The power of...Ayurvedic Haircare
Ever wondered why ladies of Indian descent always seem to have long flowing locks?
Do you remember when you were at school and your Indian class-mate with her long braids hair always smelt of a strange oil? More than likely it was Jasmine oil or coconut oil...whatever it was it worked wonders!
Well I am here to say how about adopting something Indian inspired into your life...forget about the Curries and Naan bread, I mean Ayurvedic haircare techniques.
No matter what type of hair nature blessed you with, there are things you can do to keep it healthy, lustrous, looking its best, according to the tradition of Ayurveda, the 5,000-year old system of holistic healing that originated in India:
1) Oiling the hair and scalp:
A warm oil scalp massage two or three times a week will help stimulate growth and moisturize the scalp. You can use a good quality coconut, almond or olive oil.
Apply some mildly warmed oil to your hair and gently massage into your scalp evenly with your fingertips. Leave on overnight if you can, if not, leave on for at least an hour or two, then get it out by shampooing your hair. The scalp massage helps you relax and aids sound sleep as well.
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Olive oil
A lovely coconut oil...
One of my favourites is this one by parachute...its a premium brand and smells divine- you'll be surprised how shiny it makes your hair. Try it on damp hair and let your hair dry naturally...and watch that shine.
Buy this from your local Indian wholesaler or grocery shop
2) Henna- Natures best Protein treatment!
This videos show how you should use it...see below for reasons why!
Henna is traditionally used in India and West Africa as a hair conditioner, strengthener and natural colourant.
Benefits:
It will thicken your strands
It will strengthen your hair and may help with breakage
It is 100% natural
Inexpensive to buy
You will see a difference from the first application
My favourite brand is...Karishma- body quality art henna
My Henna-mix Recipe:
1 pkt of Karishma Henna
1 tub of natural yhoghurt
2 tbsp honey
2 oz Olive oil
Add all to a metal bowl, mix well and leave it for 1-2 hours for conditioning benefits or overnight to use as a conditioning treatment with colour!
WARNING!!
Always apply oil to your hair as a hot oil treatment prior to using henna...do not rinse it out as the henna can be drying!
Only buy 'body quality art henna' as it is a fine grain...and better quality and purer
Do not add anything acidic to your mix- as it can be drying enough on the hair, the colour will release if left overnight naturally.
Follow up your henna treatment with a moisturising deep conditioner, add oil to the conditioner to increase moisture.
The colour your hair becomes varies from head to head- natural highlights!)
3) Using Herbal powders:
Amla, Shikakai, Maka, Brahmi or Neem
Using these Ayurvedic powders is said to have the following benefits for your hair:
- They stop hair breakage
- Strengthen the roots
- Strengthen the hair
- Condition the hair
How to use them?:
For conditioning and strengthening effects, use 1 tbsp of Amla + 1tbsp of Brahmi or Maka and make a tea with it, put in in a mug and let it brew, once brewed use an old stocking to strain the liquid off into a large jug and ass another cup of plain water.
Use this tea to rinse your hair with, after saturating your hair in coconut or olive oil and leaving overnight. Pour over your hair and do not touch your hair just let it sit their on the scalp for 5-10 minutes, then proceed to rinse it from your hair.
Follow up with a deep conditioner treatment for at least 45 mins!
Different tea mixes for different conditions:
(add 1 tbsp of each of the following)
Brahmi + Amala = conditioning
Amla + Shikakai = cleansing
Amla + Neem = Deep clean/dandruff
Maka + Amla + Brahmi = Super conditioning/strengthening.
My Ayurvedic experience...
I have been using henna for the past 12 months and it really has helped to make my hair stronger and thicker as well as giving an incredible shine.
I have recently started using the tea rinses and again they really are great at strengthening the hair. It takes a while to get into a routine with them, but once you do there is no stopping you.
Natural is best for me, so I love all things given to us from Mother Nature...
My Ayurvedic Results so far:
Check out the shine I have got from my recent henna treatment:
This is the colour my hair has become...I only henna every 3 months or so:
It has also helped me to retain length by strengthening my strands:
So what are you waiting for...try something natural and beneficial for your hair!
Think out the box...
You can also buy oils with Ayurvedic herbs like amla and brahmi in them, these are also great for your hair as a hot oil treatment, or a leave-in oil.
1 comment:
Do you use henna for color? do you add the henna yourself? where do you buy henna?
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