Hair care is an essential factor of external beauty. Everyone is concerned about its growth, look, and disorders. Ayurveda encourages the growth of your hair by offering certain methods and treatments. Healthy hair is dependent on the proper functioning of the dhatus or tissues. The dhatus are nourished by the nutrient plasma produced from food digestion. And so, healthful nutrient plasma gives healthy hair. Various hair problems are caused by poor diet, lack of proper hygiene, illness, and deficiency of nutrition.

Moreover, a number of factors such as age, climate, season, pollution, anxiety, and stress can affect the health of the scalp and hair. The first step to get healthy and attractive hair is to follow the Ayurvedic diet. Another important part lies in the method of washing your hair.

Ayurveda:

Ayurveda says that there is a strong relationship between mind and body. The Indian traditional system of medical care believes in a holistic approach of health care. One can achieve wellness and finest health only by being in touch with both. Hair care is also included in health and wellness.

Ayurveda believes that just precautions and external applications are not enough to keep it full of life, strength, sheen, color, luster, and vitality lifelong. Ayurveda covers the entire body instead of addressing just a few symptoms that may be present at the time. For example, if you are suffering from cold and runny nose, an Ayurvedic practitioner will examine your entire body, focus on your overall health and get to the root of the problem.

Ayurvedic Ahara-Vihar (Diet and Lifestyle) concepts are the two major parts that influence the health of the hair and the whole body. The quality of hair is spoiled by the problems such as premature graying, thinning hair, early baldness, dandruff and so on. The condition of the hair reflects the constitution of one's physical status. When a person is unhealthy, the bad health is reflected in the hair. Given below are some points to maintain your hair healthy and looking great.

Diet:

Ayurvedic concept believes that healthy and nutritious food improves our body. Therefore, a balanced mixture of nutrients is necessary to prevent early graying and premature hair loss.

Beneficial hair foods include white sesame seeds, fresh coconut, whole grains, curd, and sprouted mixture of beans, dates, and nuts, healthy fats like oil or ghee. The Ayurvedic system recommends cooking food with aromatic herbs and spices, since they enhance digestion and detoxify our body tissues.  Herbs such as Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Hingu (Asafoetida), Bhringraja (Eclipta Alba), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and seasonal fruits (in particular, citrus fruits) help to improve immunity power and digestion. In addition, Ayurveda supports regular intake of Maricha (Black pepper), Haridra (Turmeric), Dhania (Coriander), Jeera (Cumin), and Methi (Fenugreek).

Oil Massage:

Oil massage relaxes one's mind and body. One of the best ways to nourish the scalp and hair is to massage with warm oil, especially with hair-friendly herbs like Brahmi, Amla. This method of massaging helps to improve blood flow to the hair follicles and encourages the growth of healthy hair. It is beneficial for dry hair, for the increased circulation facilitates production of natural oil and thus restores lost shine.

Care and Hygiene:

• Amla and Shikakai powder mixed with curd is a good conditioner.
• Regular use of henna on normal hair also gives good conditioning for hair.
• Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to half a tumbler of water, and rinse your hair with this solution after cleansing your scalp. A touch of lemon is very good for making your hair shiny and lustrous.
• Mix curd, lemon and mustard oil. Massage this gently on hair and wash your head after about half an hour.
• Add a few leaves of Hibiscus (China rose) to a glass of water. Heat it, filter it, and squeeze the juice of a lime in the sieved mixture. Then apply to the hair before shampooing.
• Regular brushing and cleansing is essential, as brushing kindles the sebaceous glands that produce natural oil, which is responsible for hair luster.
• Avoid combing the wet hair, as the hair is said to be more prone to breakage.
• Following a right diet and drinking plenty of water is important for a proper functioning of the body, which leads to achieve healthy hair.
• Avoid very spicy, fried, fatty food, and all caffeinated drinks.
• Eat lot of fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables, sprouts, and nuts.
• Ensure regular bowel movements.
• Drink fresh juices of carrot, lettuce, spinach, alfalfa for hair growth.
• Use cold or lukewarm water for hair wash. Do not use hot water for hair wash, as it can damage the tips of your hair.
• Avoid being harsh when combing or drying your hair, as harsh movements can damage the hair.

