According to the Hair Loss Learning Center, hair loss affects approximately 35 million men and 21 million women in the United States. Causes of hair loss can be genetic, or it may be a side effect of medication or illness. AltMD reports that Ayurvedic treatments for alopecia may be preferable to modern pharmaceutical therapies, which do not address the root cause of hair loss.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that originated in India and, according to The Ayurvedic Institute, is commonly considered the oldest living healing science. The term Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words ayus, which means life, and veda, which means knowledge. Ayurveda is therefore considered the science or the knowledge of life. Ayurveda uses a combination of personalized diet plans, lifestyle changes and herbal remedies to promote a balance between the mind, body and spirit.
Alopecia
Alopecia refers to the loss of hair, which can present as male-pattern baldness, female hair loss or alopecia areata, which is marked by broken hairs or hairs that are easily removed. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center alopecia can be caused by aging, genetics, medications such as chemotherapy, illness, malnutrition or in the case of alopecia areata, autoimmune disorders. Common alopecia treatments may include medication or surgical remedies such as hair transplants.
Indralupta
Ayurveda aims to restore imbalances in the body that can lead to disease. Ayurvedic treatments for hair loss, known as Indralupta, focus on addressing imbalances in bone tissue. Indralupta treatments may include the application of topical herbal oils and dietary changes to strengthen bone tissue, such as an increase in milk consumption. Lifestyle changes may also be recommended to reduce stress and boost the function of the immune system. Indralupta may also include the use of oral herbal supplements.
Evidence
Because most scientific studies related to Ayurveda have focused on treatments in isolation rather than examining the effects of a combination of treatments, scientific support of Ayurvedic treatment for alopecia is limited. However, a 1998 study conducted by the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland found that the use of topical oils promoted hair growth in patients with alopecia areata. Oils used in the study included thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood.
Considerations
Talk to your doctor before beginning any herbal treatments, especially if you are taking any medications. When using essential oils on the skin, they must be mixed with a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation or toxic effects. Mix 3 to 6 drops of essential oil with 1 tbsp. of a carrier oil such as jojoba or grapeseed oil and massage into the scalp daily.
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