Sometimes hair loss can be caused by fairly simple things like hot oil hair treatments, or hairstyles that pull your hair too tight but sometimes they can also point to deeper problems. For instance, poor nutrition and emotional or physical stress can lead to hair loss. As can hormonal changes due to thyroid problems, pregnancy, and menopause. Medical conditions such as alopecia areata (which is a disorder related to the immune system) and scalp infections as well as certain medicines used to treat arthritis, heart problems, depression, gout, high blood pressure and cancer can also cause hair loss.^[1][Hair loss](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926 “Hair loss”).Mayo Clinic.

According to ayurveda, your hair is a by-product of your bone tissue and it’s also linked to your gut and central nervous system. Consequently, weaknesses of the bone tissue, digestive system, or nervous system can lead to hair loss.

An imbalance in the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) can cause issues in these systems which in turn will reflect on the health of your scalp and hair.

Natural Remedies For Hair Loss

Let’s take a look at a few natural remedies that can help you tackle hair loss:

1. Onion Juice

Research shows that onion juice can help hair grow faster. A study that looked at the effect of applying onion juice on people suffering from alopecia areata found it to be beneficial. Alopecia areata is a condition where people lose hair in patches because their immune system attacks their hair follicles. During the course of the study they found that 86.9% of the participants who applied onion juice experienced hair regrowth compared to only 13% of those who had applied plain tap water.^[2][Alopecia Areata](https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/alopecia-areata “Alopecia Areata”).National Institutes of Health. ^[3]Sharquie, Khalifa E., and Hala K. Al‐Obaidi. “Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata.” The Journal of dermatology 29, no. 6 (2002): 343-346. So, if you’re worried about hair loss, onion juice could be your savior!

How To Use Onion Juice For Hair:

• Peel and cut 2-3 onions. Blend the cut onion. Sieve the blended onion to strain the juice.
• Add equal quantities of onion juice and coconut oil and massage the solution into your scalp. Leave it on for about half an hour before rinsing it off.

Precaution: Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

2. Amla Oil

Amla oil has traditionally been used to promote hair health and growth. In fact, according to ayurveda it’s also an excellent remedy for premature graying. Research shows that amla inhibits an enzyme called 5α-reductase which can impact your hormones and promote hair loss.^[4]Kumar, Naphatsorn, Wandee Rungseevijitprapa, Nual-Anong Narkkhong, Maitree Suttajit, and Chaiyavat Chaiyasut. “5α-reductase inhibition and hair growth promotion of some Thai plants … Continue reading

How To Use Amla Oil For Hair:

• To prepare amla hair oil, chop up amla fruits and dry them in the shade before boiling them in coconut oil.
• Massage this oil into your scalp and leave it on overnight before rinsing it off in the morning.
• For oily hair, skip amla oil and use amla water as a hair wash.
• Soak dried amla fruits in water overnight to prepare the amla water. Mix 3 teaspoons of amla water with an equal quantity of lemon juice and dilute it with as much water as you require for your hair wash.

Precaution: Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

3. Rice Water

Rice water has a long history of use as a beauty treatment for hair in Chinese and Japanese traditions. And this tradition is backed up by scientific research too. Studies have found that rice water can improve hair elasticity and reduce surface friction. Mineral extracts from rice bran have also been found to prolong the growth phase (anagen phase) of hair.^[5]Kim, Yu-Mi, Soon-Joung Kwon, Hyun-joon Jang, and Young-Kwon Seo. “Rice bran mineral extract increases the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla through wnt/catenin … Continue reading Moreover, amino acids present in rice are thought to strengthen hair roots while a carbohydrate known as inositol is thought to make your hair stronger. It can also add a layer of protection against environmental factors like pollution and keep your hair looking shiny and smooth. So, there you go – stronger hair, improved texture and elasticity, and less friction and frizz!^[6] Barsagade, Prachi D., Pranali Patil, and Milind J. Umekar. “A FORMULATION OF FACE PACK AND HAIR PRODUCTS OF RICE WATER FOR THE USE OF SKIN AND HAIR PROBLEM.” (2020).

How To Use Rice Water For Hair:

• To prepare rice water, first wash the rice to remove dirt and impurities. Stick to organic rice so that you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals.
• Soak the clean rice in water for about an hour or two. Don’t forget to give it an occasional stir. Then strain out the rice grains to obtain the rice water.
• You can apply rice water to your hair and let it sit for around 20 minutes before washing it off for best results.

Precaution: Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

4. Brahmi Oil

In ayurveda, brahmi is used to deal with alopecia areata, anxiety, and dandruff. It is considered to be helpful in soothing pitta dosha and reducing stress and tension. Brahmi oil is thought to nourish the scalp and stimulate and strengthen hair follicles to promote hair growth. Research shows that the application of brahmi oil can promote hair growth.^[7]Banerjee, Pooja S., Megha Sharma, and Rajesh Kumar Nema. “Preparation, evaluation and hair growth stimulating activity of herbal hair oil.” Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research … Continue reading In fact, one study even found that a formulation containing brahmi, amla, methi, and meetha neem was comparable in efficacy to a medication used for treating hair loss.^[8]Purwal, Lipi, Surya Prakash BN Gupta, and S. Milind Pande. “Development and evaluation of herbal formulations for hair growth.” E-Journal of Chemistry 5, no. 1 (2008): 34-38.

