Benefits Of Amla For Hair – What Does Research Say?
Amla is considered to be a wonder ingredient in hair care. It is said to promote hair growth, prevent dandruff and lice, and improve hair quality. But is there any scientific backing for these claims? Here’s what research says:
Benefits Of Including Amla In Your Diet
Adding amla to your diet helps reduce oxidative stress and reduces free radicals (7). It also helps reduce lipid peroxidation (8). This reduces damage to the hair. Another benefit of adding amla to your diet is that vitamin C in amla increases the antioxidants in your body. It is also known to purify the blood and prevent premature greying of hair and hair loss.
Now that you know the benefits of amla for hair, read on to know how you can use it to improve your hair health.
How To Use Amla For Hair Growth At Home
1. Amla Oil For Hair Growth
A study showed that coconut oil could penetrate the hair shaft and nourish it from within (9). It can also reduce protein loss and protects hair from photo and heat damage. Coconut oil also helps repair hair damage and split ends (10). It helps reduce hair loss, enhances hair color, and conditions the hair. Olive oil can also help reduce split ends, hair loss, and hair damage (10). It also helps reduce dandruff, lice, and scalp acne and acts as a hair cleanser and conditioner. You Will Need
2 teaspoons amla powder 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
45 minutes 3 times a week.
2. Amla And Shikakai For Hair Growth
Shikakai, like amla, can stimulate hair growth (11). Another study showed that a herbal shampoo containing shikakai induced hair growth and increased hair thickness (12). It strengthened the hair at the roots and improved hair health. You Will Need
2 tablespoons amla powder 2 tablespoons shikakai powder 4 tablespoons water
40 minutes Once a week.
3. Amla Powder And Egg For Hair Growth
Eggs are often used in hair packs since they are full of protein (13). Egg yolk was shown to induce hair growth in human dermal cells (14).
2 whole eggs 1/2 cup amla powder
1 hour Once a week.
4. Henna And Amla For Hair Growth
Henna is a well-known natural coloring agent as it contains lawsone (15) . It also helps prevent dandruff and premature graying of hair (16). It also reduces hair fall (17).
1 tablespoon amla powder 3 tablespoons henna powder 4 tablespoons warm water
1-2 hours Once a month.
5. Amla And Lemon Juice Recipe For Hair Growth
Lemon juice acts as a scalp cleanser and helps reduce dandruff. This is because it has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties (18). It can also help reduce hair loss and scalp acne (10).
1 tablespoon amla juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
15 minutes 1-2 times every fortnight.
6. Fenugreek And Amla For Hair Growth
A study suggested that fenugreek seeds encourage hair growth by improving blood circulation to the hair follicles (19). Another study done on mice showed that fenugreek stimulated good hair growth (20). You Will Need
2 tablespoons amla powder 2 tablespoons fenugreek powder 5 tablespoons warm water
20 minutes 1-2 times a week.
7. Curry Leaves And Amla For Hair Growth
Curry leaves are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant (21). They can improve scalp health and reduce hair fall. Curry leaves, when used with coconut oil, can help stimulate hair growth.
1/4 cup curry leaves 1/4 cup chopped amla 1 cup coconut oil
45 minutes These are the ways you can use amla to stimulate hair growth. However, you need to keep certain points in mind before you use amla.
Side Effects And Risks
Although there aren’t many side effects to using amla, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using it if you are pregnant. Do not use it on infants or children. Also, do a patch test before you use any of the recipes to prevent reactions like rashes and hives. Hair growth will definitely take time, but with some help from the Indian gooseberry, you can speed the process up a bit. While it may be generally safe to use to boost hair growth, it is better to speak to an Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor to understand if you can include amla in your hair care regimen. Check out the infographic below to know more! Yes, you can apply amla directly to your hair. However, for best results, it is better to make a tonic, oil, or mask using amla and other ingredients that are good for the hair. Can I apply amla juice on my hair daily? No. Avoid over-treating your hair to prevent build-up. You may treat your hair with amla juice and other extracts twice a week. Can I leave amla powder in my hair overnight? No. Any packs or masks that you make using amla powder need to be washed off after 30-40 minutes. However, if you are using amla oil, you may leave it on overnight. Can amla block DHT? Amla is rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid, and polyphenols that may help in blocking DHT.
