Amla or the Indian Gooseberry is also known as ‘Amrit’, and has been treasured in Ayurvedic medicine for its immense medicinal and beauty benefits. Amla can be enjoyed raw or as a juice, and can be used in its powdered form or as an oil, for nourishing your skin and hair. Instead of using store-bought products, you can make amla juice, powder and oil at home to ensure you’re getting pure, unadulterated goodness.
How To Make Amla Juice
Step 1: Deseed the amla fruit and cut it into pieces Step 2: Blend the pieces with a glassful of water Step 3: Strain the blended mixture with a muslin cloth to get raw amla juice
How To Make Amla Powder
Step 1: Deseed the amla fruit and cut it into pieces Step 2: Dry the pieces under the sun until there’s no moisture left Step 3: Blend the dried pieces in a grinder till you get a fine powder
How To Make Amla Oil
Step 1: Steam the amla fruit to make deseeding it easier Step 2: Dry the deseeded pieces in sunlight until there’s no moisture left Step 3: Add the dried pieces to coconut oil Step 4: Heat this mixture on a low flame for 15 minutes Step 5: Strain it and store it in a cool, dark place Step 6: You can also add amla juice to the coconut oil
Now let’s take a look at the top benefits of using this nutrient-rich fruit for your hair.
#1: Hair Cleanser
Amla is packed with 17 times the antioxidant power of pomegranate! Rinsing your hair with amla juice removes impurities from your scalp and leaves your tresses clean and shiny. The antioxidants protect your scalp and hair from damage caused by the sun, pollution, dust and heat styling tools.
How To Use Amla As A Scalp & Hair Cleanser
#2: Treats Dandruff
The wonder fruit is rich in Vitamin C, which is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. Amla nourishes the scalp, fights dandruff and stops the itching and flakiness.
How To Make An Anti-Dandruff Pack
Step 1: Take 2 teaspoons each of shikakai and amla powder in a bowl Step 2: Add yogurt and mix well to form a paste Step 3: Apply the paste to your scalp and hair and leave on for 15 minutes Step 4: Wash off with water and a mild shampoo Step 5: You can even replace the amla powder with amla oil
#3: Boosts Hair Growth
Want a natural hair growth tip? Simply heat up amla oil and massage your scalp at least once a week with it. Amla is loaded with phyto-nutrients, vitamins and minerals which stimulate circulation in the scalp. Vitamin C plays a role in the synthesis of collagen for replacing dead cells in the hair follicles with fresh, new cells. This arrests hair loss, and boosts hair growth and density.
#4: Strengthens Hair
You can drink amla juice regularly or apply it as a hair tonic or paste straight to your scalp. The minerals, amino acids and antioxidants in amla protect your hair from damage and strengthen your hair follicles, thereby leaving you with strong, healthy hair.
How To Use Amla Juice As A Hair Tonic
#5: Hair Conditioner
Amla has 81.2 % of water content and contains essential fatty acids. It replenishes moisture in your strands and removes dead cells, preventing dryness and frizz. For those with oily hair, amla powder can help absorb excess sebum from your scalp and maintain oil-control. Using amla regularly in hair packs nourishes and conditions your hair, adding lustre and bounce.
How To Make A Hair-Conditioning Pack
Step 1: Mix 2 teaspoons of amla powder in warm water Step 2: Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 2 teaspoons of yogurt Step 3: Mix well to make a paste and apply along your hair strands Step 3: Leave on for half an hour and then wash off with a mild shampoo
#6: Prevents Grey Hair
According to Ayurveda, premature greying is a result of excess pitta. Amla is naturally cooling and fights pitta in the body. The anti-oxidant Vitamin C repairs damage and halts premature greying. You can mix amla powder with mehendi (henna) to maintain your natural hair colour and bring back its glossy shine.
How To Use Amla To Prevent Premature Greying
If you want to know what to eat for healthy hair and skin, include amla in your diet every day. Eating an amla daily will give you strong, thick, shiny hair, a glowing, clear complexion and enhance your immunity, digestion and blood circulation. It’s a fruit to be revered for its health benefits!
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