12 Ayurvedic Herbs for the Hair and How to Use Them

Your hair is a major part of your appearance and should be maintained properly. Yet, a majority of people do not know how to care for their hair or use the right products.

Regular use of harsh chemical hair products may damage your hair in the long run.

Fortunately, several all-natural Ayurvedic ingredients can be used to improve the quality of your hair and achieve healthy, luscious locks. (1)

Ayurveda-Approved Herbs for Beautiful Hair

Here are a few beneficial Ayurvedic herbal treatments that you can do to your hair:

1. Brahmi

Brahmi, or Bacopa monnieri, is a medicinal herb used extensively in Ayurveda. It is distinguished by its small purple flowers, and it usually grows near water bodies such as streams or rivers.

Brahmi contains several antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties that can be beneficial for your hair. It helps clear dandruff and increase hair growth, and it can even help treat alopecia areata. (2)(3)(4)

How to use:

• Consume less than 5 g of brahmi every day to increase hair growth. (3)
• Brahmi oil can be applied directly to the scalp with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil. Mix 1 teaspoon of brahmi oil with a couple tablespoons of the carrier oil, and massage the oil blend all over your scalp and hair. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo after an hour or two.

2. Amla (Indian gooseberry)

Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is an age-old hair-thickening remedy in India.

Amla helps darken your hair and thus prevent premature graying, promotes hair growth, and reduces dandruff. It contains potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that boost scalp health. (5)

Amla is rich in vitamin C and iron, both of which help increase hair growth. It is also a natural testosterone inhibitor that can fight androgenic alopecia or hormonal hair loss. (6)

How to use:

• Amla can be consumed directly via your diet every morning. It can be made into curries, stir-fried, eaten raw with sugar or honey, etc.
• Prepare an amla tonic to strengthen your hair roots. Soak dried amla in some water overnight. Use this water as a hair rinse the next morning. (7)
• Amla oil has traditionally been used as a hair loss treatment in Ayurveda. Mix 1 teaspoon of amla oil in 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil, and massage this oil blend on your scalp and hair. Wash it off after an hour or two. Amla oil helps deep condition your hair and prevents hair damage. (6)(5)

3. Shikakai

Shikakai, or Acacia concinna, is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for hair loss and thinning. It is filled with vitamins including vitamins A, D, C, and E. 

The essential oils in shikakai help condition and nourish the hair to prevent frizz. Shikakai also contains antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that can improve the general health of your scalp. (8)

How to use:

• Many organic shampoos and serums that contain shikakai extract are available on the market nowadays and can be used instead of your usual shampoo and hair serum.
• Mix a couple tablespoons each of amla powder, reetha powder, and shikakai powder, and then add a little bit of water to make a paste. Apply this hair mask to your scalp and hair. Leave it to dry for half an hour before washing your hair with a mild shampoo.

4. Fenugreek/methi

Fenugreek is a natural hair growth booster used in several regions of the world. Fenugreek seeds help increase hair growth and treat scalp infections or inflammation; they are found in several organic hair care formulations.

A recent study conducted on the effects of fenugreek seeds on hair growth showed that oral consumption of fenugreek seeds (<1,200 mg every day) led to a significant increase in hair growth and thickness. (9)(10)

How to use:

• At least one study has shown the benefits of consuming fenugreek seeds to treat hair loss. (9) However, more research is needed to prove the effectiveness of fenugreek supplementation. (10)(11)
• Mix fenugreek oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. Apply this oil blend directly to the hair and scalp to treat dandruff and hair loss.
• Make a natural fenugreek conditioner by soaking fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Grind them to make a paste the following morning. Apply this paste to your hair. Let it soak for 20 minutes before washing it off.

5. Hibiscus

Hibiscus flowers are another traditional Ayurvedic treatment for hair growth and thickness. The leaves and flowers of hibiscus contain antioxidant properties and several nutrients required for hair growth and proliferation. (12)

How to use:

1. Prepare a hibiscus hair mask by washing a few hibiscus flowers and leaves. Discard the petals of the flowers and grind the rest to make a paste.
2. Apply this paste to your scalp and hair.
3. Let it dry for half an hour before washing off with warm water and a mild shampoo.

