Frizz, split ends, and dandruff – a bad hair day can mean a bad day period. But the ancient science of ayurveda might have some hair care tips that can help you sail through the day with a gorgeous mane. Let’s check out what ayurvedic hair care routine looks like.

How Can You Know Your Hair Dosha Type?

According to ayurveda, we are all composed of a combination of the five basic elements of air, fire, water, space, and earth. These elements form the three life forces or biological humors known as vata (air and space), pitta (fire and water), and kapha (earth and water). Though we all contain all three doshas one dosha is generally predominant which determines our body constitution or prakriti.

• Vata: People with vata constitution are considered to be thin, quick thinking, and fast. As far as hair is concerned it tends to be rough and curly. Their hair can be dry and they’re susceptible to split ends.
• Pitta: People with a pitta constitution have sensitive skin and are considered to have a fiery personality. As far as hair goes they have straight, soft hair and may be susceptible to baldness and early graying.
• Kapha: People with a kapha constitution are to have a calm personality and a solid body frame, their skin tends to be oily. And they tend to have straight, dense, oily hair.^[1][What Is Ayurveda?](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-ayurveda-88174 “What Is Ayurveda?”).Verywell Health.^[2]Ande, Amar N., and Swati K. Chobhe. “PDEAS International Journal of Research in Ayurved & Allied Sciences.” ^[3]Bhatkoti, Mayank, Shailander Singh, Payal Thakur, and Rajdip Rao. “UNDERSTANDING SKIN IN AYURVEDIC PRESPECTIVE.” Pharma Science Monitor 9, no. 1 (2018).

How To Care For Your Hair Based On Your Dosha?

Hair care in ayurveda takes into account your prakriti or body constitution which also includes your hair type. Let’s take a look at an ayurvedic everyday hair care routine that can help keep your hair healthy. It includes aspects like:

1. Oil Massage

According to ayurveda, a head and hair massage should be an integral part of your daily routine or dinacharya. Oiling is thought to strengthen the scalp and hair as well as provide nourishment to the hair follicles. ^[4]Ande, Amar N., and Swati K. Chobhe. “PDEAS International Journal of Research in Ayurved & Allied Sciences.” Let’s take a look at some of the factors that go into a good head and hair massage.

2. Pick The Right Oil

Different oils have different properties. You might want to factor in seasonal conditions and your prakriti while picking the oil that’s right for you.

• Sesame oil – is considered to be slightly hot in nature. It’s ideal for those with a vata constitution and can also be beneficial for kapha people.
• Coconut oil – is considered to be cooling in nature. It’s ideal for those with a pitta constitution and usually not recommended for those with a kapha constitution. Coconut oil is considered the best option during hot summers or if you live in a hot and humid place.
• Castor oil – is considered to be lightly hot in nature. It has deep penetrating activity and is considered beneficial for people with vata and kapha constitutions.

Ayurveda also recommends herbal oils for tackling specific hair issues.

i. For Thick Hair

• Neelibhringadi taila
• Bhringaraja taila
• Tekaraja taila
• Chembarutyadi taila
• Bhringamalakadi taila
• Kayyonyadi taila

ii. To Tackle Premature Graying

• Amalaki taila
• Triphaladi taila
• Kayyonyadi taila
• Doorvadi keram
• Gopatmajadi taila
• Madhuka taila
• Neelinyadi taila

iii. For Long Healthy Hair

• Kayyonyadi taila
• Neelibhringadi taila

3. How To Do A Head Oil Massage

Ayurveda advocates a daily oil massage for your head and hair. You can use a small quantity (1/2 teaspoon) for this and you don’t need to wash it off since very little oil is being used. Once or twice a week you can go for a more intense massage – use about a tablespoon of hair oil and leave it on overnight (or at least an hour) before washing it off. Follow these steps for your head massage:

• Pour a tablespoon of oil into your hands and apply it to the crown area of your scalp with a gentle to and fro motion.
• Then start working in the oil from the sides of your head to the top. Now go in the other direction using both oscillatory and circular motions.
• Now work from the back of your head to the center and repeat by massaging in the opposite direction.
• Use your finger pads to gently massage your scalp in circular movements and gently squeeze your temples with the heel pads of your hands. Use circular and wide strokes to massage your temples.
• Lower your head slightly and massage the back of your neck by squeezing and rolling the muscles as you work towards the bottom of the neck. Also rub the depressed area behind your ears gently with your finger pads.
• End your head massage by interlocking your fingers and moving your palm from the front of your scalp to the back by applying slight pressure.

4. Combing Your Hair

According to ayurveda, combing your hair daily helps to keep it clean. It is thought to get rid of raja (pollen) as well as mala (dirt or dust). Here are a few tips that you should keep in mind while combing your hair:

• Use a soft comb that won’t damage your scalp. A wide toothed comb or brush with smooth prongs can be helpful.
• For most hair types it’s best to avoid combing your hair while it’s wet as hair tends to be more fragile when it’s wet. Let your hair air dry partially before you comb it. However, if you have textured or tightly curled hair then brushing it while it’s wet can reduce the likelihood of hair breakage.
• Start brushing from the bottom of your hair. Hold the bottom part of your hair and gently brush it out to remove the tangles at the end. Now gradually move up part by part till you brush through the entire length of your hair. This process helps you smooth out tangles more easily.^[5][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^[6][HAIR STYLING WITHOUT DAMAGE](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/hair-care/styling “HAIR STYLING WITHOUT DAMAGE”).American Academy of Dermatology Association.

