Hair Loss affects most people, both men and women. Hair goes through cycles of growth and rest. Hairs in the rest period fall off, and new hairs grow in their place. Normally, people lose about 50 to 100 hairs per day. But this loss is unnoticeable due to the usual density of hair on the head.
Acute hair loss, causing thinning of hair density or baldness can happen for many reasons. Skin diseases and genetics play a role. While hair loss in not usually a symptom of any serious condition, it can affect your looks and the way you feel about yourself, and your self-confidence.
Treating Hair Loss
There are several treatments for hair loss including hair transplant surgery to cover baldness. But there is no definite cure for baldness. Alternative therapies like Ayurveda based ones are very effective in reducing and controlling hair loss.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient form of medicine practiced in India for several thousand years. Its origins are in the Vedas, the books of knowledge of the Hindus. Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life’. It is an elaborate science with specialized branches dealing with various aspects of human health – body, mind and spirit.
Ayurveda sees everything in the natural world, including the human body as composed of the five basic elements (Pancha Bhutas) – ether, air, fire, water, and earth. These five elements, in different combinations are said to make up the three biological modes of the body – the three Doshas.
- Vata Dosha: This is a combination of air and ether. This is the Kinetic Biological Mode, governing all the movements in and out of our body.
- Pitta Dosha: Combination of fire and water. This is the Transformative Biological Mode. It is responsible for all the transformations in the body, including digestion.
- Kapha Dosha: The combination of earth and water. This is the Structural Biological mode, concerned with Bones, muscles, tissues, fats, and joints.
Ayurveda Measures for Treating Hair Loss
The Ayurvedic system believes that excess of Pitta in the system causes early hair loss. Hair loss is treated with a system of diet, herbs, oil massage, aromatherapy and yoga. A massage is the most effective technique.
Ayurvedic Scalp Massage
If your Vata is dominant, you should use almond or sesame oil, to massage the scalp.
For Pitta type, massage your scalp with coconut oil and rub it on the soles of your feet at bedtime. Because Pitta is considered most responsible for hair loss, coconut oil is the most predominant oil used for scalp massage. For Kapha type sesame or olive oil can be used.
Besides these base oils, other specialized oils containing various herbs are used to treat hair loss:
- Brahmi oil pacifies Vata and promotes the hair growth
- Amalaki is cooling, nourishing, and purifying. It prevents dry scalp and wards of premature thinning and graying of hair
- Bhringaraj means kin of tresses and nourishes hair
- Hibiscus cools the hair and enriches the color and vitality of hair
- Neem purifies and cleanses hair and scalp
How to do Ayurvedic Scalp Massage?
Warm a cup of the oil being used. Rub the oil into different parts of your scalp using the pads of your fingers. Work your way around the scalp, covering the head and neck. Leave the oil on for 30 to 60 minutes. You can also dip a towel in warm water, wring it out and tie it around your head, after massage, for conditioning.
Wash your head with a natural shampoo.
Ayurvedic Diet for Hair Loss
Eat a handful of white sesame seeds every morning. It contains sufficient magnesium and calcium that are essential for hair growth. Drink yoghurt or curds and consume more green leafy vegetables, fruits, salads, sprouts and milk.
While these natural remedies can be tried at home, generally with no adverse side effects, you should consult a good Ayurvedic Doctor. As mentioned before, Ayurveda prescribes different treatments for people with different body types. So, to get good results, you should match the treatment to your specific needs. The doctor will probably prescribe a combination of oil massages, special diets and Ayurvedic oral medicines. This could help you get good results, faster. As Ayurveda is a whole system of medicine, it can help detect any underlying causes for your hair loss and treat that too.
