Indian Gooseberry Powder (Amla) for Hair

We all know that gooseberry is an edible fruit that can be eaten just like that or in a cooked form or even as a pickle. But the amazing fact is that it is very good for hair too! For hair, gooseberry is used mostly in powder form which is available in ethnic stores. The main advantages of applying gooseberry powder to hair are, preventing graying of hair and causing a cooling effect for hair. The gooseberries are like a tonic for hair that enriches hair growth and pigmentation.

I have collected a lot of information from the World Wide Web regarding the uses and usage of Indian Gooseberry Powder for the well being of hair. Hope this will be useful to many (including me)!

The Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica, syn. Emblica officinalis) is a deciduous tree of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is known for its edible fruit of the same name. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is an accepted hair tonic in traditional recipes for enriching hair growth and pigmentation. The fruit, cut into pieces is dried preferably in the shade. These pieces are boiled in coconut oil till the solid matter becomes charres. This darkish oil is excellent in preventing graying .The water is which dried Amla pieces are soaked overnight is also nourishing to hair and can be used for the last rinse while washing the hair. Indian gooseberry is used in various ways. The best way to take it with the least loss vitamin C, is to eat it raw with a little salt. It is often used in the form of pickles and it is dried and powdered. The berry may also be used as a vegetable. It is boiled in a small amount of water till soft and taken with a little salt. Source: http://www.allayurveda.com/herb_month_march2007.htm

The use of Indian gooseberry is the foremost among the home remedies found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of premature greying of hair. This is a valuable hair tonic for enriching hair growth and hair pigmentation. Massaging the scalp every night with a teaspoonful of amla juice, mixed with a teaspoon of almond oil and a few drops of lime juice, also proves beneficial in the prevention and treatment of premature greying of hair. Source: http://www.shvoong.com/medicine-and-health/1728735-premature-graying-hair-treatment-using/

A most celebrated hair conditioner, a quarter kilo of amla fruits are boiled in a kilo of coconut oil and stored to make an effective preventive for balding and greying of hair. Source:http://www.home-remedies.info/herbal-medicines/gooseberry.htm

Gooseberries are one of the most favored fruits for hair maintenance in the East, especially Indian homes. Its extract is great for cleansing and condition hair while roasted; it has the capacity to darken hair. Try mixing ground, dried gooseberries with lemon juice and applying on graying hair. Gradually, graying will stop and the hair will be much healthier than before. Source: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/11-3-2004-61148.asp

Hope this information about gooseberries and their importance for hair's good health is helpful. Catch you in next post with another topic related to hair. Have a good day!

Want to grow a long hair?

Growing a healthy, long hair is not that difficult. You don’t need expensive hair products or vitamins for that process. All you need is: dedication, and a lot of patience.

If you are experiencing hair loss, extreme dryness or any sudden change in your hair's condition, it may be due to a medical condition. You better take the advice of a qualified medical practitioner.

Here are some useful tips:

1. Trim your hair often. It would be better if you trim it a half-inch every three or four months.
2. Check for the split ends frequently, as they tend to interrupt the hair growth. Cut the split ends off, whenever you find one. That’s the only best way to stop them.
3. Avoid chlorine and saltwater. If you swim very often, use a good bathing cap to protect the hair.
4. If you are exposed to the sun for a long time, use a conditioner that provides SPF protection against the sun's rays, or cover your hair with a hat or scarf.
5. Be careful when using rubber bands, as they will tear your hair when you try to remove them.
6. If you wear a braid or a ponytail to create your hairstyle, make sure it isn't pulled tight. If it were tight it would put stress on the roots of your hair.
7. As I previously wrote use proper nutrition, if you want a healthy hair.
8. Be gentle with your hair when it is wet. NEVER brush your hair when it's wet, this is when your hair is at its most delicate.
9. Comb your hair before shampooing. If the hair were free of tangles, the hair falling during shampooing would stop to a certain extent.
10. Never wash your hair with very hot water, as it would break the hair follicles. Rinse your hair in as cold water as you can stand. This will make the cuticle lay flat and stop the hair breakage and makes the hair very shiny that's easier to comb wet.
11. The last tip is: Do not wash the hair too frequently! Yes, you heard it correctly! Letting hair get dirty occasionally helps spread natural oils through to the ends that makes the hair grow longer.

Above all, the main key in growing the long hair is to have patience. The hair doesn’t grow long overnight. If you keep on caring the hair with delicate touch and nutrition, you will be able to grow long hair.