Regimen Building: Go Ayurvedic Part 2

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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.

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 hair
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  

Conditioner Mix 2

4 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
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

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 Conditioner
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? 

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 Gel
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

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.

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