How To Use Amla For Hair Growth: Uses and Benefits

How To Use Amla For Hair Growth: Uses and Benefits

Authored by : Shreya Dalela
  • 28 June 2019
  • 7 mins read
Reviewed by : Dr. Aruna

Ever wonder how our grandmothers managed to have thick, glossy and intensely dark hair even in their 50s? The secret lies in the powerful Ayurvedic fruit Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry for hair. 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. 

Owing to its richness in nutrients like Vitamins C and tannins, Amla has been a part of grandma’s beauty treasure trove for centuries! 

Amla also possesses nourishing properties. One amla contains up to 80 percent moisture making it a great natural skin conditioner. Looking for ways to use amla for hair? Let’s help you out.

How to use Amla for hair

Name any hair problem and you’ll find a way to cure it with the goodness of Amla. 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.

1. Amla for hair fall treatment


One of the best things you can do to prevent hair fall is to massage your hair with amla oil. Considered as a ‘superfood‘ for hair, Amla is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients that increase 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.

Pro tip - Use Amla Oil for hair and scalp


Wondering how to prepare Amla oil? You can simply heat natural coconut oil with amla powder till it turns brown. This will result in Amla oil that you can apply to the scalp and the hair roots soon after it cools down. 

If you don’t want to prepare amla oil at home, you can also use Ayurvedic hair treatment known as Brigandi Hair Oil. This oil is rich in Ayurvedic ingredients like Bhringraj and Indian Gooseberry for hair fall treatment. 

kama ayurveda bringadi amla oil

Read also - Wonder Herb Bhringraj - How To Use Bhringraj Oil For Hair Growth

2. Amla for dandruff treatment


Using the vitamin C-rich amla powder 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.

Pro tip - Use Amla Powder to prepare a hair mask

To use Amla powder for hair dandruff treatment, Ayurveda recommends using an Amla hair mask regularly. Applying a hair mask is the best way to use Amla powder for hair. Below are the simple steps that you need to follow. 

amla powder

Make a paste of amla powder in water and grind about 8-10 tulsi leaves into this paste. With the help of your hands, apply this paste on to your scalp and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water and mild natural cleanser. You may follow up with a conditioner that is rich in Amla to further fight the build-up of oil and dandruff.

3. Amla for treating premature greying


One of the biggest causes of premature greying of hair is the lack of proper nutrition. Including Amla is everyday diet not only helps in supplying the body with the necessary nutrients but also helps in their absorption. 

Regular use of Amla in the diet as well as in daily hair care routine prevents greying and helps in maintaining natural hair color and luster. Eating amla for hair health is one of the best addition that you can make to your diet.

Pro Tip - Add Amla Powder to Henna Powder before applying


Add amla powder to henna powder whenever you apply it to the hair. This will help in improving its efficacy in coloring the hair and prevent premature greying. 

Regular oiling also helps in retaining the natural hair color. Mix equal amount of amla and almond hair oil and apply the mixture generously from root to tip. Massage the oil in a circular motion on the scalp. Another oil treatment for preventing premature greying is Brigandi Hair Oil. It combines the benefits of amla for hair along with other powerful ingredients like Bhringraj and Indigo.

kama ayureda bringadi intensive hair treatment

4. Amla for hair growth


Amla contains oodles of 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. You can create amla paste for hair by combining it with other herbs that promote hair growth.

Pro Tip - Use Amla Powder for hair with Reetha and Shikhakai

To use Amla for strengthening hair, combine amla powder with two other powerful herbal ingredients - Reetha and Shikhakai. Blend their powdered form in water to make a smooth amla paste for hair and then apply it along the hair strands. 

amla for hair

Together, Amla, Reetha, and Shikakai compliment each other and help in maintaining healthy and lustrous hair.

How to apply amla on hair

Are you convinced about the benefits of amla for hair and looking for more ways to include amla in your hair care routine? Then, you’ll find these simple ways to apply amla on hair very useful. Let’s start with the simplest one.

