditioning With Herbal Hair Masks
A. Olive Oil Hair Mask
Mix 2 parts brown sugar with 1 part olive oil to make a scrub like mixture. Now, apply this mixture gently on your scalp and scrub it gently. Spread the left-over mixture into the hair strands and leave it for about 20 minutes before washing off. Applying this hair mask for at least twice a month results in tremendous recovery of your dry and frizzy hair.
B. Yogurt And Honey Hair Mask
Prepare a hair mask by mixing ½ cup yogurt, 1 spoon of honey, and 1 spoon of apple cider vinegar. Now, apply the mask from the roots of the scalp towards the tip end of your hair. Rinse it off after letting it settle on your scalp for about 15 minutes.
C. Banana And Honey Dry Hair mask
Mash one banana while adding 2 tablespoons of honey in it. Whisk it thoroughly to make a fine paste. Apply this mask to your scalp and hair gently. Then, wash it off with cold water after leaving it for about 45 minutes.
D. Aloe Vera Hair Mask
Mix ¼ cup of natural Aloe vera gel and ¼ cup of any carrier oil of your choice. Coconut oil, Almond oil or Argan oil can be the best in combination with Aloe vera. Now, apply this mix throughout your scalp and hair. Leave it for about 20-30 minutes before washing it off with herbal cleaners.
Including any of the above-mentioned Hair masks in your hair care regimen results in faster restoration of your healthy and strong hair.
4. Diet Recommendations
Including foods in the following chart in your diet can help you keep your aggravated Vata dosha in balance, and thus, combat dryness and frizziness, while adding natural shine and moisture to your hair.
|
Food Type |
Foods For Vata |
|
Fruits |
Apples, Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Cherries, Berries, Coconut, Plums, Figs, Pineapples, Grapes, Peaches, Mangoes, Papayas, Oranges, Melons. |
|
Vegetables |
Asparagus, Celery, Carrots, Garlic, Onions (only steamed), Radish, Red Beets, Sprouts (low quantities), Sweet Potatoes, Spinach (low quantities), Tomatoes (low quantities) - all cooked. Note: Do not intake raw vegetables. |
|
Nuts and Seeds |
In high quantities: Almond. In low quantities: Cashews, Pista, Pecans, Sesame seeds, Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, any other nuts. Avoid: Peanuts |
|
Grains |
Wheat, Brown rice, Oats (boiled) |
|
Non-vegetarian Foods |
Eggs, Chicken, Fish and other white meat. |
|
Pulses and Legumes |
Green gram and black lentils. Avoid all other beans. |
|
Sweeteners |
Brown Sugar, Jaggery. |
|
Spices |
All spices can be consumed in small quantities. |
|
Dairy |
Fresh milk, Soy milk, Paneer, Ghee and Tofu. |
|
Oils |
Most of the oils are beneficial for Vata type people. Note: It is always best to opt for organic oils. |
“Vata needs regularity to keep itself in rhythm. Hot, fresh meals eaten at regular times everyday is a sure shot way to ensure vata balance and good hair days,’’ says Dr. Zeel.
Lifestyle Changes
- If you have Vata-predominant Prakriti, avoid practices like fasting, excess physical exertion, strong chiropractic treatments, etc.
- Try to stay in warm and humid places which can be the most comfortable environment for Vata dominant people. Also, minimize working in air-conditioned rooms.
- Avoid washing your hair with hot water. You can use lukewarm water.
- Avoid using heat styling processes [5] and use chemical-free products for your hair.
- Protect your hair with a cap or scarf when you go out in the sun.
Please consult your Ayurvedic Practitioner before administering Ayurvedic herbs or guidelines mentioned in this article.
The Last Word
While dry and frizzy hair could be just symptoms, the actual underlying issue (Vata aggravation) that causes the condition is what Ayurveda fixes. With powerful topical formulations as well as holistic diet and lifestyle recommendations, Ayurveda enables you to leverage your natural healing capacity to the fullest by maintaining your doshas in balance.
Know Your Dosha NowRecommended Products
Was this Article helpful?
- Least helpful
- Most helpful