A dizzying array of hair products and chemical treatments that promise you a good hair day, everyday crowd the shelves of supermarkets. However, if you’re looking for something natural then the ancient science of ayurveda might be able to help you out. Amla, or Indian gooseberry, can be your ally for great hair.

What Does Ayurveda Say About Amla?

Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) is highly prized in Ayurveda for its many therapeutic and medicinal properties. It is thought to prolong life (ayushprada) and is said to have anti-aging, and rejuvenative properties (rasayana).

In Ayurveda, maintaining the three doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha – in a balanced state is the secret to a healthy life. And amla is considered to be tridoshashamak, that is, it can alleviate all three doshas. It is said to be particularly effective for pitta dosha.

Amla fruits are said to have five tastes (rasa):

• kashaya (astringent),
• amla (sour),
• tikta (bitter),
• madhur (sweet),
• katu (pungent),

with astringent and sour taste being predominant.

This fruit is a really good source of vitamin C and has powerful antioxidant properties. It also has many beneficial compounds such as ellagic acid, pyrogallol, geraniin, elaeocarpusin, gallic acid etc.

Amla is considered useful for treating a range of medical conditions like ulcers, fevers, indigestion etc. It is also a digestive, liver tonic, laxative, anti-inflammatory agent, and hair tonic.^[1]Baliga, Manjeshwar Shrinath, and Jason Jerome Dsouza. “Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), a wonder berry in the treatment and prevention of cancer.” European Journal of Cancer Prevention … Continue reading ^[2]Bhat, Pravin M., Hari Umale, and Madhukar Lahankar. “Amalaki: A review on functional and pharmacological properties.” Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 8, no. 3 (2019): … Continue reading

4 Reasons Why Amla Is Good For Your Hair

1. Nourishes And Strengthens Hair

Has your hair become brittle and weak? According to ayurveda, an imbalance in vata dosha is thought to be behind dry brittle hair.^[3]Aparrna Gupta.[What does your Ayurvedic dosha mean for your hair type?](https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/ayurvedic-dosha-significance-for-your-hair-type-haircare-routine “What does your … Continue reading Amla has traditionally been used in Ayurveda as a hair nourisher. Now science confirms that it can help strengthen your hair.

One study looked at the effect of soaking untreated hair, bleached hair, and twice bleached hair in a solution containing amla extract. It was found that the solution coated the surface of the hair, particularly hair that was damaged by bleaching. And it made both untreated and bleached hair stronger and less likely to break.^[4]Tiampasook, Pratya, Chaiyavat Chaiyasut, Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi, Thanaroat Timudom, and Duangporn Nacapunchai. “Effect of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. on tensile strength of virgin and … Continue reading

How to use: Apply amla juice

• Take 3 or 4 amla fruits, chop them up and remove the seeds.
• Blend the fruits with a little water and strain.
• This juice can be applied to your hair to strengthen it.

2. Combats Hair Loss

Excessive hair fall is characterized as a condition called khalitya. An imbalance in pitta and vata is thought to cause hair fall. This problem is further aggravated when shonita (blood) and shleshma (mucous substance) don’t function properly which blocks the regeneration of hair.^[5]Jain, Sanchit, and Sharma Anita. “Elixir action of ayurveda in khalitya.” An International Journal of Research in AYUSH and Allied Systems ISSN (2016): 2393-9583.

Amla can balance all three doshas, and is particularly useful for balancing pitta dosha. It is, therefore, considered ideal for tackling hair fall. Scientific research also demonstrates amla’s effectiveness at tackling hair loss. How does it work? Studies show that it

