Hair Fall in Ayurveda: Causes, Doshas, and Natural Solutions

 

Hair loss is a universal issue in the modern world. Losing hair is a normal occurrence for individuals of all ages. Ayurveda gives a good explanation of why hair falls and how simple treatments can cure hair loss. The blog covers hair loss by discussing its importance from a traditional Chinese perspective, the practical effects of doshas and what causes hair to fall out normally.

Ayurvedic Perspective on Hair Health

Ayurveda tells us that your hair consists of Asthi Dhatu, bone tissue. Your bones and tissues are healthy when your body is healthy. Your hair is also healthy. Healthy hair also indicates that you have a good digestive system and a normal lifestyle.

In Ayurveda, if digestion, sleep, or stress is not regular, it will impact the hair. Hair fall is not a surface-level issue. It usually starts within the body. The Ayurvedic approach seeks reason and attempts to balance the body with herbs, oil massage, purifying, and diet.

Role of Doshas in Hair Fall

Ayurveda refers to the three energies of the body as doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each individual has a unique combination of these doshas. These doshas not only govern body functions but also play a vital role in the texture, growth, and health of your hair.

If the doshas are in equilibrium, your hair is healthy and strong. But if one dosha grows or gets agitated, hair issues such as breakage, greying, thinning, or oily scalp can be generated. Let's find out how each dosha impacts hair.

•  Vata Dosha Imbalance

Vata is the energy of dryness and motion. Unbalanced Vata dries out the scalp and leaves the hair rough, brittle, and frizzy. Dryness can also result in split ends and brittle hair follicles. Individuals with high Vata would lose more hair and experience more breakage.

Cold climate, absence of oil, not eating, inadequate sleep, and tension augment Vata in the body. Dry and cold food consumption also aggravates Vata.

• Pitta Dosha Imbalance

Pitta governs heat in the body and how energy is used. If Pitta increases too much, it can raise the body’s temperature and damage hair roots, which may result in hair going gray early, thinning and baldness. A person with excessive Pitta may feel a burning sensation on their scalp and notice red, itchy spots. Having too much spicy food, spending too long in the sun, getting upset and drinking alcohol are things that can raise Pitta levels.

• Kapha Dosha Imbalance

Kapha is associated with heaviness and stability. When Kapha becomes disturbed, the scalp becomes oily. The hair roots are clogged by this and causing dandruff and oily hair. The hair becomes weak and oily and falls off easily. Consuming excessive sweet and greasy food, a lack of physical activity, and daytime napping can increase Kapha.

 Common Ayurvedic Causes of Hair Fall

There is often a loss of hair as the body goes through changes during chemotherapy. Ayurveda holds that puberty, pregnancy, lactation and menopause impact how hair grows. During these stages, hormones in the body shift, which affects how well the hair roots grow. It may result in a loss of hair, which might be only temporary or could be permanent.

• Insufficient intake of iron, zinc, protein or vitamins causes your hair to become weak. Even if your diet includes nutritious food, your hair will not receive nourishment if your digestion is blocked, it says in Ayurveda. 

• Stress is a major reason for hair loss. When the mind is imbalanced, the body is imbalanced. Mental stress elevates Vata and Pitta, and the hair roots become weak, and more hair falling out. 

• Hormonal disturbances like PCOD and thyroid conditions also cause hair issues. These disrupt the body functions and disrupt all three doshas. PCOD women often suffer from hair thinning and irregular menstrual cycles. 

Natural Ayurvedic Solutions

Hair loss occurs due to several reasons, but Ayurveda has a natural solution to know and control it. It puts your doshas, body, and mind into harmony.

• Herbal Remedies

Herbs are significant in reducing hair loss in Ayurveda. Used daily, they stimulate blood flow in the scalp, clear pores, and feed the hair roots.

1. If you have dandruff or an infection of the scalp, neem will prove to be a great helper. Mix neem leaves to form a thick paste and apply it to your scalp. Wash it off with regular water or a mild shampoo. 

2. If the hair fall is due to stress or tension, Ayurvedic herbs like Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, Amla, and Jatamansi can be taken. Take a blend of these herbs (1 teaspoon with food in water). These herbs calm the mind and provide strength to the hair.

3. Post-pregnancy loss of hair is typically due to low calcium or iron consumption. Eat dense foods or iron and calcium supplements, or take calcium and iron supplements only after consulting a doctor.

4. For hair loss due to nutrition, take Indian gooseberry powder and white sesame seeds in equal proportions. Take them mixed with one teaspoon of water twice a day.

5. Another effective Ayurvedic therapy is Shirodhara. The therapy involves constantly streaming medicated oil over the forehead. It calms the brain, relaxes the nerves and maintains moisture on the scalp, which supports hair growth.

• Dietary Recommendations

As soon as our hair falls out, most of us adjust the kind of products we use. However, we don’t change how food is produced. How we eat can have a major impact on hair loss in Ayurveda. Problems that lead to thinning hair can be caused by zinc, iron, vitamin D, protein and biotin.

1. If there is excessive hair fall, Ayurveda suggests eating foods that reduce Pitta. Avoid Indian curries, foods spiced with red chili powder, fried aromatics like chili and garlic, tea, coffee and alcohol. Decrease the amount of dry fruits, sour foods, salty snacks, eggs and meat you eat. 

2. Instead, choose sweet, bitter or dry types of food. Try to drink fennel water after every meal. Try dishes that use spices such as coriander, mint, fennel and cumin. 

3. Try to add more dark green leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, soaked almonds and raisins to your diet.

4.  Eat grapes, pomegranate, dates and sweet berries as well since they are healthy for you. One could cool down by drinking coconut water, cucumber juice or pomegranate juice as well.

Daily Hair Care Tips from Ayurveda

Ayurveda focuses not just on the use of herbal products but also on following simple habits for good hair.

• Ayurveda believes that your scalp has some special energy points known as 'Marmas.' Oil on your hair stabilizes these points and reduces the dosha effect. You must massage your hair and scalp using lukewarm Ayurvedic oil. Massage before bed and wash the following morning. 

• Pollution, dirt, and excess oil block the scalp. You must shampoo this gently with an Ayurvedic shampoo 2–3 times a week. Use warm water and massage gently.

• Combing makes the blood flow to the scalp and distributes natural oils. But do not comb excessively. Use a wooden comb, and don't share it with anyone. 

• Straighteners and hairdryers dry your hair. This increases Vata dosha and leads to hair breakage. Let your hair dry naturally after shampooing.

• Pollution and the sun's UV rays damage your scalp. They can weaken and dull your hair. Put a scarf on your head whenever you go outside. Stop drinking alcohol and smoking because they can ruin your hair.

• Sweating takes out harmful substances from your scalp and makes your hair follicles bigger, letting more blood through and enriching the hair with nutrients. Implement yoga, morning walks or simple bicycle riding to see the best health results.

 FAQs

• Can Ayurvedic herbs help reduce hair fall?
  

Brahmi, Amla, Bhringraj and Neem support a healthy scalp and slow hair loss by balancing your doshas.

• How does stress affect hair fall according to Ayurveda?

Stress creates an increase in the Vata dosha in the human body. It makes the scalp dry, weakens the hair and eventually causes hair fall.

• Is it necessary to follow a specific dosha diet for hair care?

 Yes, Ayurveda believes that your dosha should influence what you eat. To help with hair loss, usually eating a pitta-balancing diet is suggested so the body doesn’t build up too much heat.