Ayurvedic Products For Hair Growth

Ayuvedic medicine originates in India and is one of the world's oldest medical traditions, according to the National Institutes of Health Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The ultimate goal of ayurvedic medicine is to promote healthy balance of the body, mind and spirit. Ayurvedic practitioners frequently use herbs and natural products for healing physical and mental conditions. Some Ayurvedic products are said to help with hair growth, although there is not much scientific evidence to support these claims. Consult your doctor before using any herbal remedy.

Licorice

According to Dr. D.J. Verret in his book, "Patient Guide to Hair Loss and Hair Restoration," licorice is one of the herbs frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat hair loss. Licorice root is thought to stimulate hair growth, although there is not much scientific evidence to support this claim. Ground licorice root is mixed with castor oil and applied to the scalp as an Ayurvedic hair-growth and hair-loss treatment. In an alternative method, licorice can also be mixed with milk and applied to the scalp in the same manner. You can purchase commercially-prepared hair growth products containing licorice root online and in some herbal and health food shops.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a commonly used ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine. It is frequently used as a treatment to promote hair growth due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties. According to P.K. Chattopadhyay in "Herbal Cosmetics and Ayurvedic Medicines," coconut oil is frequently mixed with castor oil and perfumes to make an Ayurvedic hair-growth oil for use in scalp massage. Commercially-prepared Ayurvedic hair growth products often combine coconut oil with the Indian herb neem, which is well-known in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to encourage hair growth, although more scientific research is needed to support this claim. These products are available in many drug stores and online.

Bhringaraj

Bhringaraj is an Indian herb that has a variety of uses in Ayurvedic medicine. According to Verret, a 2008 hair-growth study on rats by Indian researchers compared the effects of topical application of bhringaraj extract against the topical application of the hair growth drug minoxidil. The study showed that the rats experienced more hair growth when bhringaraj was applied. Commercially-prepared Ayurvedic hair-growth oils containing bhringaraj extract can be purchased online and in herbal and health food stores. These oils may help to improve hair growth by nourishing the scalp and hair follicles.