10 Benefits & Uses Of Bhringraj Oil & Mahabhringraj Oil For Hair Growth

 

Both bhringraj oil and mahabhringraj oil have amazing hair benefits and uses. The botanical name of bhringraj plant in called Eclipta Alba. Bhringraj is the Hindi name and Karisalankanni is the Tamil name. It is called Guntagala Aku in Telugu, False Daisy in English, Gargamuru in Kannada, Tekaraja in Malayalam, Bhangra in Punjabi, Bhangro in Gujarati and Kesuriya in Bengali. There are two varieties of bhringraj that are very commonly found all over India, one produces white flowers and the other produces yellow flowers. Though both are used for making bhringraj oil, the white variety is most preferred as it gives the best results. We make bhringraj oil regularly at home and usually we make it by boiling bhringraj leaves and amla together in coconut oil and you can find the recipe here. We also get an ayurvedic formulation using bhringraj called mahabhringraj oil. Though bhringraj is the main ingredients in both the oils, the additional ingredients vary a lot. Usually plain bhringraj oil contains additional ingredients like amla, curry leaves, henna leaves, etc and can be easily prepared at home. Mahabhringraj oil contains ingredients like Red Sandalwood, Indian Sarsaparilla, Cow's milk, Licorice, Turmeric, Indian Lotus, Red Ochre, Rubia Cordifolia (Manjistha), Prunus Cersoides, Symplocus Racemosa, Bala root, Barberis Aristata, Mesua Ferrea, Callicarpa Macropphylla (Priyangu), Brahmi and Amla. To make mahabhringa oil, juices are extracted from the fresh herbs and paste is made out of dry ingredients using cow's milk. Now all the ingredients are boiled in unrefined sesame oil till the water content completely evaporates. Then the oil is filtered and bottled. Though you can make mahabhringraj oil at home, it will be difficult for many to get all the ingredients so it is best to get mahabhringraj oil from reputed brands. Mahabhringraj oil may vary depending on the brand you are buying as each company have their own formulation but usually the additional ingredients to bhringraj are chosen from the ingredients mentioned above. Unlike bhringraj oil which is used only on the scalp, mahabhringraj oil is administrated nasally too for treating headache and poor eyesight. Bhringraj has been used from ancient times for hair growth and regular use of either one of these oils will greatly treat all scalp problems. Hair growth promoting properties of bhringraj has been proven through clinical research and you can read it here.  How To Use Bhringraj & Mahabhringraj Oils For Hair Growth? Take the oil in a cup and warm in slightly by placing it in hot water. Once warmed, massage it well into the scalp for 5 to 10 minutes gently, leave it on for half an hour before having hair wash. You can also leave it on overnight. Bhringraj Oil Price: The price of bhringraj hair oil varies from 150 to 400 rupees per 100 ml. The price of mahabhringraj oil varies between 100 to 300 rupees per 100 ml. Bhringraj & Mahabhringraj Oil Side Effects: Both oils when applied on the scalp does not have any side effects. But when mahabhringraj oil is applied nasally some might experience nasal irritation, nasal burning, throat irritation and sneezing. I would suggest doing nasal administration only under medical supervision.....

 

DIY Onion Hair Oil For Hair Regrowth, Baldness & Hair Loss

 

Onion hair oil is one of the best hair oils that we can make at home as it has amazing hair benefits. Here in our village, we use onions extensively for hair care. Onions have anti bacterial properties that treats all problems of the scalp really well. Onions are rich in sulfur which greatly prevents hair thinning as lack of sulfur has been proven to be one of the reasons for hair fall. We apply onion juice directly on the scalp to treat certain scalp infections. We extract the onion juice by pounding the small onions in a mortar and pestle and then take the pounded paste in a strainer and press with a spoon to extract the juice. We also make onion hair oil and use it as a pre-shampoo treatment to treat scalp problems. This onion hair oil helps with hair regrowth, arrests hair loss and regular use results in long thick hair. This onion hair oil is so very easy to make at home and has amazing hair benefits. This onion hair oil is made with only 2 ingredients - small onions also called as shallots and unrefined sesame oil. This onion hair oil if made properly will store well for about 6 to 8 months at room temperature. In our village we usually make this hair oil with small onions and I would recommend the same to you too as small onions have more medicinal properties than big onions. Here are some of the hair benefits of this onion hair oil: 1. Onions have anti bacterial properties thus greatly preventing scalp infections. 2. Onion also have anti inflammatory properties and this onion hair oil reduces inflammation of the scalp. 3. Onions have anti oxidant properties and this onion hair oil greatly reduces premature greying. 4. It strengthens the hair roots thus greatly reducing hair fall. 5. It is great for preventing spot baldness. This onion hair oil is great for people who hate to use raw onion juice directly on the scalp. I find it extremely hard to apply raw onion juice directly on the scalp but this onion hair oil is so easy to use and very effective....