1. Applying Amla juice on hair

Using amla juice for hair works as an effective hair strengthening treatment. Amla juice is the simplest hair tonic that provides your hair with all the nutrients that it needs. Wondering how to make amla juice for hair growth? It’s easier than you think.

amla juice

Simply take a fresh amla and squeeze out its juice into a bowl. You can even add freshly squeezed lemon juice to amla juice to make a hair tonic. Apply amla juice directly on the scalp with your fingertips. Massage it gently and then leave it on for about an hour. Wash it off with a mild cleanser.

2. Applying Amla Hair Pack on hair

Amla hair pack can be made by mixing amla powder with other useful Ayurvedic ingredients for hair. For all those who wonder how to use amla powder for hair, the answer is hair masks and hair packs.

For example, amla and shikhakai hair pack can be made by mixing the two powders in equal quantities in a bowl. Water is added to make a smooth paste that can be easily applied to hair and scalp. Amla hair pack should be left on for 30-40 minutes before washing it off with cold water.

3. Using Amla oil as a hair tonic

Amla can be used in combination with coconut oil or almond oil as a hair tonic. To use it with coconut oil, simply boil some dried pieces of amla in coconut oil till the liquid turns brown. Use this tonic on your scalp and hair.

amla oil

To use Amla with almond oil, combine amla juice with almond oil and warm the mixture together. Apply this mixture as a hair tonic on scalp and hair. 

Frequently Asked Questions about using Amla for Hair

1. Is Amla good for hair?

Amla is considered a ‘superfood‘ for hair. With a zillion nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients present in this ‘wonder fruit’, it is a hair fall control remedy and natural conditioner. Amla is also very high in antioxidants which help in maintaining the health of the scalp. 

For best results only use products that are 100% natural and contain pure Amla. Alternatively, you can dry amla fruit in the sun and powder it to obtain pure Amla powder at home.

2. How to use Amla powder for hair?

Amla powder is dried amla fruit, ground into a fine powder. A thin paste can be made by combining amla powder in water. Apply the paste in the hair roots and scalp to provide nourishment to the hair. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing off with a mild cleanser or running water. 

3. How to use raw amla for hair?

There are two ways to use raw amla for hair. One way is to prepare amla juice by putting the amla in a grinder and straining out the leftovers to obtain the juice. Amla juice can then be applied directly to the hair.

The other way to use raw amla for hair is by preparing an amla wash. This is done by boiling freshly chopped pieces of amla in water and then leaving them in water for about 30 minutes. Washing hair with this water is extremely beneficial.

4. How to eat amla for hair health?

Eating amla fruit every day is helpful in preventing premature greying and promoting hair growth. It also helps in maintaining the health of the scalp. Another way to include amla in your diet is by making drinking amla juice a part of your routine. 

However, eating fresh amla fruit has its own unique benefits. If you find the taste of amla too pungent, you can consume it in the form of amla pickle or candy.

5. How to make amla oil?

If you’re interested in preparing amla oil at home, you can boil dried amla in coconut oil or sesame oil till the oil turns brown. All the nutrients get transferred to the oil and amla oil is obtained after it cools down. The process of making amla oil is complex and the preparation should be done in small batch sizes to maintain the best quality.

Alternatively, you may use Ayurvedic Brigandi Hair Oil Treatment that has herbs and fruits like Amla, Bhringraj, Indigo, and Balloon Vines infused in the sesame oil base. 

Conclusion

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. 

Feeling ready to start including Amla in your hair care routine? Here are a few Kama Ayurveda products with Amla you can get started with. 

About the Author
Shreya Dalela
Shreya Dalela

Shreya Dalela is a certified Yoga instructor and a professional dancer trained at The Danceworx. She’s passionate about Ayurveda and holistic living with over 6 years of experience in doing extensive research and content creation in the domain.

About the Reviewer
Dr. Aruna
Dr. Aruna

An ayurveda doctor with 14 years of experience in yoga, panchakarma and general wellness. Currently working with Kama Ayurveda, analysing and remediating dermatological concerns and queries of the consumers via in-store, virtual and IVR consultation.

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