Alopecia or balding refers to loss of hairs from a part of the head or the body. Commonly head is involved. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body. Every single person experience some amount of hair loss on daily basis. The question is the extent of hair loss. People say as many as sixty to hundred strands a day is normal. The problem has to be considered seriously when you have more hair loss and there is no compensating hair growth.
CONCEPT OF HAIR LOSS ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA
Ayurveda considers Hair loss as ‘Khalitya’, ‘Kshesa pata’, ‘Indralupta’. It is a pittaja (heat or fire) disease.
CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS
- Stress, worry, anxiety, anger
- Reduced sleep
- Inadequate nutrition
- Unhealthy food habits
- Environmental factors such as climate change, pollution
- Irregular life style
- Iron deficiency
- Hormonal imbalance
- Medications and other radiation therapies
FAQ / ARTICLE INCLUDES/ POINTS COVERED
- What is the best Ayurvedic treatment for hair loss?
- Can Panchakarma cure hair loss?
- Treatment for hair loss
- Home remedies for hair loss
- What are the causes of hair loss?
- How Ayurveda prevents hair loss?
- How can I prevent hair loss?
- What are the symptoms of hair loss?
- How can I treat hair loss at home?
- How can I permanently cure hair loss?
- Best Natural Ayurvedic home remedies for hair loss
- Best Effective Ayurvedic herbs for hair loss
- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet for hair loss
- What are diet and life style adaptation in hair loss?
SYMPTOMS OF HAIR LOSS
- Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting both men and women as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede from the forehead in a line that resembles the letter M. Women typically retain the hairline on the forehead but have a broadening of the part in their hair.
- Circular or patchy bald spots. Some people experience smooth, coin-sized bald spots. This type of hair loss usually affects just the scalp, but it sometimes also occurs in beards or eyebrows. In some cases, skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
- Sudden loosening of hair. A physical or emotional shock can cause hair to loosen. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning.
- Full-body hair loss. Some conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
- Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp.
HAIR LOSS IN AYURVEDA
Ayurveda considers Hair loss as ‘Khalitya’, ‘Kshesa patana’, ‘Indralupta’. It is a pittaja (heat or fire) type of disease. The aggravated Pitta dosha accumulates in the skin of the scalp, leading to hair fall, premature greying, etc. This can also aggravate by intake of excessive oily, spicy, salty and sour food or due to stress, anger and other psychological disturbance.
AYURVEDA TREATMENT FOR HAIR LOSS
- Shirodhara – continues stream of warm oils are poured on to the head and massaged.
- Shiro Abhyanga – medicated oils are used to massage the head, nourishing root and scalp, improving circulation.
- Nasya – nasal instillation, pouring of medicated oil or extracts into the nose.
HOW AYURVEDA PREVENTS HAIR LOSS
Ayurveda suggests following a healthy regimen that does not lead to the aggravation of doshas (bio energies). Ayurveda is not just about taking herbal medicine; it’s also about following a strict lifestyle regimen. The basic idea behind these principles in Ayurvedic medicine is to prevent diseases by making lifestyle changes in accordance with cycles of Nature. Dinacharya routine includes waking up early, hygiene, exercise, meals, relaxation, sleeping and so on. Ritucharya involves lifestyle regimen to be followed each season. So what can be a safe alternative to chemical-laden anti-hair fall products? Well, one can certainly rely on Ayurveda to fight against hair loss. The world’s oldest medical system offers a plethora of healing remedies and also prescribes a lifestyle and health routine to control hair fall. Basically, Ayurveda’s aim is to not only cure ailments, but also prevent illnesses. Eat fresh foods, and prepare them daily. Eat a wide variety of foods. Follow a well-balanced diet containing fiber-rich food. Try to cook foods slowly on low heats. Avoid frozen and processed foods. Fresh organic foods are best. Eat food that is ripe only. Sleep for 6-8 hours every night. Avoid oily and junk food. Keep your scalp clean and use products that suit your hair type.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE ADAPTATION IN HAIR LOSS
Vegetarian Diet:
- Use fresh and seasonal vegetables
- Green leafy vegetables like Broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, dandelion, green peas, kale, cooked onion, potatoes, pumpkin.
Non-Vegetarian Diet
- Processed meat and non-vegetarian food are not advised due to its hot potency. Goat, sheep and camel meat are comparatively better.
Other Diet:
- Eat fresh, unprocessed food
- Increase the use of herbs that have cooling effects on the body like fennel, coriander seeds, Indian gooseberry and aloe vera
- Fruits like apple, berries, cherries, pomegranate, pears, mango, watermelon, lemon, dried fruit, raisins
- Processed Ghee
FOOD TO AVOID IN HAIR LOSS
- Spicy, oily, salty and sour food
- Processed food
- Frozen food and beverages.
- Fast food, fried food
- Snacks containing refined sugar
- Ice dreams, sour creams
- Butter milk, cheese
- Mayonnaise , ketchup, pickles
- Preservatives and additives, chemical pungent or salty, sour items.
- Chocolates, soft drinks
- Sweetened Ice cold or very hot drinks.
- Salted drinks in excess
- Caffeinated and carbonated drink
LIFESTYLE ADAPTATION IN HAIR LOSS
- Avoid irritant hair care products.
- Do not brush up the wet hairs
- Try sticking on to herbal or natural products
- Avoid too much sun exposure
- Increase the intake of water to about 8-10glasses a day
- Eat at regular time
- Have good sleep (minimum 6 to 7 hours of sleep)
- Avoid stress and tensions
- Avoid alcohol and habits like smoking
- Practice Yoga and breathing exercises
NATURAL AYURVEDIC HOME REMEDIES FOR HAIR LOSS
- Use the paste of Indian Gooseberry powder and lime to apply in the scalp.
- Naturally prepared oil can be applied in the scalp overnight as it can encourage faster hair growth.
- Shikakai powder
- Soapnut powder and shikakai can be boiled in water, cooled and used as shampoo.
- Apply coconut milk boiled with black pepper and methi over the scalp
- Application of Aloe Vera pulp juice over the scalp is a effective remedy for hair related issues.
- Soak Fenugreek overnight, grind it and apply the paste over the scalp in the morning
- Grind neem leaves, make it to paste and apply it over the scalp
- Grind Hibiscus leaves and flowers into a slimy paste. Wash the hair regularly with it for well nourished, strong and black hair.
