Hair Care
Hair care in India has been derived from the ancient texts of Ayurveda where different herbs are infused into the oil to deal with different ailments and constitutions. The common oil used for treating hair on a regular basis is Coconut oil.
Coconut oil has a number of wonderful health benefits ranging from skin care to deal with disease like Eczema and Psoriasis, improving one’s immunity, weight loss (when coconut oil is used for cooking dishes like curries, stews, and vegetables). One of the most common uses of coconut oil is for hair care since it results in strong, shiny, long hair when applied topically. It is also effective for renewing damaged hair as the essential proteins in the oil help to help to nourish and heal the damage caused to the hair by dryness, heat, and yes fatigue.
It is advised to massage the head and hair with warm coconut oil (warmed on a stove top and not in the microwave which can change the atomic structure of the oil) gently. Once the oil has been applied, one can do a self-massage on the head, pressing the pressure points on the top of the head. This action not only helps to bring stress relief, calm, but also ensure that the oil seeps into the hair roots and follicles, strengthening the hair strand from bottom up. Once the oil is applies retain it for 30 to 60 minutes (as per your time availability, length of hair, and personal choice). During this time, you could take a towel, wet it with hot water, remove the excess water and then press the head with the hot towel. This motion helps to open up the hair follicles and allow the oil to go deeper (this is done for 5 minutes until the towel becomes cool). Another method used in India is a mobile steamer which allows the steam to penetrate the head and have the same impact of the oil application.
During the head bath, use Shikakai (a natural fruit cleaner suggested for the hair), or an organic shampoo and rinse twice. It is recommended to have the last rinse with cold water which allows the root of the hair follicle to close.
The above hair care procedure can be done twice or thrice a week and results in strong, healthy, and shiny hair!