6. Rosemary

Rosemary is a medicinal herb used in a number of different treatments. It contains antioxidant compounds called rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid, which can help promote hair growth and thickness. (13)

How to use:

• Add a few drops of rosemary oil to any carrier oil (coconut/olive/almond, etc.), and apply the oil mixture to your scalp and hair at least once a week.
• Blend 1–2 teaspoons of rosemary oil into your bottle of conditioner.
• Find premade rosemary hair products in stores. Make sure to buy organic and authentic products free of harsh chemicals.

7. Licorice (mulethi)

Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, is known for promoting blood circulation to the scalp. This helps nourish the hair follicles and provides the necessary nutrients to promote hair growth. (14)

How to use:

1. Grind a few pieces of licorice with a little bit of milk to make a paste.
2. Apply this paste to your scalp and hair.
3. Wash it off after 15 minutes. (15)

8. Henna

Henna contains antioxidants that can boost overall scalp and hair health. It is also filled with proteins and tannins. Protein helps make the hair stronger, and tannins work as a natural dye and add color to the hair. (8)

How to use:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons each of amla powder, reetha powder, and shikakai powder.
2. Make a paste by adding some water.
3. Apply this paste to your hair using a brush to treat gray hair.
4. Wash it off after a couple of hours.

9. Bhringraj

Bhringraj, or Eclipta alba, known more commonly as false daisy, is used in many parts of the world to increase hair growth. Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of false daisy in delaying premature graying and increasing hair thickness. (16)(17)

How to use:

• Apply bhringraj oil or powder topically to your scalp twice a week.
• Mix bhringraj powder, amla powder, and coconut oil to make a hair growth mask. (6)

10. Jatamansi

Jatamansi, or Nardostachys jatamansi, is a shrub whose roots and rhizomes are used for hair growth. The rhizomes of Jatamansi are used to make hair oils that promote hair growth and fight hair and scalp dryness. (18)

How to use:

1. Mix a few drops of jatamansi oil with any carrier oil.
2. Apply the oil mixture to your scalp and hair.
3. Wash it off after half an hour.

11. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant used all over the world for many health conditions. (19) It is rich in nutrients including vitamins C, B12, and E and folic acid; it also contains several hydrating and antimicrobial properties. (20)

Aloe vera can be the one-stop solution for all your hair woes as it deep conditions the hair, nourishes it, improves its strength and thickness, and increases its keratin levels. It also helps fight dandruff and scalp infections. (21)(22)

How to use:

• Mix aloe vera gel with some coconut oil to make a deep conditioner for your hair. You can apply this conditioner once or twice a week to achieve strong, smooth, and bouncy hair.
• Use a drop of aloe vera gel as a leave-in conditioner for your scalp and hair. Doing so hydrates and cleanses the scalp.
• Mix aloe vera gel and rose water to cleanse your scalp and treat dandruff. Wash it off with warm water.

12. Onions

Onions are filled with sulfur and other nutrients including vitamin C and calcium. (23) All of these help promote hair growth and thickness. Hence, onions are considered to be a highly beneficial treatment for hair loss. (24)

How to use:

1. Grind a couple of onions and squeeze out their juice. You can add a drop of lemon juice to reduce the sulfur odor.
2. Apply this juice to your scalp and massage thoroughly.
3. Wash it off after half an hour with a mild shampoo.

Other Ayurvedic Herbs Used to Treat Hair Problems

Other common remedies used to treat hair loss and other hair issues in Ayurveda include:

Role of Ayurveda in Hair Problems

Ayurveda has a different approach to hair loss compared to allopathic medicine.

There may be multiple natural remedies listed in Ayurveda, but you need to be familiar with the nature of your hair (prakriti) to know the cure that works for you.

Ayurveda experts claim that hair problems arise from an imbalance in three main factors: vata dosha (air and space elements), pitta dosha (heat element), and kapha dosha (earth and water elements).

An imbalance in vata dosha will cause your hair to become dull, dry, or frizzy. Pitta dosha imbalances can lead to hair balding and thinning. Kapha dosha imbalances can cause greasy or sticky hair and hair loss.

Final Word

Your hair is a defining feature of your appearance. It is important to maintain it with a proper hair care routine. Natural treatments such as Ayurveda are a great way to improve the health of your hair without causing damage.

Make sure to perform a patch test to ensure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the remedies listed above before using them on your hair and scalp.