Who wouldn’t want hair as black as ebony? Brown, burgundy and caramel hues may be fads when it comes to hair colour, but shiny, voluminous black hair, indicative of youth and vitality, will always be in vogue. It is little wonder why Indians are so obsessed with owning a mop of thick, black hair. But more often than not, volume and colour of the hair are both not in our control. Over time, stress and lifestyle changes can take a toll on our precious hair roots. Thinning hair is a nightmare that most youngsters, men and women alike, are facing these days. Read: Fight hair loss and promote hair growth with peppermint oil.
Dull, brown hair looks lifeless and gives an impression of poor health. Excessive sun exposure or changing body chemistry may cause your hair colour to lighten into dull shades of brown, pushing many to get their hair coloured. And chemical hair dyes can spell disaster for the hair in the long run. If you are unhappy with your hair health and are wishing for a safe and efficient solution, consider using jatamansi. Read: 5 reasons why your hair colour has changed on its own.
What is jatamansi?
Also known as spikenard, Nardostachys jatamansi is a herb belonging to the valerian family and is found in the Himalayan region. Many Ayurvedic preparations feature jatamansi thanks to its wide-spectrum benefits. The herb is also used for cosmetic purposes, mainly to promote hair growth and to blacken hair to a deep, ebony shade.
Although we speak of the plant as a herb, it is the rhizomes of the plant that is used for medicinal purposes. Its fragrant essential oil is equally potent.
Benefits of jatamansi for the hair
Darkens hair:- Although the cosmetic uses of the herb are well-known in Ayurveda, a study [1] published in Pharmacognosy Research in 2015 compared the colouring effects of herbal preparations on the hair. Five preparations comprising the following herbs were chosen: hibiscus leaves, jatamansi, kuth (costus), katha (catechu), amla (gooseberries), coffee and henna. The results of the study vindicated what Ayurveda knew all along. Jatamansi was responsible for providing the maximum darkening of hair.
Promotes hair growth:- The hair benefits of jatamansi don’t end there. The herb is rich in compounds that boost hair growth, and there are studies that validate this fact [2].
How to use jatamansi for hair
The best way to extract the goodness of the herb for hair growth is by infusing it in oil. Leave it in coconut or sesame oil overnight and use the infused oil on your hair roots and shaft the next day. Essential oil of spikenard is equally good and can be added to your hair oil.
References:
1. Singh V, Ali M, Upadhyay S. Study of colouring effect of herbal hair formulations on graying hair. Pharmacognosy Res.
2. Gottumukkala, V. R., Annamalai, T., & Mukhopadhyay, T. (2011). Phytochemical investigation and hair growth studies on the rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 7(26), 146–150. http://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.80674
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