An Ayurvedic Guide to Better Hair 

It is widely known that the holistic principles of Ayurveda – lifestyle modifications, traditional practices and innovative tools – can lead to long-term hair health. From theory to practice, we take a deeper look at the ancient Indian medical system’s approach to hair, and how to optimise its strength, lustre and shine.

An Ayurvedic Perspective

According to Kama Ayurveda’s Global Scientific Expert Dr Vijay Murthy, hair – along with teeth and nails – is a by-product of our bone tissue. “For good hair health our digestion, absorption, agni (digestive fire) and detoxification need to be working very well. Bones are one of the last tissues formed so we need to make sure that nutrients can reach these deep tissues.”

“From a western biology perspective, hair is considered to be a dead tissue but in Ayurveda we view hair as a visible extension of the bones. If you want to know the health of someone’s bones, look at their hair.”

Lifestyle Practices & Nutrition

Integrating Ayurvedic practices into your daily life will improve the appearance of your hair by addressing imbalances in your body. Hair health is linked to our nervous system as bone tissue is vulnerable to the stress response so in particular, yogic breathing, regular exercise and a meditation practice are recommended to maintain healthy hair.

A balanced diet that is rich in nutrients, is essential for good hair health but, more specifically, nourishing foods for the hair are ones that pacify Pitta. Dr Murthy recommends making alkalizing foods – foods that become alkaline when they go through our digestive system – a priority. Citrus fruits and berries are particularly good, as are okra and leafy greens. Melon with its high water and mineral content is lighter to digest therefore can get to deeper tissues to nourish them. Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is an elixir for the hair whether eaten or taken as a supplement.

Ayurvedic Products & Tools

Topical hair treatments can also be hugely beneficial to the quality of hair as the superficial tissues on our scalp, like our skin, are receptive to absorbing nutrients.

Over-washing your hair and using products with harsh chemical should be avoided.  Instead, the age-old tradition of hair oiling using Bringadi Scalp & Hair Oil can help stimulate circulation in the scalp, delivering nutrients to the roots of your hair to promote growth, fight premature greying, combat dandruff and split ends. “{Bhringaraj}, the master ingredient in this product, has powerful antimicrobial and antifungal properties which are important to maintain hair health.”

Ayurveda also recommends daily hair brushing to stimulate circulation at the roots. Regular use of our innovative Kansa Brush takes this one step further. The brush – with bristles centred around a metal kansa dome – acts a self-massage tool and aids in detoxifying the scalp as well as oxygen absorption throughout the body.