How To Use Kalonji Oil (Black Seed Oil) For Hair Growth | 5 Top Hair Benefits & Uses

 

Kalonji seeds also called as Nigella seeds | Black Cumin | Black Seeds in English are very popular in India as they have been used from ancient times to treat many diseases. They are used in cooking to season certain dishes in India so it is a well known spice. They look almost like our black sesame seeds but kalonji seeds are more intensively black and the seeds are slightly oval. The botanical name of kalonji seeds are Nigella Sativa and it belongs to the genus Nigella. It is called Karunjeerakam in Tamil, Karinjeerakam in Malayalam, Nalla Jeelakarra in Telugu, Krishna Jeerige in Kannada, Kalo Jira in Bengali and Kale Til in Marathi. Kalonji oil extracted from the seeds also have wonderful medicinal uses and health benefits, especially they are well known for their hair benefits. Kalonji oil when applied on the hair have these benefits: 1. Massaging with kalonji oil improves blood circulation in the scalp and improved blood circulation helps with hair regrowth. 2. It treats almost all the scalp problems like dandruff, itchiness, etc as it has wonderful anti bacterial properties. 3. Kalonji oil has been considered a good remedy for treating bald spots and to use take little bit of the oil and massage on the bald spots 4. It also conditions the hair and scalp really well and regular use will greatly prevent hair dryness. 5. Kalonji oil when used along with herbs like mentioned below will greatly help treat and prevent grey hair. We get kalonji oil in the markets and they are usually made by drying and then pressing the seeds. You can buy that oil and use it daily for massaging the hair or you can also mix it with any unrefined oil in equal proportions and use it for promoting hair growth. But I like to make an infused hair oil (recipe below) with kalonji seeds and herbs and they work really well for promoting hair growth. Kalonji Oil Side Effects: Kalonji oil is considered safe in normal dosage but it contains glucosides which is toxic above a certain dosage so never over use kalonji oil even externally for long duration's of time. I would suggest using for 2 to 3 months and then give a break of a month before starting again....

5 Top Benefits & Uses Of Brahmi Oil For Hair Growth & Stress

 

Brahmi oil is a very important herbal oil preparation that is regarded very highly in India. Water hyssop commonly called brahmi in India is an ancient herb that has been used for more than 3000 years. Brahmi plant is called neerbrahmi in Tamil and it's botanical name is Bacopa Monnieri. Bacopa extract is known for it's amazing use in increasing memory and for combating stress effectively. Brahmi grows all over India and it can be easily found near river beds. Using herbal oils for stress is a practice that has been done for centuries. The process of applying an oil externally on the scalp for dealing with anxiety and stress might seem strange to many but I have seen it done in my own family with good results. In day to day life we have to deal with so many worst stresses like loss of loved ones, separations, etc. We need all the help that we can get to deal with our stressful lives especially without any side effects. Herbs like brahmi calm us down which in turn help us accept the situation which I think is the first step in dealing with the worst stress. An oil bath with brahmi oil relaxes a person, nourishes the hair and helps one get good sleep. Brahmi oil can be easily made at home if you can get the fresh plant and source pure unrefined sesame oil, else you can buy the oil from the markets too. I haven't used store bought brahmi oil but I would recommend that you check that the oil is made with only brahmi extracts and pure unrefined oil especially for dealing with stress. If you are planning to use it for hair growth, you can try brahmi hair oil marketed along with other nourishing ingredients. Brahmi oil has the following benefits: 1. Brahmi oil helps one get good sleep, especially if you are a person who gets only restless sleep, I would suggest a regular oil massage with brahmi oil. 2. Brahmi oil strengthens the hair roots and is a very good conditioner. 3. Brahmi oil also is said to increase the mental alertness and concentration. 3. Brahmi oil calms a person down and helps tackle stress effectively. 4. Brahmi oil helps prevent split ends, if massaged all over the hair. 5. Having oil bath with brahmi oil also helps prevent redness of the eyes. This homemade brahmi oil is made with dried amla, fenugreek seeds and fresh brahmi extract. This oil is a very good hair conditioner but if you want to use brahmi oil to calm and relax, I would suggest making it with only brahmi and unrefined sesame oil as it is more potent.....

