Updated: March 10, 2021
In this post, we’re going to be discussing the benefits of Ayurvedic oils for hair growth, how to use them, as well as how to infuse these oils yourself at home.
We’re the queens of DIY and homemade remedies for hair growth here at Hibiscus Roots, so this should come as no surprise!
If you’re frustrated with your hair growth and are looking for ways to boost that and the overall condition of your scalp, you’re in the right place!
Why Use Ayurvedic Oils for Hair Growth?
One of the key practices in any Ayurvedic hair regimen is a scalp massage or mama massage. This is the practice of using an oil to massage specific pressure points on the head that promote scalp health and in turn, hair growth.
You should do this every other night or twice a week for maximum results. We do not recommend massaging the scalp every day because this can lead to scalp soreness.
The immediate benefits of these Ayurvedic Oils besides hair growth include:
- Improvement of Scalp Health
Massaging the scalp with an Ayurvedic oil can help alleviate problems like dandruff, inflammation, and irritation. - Protection from Damage
Some Ayurvedic oils provide protection against UV rays and damage caused by natural elements. It creates a physical barrier against the sun, pollution in the environment, and friction which would otherwise cause hair damage. - Enhancement of Sebum
Sebum is the natural oil that your scalp produces. It is supposed to travel overtime down the strands of our hair to coat and protect the cuticle. In straighter hair-types, the over-production of this sebum is what causes hair to become greasy and to require frequent washing.
However, because 4c hair is kinkier and less smooth, the sebum has a harder time traveling down the strand to coat, protect, and lubricate it.
Massaging oils into the scalp and hair helps this sebum by combining with it and moving it further down the strand. - Conditioning of the Scalp & Hair
The hair and scalp condition can improve from the simple application of particular oils to the scalp and hair. Conditioning hair means improving the overall health, texture, appearance, and manageability of the hair and scalp.
Examples of Ayurvedic Oils
Some Ayurvedic oils come pure, organic, and balancing by nature. However, you have to infuse certain oils with herbs to make them more potent and powerful. Here are some oils that have powerful benefits on their own:
Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is rich in vitamins in fatty acids that can actually penetrate the hair cuticle. As a result, it is one of the few oils with this ability to penetrate the hair strands and condition them from the inside out. It is a light-weight, non-sticky oil and is quickly absorbed into the hair depending on your hair profile.
Sesame Oil:
This oil is known as the oldest oil known to humans. It is derived from sesame seeds which are so beneficial that they are referred to as the “symbol of immortality” in Hindu mythology. This oil is also lightweight and soothing and has dandruff fighting properties.
Sweet Almond Oil:
This oil naturally boosts hair shine, strengthens hair, treats dandruff, reduces hair loss, aids hair growth, and conditions hair. It is made from pressed ripe almonds. Otherwise simply known as almond oil, it is rich in vitamin E and is rich in nutrients like magnesium, phosphorous, and copper.
Sunflower Oil:
This is made from pressing the seeds of the sunflower. It is rich in vitamin E and linoleic acids (or omega-6 fatty acids). This acid “stimulates hair growth, maintains healthy scalp conditions, and also helps control moisture loss in your strands.” You can read more about the benefits of fatty acids like Oleic and Linoleic acid here.
Mustard Oil:
This is a deeply nourishing oil that is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids explained above. It doesn’t weigh the hair down and conditions both the hair and scalp thoroughly. Mustard oil is made from the seed of the mustard plant.
Avocado Oil:
This is one of the best oils for 4c hair care! Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, minerals, essential fatty acids, BIOTIN, and vitamins A, B5, and E! It is a rich yet, lightweight oil that works well as a conditioner, detangler, and sealant for 4c hair. Because of this, it is the best-kept secret for type 4 textures. If you don’t love olive oil and are part of the camp of people who hate coconut oil – this just might be the oil for you!
In addition to using these oils as they are in your Ayurvedic hair care regimens, we recommend infusing as many beneficial herbs and powders into them to reap maximum benefits. If you’re not quite sure which herbs are best for you, see our Ayurvedic herbs glossary for a full list.
You can use these oils either for scalp massages, for oil rinsing your hair after washday, or as the OIL step of your LCO or LOC moisturizing process.
How to Infuse Your Own Ayurvedic Oils for Hair Growth
- Cold Infusion Method:
If you’re patient enough to wait a few weeks for your herbs to infuse then this method is for you. It involves the least amount of work but also the longest amount of time.
You just need to add all your herbs to a clean container, fill the container with oil, seal it with an airtight cover, then leave it to infuse in a cool dry place.
Shake the container a few times a week to ensure that you properly disperse the nutrients into the oil. After 3-6 weeks, distill your Ayurvedic oil into an applicator bottle for easy use. - The Double Boiler Method:
With this method, you will only need a pot and a glass bowl.
Fill the pot with water and bringing it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, drop the heat to a low simmer. Now, place the glass bowl over the water in the pot. Pour all your herbs and powders in the bowl and stir for a few minutes to avoid burning them.
Next, pour your oil over the herbs in and mix thoroughly. Let your oil infuse on low heat for 4 hours. After this time, you can filter the oil and store it in a clean, airtight container for use.
Two Ayurvedic Recipes for Hair Growth
Here are a few killer recipes you can follow to make your own infused Ayurvedic oil. None of the oils you buy on the market are going to have every single benefit you hair requires so why not make one yourself! Feel free to substitute the herbs we use for your own, or skip any herbs you don’t have access to just yet!
You will just need to pick a method above which you prefer and adapt the recipe accordingly.
This is an Ayurvedic oil that has kept me consistently growing between ½ an inch (the average growth length) and 1½ inches EVERY MONTH. This number varies depending on the month and depending on how consistently I do my scalp massages – but they work!
Ayurvedic Oil Recipe for Hair Growth
What you will need:
- 200 ml Olive Oil Extra Virgin
- 100 ml Coconut Oil Extra Virgin
- 100 ml Avocado Oil
- 50 ml Castor Oil
- 25 ml Jojoba Oil
- 3 tbsp Fenugreek Seeds
- 1 tbsp Hibiscus Powder
- 1 tbsp Henna Powder
- A tbsp Bhringraj Powder
- 1 tbsp Brahmi Powder
Here’s another recipe with fewer ingredients:
Ayurvedic Oil Recipe for Scalp Health
- 300 ml Olive Oil Extra Virgin
- 100 ml Coconut Oil Extra Virgin
- 100 ml Castor Oil
- 3 twigs Fresh Rosemary (or 2tbsp Rosemary Powder)
- 25 g Hibiscus Leaves
- 3 tbsp Fenugreek Seeds (or 2tbsp Fenugreek Powder)
- 1 tbsp Henna Powder
- A tbsp Amla Powder
- 1 tbsp Rose Powder
Disclaimer: Don’t forget to do a patch test before you apply any recipe to your entire head of hair. For this, you can test the recipe on a hair strand in the back of your head, then on a patch of skin on the back of your arm. Finally, verify that you have no adverse reaction in 24 hours.
After you’ve brewed your recipes, you want to add 12-15 drops total of your favorite essential oils to this mix. You can pick essential oils from this list here. Because of this, you’ll be sure your ayurvedic oils have the potency needed for maximum hair growth results and benefits!
Let us know in the comment section if you try either of these oils! Also indicate how many inches you were able to grow if they worked for you!
