Hair: oils, herbs and the science of care
Hair oiling, herbal washes and the Ayurvedic herbs for hair, with the studies behind them.
Few rituals are as Indian as a Sunday champi. Oiling, herbal washes and plant colour have been passed down for generations. These guides explain what each step does to the hair fibre and scalp, using laboratory and clinical studies where they exist.
- Amla: the Indian gooseberry in hair and skin careWhat amla is, why Ayurveda prizes it, what reviews say about its antioxidant content and how it is used in hair care.2 min read
- Bhringraj: the 'king of hair' herb, explainedWhy Ayurveda prizes bhringraj for hair, what animal studies have found, and why human evidence is still missing.2 min read
- Brahmi in hair care: tradition, chemistry and honest evidenceWhy brahmi appears in Ayurvedic hair oils and herbal hair colour, what is known about Bacopa monnieri and where the evidence stops.1 min read
- Dandruff: what causes it and what actually helpsWhy dandruff is not about hygiene, the yeast behind it, dermatologist tips on washing and shampoos, and where herbal scalp care fits.2 min read
- Hair fall: normal shedding, stress shedding and hair lossHow much hair fall is normal, why shedding often follows illness or childbirth, the main types of hair loss and when to see a dermatologist.2 min read
- Hair oiling: the science behind an Indian ritualWhy oiling before a hair wash reduces damage, according to a well-known study from an Indian laboratory.2 min read
- Gudhal: hibiscus in Indian hair careWhy the red hibiscus flower and leaf are in Indian hair oils and conditioners, what the 2003 study actually found and how to use it.1 min read
- Methi: fenugreek seeds in hair careFenugreek's place in Indian kitchens and hair masks, what the one human trial measured and how to use methi on hair.1 min read
- Shikakai: the fruit for hair and India's original shampooHow shikakai pods cleanse hair with natural saponins, how they compare with reetha, and how they fit into herbal hair colour routines.1 min read