FOOD AND LIFESTYLE FOR HEALTHY HAIR

BEST FOODS FOR HEALTHY HAIR GROWTH

KESHYA GANA

This group includes herbs which have specific action on hair, when used externally or internally. It is further classified into two sub categories, one which promotes good hair growth and the other that prevents graying of hair.

HAIR GROWTH PROMOTING HERBS

• Coconut
• Sesame
• Triphala
• Vibhitaka
• Gunja

RANJAN – NATURAL COLOUR PRESERVERS

• Bhringraj
• Keshraj
• Mango seed
• Triphala
• Indigo
• Vibhitaka
• Mehendi
• Japa (shoe flower)

FOOD ITEMS FOR HEALTHY HAIR

According to Ayurveda food items listed below can be consumed on daily basis to promote healthy hair

MOONG BEAN

Moong bean is rich in proteins that are easily assimilated and absorbed in the system. You can gain all the benefits of milk without lactose trouble, as moong soup is the closest alternative to milk. Moong also  has the abilities to soaks up the bad cholesterol.

As cholesterol circulation in our hair follicles affects hair growth and also triggers premature graying. Moong bean is high in antioxidants, thus it prevents age-related hair damage. Adding a bowl of moong bean to your daily diet.

AMLA

Amla (Indian gooseberry) is one of the best superfoods. It is rich in antioxidants. This time tested herb promotes hair growth and prevents premature graying of hair. Amla prevents and cures scalp inflammations and dandruff too.

You can have Amla in diet as a juice, whisked in smoothies, or you can just have a spoonful of its powder at bedtime. Powdered Amla as capsules or tablets is also a great choice as a daily supplementation.

CUCUMBER

Cucumbers keeps your body hydrated and reduces inflammation. Cucumber seeds are cooling and help in balancing the heat related stress on the hair. Skin of cucumber is rich in silicon and sulphur, which promotes hair growth.

Cucumber smoothies along with coriander and mint really make for a great drink to start your day, especially in summers or for pitta prakruti people (whose body heat is higher than normal). Cucumber should be consumed daily as a snack or salad.

BUTTERMILK

Well-churned yogurt or Buttermilk, mixed with double amount of water and spiced appropriately works as a hair elixir. Buttermilk if taken along with meals helps absorb vital hair nutrients from the food, especially calcium. 

Buttermilk spiced with coriander and cumin seed powder is a great meal accompaniment. Buttermilk is a Swasthahita dravya, and the habit of consuming buttermilk after lunch is excellent for hair health as  well as overall health.

NUTS AND ALMONDS

Hair is naturally vata-dominant and therefore, it is prone to dryness when the vata aggravates. So, it has a natural affinity for soaking up all the good oils that we take internally or apply externally. Nuts and almonds give a boost of Omega-3 fatty acid, Vitamin E and Biotin. 

Walnuts, Almonds and chironji are rich in natural oils that are beneficial for hair growth and vitality, makes the hair lustrous, strong and durable.

So never skip your daily dose of nuts as a snack between meals. Avoid the salted fried ones. You can incorporated them in smoothies, salads or they can be consumed as flavoured, fancy nut milk drinks.

MORINGA

Drumstick leaves and legumes make a great hair supplement, rich source of major vitamins and minerals which our body needs. The antioxidants present in them protect your hair follicles from damage, slows the effects of aging, balance the hormones.

Moringa is proven to be rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and prevents dandruff and other scalp sensitivities.

PEANUTS

You must be wondering why I’m mentioning nuts AGAIN?

Well, this special nut deserves a special mention away from the other nuts I mentioned earlier. Often taken for granted, peanuts can transform our hair completely.

As, they are rich in natural oils, which hair needs to look full of life and lustrous, rich in calcium and silica. Peanuts offer tensile strength to the hair. The high vitamin E, magnesium, zinc and biotin content in peanuts promotes healthy hair growth.

Soak the peanuts overnight and have them in morning, it can be added to salads, or you can just eat it as a snack. 

 SESAME SEEDS AND CUMIN SEEDS

This unique combination works wonders for hair and bones. Sesame is rich in calcium, while cumins help it to get absorbed better in your body. There is a reason sesame is included in keshya dravya(herbs that promote hair growth). 

The easiest way to include these in the diet is to eat them after your meals. Consuming them regularly will never let you be deficient in calcium. Plus, jeera is a great appetizer and it ensures our body absorbs all the nutrients it needs.

GHEE

According to Ayurveda butter should be churned out of curds and then heated to make ghee. And when we talk about ghee in ayurveda, we are specifically talking about Cow ghee.

Buy ghee that is produced by the traditional curd-churning method, or even better if you learn to make it at home. Ghee is excellent for your hair. As it is rich in vitamin A, D and E. Have a spoon before you start the day, or at bedtime. If consuming it directly puts you off, just mix it in just about anything – rice, roti, dal, sabzi etc. But never skip this hair elixir. Ghee is a Swastha Hitakar food that is excellent for everyday consumption.