How To Use Brahmi Oil For Hair:

• Massage brahmi oil gently into your scalp and hair. You can leave it overnight and rinse it off the next day for best results.

However, those prone to colds, should apply the oil and leave it on for an hour and then rinse it off.

Precaution: Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

5. Bhringraj Oil

Bhringraj has been used to prepare hair oils in ayurveda for centuries. It is thought to deep condition your hair, as well as prevent hair fall and premature graying of hair. It is also considered beneficial for dealing with dandruff. One study found that the application of bhringraj reduced the time taken for the growth of new hair as well as the time taken to complete hair growth significantly. A compound called β-sitosterol present in this herb is thought to contribute to this beneficial effect.^[9]Roy, R. K., Mayank Thakur, and V. K. Dixit. “Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in male albino rats.” Archives of dermatological research 300, no. 7 (2008): 357-364. To take advantage of the hair growth promoting properties of bhringraj you can apply either bhringraj oil or use a hair mask.

How To Use Bhringraj Oil For Hair:

• To prepare the hair mask, mix bhringraj powder with equal quantities of fenugreek powder and amla powder and add curd to make a smooth paste. Use this paste as a hair pack and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off. You can also use fresh bhringraj leaves instead of bhringraj powder as some experts suggest that it’s more potent.
• To prepare bhringraj hair oil add 1 tablespoon of bhringraj powder or a handful of fresh clean bhringraj leaves to a cup of coconut oil and heat the mixture over a low flame. Remove the mixture from the heat just as it’s about to boil and allow it to cool down. Strain the mixture and your bhringraj oil is ready. Massage the oil into your scalp and hair and allow it to sit for about an hour before you wash it off.

Some experts also suggest leaving it in overnight, however this can worsen sinusitis for some people.

Precautions:

• If you have a bleeding disorder or use blood thinners check with your doctor before using bhringraj oil. It is also a good idea to stop using bhringraj oil a couple of weeks before a scheduled surgery.^[10][The Health Benefits of Bhringraj Oil](https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-bhringaraj-oil-88825 “The Health Benefits of Bhringraj Oil”).Verywell Health.
• Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

6. Almond Oil

Almond oil can give you shiny lustrous hair – it has nourishing properties. Massaging it into your scalp and hair can help reduce hair breakage, dry roots, an itchy scalp, and split ends. One animal study found that the topical application of almond nut extracts was effective at promoting hair growth. Though the exact mechanism through which almonds work has not been identified these nuts do contain beneficial fatty acids like myristic, oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids.^[11]Suraja, R., G. Rejitha, Sunilsona B. Anbu Jeba, K. Anandarajagopala, and P. Promwichita. “In vivo hair growth activity of Prunus dulcis seeds in rats.” Biol Med 1, no. 4 (2009): 34-8.

How To Use Almond Oil For Hair:

• Massage the almond oil into your scalp and hair and leave it in for about half an hour before rinsing it off.
• You can even soak a towel in hot water (not too hot though, excessive heat can damage your hair!) squeeze out the water and wrap it around your head after you apply the almond oil. Now sit back and relax as the almond oil works its magic.

Precaution: Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

7. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is not traditionally used to promote hair growth. However, it can be used to tackle certain conditions which can lead to hair loss. For instance, it has powerful antifungal and antiseptic properties and has been used to treat ringworm. Some experts also suggest that its anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for tackling psoriasis. And both ringworm and scalp psoriasis can lead to hair loss.^[12] Pazyar, Nader, and Reza Yaghoobi. “Tea tree oil as a novel antipsoriasis weapon.” Skin pharmacology and physiology 25, no. 3 (2012): 162-163. ^[13]Flores, F. C., J. A. De Lima, Roseane Fagundes Ribeiro, S. H. Alves, C. M. B. Rolim, Ruy Carlos R. Beck, and Cristiane Bona Da Silva. “Antifungal activity of nanocapsule suspensions containing … Continue reading ^[14][ SCALP PSORIASIS: 10 WAYS TO REDUCE HAIR LOSS](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/genitals/scalp-hair-loss “SCALP PSORIASIS: 10 WAYS TO REDUCE HAIR LOSS”). American Academy … Continue reading

How To Use Tree Tea Oil For Hair:

• It’s a good idea to speak to your doctor about using tea tree oil to treat infections or psoriasis. Typically:
• To treat psoriasis, you can mix 5 to 6 drops of tea tree oil in 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as almond oil and apply to the affected area.
• To treat fungal infections, you can prepare a solution by mixing 1 part tea tree oil with 4 parts of a carrier oil and apply it to affected areas.^[15]Olsen, Cynthia B. Australian tea tree oil guide: First aid kit in a bottle. Lotus Press, 2003.

