This month I want to share more information about the benefits of amla oil — the oil behind growing thick healthy vines of luscious Indian Remy hair.
Last month, I shared with you the various hair oils that help to promote hair growth and restore shine to damaged and dry hair. And, that made me think of amla oil because not many people have heard of it.
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READ: The Best Hair Oils to Promote Growth
The Amla tree, popularly called Indian Gooseberry, is cultivated throughout the Indian subcontinent and Middle East.
It is widely used in eastern cultures and Ayurvedic medicines due to its high content of vitamin C, polyphenolic compounds and tannins, which deliver a wide range of health benefits not only to the hair and skin, but also to the rest of the body.
The Benefits of Amla Hair Oil
As a matter of fact, it is considered a cure-all remedy, as it seems to have a positive effect on countless different medical conditions. Such as,
- improving skin health
- preventing aging
- strengthening the immune system
- improving hair health
- preventing constipation
- improving nervous system health
- improving memory and brain function
- safeguarding against diabetes
- improving cardiovascular health
- preventing anemia
Additionally, one of the most important benefits of amla oil is that it’s effective in preventing tumor cell growth and can help to prevent cancer.
Plus, since amla is a rich source of antioxidants, it is effective in preventing DNA cell damage from free radicals.
Furthermore, it has a high Oxidative Radiance Activity Capacity (ORAC) that protects cell damage from oxidative stress.
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The oil is made by soaking the fruit of this tree in another oil (i.e. coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil) for a few days, which allows the fruit’s natural oils to seep out before purification.
When applied to hair, amla oil has been proven to,
- moisturize the scalp
- eliminate premature hair loss
- prevent hair damage
- manage premature graying
- increase healthy hair growth
- make hair shiny and thick
Moisturize Your Scalp with Hair Oil
This emollient and nutrient-rich oil helps to lock moisture into the hair, improving its overall appearance, while also protecting the scalp against dry skin which leads to dandruff.
READ: The Beauty Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
Therefore, by adding a few drops of amla oil into your shampoo, or buying a natural conditioner that contains amla oil, you can add extra luster to your lovely locks and protect your follicles from oxidative stress.
You can pick up a bottle of Nihar Amla Hair Oil at any Indian grocery or purchase it online.
The oil can be used like a mask by massaging it into your scalp and letting it soak in for an hour at minimum.
My recommendation is to apply the oil on your hair on the weekend so that you can keep it in your hair overnight and then rinse it out the next morning.
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More importantly, lots of hair enthusiasts choose to make their own amla oil because the process is really easy. All you need is the actual amla fruit (if you can’t find the fruit in grocery shops, you can use amla powder) and extra-virgin coconut oil.
Finally, here’s a simple recipe for creating your own amla oil at home.
DIY Alma Hair Oil
Ingredients
- 1 cup of freshly grated amla fruit
- 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil
Steps
- Squeeze out the juice from the grated amla fruit using a sieve.
- Add the coconut oil to the pure amla juice.
- Mix these two ingredients thoroughly until they are evenly blended.
- Heat this mixture slightly to melt any remaining coconut oil.
- Allow the mixture to cool and then apply the oil to your hair, scalp or skin.
If you try this recipe or have a recipe of your own, please share photos and/or the results by tagging @luvlylonglocks on Instagram!