Summer Care:

• Scalp hygiene is more important in the summer season.
• Henna has a cooling effect on the scalp. Also, it is used to remove extra oil from the hair and scalp.
• Hair needs to be washed frequently in summer to cleanse it from the excessive dirt, pollution and sweat produced in summer.

Winter Care:

• Oil massage is highly suggested to take care of hair from the winter drying.
• To maintain moisture levels, conditioners must be used more often.
• Shampooing frequently in winters is not good, as this removes the vital natural oils.

Sleep Sufficiently:

Proper sleep is much important as nutritious food. Lack of sleep can lead to poor health of hair. Sufficient sleep is essential for well being of the human body. Irregular or improper sleeping disturbs the function of the body. Sleep is the stage when our body reorganizes systems and repair tissues. One should finish dinner two hours prior to sleep and should go to bed before 10 p.m. Light dinner followed by a glass of milk (an hour after dinner) is found to bring better sleep.

Stress Management:

In day to day life of modern times, everyone faces high levels of mental stress and pressure due to heavy competition. Living with such state of stress can lead to premature graying, dull-looking, dry, excessive falling and lifeless appearance of hair. Taking herbal tea with any one of herbs such as, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), and Mandookparni (Centella asiatica) provides natural ability to control stress. Always plan to have time for relaxing and rest. Practice meditation and yoga techniques to manage stress. Massaging scalp with medicated herbal oils is helpful to control mood swings and mental relaxation.

Ayurvedic Tips for Hair Growth:

Nowadays, many prefer Ayurvedic remedies for treating common health troubles as this traditional practice has several power packed secrets, which helps to solve many problems.

Given below are some of the Ayurvedic home remedies for controlling hair fall and improves hair growth:

Bhringaraj: This "king of herbs" helps to boost hair growth. Make a paste out of the leaves and apply it on the scalp for some time before washing it. Following this on a regular basis promotes hair growth.

Jatamansi: Called as Muskroot or the Indian Spikenard, it has the power to give a glowing complexion and to remove blood impurities. You can apply this paste directly on the scalp.

Methi: This miracle herb is an excellent remedy for hair growth.  Make a paste of slightly dry roasted methi leaves with warm water and apply it for 20 minutes before washing off.

The Indian Goose Berry: Otherwise known as Amla or Amlaki, it is useful in treating indigestion and purifies the blood. Rich in vitamin C, Amla solves hair problems from within. Apply the paste of powdered Amla on the scalp to get thick and black hair.

Aloe Vera: This is the perfect solution for dry and damaged hair. Add half a cup of aloe vera gel with 2 two teaspoons of castor oil and powdered fenugreek, and one teaspoon of basil powder. Apply this blend covering your hair and scalp. Wash off this hair mask few hours later with clean water and a mild shampoo.

Neem: You can use this natural remedy in powdered form with curd or coconut oil to massage scalp. Neem has blood purifying abilities and acts against dandruff and lice.

Ritha: These natural soap nuts are useful for cleaning hair without taking off the natural oils. One can use this in powdered form to massage the scalp.

Care your hair to get self-esteem:

Our sense of attractiveness is related with confidence and self-respect. Hair growth is one of the most important features of first and best impressions. Following a person's smile, eyes, and skin, people often notice the healthy hair. Loss of hair, thinning hair, and unhealthy hair makes a person lose the coolness in their character or behavior. Our appearance impacts our professional, personal, and social lives. Using shampoos made of chemicals may damage the wellness of your hair. Ayurvedic method, the ancient Indian science of healing, is completely natural, non-invasive, and protects the hair. Choose a natural Ayurvedic method to care your hair and lead a detergent free life.