 

How to Make Fenugreek Oil For Hair + Benefits & Uses

 

Fenugreek oil is an other homemade hair oil that is very good for premature greying. Since India is a very hot country, we always prefer and cherish things that keep our body cool and refreshed. This fenugreek oil is such an amazing oil that keeps our body cool and with regular application treats premature greying. Many of the readers ask me the time it takes for these homemade hair oils to solve their hair problems. For hair fall, regular application of homemade hair oils along with a very good traditional diet stops hair fall very quickly and delays premature greying significantly if you are prone to it. However to reverse the process of premature greying, you have to continuously apply the oil at least for 10 to 12 months to see good results. Like I keep repeating for all the home remedies, please be patient and be regular with the application to see results. This oil is very very effective and the process is also very unique and there is no cooking involved in making the oil at all. This oil is made by sprouting fenugreek seeds in the flesh of Aloe Vera and once it has sprouted, the fenugreek seeds are sun dried till crisp and then it is added to homemade unrefined coconut oil along with vetiver root and again sun dried the second time. As you can see from the ingredients list, each and every ingredient is great for the hair and keeps the body cool. You also need plenty of sun light for making this oil. Since you are not heating it up, the oil has to be thoroughly heated for it to have a long shelf life. The one thing that many will find difficult is sprouting the fenugreek seeds in Aloe Vera flesh. It is quite easy if we know the correct way to do it else the fenugreek seeds will mold very easily. To do it correctly, take the fresh Aloe Vera leaf and cut into two, sprinkle the fenugreek seeds and tie with a thread loosely. The flesh should be touching the fenugreek seed, thus providing enough moisture to germinate but if the Aloe Vera leaf is tied too tight, the feugreek seeds will spoil. Once you get the hang of it,  you can easily make this oil. Though it takes some time to make this oil, it's so worth it. This oil can be used by everyone and regular application will greatly prevent premature greying. For people who are suffering from premature greying, with regular application you can slowly reverse the process. This oil will strengthen the hair roots and prevent hair fall, if used regularly. This oil is a daily application hair oil and not for weekly oil bath treatment.

 

How to Make Bhringraj | Karisalankanni Hair Oil Recipe For Hair Growth

 

This homemade bhringraj oil | karisalankanni hair oil is very famous in my place and does wonders for hair. The botanical name of bhringraj is Eclipta Alba. There are two varieties of bhringraj plants, one with white flowers and the other with yellow flowers. Both can be used to make this oil, I made the oil using white flowers and fresh amla. This bhringraj oil has amazing hair benefits and uses: 1. For Hair Regrowth: This hair oil made with bhringraj when applied regularly to hair stimulates new hair regrowth. 2. For Grey Hair: Bhringraj hair oil is great for reversing grey hair and the results are very quick if you apply this hair oil when the premature greying is in it's early stages. 3. For Baldness:  Bhringraj hair oil is good remedy for both male pattern and female pattern baldness. But you have to apply it regularly to see good results. 4. For Dandruff: Bhringraj hair oil is an amazing home remedy for dandruff  as bhringraj has anti bacterial properties. If you have dandruff problem, warm this oil and massage into the scalp daily. 5. For Alopecia: Bhringraj is useful for alopecia areata (spot baldness) too which occurs when our immune system affects our hair follicles. This hair oil can be used on the bald spots to promote new hair growth. To summarize, bhringraj oil prevents hair fall, premature greying, strengthens the hair roots, conditions the hair well, prevents split ends, stimulates hair growth - in short everything that is needed for a healthy hair. Nowadays bhringraj oil is marketed everywhere, but you can make your own pure bhringraj oil at home very easily. I prefer to use homemade coconut oil that is not refined for making this oil and I would strongly suggest that you do the same for best results. We always used to have bhringraj plants in the farm but since there was no proper rains this year all the plants died. When Aparna, who is a regular reader of this blog asked me to post about bhringraj I was looking out for this plant everywhere. Yesterday, when I went to visit my maternal grandmother I saw plenty of bhringraj plants in the farm there, I collected them and made the oil yesterday. You can identify this plant easily with it's flowers and it is also used extensively in home remedies. This oil can be made in two ways, the first method is made by grinding the bhringraj leaves and amla without water and making it into small rounds and then sun drying till crisp. Then the rounds are added to coconut oil in a glass jar and placed in hot sunlight till the color of the oil changes. This method takes around 3 to 4 days for the rounds to dry and for the coconut oil to get heated up. This method is best done during hot summer months. I did the second method, which is made by directly heating the paste in coconut oil. This oil has a beautiful green color and a unique pleasant smell. When I made this oil, the whole house was smelling of this oil. To use this oil, massage it well into the scalp before having your hair wash regularly and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. This oil stores well for up to 3 months at room temperature.

 

DIY How to Make Henna Hair Oil for Hair Growth

 

Henna is a wonderful ingredient to use for our hair and this traditional henna hair oil made with henna leaves and coconut oil is very good for the hair. I have a henna tree in my home and I love to use the  fresh henna leaves for all my preparations. The smell of freshly plucked henna leaves is so amazing and refreshing. This homemade henna hair oil is wonderful for strengthening the hair roots and it also treats minor scalp infections. This henna hair oil is best made during summer time, when you get plenty of sunlight. Regular scalp massage with this hair oil will arrest hair fall and stimulate new hair growth. This oil has got homemade virgin coconut oil as the base. In my personal opinion, coconut oil is the best oil for hair and if you use chemical free, homemade oil regularly, you will notice a nice difference in your hair. To make this oil, collect fresh henna leaves and wash it well. Grind the leaves in a blender along with little water to make it into a thick paste. Take the paste and make it into small rounds, place it in a plate and sun dry till crisp. Heat coconut oil in a pan and add the dried henna balls to it and once the sizzling sound stops, switch off. Let the oil cool completely, strain and pour it glass bottles. This oil can be used as a daily application oil, hair massage oil or as a pre shampoo treatment. To use as a pre shampoo treatment, warm the oil slightly in a small pan. Take the oil in your fingers and massage it well all over the scalp. The oil has to be warm , not hot when applying this oil. After a good and gentle hair massage with this oil, let it soak in the hair for at least 30 minutes. Wash it off with a mild shampoo, followed by a good hair conditioner. After this hair treatment, you will feel very refreshed and your hair will be very soft and manageable. You will also get deep sleep that day because of the massage, which will relax and refresh you. Enjoy making this henna hair oil at home!

 

Ratanjot Hair Oil Recipe / Alkanet Root Hair Oil

Ratanjot (Hindi name) was used to add natural deep red color in North Indian dishes for years. Sadly, it is replaced by synthetic red colors now. We call it "Vembalampattai" in Tamil. It is called "Alkanet" in English. The roots of Alkanets are used as a natural red dye and it is grown widely in Europe for it. The alkanet root is also used in the treatment of various diseases like wounds, bites, pain relief, fevers and stings. It is easily available every where. We make a wonderful hair oil with ratanjot/alkanet root. This hair oil is very good in conditioning the hair and helps to prevent premature greying (ila narai in Tamil), if used regularly. I always try to find the scientific and English names of the ingredients before posting, so the readers will find it easy to find the ingredients. I was breaking my head, to find the Hindi and English names of vembalampattai for almost a month. I even thought of skipping this post, but this oil is too good to be skipped. Finally, I found the names last week and here I am with the post. This oil should be only be made, during the hot summer months. To make this oil, powder the dried alkanet root into small pieces. Just crush them with your fingers, alkanet root crumbles very easily. Don't crush it very fine, else you will find it hard to strain the oil. Pour coconut oil on top of the crumbled alkanet root and keep it under the hot sun. The color of the oil will change to red. Once the color changes to deep red, strain the oil and store it in glass bottles. This oil should be used regularly for best results. People who are suffering from premature greying will greatly benefit from this oil.

DIY Homemade Amla Hair Oil Recipe For Hair Growth

 

 

There are two types of gooseberries found commonly in our place. We have both the varieties in our farm. Out of both, the bigger variety of gooseberry called "Amla" is known for it's curative properties. Here in India, apart from using it in culinary, we also make a lot of external application for the skin and scalp with it. This homemade amla hair oil is especially useful for people, who have a drying and thinning hair. Amla hair oil promotes hair growth, conditions the hair well and brings the natural shine to it, if used regularly. Usually this oil is used as pre-shampoo treatment. This amla hair oil is massaged well into the scalp and left for at least 30 minutes, before washing the hair with arappu/mild shampoo. Coconut oil is used as a base for this oil. I can't think of a better oil for hair than coconut oil. Try using virgin coconut oil. I use the coconut oil that we get from the coconuts in our farm. To make this oil, remove the seeds from the goose berries and grind them finely without adding water in a blender. Squeeze out the juice and measure it. Take equal quantity of coconut oil and heat them together till the moisture evaporates. Cool and strain. You have made your own wonderful hair oil!

 

DIY:How to Make Hibiscus Oil for Hair Growth

Hibiscus is nothing short of a miracle, when it comes to treating hair loss and promoting thick hair growth. Hibiscus is widely grown in India and it produces flowers year round. Though there are many varieties of hibiscus flowers, I prefer the red colored hibiscus flowers to make this homemade hibiscus hair oil. This hibiscus oil prevents hair fall, controls dandruff and prevents split ends, if used regularly. The base oil for this hibiscus oil is coconut oil. Coconut oil, as we all know has been the traditional hair oil for South Indian women and I strongly recommend making this hibiscus hair oil with it. Try using pesticide free hibiscus flowers. To make this homemade hibiscus hair oil, separate the petals of hibiscus flowers and place it in a wide bowl. You can either pour the oil over the hibiscus petals and sun dry it for a day or two and then strain it. The second method is to warm the coconut oil slightly and pour over the flowers and leave it till the oil completely cools down and then strain it. If you have plenty of sunlight, try the first method as I prefer heating the oil in the sun than heating on the fire.  

5 Health Benefits of Saturday Oil Bath | Sesame Oil Bath | Ayurvedic Oil Bath | Ennai Kuliyal | Indian Head Bath

 Traditional oil bath is called with different names in India: Saturday Oil Bath | Sesame Oil Bath | Ayurvedic Oil Bath | Ennai Kuliyal in Tamil | Gingelly Oil Head Bath | Oil Bath in Tamil Nadu & Indian Head Bath, but they mean the same thing. It is the practice of massaging the head with sesame oil heated with spices. It is usually done weekly twice and here in Tamil Nadu, it is a ritual we religiously follow. Ayurvedic South Indian gingelly oil bath has many health benefits: 1. Regular practice of having oil bath relaxes and rejuvenates us. 2. Oil bath removes the heat from our body, especially during hot summers. 3. It helps us get a deep sleep, as we feel relaxed after an oil bath. 4. It prevents hair loss, especially if done with good quality oils. 5. It helps to reduce the redness in the eyes, especially people who spend a lot of time staring the computers will greatly benefit from oil bath. In Tamil Nadu, usually every Fridays women have their oil bath (ennai kuliyal) and men have their oil bath on Saturdays in South India. It is an ayurvedic tradition for women to have oil bath on Fridays and then visit a Temple. You can use this oil bath for babies too. Traditionally sesame oil is heated with spices and then when the oil comes to lukewarm temperature, the oil is massaged well into the scalp. After an hour we have our bath with arappu (arappu is a powder made from leaves of arappu tree). In our home we always use garlic, dry ginger, pepper corns and cumin seeds. Some people don't like the smell of garlic in the oil, they can skip garlic and add the rest of the ingredients. It is so common in our place to find small children being chased by their mothers for massaging this oil on their scalp. When I was younger they used to chase me for massaging this oil, now I am chasing my son. For best results the temperature of the oil should be lukewarm and should be massaged well into the scalp. One feels really refreshed and relaxed after a hot oil massage. I think in this fast pace of life, we should try to include these kind of age old traditions to keep us relaxed. Because we add spices like dry ginger, this oil can be safely used even in winter to be massaged into the scalp.

Homemade Curry Leaves Hair Oil for Hair Growth and Premature Greying

Our neighbor in our village used to collect curry leaves from our farm regularly. One day when I was talking to her, she mentioned about this curry leaf hair oil. She said that, she has been using this oil regularly and it has helped her premature greying and hair growth significantly. She taught me the way, she makes the oil. It is very easy to make this curry leaf hair oil. Just two ingredients and you have a very nice hair oil in your hands. But the ingredients are very important. I always use home made coconut oil to make this oil (every year in summer we grind our own coconut oil from the coconuts in our farm for that years use in cooking). You can use virgin coconut oil which is readily available everywhere now. Use freshly plucked curry leaves which is not sprayed with pesticides. Curry leaves should be cleaned thoroughly and dried in the shade to remove moisture. If there is moisture in curry leaves, the oil will turn rancid very soon. This oil is light green in color and has a very nice smell. I really love the smell of this curry leaf hair oil. As this oil conditions and strengthens the hair, it helps in hair growth too. It really helps people, who has problems with premature greying, but the oil has to be applied regularly.