Amla for hair: Give your hair a magical makeover with this natural wonder

Amla or Indian gooseberry has been used medically in several cultures for thousands of years. From strengthening your immunity to boosting digestive health to improving skin texture, Amla is touted to be one of the most effective home remedies out there! Plus, using it for your hair is another added advantage. Infused with the goodness of several nutrients, Amla is a great ingredient you can use to boost hair growth and promote hair strength and thickness. It offers several benefits for your hair and can be used in various ways to promote hair health.

Health Shots reached out to Dr Madhu Chopra, MBBS, DORL, Cosmetologist, Managing Director at Studio Aesthetique, Mumbai to know how Amla is good for your hair.

Amla – the potent home remedy for hair

Amla has been used for many generations for improving and maintaining hair vitality. It is a powerhouse of nutrients rich in good fatty acids, phytonutrients, and vitamin C. It helps restore hair growth and prevent hair loss, even hormone-related hair loss. Using Amla for hair may even work for those who have dry, flaky scalp. Plus, vitamin C in Indian gooseberry helps eradicate dandruff. It has also been used as a home remedy to prevent premature greying as well, explains Dr Chopra. All in all, Amla is a potent hair protector that deserves a place in your vanity.

Benefits of amla for hair

Amla is a powerful ingredient that helps promote healthy hair. Here are some key benefits of using amla for hair, as shared by the expert:

1. Promotes hair growth

Amla stimulates hair follicles, promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss. It strengthens the hair roots and encourages new hair growth. 5 Alpha reductase in Amla promotes the Anagen phase leading to lush hair growth, the doctor avers.

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2. Good for scalp health

Amla has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help maintain a healthy scalp. It can alleviate dandruff, itchiness, and scalp infections.

3. Makes hair soft and shiny

Amla is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which nourish and condition the hair. It adds shine, softness, and lustre to the hair strands.

4. Strengthens hair and thickness

Amla strengthens the hair shaft, making it less prone to breakage. It also adds volume and thickness to the hair, giving it a fuller appearance. The data from the Innovare Journal of Ayurvedic Sciences found that Amla extract promotes hair growth and makes hair soft and shiny.

5. Prevents hair breakage

Is your hair breaking more often than ever before? If yes, Amla may be able to help you. The tannin and calcium in Amla bind to the keratin in the hair, thus preventing photodamage and hair break, leading to flyways.

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6. Fights dandruff

Dandruff is a common condition that makes the scalp itchy and flaky. It can be extremely irritating. Well, using vitamin C in Amla may help you get deal with dandruff. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that Amla is an effective remedy that can help you get rid of dandruff and prevent hair fall.

How to use amla for hair?

Dr Madhu Chopra recommends using Amla as a pack that you can easily make at home.

1. For this DIY Amla remedy for beautiful and luscious hair, take some amla powder, sour curd, and argan oil. Mix all the ingredients well and apply directly to your hair. Let it sit for half an hour and rinse using a gentle shampoo as amla, too has cleansing properties.
2. Soak dried amla overnight and use it as a pack along with Shikakai. Apply the mask directly on the hair and wash it with a gentle shampoo after half an hour.
3. You can also mix amla with egg white for naturally healthy hair. Eggs are also a nutrient-rich hair superfood that contains vitamin A and folate, two of the important nutrients that promote thick and healthy hair.
4. Amla can be taken in the form of juice in the morning for added health benefits.

To prepare a gentle shampoo, you can soak some Ritha nuts and use the water as a cleanser, adds the dermatologist. Since these remedies can be a bit cumbersome, you can use readily available products such as oils, powders, and juice. She says that you might see results within a month of using the mask. While it is mostly considered safe to use, it is recommended to do a patch test first. Also, check with your dermatologist whether it is suitable for you to use amla for hair or not.