5. Using Hair Packs

Ayurveda does not recommend a hair pack for healthy hair. However, herbal hair packs are used for specific purposes such as tackling hair fall, improving hair quality, or treating dandruff. Herbal powders are thought to offer benefits such as:

• Amla: to improve hair quality and tackle premature graying, and hair fall
• Triphala Choornam: to tackle premature graying and dandruff
• Bhringaraj: to prevent hair fall
• Aloe vera: to nourish hair, improve shine, and treat dandruff
• Hibiscus leaf and flower powder: to increase volume, improve shine, and prevent dandruff
• Curry leaves: to tackle premature graying
• Manjistha, Sariva, Khadira: these are herbs that are considered beneficial for the skin. They can be helpful in tackling scalp allergies, dandruff, etc.

How to prepare a hair pack

Finely powdered herbs can be mixed with water, oils or milk to prepare a paste that can be used as a hair pack. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• If you’re using oil to prepare the hair pack then it can be left on overnight. Coconut oil will have a cooling effect while sesame oil will be soothing to the nerves.
• If water is used to prepare the hair pack it will have a drying effect. Therefore, it’s best to wash it off after 1- 2 hours. However, if you have extremely oily hair then the hair pack can be left on overnight.
• If you’re using milk to prepare the hair pack then it’s best to wash it off after an hour.

Precautions

• Do test all new hair care ingredients on a small patch of skin before applying it to your scalp to make sure that you don’t have an allergic reaction to it.
• People with a vata constitution should be careful that the hair pack doesn’t dry out their hair. It might be best to use oil in the preparation of the hair pack.
• People with kapha constitution may experience cough, cold, worsening of sinusitis, or heaviness of head if they use coconut oil as a base or use cooling herbs like sandalwood.

6. Hair Washing

Hair care experts suggest that you should be guided by how oily your scalp is when deciding how often you wash your hair. If your scalp is very oily you may need to wash it daily to keep it clean. However, do keep in mind excessive washing can lead to hair becoming dry and brittle, as well as an irritated, itchy scalp. According to ayurveda, it’s a good idea to wash your hair with herbal hair powder or shampoo once or twice a week. This can be done after a head massage (where you let the oil sit overnight or at least an hour). Traditionally, powdered herbs such as amla, aritha, shikakai, heena, bhringraj etc. have been used to clean hair without disturbing the natural functioning of the scalp. Ideally, you should use cool water or lukewarm water (this helps remove hair oil) to wash your hair. Very hot water can damage your hair.^[7][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 ^[8][The Dirty Truth About Washing Your Hair](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-dirty-truth-about-washing-your-hair/ “The Dirty Truth About Washing Your Hair”).Cleveland Clinic.

7. Hair Trimming

Ayurveda recommends regular trimming of hair. And we’ve all experienced its benefits – it helps to cut out split ends and damaged parts of your hair. So how often should you trim your hair? Some experts suggest that you should get a trim once every 45 days.

8. Protecting Your Hair From The Elements

Ayurveda advocates covering your hair when you go out to protect your hair from dirt, pollution, the heat of the sun, and wind. So, check out scarves, wide brimmed hats and umbrellas. You could even use a traditional turban if you’re up for it!^[9]Ande, Amar N., and Swati K. Chobhe. “PDEAS International Journal of Research in Ayurved & Allied Sciences.”

9. Having A Healthy Diet

Ayurveda lays a lot of importance on a healthy, balanced diet which can keep your whole body, including your hair healthy. According to ayurveda, foods which have tikta (bitter), madhur (sweet), and kashaya (astringent) taste promote hair health and hair growth. Meanwhile, amla (sour), kshar (corrosive), and lavan (salty), foods when consumed in excessive quantities are thought to block hair growth and damage hair. The following are some examples of food based on their taste:

• Madhur (sweet): green leafy veggies, green moong, rice, wheat, almond, coconut, etc
• Amla (sour): Tomatoes, tamarind, raw mangos, etc
• Tikta (bitter): Coriander, spinach, bitter gourd, etc
• Lavan (salty): salty chips, wafers, papad, any food to which excess salt has been added
• Kashaya (astringent): cashew nuts, certain pulses, etc
• Kshar (corrosive): papad, foods with preservatives like soda bicarbonate and vinegar^[10]Ande, Amar N., and Swati K. Chobhe. “PDEAS International Journal of Research in Ayurved & Allied Sciences.”

Meanwhile, modern science recognizes that having a diet that is sufficient in nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, iron, and biotin is important for keeping your hair healthy. A healthy balanced diet will ensure that you get all the nutrients that you need.^[11][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

10. Nasya Therapy

Ayurveda also considers the daily practice of nasya therapy to be important for healthy hair. Nasya is the practice of instilling beneficial or medicinal oils such as anu taila in the nasal cavities at very low doses (2 drops). This is thought to protect against premature graying as well as hair fall. A registered ayurvedic physician can teach you the procedure for nasya therapy.^[12]Ande, Amar N., and Swati K. Chobhe. “PDEAS International Journal of Research in Ayurved & Allied Sciences.” ^[13][Pratimarsha Nasya](http://www.ccras.nic.in/content/pratimarsha-nasya “Pratimarsha Nasya”). Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences.