Here is the Ayurvedic Regimen that I used as a guideline. Enjoy!
 |
| The MopTop Maven |
This post is for those that are interested in
going the Ayurvedic route for the 2011 Healthy Hair challenge. - Ayurvedic
regimens typically include cleansing the hair with herbal infusions, and
conditioning the hair with nourishing oils. The result is hair that is extremely
healthy, thick, and full of body. Ayurvedic regimens can be as simple
[incorporating a few elements], or as complex [following a strict
regimen, cutting out commercial products] as you choose.
Want to include simple elements of Ayurveda without
committing to an entire Ayurvedic regimen?
While there are
many ways to use the products mentioned in this post, the following products are
Ayurvedic treatments that have been the most effective during my hair journey.
These products also include numerous traditional Ayurvedic herbs which is a plus
for those that aren't into complex hair regimens which requires the purchase of
tons of different ingredients. Get the benefit of Ayurvedic herbs with only a
few easy to find products.
You will
need:
Vatika Oil: Vatika Oil is comprised of
Coconut Oil and infused with traditional Ayurvedic Herbs [Brahmi, Neem &
Amla just to name a few] Coconut Oil strengthens hair at the roots, promotes
hair growth, and actually penetrates the shaft to repair areas of the hair
damaged from protein loss. - Vatika Oil has been a staple in my home for the
past two years! It makes my hair extremely soft, shiny, and manageable.
Henna: Think of Henna like a natural
protein treatment. Henna works to stop breakage by strengthening the hair shaft.
Henna also works to seal and repair the cuticle which makes for more manageable
hair, a plus when it comes to detangling. Although Henna is mainly known as a
mega strengthener, Henna has conditioning properties as well, which leaves the
hair shiny, soft and full of body.
How to use these
products in your regimen:
You may notice there are two pre-shampoo conditioning formulas here. You can stick to one, or alternate weekly.
You may notice there are two pre-shampoo conditioning formulas here. You can stick to one, or alternate weekly.
Vatika Oil/Pre Shampoo Treatment:
Once weekly [on washday], oil unwashed hair liberally with Coconut Oil
and cover hair with a plastic cap for about 45min-1hr. This is known as a
pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. Pre-shampooing will help ensure the hair
stays moisturized even after shampooing with a product that contains sulfates
[which is usually drying to hair]. Another benefit to this quick and easy
pre-shampoo treatment is that it also works to strengthen and nourish hair
follicles; preventing hair fall and promoting hair growth.
*Coconut Oil tends to solidify in cooler
climates; to use just run the bottle under warm water to bring it back to a
liquid consistency.
**Vatika Oil is safe to use on relaxed
and transitioning hair alike.
Lock in the moisture with Vatika Oil: You can use this oil to seal the moisture in after using your favorite moisturizer. Add a dime size amount of oil to your hands, rub hands together to distribute oil, then apply to the entire length of the hair paying special attention to the tips/ends.
Lock in the moisture with Vatika Oil: You can use this oil to seal the moisture in after using your favorite moisturizer. Add a dime size amount of oil to your hands, rub hands together to distribute oil, then apply to the entire length of the hair paying special attention to the tips/ends.
Kalpi Tone/Herbal Pre Conditioning
Treatment: Once weekly [on washday], add 3-4 tablespoons
of the herbal product into a clean container. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time
until the mixture is a thick, muddy consistency. Apply the mixture liberally
[as you would a relaxer] to unwashed hair. Cover, and allow to sit for
20-30 minutes. To rinse out, add a few generous size dollops of cheap
conditioner [like V05, or Suave] to your hair and work it through in a gentle,
massaging motion. Rinse immediately, as the tiny flecks of herbal product should
rinse clean with the aid of the conditioner.
*Kalpi Tone is safe to use on relaxed
and transitioning hair alike.
Henna Treatment: You will need the following:
200G Henna [two boxes for thick hair] [100G/one box for shorter length hair]
1/2 cup Hello Hydration Conditioner
1 cup Lustrasilk Mango & Shea Butter Conditioner
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil added to mixture before applying the Henna
Henna Treatment: You will need the following:
200G Henna [two boxes for thick hair] [100G/one box for shorter length hair]
1/2 cup Hello Hydration Conditioner
1 cup Lustrasilk Mango & Shea Butter Conditioner
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil added to mixture before applying the Henna
I recommend the
following brands of Henna: Jamila, Nupur, and Dulhan. If you have relaxed or transitioning hair, please
use Body Art Quality Henna only [like Jamila]. You can also purchase Henna
at your local Indian Grocer, or {here}.
Are you interested in an exclusive Ayurvedic hair
regimen?
Check out the following posts which includes recipes
for cleansing, conditioning, and moisturizing your hair.
