3-minute read. Posted by Dr. Gopalakrishnan Raman (B.A.M.S) | Hair loss is close to the heart for many. From 35 years men face a loss rate as high as 40%. Women also face with hair thinning, loss, premature graying. The issue snow balls when people with a receding hairline also tend to suffer from low self-esteem and emotional distress according to studies. In this blog, let’s understand the influence of Body Constitution or Prakriti on Hair and 5 Causes & Remedies for Hair Loss from Ayurveda.
Body Constitution & Hair
Each of us have a unique body constitution or Prakriti based on the doshas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha that are dominant and this has an influence on their hair.
People with Vata dominance tend to have less hair. Pitta dominance in people result in early graying and they also tend to sweat a lot, which is a common cause for hair loss. Kapha dominant people tend to have more hair.
These are innate tendencies, but is there a way to complement or supplement these? Yes! Ayurveda recommends many lifestyle practices and dietary changes for healthier hair. Let’s look at the common causes and 5 remedies from ayurveda for hair loss .
5 Causes & Remedies for Hair Loss
1# Excessive Sweating.
People with excess fat tend to profusely perspire. Sweating over the scalp closes the hair pores and also leaves the scalp oily leading to hair loss.
In this case, Ayurveda recommends limiting the application of oil. When you do apply oil, it is advised to clean it off with herbal powders or shampoos such as shikhakai soap nut. A paste prepared out of sesame, amla (gooseberry), madhuka (liquorice), bhringaraja are applied for stimulating hair growth. Synthetic shampoo tends to remove proteins from the hair. Hence, natural or herbal alternatives are recommended.
2# Iron or Calcium Deficiency.
Are you seeing split-ends? Is your hair thinning? Rough or dry hair? You may be lacking in nutrients such as iron and calcium. You can consider including the following in your daily diet: greens and leafy vegetables, Ragi or finger millet, coconut, dry fruits and honey.
3# Body Heat.
Sareera Usma or body heat increases with irregular sleeping habits and regular intake of spicy food. These lifestyle choices vitiates Pitta in the body, leading to early graying and hair fall. Regular bath with medicated hair oil such as Neelibringadi helps to reduce these effects.
4# Weather.
We need to change the hair care routine depending on seasons. In summer, we tend to sweat more, so oil application has to be limited. On the other hand, winter tends to leave the scalp dry. If we don’t change the routine depending on the season it could lead to hair loss.
5# Water quality.
Each city or town treats its water differently. So what comes out of a tap could be heavy on chlorine or other minerals. Washing regularly with hard water can harm the hair. Use water filters to reduce the effect.
Conditions like alopecia result in total hair loss which can be seen in certain parts of the scalp. You need to get a 1:1 consultation with an expert who can recommend internal Ayurvedic supplements to address these conditions.
What we’ve listed are general remedies. You can book a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Gopalakrishnan Raman to understand your body constitution, other health conditions, your lifestyle including weather, diet, exercise and work habits to offer a tailored recommendation for healthy hair.
