Ayurvedic medicine, or Ayurveda, is a form of alternative medicine that originated in India. The Ayurvedic system, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), is based on healing illness through a mind-body approach. Natural remedies, such as herbal supplements, are used to balance your physical and spiritual health, to both prevent and treat illness. Ayurveda can be used to treat hair loss without resorting to conventional hair restoration medications.
Scalp Massage
A healthy scalp is essential for normal hair growth; if your follicles are damaged, you may notice hair loss increases. One component of Ayurvedic remedies for hair loss includes scalp massage. According to HolisticOnline, Ayurvedic tradition believes that hair loss is related to having too much pitta in your body. NCCAM explains that the pitta dosha, or life force, controls your hormonal system, which may cause you to produce too much oil, or sebum on your scalp. Massaging the scalp in the Ayurvedic tradition, can help you reduce the amount of sebum, or pitta, in your system. Traditional Indian scalp massage may include coconut or brahmi oils, or vitamin E to reduce your hair shedding. A daily 10-minute scalp massage also increases the circulation to your scalp skin, which is beneficial to hair growth, as explained by the Alternative Medicine Zone.
Healthy Diet
Ayurvedic tradition, like conventional medicine, stresses the importance of following a healthy diet to combat hair loss. Alternative Medicine Zone recommends eating plenty of fresh produce, including leafy greens, as well as sources of protein and whole grains to keep your hair looking its best and to reduce shedding. Essential fatty acids such as omega 3 contribute to scalp health and may minimize hair loss as well. HolisticOnline suggests eating a daily serving of white sesame seeds and yogurt to increase your calcium and magnesium intake.
Herbal Supplements
A holistic approach, using natural ingredients to slow the progression or to prevent hair loss, is part of the Ayurvedic tradition. A mixture of Indian herbs called dashamoola, bhringaraj, and jatamamsi, is a traditional remedy for baldness. Combine five parts of the first herb, four equal parts of the second and three parts of the third with goat’s milk, bring to a simmer, and drink at bedtime. You can substitute hot water for the milk and brew the Ayurvedic herbs as a tea if you prefer. Other herbal treatments such as licorice extract and burdock root may be used as well, according to HolisticOnline. Always speak to a doctor before taking any kind of herbal supplement, to ensure its safety.