Precautions:

• If you’re suffering from psoriasis or ringworm do check in with your doctor before using tea tree oil to treat it.
• Tea tree oil needs to be diluted with a carrier oil before it’s used topically.
• Avoid using tea tree oil while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.^[16][The Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil](https://www.verywellhealth.com/benefits-of-tea-tree-oil-89521 “The Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil”).Verywell Health.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is often used as a cleansing rinse for hair. It can help clear hair products, dirt, dead skin, and oil which has built up on your scalp and maybe clogging your hair follicles. Moreover, it has an antifungal effect and inhibits the growth of the fungus Malassezia furfur. This fungus infects the scalp and can cause dandruff.^[17]Arun, PV Parvati Sai, Yaralagadda Vineetha, Maseera Waheed, and Koka Ravikanth. “Quantification of the minimum amount of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar required for the growth inhibition … Continue reading Malassezia also causes oxidative damage which plays a role in premature hair loss.^[18]Trüeb, Ralph M., Jim P. Henry, Mike G. Davis, and Jim R. Schwartz. “Scalp condition impacts hair growth and retention via oxidative stress.” International journal of trichology 10, no. 6 … Continue reading

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair Loss:

• To prepare an apple cider vinegar hair rinse combine equal quantities of water and apple cider vinegar. Pour this solution over wet hair and massage it into your scalp.
• Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

Precaution: Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

9. Jonk Oil

Jonk oil or leech oil is also widely used for promoting hair growth. It is thought to strengthen hair follicles and promote hair growth. It is also thought to moisturize dry and brittle hair as well as add shine. Though there isn’t a lot of scientific research on the efficacy of leech oil in promoting hair growth one animal study did find a poly herbal formulation containing leech as well as other ingredients such as onion, hibiscus, and beehive to be effective. In fact, this polyherbal oil was found to be more effective than a medication used for treating hair loss. During the study, the polyherbal oil was applied daily for 40 days.^[19]Nikita, Saraswat, Pal S. Rashmi, Pal Yogendra, Wal Pranay, Wal Ankita, and A. K. Rai. “Poly Herbal Hair Oil Preparation, Standardization, Treatment and Evaluation for Alopecia in Male Wistar … Continue reading

How To Use Jonk Oil For Hair:

• Massage jonk oil into your scalp for about 15 minutes and leave it on overnight before rinsing it off.

Precaution: Test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin first to make sure that you do not react adversely to it before applying it on your scalp.

Adopt A Beneficial Hair Care Routine

Here are a few elements that should ideally be a part of your hair care routine:

• Oiling: Ayurveda recommends regular scalp oil massages to boost blood circulation and improve hair growth. According to ayurveda, snehana (oiling) and swedana (promoting sweat) are helpful in keeping your hair healthy. Go for a hot oil massage (which works as a combination of snehana and swedana) with coconut, almond, olive, avocado, argan, sesame, or jojoba oil. Test the oil on your skin to make sure that it’s warm and not too hot before applying it to your hair and scalp.
• Combing: According to ayurveda, combing your hair daily can help stimulate your scalp as well as keep it clean. However, make sure you brush your hair gently, aggressive brushing can damage your hair. It’s a good idea to start brushing from the bottom, detangling knots gently as you work your way up. Ayurveda recommends using a wooden comb.
• Cleansing: Hair care experts point out that the frequency of hair washing depends on how oily your scalp is. A very oily scalp might require a daily wash. But do keep in mind that excessive washing can result in brittle, dry hair or an itchy, irritated scalp.^[20][How to Keep Your Hair Healthy This Winter](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/your-best-strategies-for-beautiful-hair-in-the-winter/ “How to Keep Your Hair Healthy This Winter”). Cleveland … Continue reading Ayurveda has traditionally used natural ingredients such as shikakai (soap pod), reetha (soap nut), hibiscus etc. to cleanse hair.
• Protecting: Ayurveda emphasis on the importance of protecting your hair from the elements. So, cover your hair with a wide brimmed hat, scarf, or umbrella to protect from the wind, sun, and environmental pollution when you’re out.^[21]Ande, Amar N., and Swati K. Chobhe. “PDEAS International Journal of Research in Ayurved & Allied Sciences.”
• Eat healthy: A nutrient-rich, healthy, balanced diet benefits your whole body including your hair. A deficiency in the following nutrients is specifically linked to hair loss:^[22][Hair Loss](https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/hair-loss-a-to-z “Hair Loss”). Harvard Health Publishing.
  • Protein: Fish, chicken, dairy products, soy products, quinoa, lentils, beans, whole grains, nuts etc. can give you protein.^[23][Protein]( https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/protein “Protein”).Better Health Channel.
  • Iron: Seafood, lean meat, poultry, lentils, white beans, kidney beans, nuts, raisins, spinach, peas etc. can give you iron.^[24][Iron](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/ “Iron”). National Institutes of Health.
  • Biotin: Fish, meat, eggs, nuts, seeds, spinach, sweet potatoes, broccoli etc. ca give you biotin.^[25][Biotin](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer/ “Biotin”). National Institutes of Health.
  • Zinc: Oysters, poultry, red meat, lobsters, crab, nuts, beans, dairy products, whole grains etc. can provide zinc.^[26][Zinc](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/ “Zinc”). National Institutes of Health.