Jatamansi For Hair: The Ayurvedic Super Herb!

Do you wish for long, lustrous hair that’s as dark as the colour ebony? Voluminous, shiny black hair represents vitality, beauty, and youth, and it will always remain timeless and in vogue. On the other hand, brown, dull hair looks thin and lifeless, and gives the impression of a lack of good hair care regime and ill health.

If you want to revive your hair health, and retain your natural hair colour with a safer, ayurvedic alternative, then opt for jatamansi for your hair. Scroll down to know more.

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

"Jatamansi, when used in a head massage oil, not only imparts hair benefits, but also improves memory, sleep and cognition."

-Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

Highlights:

• What Is Jatamansi?
• Available Forms Of Jatamansi
• Is Jatamansi Good For Hair?
• Benefits & Usage Of Jatamansi For Hair
• Dosages Of Jatamansi To Be Taken

What Is Jatamansi?

A popular Ayurvedic herb, jatamansi is naturally found in the Himalayan range all year round. It belongs to the Valerian family that ideally grows at higher altitudes of 3000 to 4000 meters above sea. Also, it is classified under the IUCN list of critically endangered species of medicinal plants.

The jatamansi flowers are small and pink coloured, and the plant is bell-shaped. The roots and rhizomes of jatamansi plant are edible and traditionally used in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties.

The oil extracted from the rhizome is nardin, jatamansic acid, and nardal [1]. It is extremely beneficial for treating and managing numerous skin, hair, and health conditions.

Jatamansi has various common names. In Ayurvedic manuscripts, it is called ‘tapaswini’. It is also called ‘Indian spikenard’ in English and ‘jatamamsi’ in Tamil.

Common Names & Uses Of Jatamansi

Available Forms Of Jatamansi

There is a wide range of commercial formulations available for general usage. It is available as whole jatamansi roots, that can be consumed as decoction after boiling in water. It is also available in the powdered form of jatamansi (churna), and as oil extracted from the rhizomes and roots of the jatamansi plant.

The tablet form of jatamansi is essentially root extracts which are commonly available as an ayurvedic formulation.

Is Jatamansi Good For Hair?

As per the ancient and holistic Ayurvedic science, the rhizomes of jatamansi plant are used for extracting and preparing medicinal aromatic oil. This helps to prevent greying and baldness as well as promote hair growth. The roots or powder of jatamansi are generally allowed to soak overnight in coconut or almond oil. The oil is then gently simmered in low heat to prepare a medicinal oil for hair growth.

Some studies have established that topical application of the root and rhizome extracts help accelerate the process of natural hair growth. In one such study, around 30% increase was observed in the time taken for regrowing hair. Active ingredients like jatamansic acid and nardin may be imparting the hair regrowth property.

Jatamansi is traditionally used in Ayurveda for treating and rejuvenating hair due to its wide-range of hair restorative properties including increasing hair volume and improving hair health.

Some of the restorative properties of jatamansi include:

• The roots of jatamansi plant are grinded to form a thick lepa (paste) which is then directly applied onto the scalp to boost hair growth.
• The oil extracted from jatamansi’s rhizomes is extensively used to prevent hair fall and baldness.
• The medicinal oil is also used to darken the hair colour naturally, thereby making it an excellent hair dye [3].
• Jatamansi churna (powdered form) is combined with a suitable carrier oil like coconut oil and applied onto the scalp and hair. It helps naturally condition and moisturize your hair without making it greasy and oily in texture.

Benefits & Usage Of Jatamansi For Hair

Jatamansi is considered to be an edible, medicinal plant that offers therapeutic properties for managing various skin, hair, and health conditions.

A. Ayurvedic Action & Properties Of Jatamansi:

B. Benefits Of Consuming Jatamansi

1. Accelerates hair growth cycle:

The rhizome of jatamansi plant is ingested as a bitter tonic which may help accelerate the hair growth cycle. A few studies have indicated that it helps promote hair growth in individuals with male pattern baldness as well as in cancer patients who have completed their chemotherapy [4].

