Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is a tree widely grown in the warmer regions of India. Oil extracted from the fruit has been used for centuries to improve hair and prevent hair loss, and it is an important ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine. Amla oil is used in hair care products like hair oil, shampoo and conditioner. It can also benefit hair when taken internally as a dietary supplement.
Conditioning
Washing your hair with soap can dry your scalp and hair follicles. Environmental factors like sun and cold are also drying, as are some styling products and styling tools. This can make your scalp feel tight and itchy, and can cause flakes. Dry hair breaks more easily, looks frizzy and can be harder to style. Using amla oil on your hair before washing it can offset some of the effects of shampoo, especially if you oil your hair at night and wash it in the morning. You can also use amla oil conditioner after shampooing or spread a few drops of oil into damp hair after washing, which will help protect your hair from the elements during the day.
Improved Scalp Circulation
In order to get the full benefits of amla hair oil, massage it into all parts of your scalp. Massaging oil into your head stimulates blood circulation, which helps more of the nutrients in your body reach your scalp and hair follicles. Massage with amla oil clears away flakes on your head, softens your scalp, opens pores and encourages production of your scalp’s natural oils. This might improve or stimulate hair growth, and it helps keep your hair healthy and strong. Stress is a factor in hair loss for many people, and a scalp massage with warm oil helps reduce stress.
Nutritional Benefits
Amla oil is a rich source of vitamin C. The Tamil Nadu State Medicinal Plant Board points out that the amla fruit can contain up to 1,700 mg of vitamin C per 100g. The vitamin C in amla oil shampoos and conditioners can make your hair look shinier, but taking amla oil as a dietary supplement is a far more effective way to improve your hair. One of the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency is brittle, dry hair and hair loss, so amla oil can help offset this. Like most dark fruits, amla oil is also high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help your hair and skin restore themselves from environmental damages, and they protect cells from aging, which might help keep your hair from turning prematurely gray or white.
About this Author
Sarah Metzker Erdemir is an expat writer and ESL teacher living in Istanbul since 2002. A fiction writer for more than 25 years, she began freelance writing and editing in 2000. Ms. Metzker Erdemir holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Romance languages and linguistics as well as a TESOL Master of Arts degree. She has written articles for eHow, Garden Guides, and ConnectEd.
