Ayurvedic Hair Conditioners + Remedies

Ayurvedic hair conditioners are various Ayurvedic herbs and oils used for strengthening, nourishing, and conditioning the hair. The Ayurvedic system of medicine mentions many herbs and oils which are considered good for hair conditioning.

Classical Ayurvedic texts mention how certain hair oils help in making hair shinier, stronger, and healthier. The classic Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia text Dravyaguna Vijnana mentions keshya dravya which roughly translating to ‘substances that are good for hair’.

Read More: Hair Growth: Ayurveda For Long Locks

Keshya Dravya: The Nutrients In Ayurvedic Hair Conditioners

Keshya means hair and dravya means substances. The following are considered Kesha Dravya:

• Narikela or coconut (Cocos nucifera)¹
• Tila or sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum)²
• Bhringraj (Eclipta alba)³
• Neelini or Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria)⁴

All these substances are used for making various Ayurvedic hair oils. Some of the most popular Ayurvedic hair oils made from these ingredients include bhringraj oil, coconut oil, neeli bhringraj oil, and tila taila or sesame seed oil. 

Ayurvedic Hair Conditioners And Indian Home Remedies

Once you know which Ayurvedic hair oil is best suited to your hair type, you can go ahead and start using it. Gently massage it into your hair and scalp. You can use it either before bed and wash your hair in the morning or you can use it an hour before washing your hair.  

If you have excessively dry and frizzy hair, avoid using too much hair oil. Use only small amounts because excessive oil can make the hair sticky and can attract more dust particles.

Read More: Ayurvedic Home Remedies and Hair Care Tips

Mehndi Or Henna (Lawsonia inermis)

This is one of the most common ways for deep conditioning the hair. This is how to use henna.

1. Take some pure henna powder.
2. Boil some black tea bags in water. After cooling, add this water to your henna powder. You can also use normal water instead of tea-infused water.
3. You may also add one or two teaspoons of lemon juice to this mixture.
4. If you have excessively dry hair, add an egg yolk and a cup of yogurt into this mixture.
5. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until a thick paste is formed.
6. Now apply this mixture to your hair and scalp evenly. Let it sit for an hour.
7. When the mixture dries (in about an hour) rinse off your hair with water. You can also use a mild herbal shampoo to wash it off.

You can use henna once a month to condition your hair. Be careful while applying Henna to your hair as it leaves an orange-red or light brown color. Make sure you don’t get it on your forehead or face accidentally as it can cause discoloration to the skin and may take a while to fade away.

Do not apply henna toyour hair if you are allergic to it or its ingredients.

Yogurt (Dahi) Moisturizer

Many people in India use yogurt for conditioning the hair. It is especially popular with Indian women. Here’s how to use it.

1. Take some yogurt in a container and whisk it.
2. Dry your hair after washing and apply the whisked yogurt from roots to tips evenly. Let it sit for half an hour.
3. Wash it out with lukewarm water.

You can use yogurt for conditioning your hair once or twice a week.  You can also add one teaspoon of lemon juice to the yogurt before application. Lemon juice helps with scalp conditioning and moisturizing.

Aloe Vera Conditioner

Take one aloe vera leaf and cut it from the sides to extract aloe vera gel. Mix this gel thoroughly until a smooth paste is formed.

Dry your hair after washing and then apply evenly from roots to tips. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse your hair with lukewarm water.

You can use aloe vera to condition your hair every 7 to 10 days. You can add one teaspoon of lemon juice to the gel if you wish.

Conditioning With Eggs

Eggs are one of the most common ways of conditioning the hair naturally. Here’s how to use eggs for conditioning the hair.

1. Use one or two eggs depending on hair length.
2. Crack the eggs and whisk them thoroughly.
3. If you wish, add honey or olive oil.
4. Mix all ingredients well until a paste is formed.
5. Apply this paste evenly from the roots to the tips.

Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it off with a mild herbal shampoo.

You can use eggs every 7 to 10 days for hair conditioning.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis) Flower Rinse

Hibiscus is also known as Chinese hibiscus, China rose, rose mallow, shoe black plant or Hawaiian hibiscus.

In the classical Ayurvedic text Dravyaguna Vijnana, the keshya (hair improving) properties of hibiscus have been mentioned.⁵

Here’s how to use hibiscus in your hair.

1. Take some hibiscus flowers and crush them properly. Mix it with water to make a paste.
2. If you wish, add aloe vera gel to the paste.
3. Apply this paste to the hair evenly from roots to tips.
4. Let it sit for half an hour then rinse with lukewarm water.

Alternatively, you may try this preparation.

1. Take some crushed hibiscus flowers. Mix these flowers with some coconut milk and honey until a paste forms.
2. Apply this paste to the hair, and let is sit for half an hour.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water.

You can use hibiscus for hair conditioning every 7 to 10 days.

Read More: Herbal Shampoo: Ancient Ayurvedic Shampoo

You should always consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before using Ayurvedic hair oil and other Ayurvedic hair conditioners. Your Ayurvedic practitioner will help you select the right hair oil or Ayurvedic hair conditioner for your prakriti or body constitution.

If you do not know your prakriti, your Ayurvedic physician may be able to help. Alternatively, you can take this free quiz to discover your prakriti or Ayurvedic constitution.

References

1. Dravyaguna Vijnana by Aacharya Priyavrat Sharma, Volume 2, page no. 118,Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, 2017.
2. Dravyaguna Vijnana by Aacharya Priyavrat Sharma, Volume 2, page no. 121,Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, 2017.
3. Dravyaguna Vijnana by Aacharya Priyavrat Sharma, Volume 2, page no. 124,Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, 2017.
4. Dravyaguna Vijnana by Aacharya Priyavrat Sharma, Volume 2, page no. 127,Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, 2017.
5. Dravyaguna Vijnana by Aacharya Priyavrat Sharma, Volume 2, page no. 593,Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, 2017.