Indian Hair Care Remedies

While many Western hair care remedies rely on chemicals and artificial products that can potentially damage hair and make it weaker, Indian hair care remedies, often associated with Ayurvedic beauty care and medicine, tend to use natural ingredients to help keep hair healthy. However, these treatments have not been approved by the FDA, so consult your doctor before starting any new treatment, natural or not.

Coconut Milk, Lime Seeds and Cedar Essential Oil for Hair Loss

Melanie A. Sachs, author of "Ayurvedic Beauty Care," writes that a mixture of coconut milk, lime seeds and cedar essential oil can be applied to the scalp as a topical treatment for hair loss. To make and use this mixture, combine ¼ cup coconut milk, 2 tbsp. lime seeds and 1 tbsp. cedar essential oil in a blender and puree for 10 to 15 seconds to crush the lime seeds. Pour the mixture over wet hair and gently massage it into the scalp for two to three minutes in the shower. Leave the mixture in for 10 minutes before rinsing with water and washing with your regular shampoo. This treatment can be repeated every day as long as it does not bother your skin or cause any irritation to the scalp. Unused portions of the mixture will keep in the refrigerator for about five days.

Amla Powder and Lemon Juice for Stronger, Fuller Hair

According to Vasant Lad, author of "The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies," a mixture of amla powder and lemon juice can be applied to the hair to help it grow stronger and have a fuller appearance. To make and use this mixture, combine 1 tbsp. amla powder with the juice of one lemon in a small container and shake or stir to dissolve the powder. Gently massage the mixture onto the roots of the hair and scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing and shampooing. This treatment can be used daily as long as it does not bother your skin or have any adverse side effects. Unused portions of this mixture will keep in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Coconut Oil and Olive Oil for Overall Hair Health and Split Ends

Reenita Malholtra, author of "Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach To Health," notes that a mixture of coconut oil and olive oil is commonly used for general hair health and to get rid of split ends. Combine one part coconut oil with one part olive oil in a container with a tight-fitting lid and shake it to combine the ingredients. Massage a small amount of the mixture onto the scalp and roots of the hair and leave it in for one hour before rinsing with cool water and washing with a mild shampoo. This treatment can be repeated daily as long as it does not cause any irritation, and unused portions can be kept in a cool, dark place for up to six months.

References

• "Ayurvedic Beauty Care"; Melanie A. Sachs; 1994
• "The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies"; Vasant Lad; 1999
• "Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach To Health"; Reenita Malholtra; 2007