How Does Ashwagandha Benefit Your Hair?

Ashwagandha is a component of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian tradition of alternative medicine and holistic health. While it has been a natural medicinal agent for 3,000 years, Ashwagandha has lately acquired widespread recognition as an adaptogen du jour. It has several health advantages, but it may be difficult to distinguish which are genuine and exaggerated, like other natural medicines. Furthermore, it is a potent tridosha hara herb that promotes overall hair health. Let’s look into the scientifically verified information about the wonder herb and how Ashwagandha benefits hair.

What Is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is possibly the most well-known adaptogen, a name you’ve heard in the beauty and wellness worlds recently. Adaptogens are a kind of medicinal plant that, as the name implies, aid in adapting your body to the demands of internal and external stimuli. Ashwagandha (Latin name: Withania somnifera) is a nightshade that grows mainly on the Indian subcontinent and North Africa. It is also referred as Indian ginseng or Indian winter cherry. 

According to Ayurveda, it’s a relaxing herb with various revitalizing and health-boosting properties. Ashwagandha extract is made from the plant’s roots and leaves. The extract’s active ingredients are termed withanolides and withaferins, and they are exceptionally bioactive steroids. These steroids are most recognized for their fantastic anti-inflammatory and anti-stress properties. Still, they also include other elements with their advantages, especially antioxidants (the top defenders against environmental aggressors).

Ashwagandha Benefits Hair Growth

Ashwagandha’s impact on hair growth is similar to CBD’s effect on hair growth in that they both help your body’s capacity to be balanced and healthy so it can develop healthier hair. Most herbs or supplements, nutrients, or products, are claimed to operate indirectly by boosting hair quantity or growth rate. On the other hand, Herbs strive to get our bodies back into balance with better working mechanisms, so they can do what they do best. In the case of hair, this would be to grow more or quicker. Let’s dive into more to see how exactly Ashwagandha benefits hair.

1. Reduces Hair Loss and Stress

An increase in stress hormones like cortisol interferes with the regular functioning of your hair follicles, ultimately leading to hair loss. By lowering stress, Ashwagandha may help balance the cycle of cortisol production and hair loss, working as both a preventive and treatment. Once the body stops manufacturing too much cortisol, hair growth will resume. Another indirect method Ashwagandha might help reduce the effects of stress is by addressing stress-related illnesses such as sleeplessness.

2. Makes Your Hair and Scalp Healthier

Ashwagandha increases DHEA synthesis (Dehydroepiandrosterone), a natural hormone in your body that functions as an antioxidant. As a result, Ashwagandha aids in the elimination of free radicals from your scalp and hair follicles, supporting healthy hair development. Furthermore, Ashwagandha’s stimulation of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) synthesis might enhance the creation of collagen and sebum on your scalp. This moisturizes your scalp and hair structure while mending dry and brittle hair. Also, the collagen and sebum protect your scalp and hair from UV damage.

3. Gives Soothing and Anti-Inflammatory benefits

Inflammation is another important physiological activity that may be detrimental to our health when out of control. In reaction to inflammation, the body creates a molecule known as C-reactive protein (CRP), which is detected in the blood. The administration of Ashwagandha correlates with a decrease in CRP, suggesting that it may reduce inflammation and have broad physiological advantages for many types of pain. So far, research has focused on gum inflammation and arthritis, but the results apply to other forms of inflammation in the body as well. Inflammation at the hair follicle may be caused by various factors, ranging from inherited skin disorders to brief infections or allergies, and it can also play a role in the auto-immune disease alopecia areata, which causes hair loss. By consuming Ashwagandha, you may help reduce overall inflammation and restore the health of your hair follicles.

4. Reverses Hair Greying Prematurely

Ashwagandha contains an amino acid called ‘Tyrosine,’ which aids in the stimulation of melanin synthesis in your hair follicles. This aids in restoring lost melanin and the reversal of premature hair greying. Ashwagandha benefits hair by fixing it from root and it also maintain the color of your born hair.

How to Use Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha supplements may be used orally as a tincture, tablet, powder, or tea. Root extracts are commonly sold in standardized daily dosages ranging from 300-500mg, but as with any supplement, read the label carefully. One common and traditional Ayurvedic method to consume it is in a beverage called Moon Milk, which is created by combining Ashwagandha powder with heated milk, ghee, honey, and other spices. While taking Ashwagandha, you should always attempt to incorporate healthy fats. Capsules are another viable choice for those who dislike the taste.

While most medical studies have focused on taking Ashwagandha orally, it may also be applied topically. Ashwagandha powder is often combined with other helpful components to create a mask applied to the hair and scalp directly. It is thought to enhance scalp health when used topically, but it may also calm an irritated or inflamed scalp while helping to increase scalp circulation. Finally, be selective when buying Ashwagandha, as not all goods are made equal. While goods may be created from the roots and leaves of the Ashwagandha plant, research has shown that the roots are the richest source of active chemicals; therefore, seek products prepared with them specifically.

Verdict

Ashwagandha is known as the ‘Queen of herbs’ in Ayurveda for its many hair benefits. Include the miracle herb into your daily hair care regimen to get the finest effects. It is also a possible hair growth stimulant and may aid in preventing follicle, scalp, and hair tissue damage. It might also be an excellent way to boost your natural immunity. According to research, Ashwagandha may be a realistic therapeutic medication against COVID-19.