What Is Ayurvedic Hair Care? The Traditional Approach Explained

In short: Ayurvedic hair care is the traditional Indian approach to looking after hair: regular oiling of the scalp and lengths, mild cleansing, conditioning, and a steady routine rather than quick fixes. It relies on plant oils such as coconut and sesame, and herbs such as indigofera. Our vegan hair care range follows each step.

Hair care can feel complicated, with new products and trends every month. Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian wellbeing that goes back thousands of years, keeps it simple: care for the scalp, use plant ingredients, and be consistent.

What is Ayurvedic hair care?

In Ayurvedic tradition the scalp is often compared to soil: look after it and the rest follows. The routine rests on a few principles:

• Regular oiling of the scalp and lengths.
• Mild cleansing that does not leave hair feeling stripped.
• Plant oils and herbs rather than heavy styling products.
• A calm, consistent routine.

Why is hair oiling so important in Ayurveda?

Oiling is the best known Ayurvedic hair practice. Coconut oil is light and widely used in Kerala; sesame oil is the traditional base for many Ayurvedic oils. Our Ayurvedic Herbal Hair Oil combines sesame seed and coconut oils with indigofera extract, vitamin E and essential oils. You can also use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil on its own. See how to oil your hair.

How should you wash hair the Ayurvedic way?

Use a small amount of a mild shampoo and focus it on the scalp. Our Nalikera Shampoo is made with coconut oil and vitamin E, with a fresh scent of lavender, lemon and ylang ylang. Because it is concentrated, a little goes a long way.

Why condition after washing?

Conditioner makes hair easier to comb and leaves it feeling soft. Our Ayurvedic Hair Conditioner uses shea butter, lavender and vitamin E.

Who makes Holy Lama hair care?

Our hair care is hand filled and hand labelled at our own factory in Kerala, India, by a family business that dates back to 1946. We work closely with local farmers in Kerala, and more than 80% of our workforce is women, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Read more: how to build a simple Ayurvedic hair routine and how to choose a natural hair oil, or see our hair care range.