Hair has always been one of the most defining elements of our body. Healthy hair is a sign of a healthy body and adds a lot to a person’s personality. Almost everyone experiences hair loss at some point in their life. Medically referred to as alopecia, hair loss is usually a sign of an underlying disease and can be quite distressing. The use of Ayurvedic remedies has proved to be quite successful in preventing hair fall and giving you beautiful and healthy hair.
In Ayurveda, hair is considered a tissue that utilizes the same nutrients as bone and is formed as a bi-product of bone tissue. Hair types are classified according to the three basic body types – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
• Vata body type – Generally dark, rough, dry, dark and curly hair
• Pitta body type – generally brown, fair, light, fine and silky
• Kapha body type – generally dark or light, fat, heavy, wavy and slightly oily
What is the reason for hair loss?
The metabolic processing of the food we consume produces the nutrient plasma, which nourishes the hair. According to Ayurveda, excess of pitta dosha (heat) in the body is the main cause of hair problems. Some common causes of hair loss are:
• Hormonal imbalance – high concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the hair follicles of men, or during pregnancy and after childbirth, in women, can cause hair loss.
• Sometimes, the high amount of sebum in the scalp clogs the pores of the scalp and prevents nutrients from reaching the hair follicles, resulting in hair fall.
• Inadequate nutrition or unhealthy diet
• Stress, anxiety, lack of sleep and anxiety
• Chronic diseases like typhoid, viral infection, anaemia, surgery etc lead to general debility which leads to hair fall.
• Certain medications, such as birth control pills, antidepressants, etc., including those used for gout, during chemotherapy against cancer, etc., cause hair loss.
• Plucking the hair tightly pulls the hair out of the follicle and leads to traction alopecia.
• Dandruff or fungal infection of the scalp
• Due to the accumulation of dirt on the scalp, the pores get clogged and the hair roots become weak. This causes hair fall.
How can hair loss be stopped?
Hair loss can usually be stopped using basic Ayurvedic home remedies and treatments. Only in advanced cases the expertise of a doctor is required. Follow these simple steps and you will see what a difference they make to the health of your hair.
• Ayurvedic remedies always target the root cause of any problem and try to cure it completely. To stop hair fall, it is essential that you identify the root cause in your diet or lifestyle that is causing pitta dosha. Once you know what’s causing the problem, try to eliminate or at least reduce the diet, habit, or activity responsible for increasing pitta.
• To clean the hair, it is recommended to use a natural shampoo or soap that does not contain too many chemicals.
• Applying oil to the scalp and massaging it is very beneficial to prevent hair fall. You should use coconut oil or mustard oil at least thrice a week. Some medicinal oils like mahabhringraj oil, amla oil and arnica oil are also very useful.
• After washing your hair, scrub your scalp vigorously. It helps in increasing the blood circulation and activates the sebaceous glands.
• You can stimulate hair growth by applying a paste of licorice (it is made by grinding it in milk) on the bald area. A paste made of lemon and black pepper seeds can also be applied on baldness.
• Make sure you regularly consume raw vegetables, fresh fruits, salads and green leafy vegetables.
• Using relaxation techniques like yoga, pranayama, etc. can be very effective in overcoming stress, anxiety and sleeplessness – the most common causes of hair fall in today’s competitive world.
• Try and avoid hairstyles that pull on the hair and consequently damage it.
People all over the world are increasingly putting their trust in alternative treatments like Ayurveda to fix basic, everyday problems like hair loss. The home remedies prescribed by Ayurveda are easily doable, cheap and without any side effects. Jiva Ayurveda is one of the leading organizations providing Ayurvedic treatment for hair loss and prevention of other diseases and conditions.
Source by Emma J Wilson
