Regimen Building: Go Ayurvedic Part 2

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In part 1 of our Ayurvedic series, we focused more on different shampoo methods. However this time we are going to touch more on various conditioning & moisturizing methods.

A few notes before we get started:

Most if not ALL of these herbs can be purchased at Indian grocery stores. If you do not have an Indian grocery store in your area, you can always find these ingredients online. For your convenience, I have linked each ingredient to it's online source in the event you have a hard time finding it on ground.  

Before you apply any of these Ayurvedic conditioners, it is recommended that you oil your hair thoroughly beforehand. I recommend Coconut Oil, as it is the easiest to obtain, inexpensive, and very effective. 

Some of you may find difficulty completely rinsing out mixtures that call for powdered herbs. I have found that soaking your hair in a tub filled with water is the easiest method to remove excess residue.

A little bit about each ingredient in these featured formulations:

Hibiscus Petal Powder - Conditions hair, promotes healthy hair growth, prevents hair loss, thickens hair
Marshmallow Root Powder - Nourishes hair follicles and scalp, conditioning properties, imparts shine 
Amla Powder - Stimulates hair growth, has wonderful conditioning properties, strengthens hair at the roots
Kalpi Tone - Promotes hair growth, prevents pre mature balding, light conditioning properties, imparts shine 
Fenugreek Seed Powder - Prevents hair loss, promotes hair growth, helps strengthen hair shaft, light protein Brahmi Powder - Strengthens hair at the roots, helps relieve dandruff, also purported to thicken hair
Bhringraj Powder - Promotes hair growth, prevents pre mature balding, light conditioning properties 
Aloe Vera Gel - Promotes hair growth, balance PH level, heal scalp, imparts sheen, light conditioning properties, nourishes hair follicles, and scalp 
Orange Peel - Imparts incredible shine, light conditioning properties 
Stinging Nettle - Nourishes hair and scalp, imparts shine, light conditioning properties 

Conditioner Mix 1
4 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
4 tbs Marshmallow Root Powder
3 tbsp Amla Powder
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together with enough spring water to make a thick paste. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour. 
How Often?
Once Weekly  

Conditioner Mix 2

4 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
3 tbs Kalpi Tone
1 tbs Fenugreek Seed Powder [Methi]
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together with enough spring water to make a thick paste. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour. 
How Often
Once Weekly

For those of you that aren't too keen on conditioning your hair w/o a creamy base, I have a few tried and true recipes utilizing conditioner as a base. 

Creamy Conditioning Mix 1

1/4 cup VO5 Moisture Milks; Strawberries & Creme Conditioner 
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
2 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbs Brahmi Powder
2 tbs Bhringraj Powder 
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together and use immediately. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour. 
How Often
Once Weekly  

Deep Conditioning Mix 

1/4 cup Aveda Damage Remedy Conditioner
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
2 tbs Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbs Brahmi Powder
2 tbs Bhringraj Powder 
1 tbs Fenugreek Seed Powder [Methi]
In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together and use immediately. Gently section your hair, and use an applicator brush to generously apply the mixture starting at the scalp, and working your way down the hair shaft. Cover with a plastic cap and allow mixture to sit on head for about 45minutes-hour. 
How Often? 

Once Weekly 

 

Keeping your hair thoroughly moisturized should be part of everyone's healthy hair care regimen. The beauty of mixing your own products, is that you can swap out herbs to better suit your needs. Here are a few low-cost, highly effective moisturizing spritz's. 

Herbal Moisturizing Spritz 1

1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel
2 tbsp Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbsp Marshmallow Root
1 1/4 cups Distilled Water
Bring distilled water to a boil, then let cool slightly. Add Hibiscus Petal Powder and Marshmallow root to water, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture through cheesecloth, and add Aloe Vera Gel to liquid. Pour mixture in a spray bottle, and store in refrigerator for up to one week.
How Often?
As needed

Herbal Moisturizing Spritz 2
1/3 cup Aloe Vera Gel 
2 tbsp Hibiscus Petal Powder
2 tbsp Orange Peel 
1 tbsp Stinging Nettle
1 1/4 cups Distilled Water
Bring distilled water to a boil, then let cool slightly. Add Hibiscus Petal Powder, Orange Peel Powder, and Stinging Nettle to water, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture through cheesecloth, and add Aloe Vera Gel to liquid. Pour mixture in a spray bottle, and store in refrigerator for up to one week.
How Often?
As Needed

Specialty Treatments

Herbal Hair Cream - Perfect for those looking for a nice creamy, all natural styler that offers a bit of hold. The Brahmi and Amla offer conditioning properties whilst promoting hair growth, and strengthening hair at the roots. The Shealoe leaves hair soft, smooth, manageable and shiny!
Try It:
1oz Shealoe Butter
3 tbs Brahmi Oil
3 tbs Amla Oil 
Mix all ingredients well, add to sterile jar; store in cool area.

