Our hair has a specific lifetime and losing up to 100 strands a day is absolutely common. But when you start finding hair everywhere – from your floor to your pillow cover, you know the condition cannot be ignored. When the hair starts falling at an alarming rate, most of us rely on natural ingredients. Amla or Indian gooseberry is one such simple home remedy that can put an end to frequent hair fall naturally and quite effectively. If you are yet to include this tangy seasonal fruit in your daily hair care routine, this article is definitely for you. Know everything about why and how to control hair fall with amla and arm yourself with a few excellent tips.
What Is Amla?
Amla, also called amlaki or Indian Gooseberry, is a highly admired Ayurvedic medicine that has long been used as a general supplement for health, skin, and hair. Scientifically known as Phyllanthus emblica, the tree of amla is native to India, the Middle East, and some southeast Asian countries. The herb comes packed with essential nutrients, which can never be obtained from a single ingredient. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C, minerals, and amino acids. The anti-oxidant power of amla is almost 17 times greater than pomegranate. It can keep the cholesterol levels under control by reducing triglycerides in the bloodstream, Intake of amla is also linked to increased immunity as well as decreased inflammation, swelling, and pain the body. Some other conditions that can be treated naturally by amla include atherosclerosis, diabetes, pancreatitis, upset stomach, diarrhea, dysentery, joint pain, osteoarthritis, obesity, vision problem, vitiligo, and even cancer (1).
Amla is named after the Sanskrit word ‘Amlaki’, which means ‘Amrit’ or ‘fruit of heaven’ or ‘nectar’. In Ayurveda, it is believed that regular consumption of amla can retain the strngth, vigor, and youthfulness of an individual up to 100 years.
Why Use Amla For Hair Fall Control?
Amla is considered as a ‘superfood’ for our hair. It contains zillion nutrients, which make it a potent natural hair fall control remedy. The vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients present in this ‘wonder berry’ can increase the circulation of blood significantly throughout the scalp, thereby providing enough oxygen and nourishment to the hair follicles. This makes the hair fibers strong and puts an end to the issue of hair fall. Conversely, amla is very high in antioxidants such as phyllantine, gallic acid, ellagic acid, emblicanin, quercetin, etc., which take good care of scalp-related issues like dryness, irritation, and dandruff. This reduces breakage and hair loss significantly. Amla can also help your locks by keeping frizzes and premature greying at bay.
Read Also – How Good Is Amla Powder For Your Hair & Skin?
8 Ways To Control Hair Fall With Amla
1. Amla Juice Hair Tonic
Take a fresh amla and squeeze out its juice into a bowl. Apply it directly to your scalp and massage with your fingertips gently. Let it sit for an hour. Then, wash off with a mild herbal shampoo. Regular application of this hair tonic will nourish your scalp, thereby making hair strands stronger.
2. Amla Hair Wash
It can be made from both fresh and dried amla. Cut some fresh amla into thin small pieces and put them into boiling water. After half an hour, strain the liquid. In case you are using dried amla, just soak the pieces in water for the whole night and strain the liquid in the morning. Washing your hair every day with this concoction will help you prevent hair fall significantly.
Read Also – Natural Amla, Reetha And Shikakai Shampoo
3. Amla And Shikakai Hair Pack
Take equal amounts of amla powder and shikakai powder in a small mixing bowl. Add some water to it. Blend well to form a thick smooth paste. Apply it to your hair all along its length. Wait for the next 30 to 40 minutes. Finally, wash off with cold water. Your hair fall will reduce to a great extent.
4. Amla And Coconut Oil Hair Tonic
Make thin slices of a pot full of amla and dry them for 3 to 4 days in the shade. Now, bring some coconut oil to a boil and add these dried amla pieces to it. Keep cooking until the entire thing turns into a thick dark liquid. Apply it to your scalp and hair thoroughly. Daily usage of this tonic will solve a number of hair issues along with hair fall.
5. Amla And Almond Oil Hair Tonic
Pour some almond oil into a bowl. Add freshly extracted amla juice to it. Now, warm up the mixture a little. You need to massage your scalp with this liquid for 10 to 15 minutes. After a couple of hours, rinse your hair with a mild herbal shampoo. Use your fingertips and follow a gentle circular motion for this purpose. It will boost the flow of blood throughout the scalp and put a stop to hair fall.
Read Also – How To Use Amla For Weight Loss
6. Amla And Lemon Juice Hair Tonic
Take a small bowl and extract the juice of a fresh amla in it. Squeeze out the juice of a fresh lemon into the bowl and mix well. Apply this all over your scalp as a hair tonic and massage with your fingertips for some time. After 30 minutes, wash away with lukewarm water. It will fortify each of your hair strands from inside.
7. Amla And HIs Thereenna Hair Pack
Pour some henna powder (depending on the length of your hair) into a mixing bowl. Add some fresh amla juice to it. Combine well so that you can come up with a smooth paste of even consistency. Now, apply all over your hair. Rinse off with plain water after a couple of hours. It will not only make your hair roots stronger but also condition the shafts naturally.
8. Oral Intake Of Amla
Apart from topical application, oral intake of amla can also be quite helpful in treating the severe hair fall issue. Drink a glass full of fresh amla juice every day in the morning on an empty stomach. It will prevent hair loss as well as speed up the regrowth of hair considerably. Otherwise having 1-2 fresh or dried (sun-basked) pieces of raw amla sprinkled with some salt and pepper can be a great option. Amla powder can also be consumed by mixing with some warm water. Some people also prepare delicious dip or spread, or chutney with amla.
Is There Any Side Effect Of Amla For Hair Care?
Being a natural ingredient, amla is completely safe for your hair as well as body when taken in moderate amounts. But just like other natural remedies, too much use of it can cause a few negative effects. Amla is pretty cooling by nature. So, if you end up catching a cold very often and quite easily, you should not consume it directly. Some of the most common side effects of amla include hyperacidity, constipation, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, kidney problems, dryness and flakiness of scalp, and dry skin. Hence, you must consult your doctor before including the consumption of amla in your daily routine in any form if you already have any of the aforementioned medical conditions.
Add a little honey or a dash of black pepper powder to your amla juice and consume the concoction to prevent hair fall without developing a cough or any other respiratory condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Use Amla Powder Or Fresh Amla?
Amla powder is easily available in the market and you can use it in your hair fall control masks to save your time. However, make sure that the readymade powder you are buying is made from pure and organic amla. Otherwise, it is always advised to buy fresh raw amla berries, dry them well under the sun, and grind them into a fine powder at home. You can even choose a reliable amla supplement for enhancing your health conditions.
Can I Use Amla Juice Directly On Hair?
Yes, you can. Applying fresh amla juice to your hair directly is known to improve the overall health of the hair to a great extent. However. combining it with other natural hair-friendly ingredients can give you even better and faster results.
Does Amla Juice Help Hair Regrowth?
As mentioned above, amla is a super nourishing herb that can take care of your hair from all aspects. Amla nourishes the scalp and stimulates the hair follicles, which result in regrowth of hair fibers.
References:
- “Indian Gooseberry“, WebMD.com