COCONUTS

Coconut is a superfood, which is experienced and proven through the years of our great culinary heritage. Ayurveda specifically groups coconut under the group – Keshya, which are a group of foods that have potent effects in inducing good hair growth like I mentioned earlier, preventing greying and other hair problems.

Coconut is a versatile food item and can be used in many dishes. You can even consume a whole coconut as a snack.

TRIPHALA

Triphala is a rejuvenator and among one of the best Rasayana herbs. It prevents aging, is antibacterial, promotes hair growth, aids digestion,prevents dental cavities and prevents greying (Varnya). 

A spoonful of Triphala at bedtime or in early morning can help your hair be free of grays and grow lush and thick.

CURRY LEAVES

Curry leaves apart from there wonderful taste, have potent health benefits. They are rich in iron and folic acid. Curry leaves also prevents premature greying and reverse hair damage.

You can just make them into chutneys (wet and dry) and can have with rice, roti, or you can include it in every curry.

METHI SEEDS

Methi’s plenty of benefits and one of them is good hair.  Methi is rich in phytoestrogens and is therefore, a natural stimulator of a thick hair that is devoid of grays.

Methi seeds balances the Vata dosha in the body and therefore, are very good for hair and bone. Methi is also a natural anti inflammatory so, it reverses stress damage on hair.

Soaked, crushed methi can be taken once daily with a glass of water. You can consume sprouted methi in the meals. It can also be added to curries, salads and dals for an amazing flavor.

POMEGRANATE

Pomegranates are tropical elixirs. Pomegranate have Anthocyanins in large amounts. This compound is an excellent anti-aging agent and prevents oxidative stress on skin, hair and the other organs.

Pomegranates also have cholesterol-lowering abilities and hence, prevent cholesterol linked graying and hair loss. It balances the hormones and is a rich source of iron. 

You can eat them in salad, and can also eat just as a snack. Pomegranate juices and smoothies also make for good health drinks.

FENNEL

Fennel is an excellent hormone harmonizer. For all the hair fall which can be metabolically linked to thyroid disorders, Type 2DM, and PCOD, you can correct these issues by using fennel regularly in your diet.

Fennel reduces inflammation and expells out the blood toxins. 

Fennel water made out of soaked, crushed and sieved fennel seeds is  a very cooling drink best when the sun is at its peak, during the afternoon.

EXTERNAL APPLICATION

DRY HAIR

• Mix 5 tbsp each of besan and curd along with 2 tbsp olive oil.
• Apply the mixture to dry hair.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes and shampoo off. Make sure you condition.

The besan strengthens your roots while the curd and olive oil will add moisture and shine to the hair.

FOR NORMAL HAIR

For nourishing your strands and to keep them healthy and shiny,

• Prepare a mixture of 2 tbsp each of gram flour and almond powder along with one egg white
• Mix and apply the mixture to hair.
• Shampoo it off after 30 minutes.

FOR OILY HAIR

•  Mix two tsf each of besan and ground methi seeds in coconut milk.
•  Massage this into your scalp and leave on for an hour.
• Shampoo and condition post this.

FOR DAMAGED HAIR

You don’t necessarily need expensive products to repair and rejuvenate dry or damaged strands. These genius homemade deep conditioning recipes works wonders.

BANANA MASK

• Blend one ripe banana and add 4 tbsp coconut oil, 1tbsp glycerin and 2 tbsp honey to the mixture.
•  You need a smooth paste to ensure that it washes off properly and does not leave bits in your hair.
• Apply this mixture to your hair and cover with a shower cap. Wash off after 30 minutes.

EGG HAIR MASK

• Mix three egg yolks with 3 tbsp olive oil and add a few drops of any essential oil, any oil of your choice.
•  Leave the mixture on your hair strands for 20 minutes before shampooing it off with warm water.

ALOE VERA MASK

• Mix 5 tbsp of aloe vera gel with 2 tbsp of a silicone-free conditioner.
•  Apply the mixture to hair and use a wide-toothed comb to comb it in thoroughly.
•  Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing off.

YOGA AND PRANAYAMAS

Yoga is the best way to bring  harmony between the body and soul, and live a healthy life. But how can we stop hair loss with yoga? 

Well, certain yoga postures and pranayama, breathing exercises can improve circulation throughout the body, therefore in your head too and promote healthy hair to prevent hair fall.

Few yoga asanas and pranayamas you can follow for hair growth is mentioned below

• Adho Mukha Savasana
• Uttanasana
• Apanasana
• Sarvangasana
• Ustrasana
• Uttanpadasana
• Balayam Yoga – You need to rub the fingernails of both hands together. Curl your fingers inwards so that they point towards your palm. Now, bring your hands together so that the nails of all the fingers come in contact with each other. Make sure each nail touches the corresponding nail in the other hand. Rub them vigorously for 5 minutes. Don’t use the thumbnails for this exercise.
• BHASTRIKA pranayama
• KAPALA BHATI pranayama
• ANULOM VILOM (Alternate breathing)