Amla Benefits for Hair: Ingredient for Summer

Emblica Officinalis or ‘Amalaki’ more commonly known as Amla is a superior herb of Ayurveda, a natural immunity booster, a detoxifier, a skin rejuvenator and an ingredient most synonymous with haircare. 

Amla is a ‘divyaushada’ literally translating to ‘divine medicine’ in Ayurveda as it contains five taste profiles – sweet, sour, bitter, astringent and pungent that help in the optimal functioning of both mind and body. It is also considered to be ‘tridoshshamak’ which in Ayurvedic scriptures refers to a herb with pacifying properties for all the three doshas i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. From revitalizing body tissues to building Ojas- the essence of immunity and youthfulness in the body; Amla is a powerful ally for almost all bodily systems. Having said that, Amla is regarded as a “keshya” or a hair-benefiting herb in Ayurveda and widely associated with hair care products. Read along to discover Amla’s countless benefits for your hair and understand why it should be a part and parcel of your Summer hair care regime. 

Amla’s Benefits For Hair:

Amla is a natural storehouse of Vitamin C and antioxidants, and is enriched with high levels of Iron content, making it an indispensable component in hair care products. It is also rich in elements like Ellagic, Gallic Acid, and Carotene which work in tandem to improve blood circulation in the scalp area thereby stimulating hair growth and strengthening the hair follicles. 

Hair which is essentially a by-product of bone tissue requires adequate absorption of Calcium. The intake of Amla facilitates that by improving the absorbency.

Amla for Summer Hair-apy:

In Ayurveda, the functioning of hair is controlled by the Pitta dosha; and when this dosha is out of balance due to external or internal factors, it affects the proper functioning of the hair follicles consequently leading to concerns like ‘Khalitya’ or hair fall and ‘Palitya’ or premature greying. An excellent Pitta-pacifying herb, Amla works brilliantly to arrest these hair concerns by effectively balancing the aggravated Pitta dosha in the body. It is packed full of compounds like Tannins and Calcium, which help save the hair from any kind of photo or heat damage, therefore promoting healthier growth. Tannins are phenolic compounds that easily bind to keratin proteins of the hair, preventing them from breaking down. 

This wonder herb can be taken orally as a part of your daily diet or used topically for maximum benefits. 

We recommend the following DIY Amla treatments to wash away all your haircare woes:

• Amla Hair Pack – Mix 2 tbsp of pure Amla powder with 2-3 tbsp of yogurt and make a smooth paste. Apply a generous amount of the paste onto your hair roots, scalp and along the strands of your hair. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes before washing off with a mild cleanser. This pack will cleanse your hair, work as a scalp exfoliator and provide deep nourishment. 
• Amla Hair Oil – Another quick fix is a homemade Amla hair oil. Heat 8-10 dried amla slices in 100 ml of Virgin Coconut oil and apply as a part of your weekly hair regime. 
• The Forest Essentials Amla, Honey & Mulethi Hair Cleanser, and Hair Conditioner ritual also effectively encapsulates these wondrous benefits. The Amla extract gently purifies the scalp without stripping off the natural oils, whilst providing deep conditioning to the hair and giving it a natural shine & bounce. 

Adding Amla to your diet is also a great way to improve the health of your hair. It helps reduce oxidative stress and reduces free radicals, while the Vitamin C in Amla upsurges the antioxidants in your body. You can eat Amla in the following ways:

• Eat one Raw Amla every day for 8-12 weeks to boost hair growth. Each piece of Amla contains around 600 to 700 mg of Vitamin C. You can also dip it in a little honey for taste.
• Drink 20-30 ml of fresh Amla juice mixed with water in, the early morning on an empty stomach for best results. 
• Take ½ a tsp of Amla powder twice a day after meals with normal water. You can also take this supplement in a tablet form at the same frequency as the powder.
• If you find the taste of Amla a bit too pungent then you can consume it in the form of a Murrabba, candy or pickle, and have it as a condiment with your meal. 

These were some quick and easy expert recommended tips from us, to help you create your perfect hair #DreAMLAnd this Summer!