Where to find the products mentioned in this
post:
All products
mentioned above can be found in your local Indian market. I recommend going to
one of the larger markets for a better variety of products. If you are having
trouble finding an Indian grocery store in your area, you can also purchase many
of the products mentioned via vendors on Amazon or The Indian Food Store [link].
In part
1 of our Ayurvedic series, we focused more on different shampoo methods.
However this time we are going to touch more on various conditioning &
moisturizing methods.
Before you apply any of these Ayurvedic conditioners, it is recommended that you oil your hair thoroughly beforehand. I recommend Coconut Oil, as it is the easiest to obtain, inexpensive, and very effective.
Some of you may find difficulty completely rinsing out mixtures that call for powdered herbs. I have found that soaking your hair in a tub filled with water is the easiest method to remove excess residue.
Marshmallow Root Powder - Nourishes hair follicles and scalp, conditioning properties, imparts shine
Amla Powder - Stimulates hair growth, has wonderful conditioning properties, strengthens hair at the roots
Kalpi Tone - Promotes hair growth, prevents pre mature balding, light conditioning properties, imparts shine
Fenugreek Seed Powder - Prevents hair loss, promotes hair growth, helps strengthen hair shaft, light protein Brahmi Powder - Strengthens hair at the roots, helps relieve dandruff, also purported to thicken hair
Bhringraj Powder - Promotes hair growth, prevents pre mature balding, light conditioning properties
Aloe Vera Gel - Promotes hair growth, balance PH level, heal scalp, imparts sheen, light conditioning properties, nourishes hair follicles, and scalp
Orange Peel - Imparts incredible shine, light conditioning properties
Stinging Nettle - Nourishes hair and scalp, imparts shine, light conditioning properties
Conditioner Mix 1
4 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
4 tbs Marshmallow Root Powder
3 tbsp Amla Powder
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together with enough spring water to make a thick paste. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often?
Once Weekly
3 tbs Kalpi Tone
1 tbs Fenugreek Seed Powder [Methi]
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together with enough spring water to make a thick paste. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often
Once Weekly
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
2 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbs Brahmi Powder
2 tbs Bhringraj Powder
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together and use immediately. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often
Once Weekly
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
2 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbs Brahmi Powder
2 tbs Bhringraj Powder
1 tbs Fenugreek Seed Powder [Methi]
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together and use immediately. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often?
2 tbsp Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbsp Marshmallow Root
1 1/4 cups Distilled Water
Bring distilled water to a boil, then let cool slightly. Add Hibiscus Petal Powder and Marshmallow root to water, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture through cheesecloth, and add Aloe Vera Gel to liquid. Pour mixture in a spray bottle, and store in refrigerator for up to one week.
How Often?
As needed
Herbal Moisturizing Spritz 2
1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel
2 tbsp Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbsp Orange Peel
1 tbsp Stinging Nettle
1 1/4 cups Distilled Water
Bring distilled water to a boil, then let cool slightly. Add Hibiscus Petal Powder, Orange Peel Powder, and Stinging Nettle to water, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture through cheesecloth, and add Aloe Vera Gel to liquid. Pour mixture in a spray bottle, and store in refrigerator for up to one week.
How Often?
As Needed
Try It:
1oz Shealoe Butter
3 tbs Brahmi Oil
3 tbs Amla Oil
Mix all ingredients well, add to sterile jar; store in cool area.
MTM's Homemade Vatika Oil - This was definitely one of my favorite herbal oils. This oil is formulated with herbs that nourish and heal the scalp, promotes hair growth, imparts shine, softness, and manageability.
Try It:
2 Cups Coconut Oil
1 tbsp Stinging Nettles
1 tbsp Amla Powder
1 tbs Bhringraj Powder
1 tbsp Brahmi Powder
1 tbsp Orange Peel Powder
1 tbsp Neem Powder
1 tbsp Henna Leaf Powder
Add ingredients to a crock pot set on the lowest setting; leave overnight. Strain herbal oil several times through a cheesecloth, and add to squeeze bottle. To make even a stronger herbal infusion, take your herbal oil, and add a fresh batch of herbs [in the same quantities listed] and place the mixture back in the crock pot [set on low] for another 24 hours. Strain mixture again, and bottle.
Source: www.MopTopMaven.com
Tweet
A few notes before we
get started:
Most if not ALL of these herbs can be purchased at Indian
grocery stores. If you do not have an Indian grocery store in your area, you can
always find these ingredients online. For your convenience, I have linked each
ingredient to it's online source in the event you have a hard time finding it on
ground. Before you apply any of these Ayurvedic conditioners, it is recommended that you oil your hair thoroughly beforehand. I recommend Coconut Oil, as it is the easiest to obtain, inexpensive, and very effective.
Some of you may find difficulty completely rinsing out mixtures that call for powdered herbs. I have found that soaking your hair in a tub filled with water is the easiest method to remove excess residue.