MTM's Homemade Vatika Oil - This was definitely one of my favorite herbal oils. This oil is formulated with herbs that nourish and heal the scalp, promotes hair growth, imparts shine, softness, and manageability.
Try It:
2 Cups Coconut Oil
1 tbsp Stinging Nettles
1 tbsp Amla Powder
1 tbs Bhringraj Powder
1 tbsp Brahmi Powder
1 tbsp Orange Peel Powder
1 tbsp Neem Powder
1 tbsp Henna Leaf Powder
Add ingredients to a crock pot set on the lowest setting; leave overnight. Strain herbal oil several times through a cheesecloth, and add to squeeze bottle.  To make even a stronger herbal infusion, take your herbal oil, and add a fresh batch of herbs [in the same quantities listed] and place the mixture back in the crock pot [set on low] for another 24 hours. Strain mixture again, and bottle.

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You Asked; I Answered | The Henna Edition

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I wanted to have a post dedicated to your questions on the Henna vid I posted yesterday! I know a lot of people out there are very leery when it comes to Henna, and they just don't know where to start. So I am going to answer all of the questions I received in the comments yesterday! If there are follow-up questions; please also leave those in the comments, and I will continue to address them as best I can :-)

Q: Great video, dont think anyone ever really does a written and visual explanation. Thank u for that. Do you apply the indigo the same way??

A: The application technique is similar, however I don't have to let the Indigo sit out for 24hours. Unlike Henna, Indigo has rapid color release, and can be used immediately.  I also don't add conditioner to my Indigo mix, just Rosewater. My Indigo will be here shortly, and I will have another tut up on the Henna + Indigo process very soon.


Q: Nice tutorial!!! where do you purchase your henna from? I need to try this one day... Thank you 

A: I purchase my Henna locally from Pioneer Cash & Carry in Artesia Ca [known as Little India] - You can find Henna at your local Indian Grocer [google them in your area].

Q: Great tutorial! 2 questions: what is the difference between body quality and other types of henna? is the henna gloss you use cassia? if not, does cassia provide similar benefits?

A: It is purported that Henna that is NOT Body Art Quality has PPD and compound chemicals [salts, or additional dyes] that can be potentially damaging to your hair [especially if you are relaxed]. BAQ Henna is also said to rinse out much easier over other "types" of Henna sold on the market. 

The Henna Gloss I use is not Cassia. as I understand Cassia imparts shine, and does offer some strengthening benefits however the results do not last as long as they do with Henna, the results aren't as prominent, and it needs to be done more frequently. Also, Cassia does not leave color deposits on your hair like Henna does, so that is also another big difference. 

Q: I know nothing about henna so i really appreciate this post!
*was your hair clean before applying the henna or is it just week old hair?
*Does it matter whether your hair is clean or dirty before applying henna?
*I really like the benefits but I dont want the reddish color I prefer my hair to stay the way it is which is black..does your method prevent the color release? if not what do you suggest? 

A:  My hair was dirty-ole week old hair :-)

When I am doing just a Henna Gloss, I apply it on dirty hair. When I am doing a Henna Gloss +  Indigo Treatment, I apply the mixture to clean hair [Indigo does fade after "x" number of washes, so I don't like washing my hair immediately after applying the mixture] 

If your hair is black, you MAY NOT notice any of the reddish color. If you prefer to stay on the safe side, you can either use Cassia instead of Henna; OR, you can add 1/4 cup of Amla to your mix, and apply the Henna immediately after mixing [this way you are applying it before the Lawson molecule's release]  

More questions? Ask away!  Please don't be timid, I would much rather you feel confident about your first Henna experience, so that you get the best out of it! :-)