Pollution, a hectic lifestyle, stress and chemical exposure are part of a daily routine in metropolitan cities. These factors take a toll on your long and lustrous hair, resulting in hair fall, thinning and breakage.
You purchase costly aromatic oils to provide nourishment to the scalp to grow dense, healthy and strong hair, and also to fight against greying hair, dandruff and scalp infection.
But a majority of these expensive aromatic oils, shampoos and haircare products are blended with mineral oils and preservatives, which may end up doing more harm than good.
It is time to go back to the old advice, “Oil your hair regularly with home-made oil.” Home-made hair growth oil is a healthier option that requires a little knowledge and some basic kitchen skills.
In India, under the Ayurvedic system, the application of oil is an integral part of hair treatments. Washing and rinsing, or conditioning, come after oil applications. Oiling of the hair not only provides nourishment, but is the best way to deal with dryness. It is also an excellent pre-shampoo treatment, and helps the natural distribution of oils along the hair shaft.
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The scalp is rich in oil-producing glands (sebaceous glands). But stress, pollution, dandruff and other factors can block the pores. This can also interfere with blood circulation. Thus, the natural oil, called sebum, becomes dry and hard, while the roots are starved. If this continues, the roots become weak and the hair may fall out. Scalp conditions, like dandruff, may also occur.
Ayurvedic massages with oil help to improve the circulation to the scalp surface and free the roots and pores of dry sebum. The oil application and massage also help to remove stress and tension, both physical and mental.
The distribution of natural oil also improves the hair, and it looks shinier and healthier. The oils also have their own benefits. Traditionally, a variety of herbal oils were used in the Ayurvedic system for strong roots and hair growth.
You can also prepare some hair oils at home.
Hair oil with amla and methi
Take 10 to 15 gm of dry amla and one teaspoon of fenugreek (methi) seeds. Grind both amla and methi seeds coarsely. Add them to 100 ml of pure coconut oil or sesame seed (til) oil.
Put all the ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Keep it in the sun daily for 15 days, shaking it each day to stir the ingredients. After 15 days, strain the oil through a clean muslin cloth and keep the oil in a glass jar. This oil may be applied to the hair. It will benefit all hair types and for dandruff treatment.
Hair oil with leaves
You can take equal quantities of different leaves, like neem, tulsi and curry leaves, and add to 200 ml of almond oil. Wash the leaves well and crush them. Put the almond oil and crushed leaves in a pan and heat to boiling. Turn off the gas and allow the oil to cool. Strain the oil through a clean muslin cloth and keep the oil in an airtight glass jar.
Essential oils can also be added to carrier (pressed) oils to make your own hair oil.
Add 10 drops of essential oil of rose to a cup of pure coconut oil. Keep in an airtight glass bottle. Essential oils should not be used by themselves. They should be used according to specified quantities and diluted with other oils. This oil has a cooling effect and also helps hair growth.
Add five drops of rosemary essential oil to 50 ml of olive oil. Shake well and keep in a glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Apply this to the scalp using cotton wool and leave it on. This helps to prevent and remove dandruff.
Lemon hair oil
Take two lemons and olive oil. Grate the outer rind of the lemon (lemon zest) and put it in a glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Add 100 ml of olive oil and put the bottle in the sun. Shake it regularly. After 3 to 4 days, strain the oil with a clean muslin cloth and keep it in an airtight bottle. It is ready for use. Lemon oil helps oily hair and oily scalp, as well as dandruff-prone hair.
Known as the ‘King of herbs’, Bhringraj oil is consumed orally in Ayurvedic practices to treat ailments of the heart, liver, respiratory system, nerves, and so on.
When applied to the scalp, it improves the length, strength, and lustre of hair.
Bhringraj oil is prepared by blending and heating the extract of bhringraj leaves with an inactive carrier oil, such as coconut oil or sesame oil.
To make this oil, you need a handful of bhringraj leaves or 3 teaspoons of bhringraj powder, a cup of coconut oil and a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds.
Chop the leaves. Heat a cup of coconut oil and add the chopped leaves or the powder into the oil. Heat the mixture for a few minutes till it attains a greenish colour and a strong fragrance. Add the fenugreek seeds. Please turn off the heat and allow it to cool. Strain the mixture and store it in the container. Apply the oil and massage gently for a nourished scalp.
Alternatively, put Bhringraj leaves in the sun to dry for two to three days. After that, immerse these dried leaves in a jar of coconut oil, sesame oil or any other carrier oil. Leave the pot in the sun for another two to three days until the colour of the oil changes to light green. Then, you can use it directly on your scalp.
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