2. Prevents greying & scalp infections:

Applying the medicinal hair oil extracted from the rhizome of jatamansi plant helps prevent greying of hair and manages scalp infections as it is a potent source of antioxidants and antifungal properties.

3. Enlarges hair follicular size:

Jatamansi is beneficial for hair development as it helps prolong the hair growth phase and enlarge the hair follicular size.

4. Boosts hair growth:

Jatamansi oil is a rich source of natural antioxidants [5] which helps boost hair growth on its own as well as when combined with various other potent ayurvedic herbs.

C. Benefits Of Applying Jatamansi Oil

1. Gives shine:

Applying jatamansi oil infused with sesame oil or coconut oil onto your scalp imparts a natural shine and boosts hair growth.

2. Promotes hair follicles:

Castor oil makes your hair naturally thick and strong. When combined with jatamansi oil, castor deeply nourishes your hair and promotes hair follicles to appear on bald areas.

Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix adds, "Jatamansi, when used in a head massage oil, not only imparts hair benefits, but also improves memory, sleep and cognition."

D. Benefits & Usage Of Jatamansi Churna

To promote hair growth as well as manage dandruff and other scalp infections, you may:

1. Mix 200 ml of pure neem oil and 25 gm of jatamansi churna.

2. Leave the oil infused with jatamansi churna for at least 24 hours under direct sunlight. This allows the churna to soak in the neem oil.

3. Gently massage the medicinal oil onto your scalp and leave it overnight for better absorption.

4. Wash your scalp and hair with a mild, herbal shampoo in the morning.

Several studies have established the benefits of using jatamansi for improving hair texture, colour, and health. It is extremely beneficial in minimizing hair fall, reducing split ends, and strengthening hair from its roots.

Hair care and treatment with chemical-laden products may give quick desired results. However, they are not safe and long-lasting. In order to protect your hair from the adverse effects of synthetic hair care products, ayurvedic practitioners recommend using natural, herbal formulations to improve your hair health. These herbal ingredients are safer, mild, and provide long-lasting effects.

Vedix Tip: Jatamansi churna is always consumed along with anupanas (ayurvedic carrier ingredients). Anupana helps in better absorption and assimilation of any ayurvedic herb in the body. When mixed with the right anupana, an ayurvedic herb becomes more effective and potent.

Dosages Of Jatamansi To Be Taken

1. 1 to 3 gms of jatamansi churna may be taken by adults at least twice a day.

2. 2 to 5 drops of jatamansi oil and 1 to 3 gms of jatamansi churna may be taken along with water, ghee, or honey based on your taste and choice.

Important Note:

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid applying or consuming any jatamansi formulation as it may trigger menstrual discharge.

A. Chemical Constituents Of Jatamansi:

Jatamansi contains numerous essential ingredients such as:

• Jatamansone, the primary sesquiterpene
• Actidine, an alkaloid
• Spirojatamoletc, a bitter extract
• Volatile essential oil
• Ketone
• Gum
• Starch
• Sugar

B. Ayurvedic Formulations Prepared With Jatamansi:

The ayurvedic formulations prepared with jatamansi include:

• Aravindasavam
• Dhanwanthararishtam
• Dashanga lepa
• Sarpagandha ghanvati
• Jatamamsyarka

C. Therapeutic Uses of Jatamansi:

In Ayurveda, jatamansi is indicated in

• Vrana Ropana
• Andira
• Manasa Roga
• Visarpa
• Kustha
• Daha

The Last Word

If you wish to have lustrous, long, and dark hair with least maintenance, then jatamansi is your ayurvedic answer. This renowned ayurvedic herb promotes hair growth, prevents male pattern baldness, and restores natural hair colour. It helps promote hair growth by increasing the hair follicular size, thereby allowing thick hair strands to naturally grow. It also helps prevent dandruff and other scalp infections.

Usable in powder or oil form, the benefits of this Ayurvedic herb can be availed by most hair types. However, you can always consult an Ayurvedic doctor to understand its suitability for your hair.