A little bit about each
ingredient in these featured formulations:
Hibiscus Petal Powder - Conditions
hair, promotes healthy hair growth, prevents hair loss, thickens
hairMarshmallow Root Powder - Nourishes hair follicles and scalp, conditioning properties, imparts shine
Amla Powder - Stimulates hair growth, has wonderful conditioning properties, strengthens hair at the roots
Kalpi Tone - Promotes hair growth, prevents pre mature balding, light conditioning properties, imparts shine
Fenugreek Seed Powder - Prevents hair loss, promotes hair growth, helps strengthen hair shaft, light protein Brahmi Powder - Strengthens hair at the roots, helps relieve dandruff, also purported to thicken hair
Bhringraj Powder - Promotes hair growth, prevents pre mature balding, light conditioning properties
Aloe Vera Gel - Promotes hair growth, balance PH level, heal scalp, imparts sheen, light conditioning properties, nourishes hair follicles, and scalp
Orange Peel - Imparts incredible shine, light conditioning properties
Stinging Nettle - Nourishes hair and scalp, imparts shine, light conditioning properties
Conditioner Mix 1
4 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
4 tbs Marshmallow Root Powder
3 tbsp Amla Powder
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together with enough spring water to make a thick paste. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often?
Once Weekly
Conditioner Mix 2
4 tbs Hibiscus
Petal Powder3 tbs Kalpi Tone
1 tbs Fenugreek Seed Powder [Methi]
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together with enough spring water to make a thick paste. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often
Once Weekly
For those of you that
aren't too keen on conditioning your hair w/o a creamy base, I have a few tried
and true recipes utilizing conditioner as a base.
Creamy Conditioning Mix 1
1/4
cup VO5 Moisture Milks; Strawberries & Creme Conditioner 1/4 cup Coconut Oil
2 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbs Brahmi Powder
2 tbs Bhringraj Powder
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together and use immediately. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often
Once Weekly
Deep Conditioning Mix
1/4 cup
Aveda Damage Remedy Conditioner1/4 cup Coconut Oil
2 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbs Brahmi Powder
2 tbs Bhringraj Powder
1 tbs Fenugreek Seed Powder [Methi]
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together and use immediately. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour.
How Often?
Once Weekly
Keeping your hair thoroughly moisturized
should be part of everyone's healthy hair care regimen. The beauty of mixing
your own products, is that you can swap out herbs to better suit your needs.
Here are a few low-cost, highly effective moisturizing spritz's.
Herbal Moisturizing Spritz 1
1/3
cup Aloe Vera Gel2 tbsp Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbsp Marshmallow Root
1 1/4 cups Distilled Water
Bring distilled water to a boil, then let cool slightly. Add Hibiscus Petal Powder and Marshmallow root to water, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture through cheesecloth, and add Aloe Vera Gel to liquid. Pour mixture in a spray bottle, and store in refrigerator for up to one week.
How Often?
As needed
Herbal Moisturizing Spritz 2
1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel
2 tbsp Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbsp Orange Peel
1 tbsp Stinging Nettle
1 1/4 cups Distilled Water
Bring distilled water to a boil, then let cool slightly. Add Hibiscus Petal Powder, Orange Peel Powder, and Stinging Nettle to water, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture through cheesecloth, and add Aloe Vera Gel to liquid. Pour mixture in a spray bottle, and store in refrigerator for up to one week.
How Often?
As Needed
Specialty
Treatments
Herbal Hair Cream - Perfect for those
looking for a nice creamy, all natural styler that offers a bit of hold. The
Brahmi and Amla offer conditioning properties whilst promoting hair growth, and
strengthening hair at the roots. The Shealoe leaves hair soft, smooth,
manageable and shiny!Try It:
1oz Shealoe Butter
3 tbs Brahmi Oil
3 tbs Amla Oil
Mix all ingredients well, add to sterile jar; store in cool area.
MTM's Homemade Vatika Oil - This was definitely one of my favorite herbal oils. This oil is formulated with herbs that nourish and heal the scalp, promotes hair growth, imparts shine, softness, and manageability.
Try It:
2 Cups Coconut Oil
1 tbsp Stinging Nettles
1 tbsp Amla Powder
1 tbs Bhringraj Powder
1 tbsp Brahmi Powder
1 tbsp Orange Peel Powder
1 tbsp Neem Powder
1 tbsp Henna Leaf Powder
Add ingredients to a crock pot set on the lowest setting; leave overnight. Strain herbal oil several times through a cheesecloth, and add to squeeze bottle. To make even a stronger herbal infusion, take your herbal oil, and add a fresh batch of herbs [in the same quantities listed] and place the mixture back in the crock pot [set on low] for another 24 hours. Strain mixture again, and bottle.
Source: www.MopTopMaven.com
No comments:
Post a Comment