Herbs Commonly Used For Skincare and Haircare

The word 'Beauty' if related to an individual can be define as a person having radiant, flawless skin, clean bouncy and healthy hair and off course beautiful, shapely and healthy body. Ayurveda gives vital importance to prevention of disease and maintenance of health in a healthy individual. So skincare and haircare plays vital role in keeping the body healthy. So Ayurveda suggests bath, head massage, face wash, body massage with special oils, exercise, nasal application of oil and the application of herbal paste to achieve beautiful skin and healthy and bouncy hair.

1. Aloevera: It is a good moisturizer and an anti-inflammatory herb. Usually used for the benefits of skin, it is also used to prevent hair loss and to revitalize hair growth.
2. Almonds: Beneficial for dry and sensitive skin. They are good source of omega 3 fatty acids which contribute a lot to the skin and hair care.
3. Acacia concinna(Shikekai): Famous for its anti-dandruff and hair cleaning property. It is also a hair growth promoter and makes the hair shiny and healthy.
4. Azadirachta indica(Neem): One of the important ingredients in the products for skincare and Haircare, because of its antiseptic and antibacterial property. It is widely used in conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, lice, dandruff, etc.
5. Centella asiatica(Brahmi): One of the main component in hair oil and hair shampoos as it stimulates the growth of hair and strengthens it preventing hair loss.
6. Chickpea flour(Besan): Used as a cleansing agent and also to remove excessive oil from the skin.
7. Eclipta alba(Bhringaraj): Beneficial for skin and used as one of the ingredients for darkening of the hair and for preventing hair fall.
8. Hibiscus flowers(Jaswand): It stops hair fall, gives shine and bounce and delays pre-mature graying.
9. Holy basil(Tulsi): Famous for its antibacterial property and improve blood circulation. Highly recommended in cases of dry skin and rashes.
10. Hemidesmus indicus(Sariva): Improve the complexion of the skin and to impart a flawless texture.
11. Licorice(Yashtimadhu): It improves the elasticity of the skin and helps in wound healing. It has whitening effect on the skin.
12. Lodhra: Helpful in toning the skin and in turn reducing the wrinkles.
13. Lawsonia inermis(Mehandi) and Indigofera tinctoria(Nilini): Used to dye the hair, with an additional property of Mehandi as a conditioning agent protecting the hair from damage.
14. Multanni Mitti: Acts as a cleansing agent and also tones the skin and improves the blood circulation.
15. Mango seed and Terminalia chebula(Haritaki): Excellent combination against dandruff.
16. Nutmeg: For acne.
17. Rose(Gulab): Famous for its moisturizing property and for promoting youthful complexion and even colored complexion.
18. Red lentils(Masoor dal): It is commonly used as a face pack or a scrub to get rid of the impurities of the skin., thus helping in improving the complexion of the skin. Used for oily skin.
19. Rubia cardifolia(Manjistha): Used both internally and externally in skin disorders. It helps to reduce the scars and pigmentation on the skin. One of the component of the skin care formulations.
20. Saffron(Kumkum): Used in Ayurveda to improve the skin complexion and problems of hyper pigmentation and scars from the skin, making it glow.
21. Sandalwood(Red and White): Gives a cooling effect, and improve the complexion of the skin.
22. Sapindus trifoliatus(Soap nut): Hair tonic and hair cleanser. It has insecticidal properties, it is used in conditions of lice in the scalp.
23. Triphala: It is a combination of three fruits: Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki(Terminalia blerica) and Harithaki(Terminalia chebula) and is used as an anti inflammatory formulation and as a cleansing agent for skin/hair. It is also used to promote dark colour to the hair.
24. Turmeric(Haridra): It improves the complexion of the skin and also have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-acne property. Used as a content in several skin disorder preparations.
25. Vetiveria zizanioides(Khus): It is cooling and aromatic in nature. It is used for conditions like burns, blemishes, excessive sweating, bad body odour, etc.
26. Walnuts: Rich in Omega 3 fatty acid and Vitamin E.