• Stimulates an increase in dermal papilla cells. These cells are present at the base of hair follicles and play an important role in the formation and growth of hair.^[6]Matsuzaki, Takashi, and Katsutoshi Yoshizato. “Role of hair papilla cells on induction and regeneration processes of hair follicles.” Wound Repair and Regeneration 6, no. 6 (1998): … Continue reading The proliferation of dermal papilla cells is thought to prolong the growth phase of hair. Polyphenols and vitamin C derivatives from amla are considered to account for this effect.^[7]Luanpitpong, S., U. Nimmannit, V. Pongrakhananon, and P. Chanvorachote. “Emblica (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.) fruit extract promotes proliferation in dermal papilla cells of human hair … Continue reading
• Inhibits an enzyme known as 5α-reductase. This enzyme converts the hormone testosterone into the stronger hormone DHT which promotes hair loss.^[8]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: Apply amla oil

• To prepare amla oil, heat coconut oil in a pan.
• Add 1/4th of a cup of chopped amla and around a handful of curry leaves.
• Keep the oil on the heat till it turns brown.
• Cool and strain the oil.
• Massage your scalp with this oil and allow it to sit for about half an hour before washing it off with a mild shampoo.

3. Fights Dandruff

A flaky scalp and itchy head – we’ve all suffered from dandruff. Oily, irritated skin, dry skin, skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis, and even harsh skin care products can cause dandruff. A fungus known as Malassezia which feeds on oils present on the scalp is also implicated in this condition.^[9][Dandruff](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/symptoms-causes/syc-20353850 “Dandruff”) Mayo Clinic. And studies have found that the fresh juice of amla fruits was found to be effective against Malassezia fungus.^[10]Rasika, M., S. Parameshwari, P. Sivagurunathan, C. Uma, and M. Bhuvaneswari. “Antifungal activity of Amla extracts against dandruff causing pathogens (Malassezia sp.).” Int. J. Adv. Res. … Continue reading
In ayurveda, dandruff is known as darunaka. It is considered a minor disease or kshudra roga. An imbalance in pitta and vata are primarily thought to lead to dandruff.^[11]Daulatkar, Kavita. “Dandruff-Ayurveda management for better hair care.” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 3, no. 02 (2018): 85-88.< Amla, being tridoshashamak, has traditionally been used to deal with this condition.

How to use: As an amla hair mask

• Mix equal quantities of amla and shikakai (soap-pod) powder and add a scoop of curd to prepare a smooth paste.
• Apply this paste to your scalp and hair and let it sit for half an hour before rinsing it off.
• If you have a chronic problem with dandruff you might need to apply this mask once a week.

4. Gets Rid Of Lice

Another reason for an itchy scalp is lice. It’s most common in children between the ages of 3 to 11 and their families. This is because lice spread through close physical contact. And kids tend to put their heads together when they play.^[12][Head Lice](https://medlineplus.gov/headlice.html “Head Lice”). U.S. National Library of Medicine.
While applying conditioner and then using a fine toothed lice comb is an easy and effective way of getting rid of lice many people also use prescription shampoos and creams for this purpose.

But did you know that amla can also help get rid of lice? In fact, one study compared a shampoo with amla extracts to chemical and commercial shampoos and found it to be more effective. It was able to kill 100% of the lice in 15 minutes.^[13]Soonwera, Mayura. “Efficacy of herbal shampoo base on native plant against head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, Pediculidae: Phthiraptera) in vitro and in vivo in Thailand.” … Continue reading

How to use

• You can prepare a homemade shampoo at home with amla powder, shikakai (soap-pod) powder, and reetha (soapnut) powder.
• Mix the powdered ingredients – amla, shikakai and retha – in equal quantities.
• Add a little water to make a smooth paste and apply it to your scalp and hair.
• Wash off with water.^[14]Suresh Babu. Homemade Herbal Cosmetics. Pustak Mahal. 2005.

Precautions

• Amla and amla oil are usually safe for topical application. However, some people may be allergic to these fruits or other ingredients used in hair masks, shampoos, or hair oils containing amla.
• Before applying it to your scalp, first test the product on a small patch of skin and wait for around 24 hours to see if you develop an allergic reaction. People who are allergic to gooseberries should be particularly cautious.^[15][The Health Benefits of Amla Oil](https://www.verywellhealth.com/amla-oil-for-hair-89404 “The Health Benefits of Amla Oil”). Verywell Health.