One of the world's oldest systems of medicine, Ayurvedic treatments originated at least 2,000 years ago in India. Today, Ayurvedic treatments are considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine, often used in tandem with Western medicine. If you're loosing hair, you can try an Ayurvedic treatment to restore your body's balance.
Identification: Ayurvedic Treatment
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ayurvedic treatments are highly personalized, designed for each particular patient. These treatments are designed to restore harmony and balance within the body, promoting wellness as well as healing particular ailments. A practitioner must first evaluate your "prakriti," or constitution, as well as your "doshas," or life forces. The practitioner's goal is to find out which of your three doshas is out of balance and treat them accordingly with massage, breathing exercises, meditation, dietary changes and herbs.
Cause of Hair Loss
According to Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa and Michael Terra in "The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs," hair falling out means your pitta dosha is out of balance. This dosha controls your metabolism, digestion and body temperature. When you have too much pitta, your metabolism and body get overheated. As a result, one of the best cures is simply to cool your body by avoiding stress, heat and intense situations or experiences.
Ayurvedic Treatments
Massaging particular oils into the scalp may also help with pitta-driven hair loss. In "Simple Ayurvedic Remedies," Dr. H.S. Puri recommends massaging brahmi and bhringraj oil onto your scalp. The botanical names of these two herbs are "Centella asiatica" and "Eclipta alba;" you can purchase both oils online. If you prefer to take these herbs orally, Khalsa and Tierra note that you can ingest up to 5 g per day in tea or as capsules. They also suggest you eat more cooling foods such as cucumber, melon, mint and celery.
Consideration
Ayurvedic treatment is intended to be formulated for you as an individual, based on your specific prakriti and doshas. Any generalized recommendation may not be effective because it doesn't take your doshas into account. For the best chance of success in using an Ayurvedic treatment, visit a certified practitioner. The NCCAM notes that although the U.S. has no national certification program, many practitioners here in the U.S. received their degrees in India. Look for certifications such as a BAMS, or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, or DAMS, or Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery.
Warning
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine advises you to use Ayurvedic treatments under the direction of an Ayurvedic practitioner, rather than on your own. Because these treatments often involve herbs and other substances---such as lead and arsenic---that can be harmful, it's important to work with a practitioner you trust. The NCCAM also suggests you notify your doctor so he can advise you as to any contraindications with your currently prescribed medication.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction
- "The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs"; Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa and Michael Tierra; 2008
- "Simple Ayurvedic Remedies"; H.S. Puri; 2004
Member Comments