Emblica Officinalis or 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 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.
It contains essential fatty acids, which strengthen hair follicles, giving your hair strength and luster. While it may be an Ayurvedic remedy to start with, it has found favour in haircare products too, becoming a key ingredient in shampoos, hair growth elixirs and oils.
Derived from the Amalaki plant, Amla fruit has been used as an essential part of hair care rituals since time immemorial and is considered an elixir for hair. Amla also possesses nourishing properties.
Amla is considered as a ‘superfood‘ for hair. With a zillion nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients. Amla is also very high in antioxidants which help in maintaining the health of the scalp. Ayurveda considers amla as ingredient that restores your hair's lost beauty and vigor.
Here, we go through some of the well-known benefits of using amla for hair and also understand how to use Amla for hair care.
One of the best things you can do to prevent hair fall is to massage your hair with amla oil. Amla increases the circulation of blood significantly throughout the scalp. By providing enough oxygen and nourishment to the hair follicles, amla oil makes the hair fibers strong and puts an end to the issue of hair fall. Research shows that that amla oil was a powerful inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase. The medication finasteride, which is used to treat male and female pattern baldness, also works by inhibiting these 5-alpha reductase. This is particularly key for those with hormonal hair loss, due to PCOS or thyroid imbalances.
Using the vitamin C-rich amla for hair cures the dryness and prevents the accumulation of dandruff. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties are very effective in stopping dandruff formation. By clearing the build-up of impurities from the scalp and restoring optimum pH levels of the scalp, amla even helps in reducing the itchiness resulting from dandruff. Before you opt for any kind of anti-dandruff treatment, you should first know about what has caused dandruff in the first place.
Seborrheic dermatitis is the first term that will catch your attention. Basically, it’s an itchy, red rash with concomitant white or yellow flakes - this condition can affect not only our scalp but also our face and other parts of our torso. Seborrheic dermatitis is also linked to a fungus called Malassezia, which can be found on the scalp and normally feast on oils secreted by hair follicles. If the fungi become too active, dandruff can be a painful outcome. And amla can be an essential ingredient in such hair treatments.
It has antifungal and antiviral properties, which prevent dandruff and other fungal infections and improve scalp health.
One of the biggest causes of premature greying of hair is the lack of proper nutrition. Regular use of products with amla or oils in daily hair care routine prevents greying and helps in maintaining natural hair color and luster. Greying of hair is caused when cells at the hair base (melanocytes) stop producing the pigment which is responsible for giving our hair its colour. To continue making the color-producing pigment, the cells need Vitamin B12. Research says that with the progress of your 30s, the capacity of cells to make the color-producing pigment can weaken, resulting in greying. Additionally, amla's abundant vitamin C helps oxidize melanin in your hair follicle pigment cells that minimizes premature greying of hair.
Studies also indicate that when our hair cells produce too much hydrogen peroxide (which is produced naturally by the cells), our hair can turn grey too. Premature greying has also been linked to medical conditions such as thyroid disorders and anemia. Heredity or genetics is also believed to play a part in greying. Add to the list a lack of nourishment or a well-balanced diet.
Amla contains essential fatty acids that penetrate into the follicles, making the hair softer, shinier and voluminous. It also stimulates hair growth owing to its high iron and carotene content. Amla combined with Reetha and Shikakai compliment each other and help in maintaining healthy and lustrous hair.
Subcutaneous blood flow is especially crucial during the growth phase of a hair strand's life cycle. When applied topically, the vitamins and minerals along with the phytonutrients present in amla increases the blood circulation in the scalp, which stimulates the hair growth. Blood circulation ensures that the scalp gets all the essential nutrients and oxygen to be healthy. Plus, subcutaneous blood flow helps in the anagen phase of the hair, making them grow longer.
Amla contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and amino acids that stimulate blood circulation to your hair roots. Amla promotes collagen synthesis, which strengthens your scalp tissues. Polyphenols in amla proliferate dermal papilla cells of hair follicles, encouraging new hair growth.
Free radicals can damage your cells and cause diseases. Amla is a powerful detoxifier that removes dead cells and helps replace them with new cells. It is rich in powerful antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals and repair damaged cells. This protects your scalp from inflammation, helps slow down your body's aging process, and promotes the longevity of hair along with healthy growth.
Nutrients in amla deeply nourish and condition your tresses. These help to enhance overall hair quality and bring shine and luster to your mane. Amla is an effective clarifying agent that removes chemical build-up from your hair follicles. It can remove the grime on your scalp, without stripping off your natural moisture levels. This maintains your scalp pH level, which helps prevent dandruff and other scalp diseases. The protein molecule of Keratin, which is the building block of your hair, easily binds with tannins. This provides strength to the hair, preventing hair breakage and split ends. Carotene in amla helps produce sebum, keeping your hair from drying out.
The tannin and the calcium present in amla save the hair from any kind of photo-damage and heat damage and therefore healthier hair is promoted. Tannins are phenolic compounds which easily bind to keratin proteins of the hair, preventing them from breaking down.
Vitamin C is the key ingredient for the synthesis of collagen, which serves as the building block for the hair. It is also a great clarifying agent for the scalp which removes the chemical build up and layers of dirt and grime. When the scalp is clean, it is better able to absorb nourishing hair products.
Amla oil is rich in Vitamin E, making it a great conditioner for the hair, leaving it soft and shiny. Plus, it works brilliantly to counter dryness in its oil form. Amla is also natural coolant!
In the current times, when almost everyone has hair problems because of poor lifestyle, diet, and environmental pollution, Amla is a wonder Ayurvedic fruit that helps in restoring hair health. Including it in the diet as well in our regular hair care routine is the best way to get those healthy, lustrous hair we all desire.
