Hair is an important part of beauty and self-care for people. While people who sport short hairstyles may not spend a lot on their haircare routine, people who have long hair go through many products and treatments for their hair. However, these products and treatments do not have to be expensive or exclusive. Many ayurvedic treatments happen to be with inexpensive products, many of which you can find easily available around you. Our elders have always cherished health and lustrous hair. These were backed by the tradition of pampering their children with warm, herbal head massages. These soothing rituals are often followed by a cleanse with frothy reetha (soapnuts) and a final rinse with fragrant water. This cherished care and attention is widely believed to contribute to the development of thick, lustrous, and healthy hair. Ayurvedic Remedies For Healthy Hair? These age-old practices can be traced back to Hindu myths and religious texts, known as the Vedas. In these ancient scriptures, angry deities were often depicted with unruly hair, while patient and serene ones boasted thick, curly locks or smooth, elegant braids. These myths, along with the Ayurvedic practices they inspire, form the foundation of traditional hair care in India. You can easily apply these same time-tested remedies at home to encourage robust hair growth and achieve shiny, bouncy tresses. Tailoring Hair Care to Your Ayurvedic Hair Type Ayurveda emphasizes working with your individual hair type, which is determined by your dominant dosha: Vata Hair Qualities Individuals with a dominant vata dosha have a higher proportion of air and ether elements. If balanced, they typically have naturally wavy hair and a somewhat dry scalp. Vata hair is often porous, meaning it readily absorbs products and dyes. However, this also makes it prone to absorbing dust, smoke, and environmental toxins, increasing its susceptibility to breakage and damage. An overall vata imbalance can lead to an oily scalp with itchy dandruff, hair fall, or sluggish hair growth. Pitta Hair Qualities Pitta types possess a greater proportion of fire and water, or fire and air. A balanced pitta dosha usually results in naturally straight, silky hair. Their hair tends to be moderately resistant to dyes and colors due to its typically dense hair follicles. This density also makes it more resistant to both topically applied nutrients and air pollution. An imbalanced pitta dosha can cause either dryness or oiliness on the scalp, depending on the specific proportions of air and water elements. Imbalanced pitta may also contribute to hair fall and slow hair growth. Kapha Hair Qualities Kapha types have a higher proportion of earth and water elements. A person with a balanced kapha dosha will likely have naturally curly hair with a coarse texture and an oily scalp. The hair follicle in kapha types is often very dense, making it less receptive to nutrients or dyes. When this dosha becomes unbalanced, hair may become fine and brittle, breaking easily. Interestingly, kapha types are generally the least likely to experience significant hair loss, though their hair growth might be slower.