Going back to our roots- the haircare edition
Part-1: Haircare- Love in Oiling
Haircare through oiling transcends generations, embodying a profound expression of love and connection in our culture. It's a shared journey of tenderness, a story every desi knows, of bonding with our mothers and grandmothers. I recall how my mother would lovingly oil my hair, a ritual that strengthened our connection. My hair suffered when I stopped allowing her to care for it, emphasizing that oiling hair is more than just a routine – it's an intimate experience. Beyond mere beauty, hair-oiling serves as a cherished heritage, a bond passed lovingly from one generation to the next.
THE THREE DOSHAS
Ayurveda posits the existence of three fundamental life energies, known as doshas, within every individual:
Vatta
Pitta
Kapha
An excess of any of these doshas can disrupt the body's equilibrium, and its impact is particularly noticeable in its effect on our hair.
In Ayurvedic philosophy, the scalp is perceived as having numerous energy-balancing centres known as "marmas." Hair oiling is considered a rejuvenating practice, as it assists in eliminating any surplus doshas that tend to accumulate in the head.
AYURVEDIC HAIR-TYPE
Healthy Vata-Type Hair is relatively thin, but often a bit coarse, may be straight, curly, or a combination of the two, grows quickly, and can be a bit unruly—potentially making it more challenging to style.
Healthy Pitta-Type Hair is straight, soft, predictable, and of moderate thickness, but very fine.
Healthy Kapha-Type Hair is typically wavy, lustrous, full, strong, coarse, and thick.
Common Imbalances
VATA- DOMINANT HAIR
Characteristics: The imbalance in vata dosha causes excessive dryness, flaky dandruff, frizzy and brittle hair. It may also cause hair thinning and split ends.
Care: It is recommended that you oil your hair two-three times a week with almond oil, cocunut oil or sesame oil infused with hair strengthening herbs like bhringraj, liquorice, shatavari, ashwagandha. Avoid harsh chemicals and heat styling to protect fragile Vata hair. Natural hair masks with honey, yogurt, or henna can further strengthen and improve its texture and shine.
Dietary additions: Vata is a cold and dry dosha, therefore, warming, grounding, and nourishing foods like nuts and seeds, with moderately heavy texture, with healthy fats (like Omega 3 fatty acids) are advised. Choose salty, sour, and sweet tastes as well as soothing and satisfying foods.
PITA DOMINANT HAIR
Characteristics: The imbalance in pitta hair might lead to excess heat in the hair follicles, thinning or premature greying hair.
Care: Use coconut oil infused with cooling herbs like hibiscus, amla and kalonji seeds. Include weekly masking with ingredients that repair such as aloe vera and brahmi. Opt for natural, chemical-free hair care products.
Dietary additions: Those with predominant pitta should refrain from spicy and astringent foods, and look for foods that are alkaline, which cool and soothe the digestive fire.
KAPHA DOMINANT HAIR
Characteristics: An imbalance in the kapha dosha can result in excess oil secretion that blocks the follicles of your scalp, which leads to wet and sticky flakes.
Care: The Kapha hair care routine involves cleansing hair and scalp 2-3 times weekly with natural herbs like reetha, shikakai, and triphala powder. For purification, use neem oil. It is effective for dandruff in bi-weekly oil-and-wash sessions.
Dietary additions: Those with the kapha dosha should focus on warm, light, foods made with dry cooking methods like baking, broiling, grilling, sautéing, etc.
Choose organic, chemical-free, and 100% virgin oils, even if they cost use( 3-4 tablespoons). Honestly, I would say get your oils pressed from a local vendor. That's what I do. It's 100% virgin and doesn't cost much at all. Otherwise, you can get them online. If you guys want, I can attach some product links too.
References:
https://www.byrdie.com/hair-oiling-indian-tradition-4795886
https://enrouteindianhistory.com/ayurveda-hair-care-tips-from-ancient-india/#:~:text=Rani Padmini%2C interestingly%2C used a,recently around the 1930s only.
https://www.theswaddle.com/hair-oil-ayurveda-benefits
https://vedix.com/blogs/articles/how-to-determine-your-hair-type
https://www.sukhayuayurved.com/hair-type-and-ayurvedic-doshas/
https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/ayurvedic-dosha-significance-for-your-hair-type-haircare-routine
https://www.sesacare.com/blogs/blog/what-is-your-ayurvedic-hair-type
(pictures from pinterest)
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100 Quirky Fun Life Hacks
1. Use a paper clip to fix a broken zipper pull.
2. Freeze grapes to chill white wine without diluting it.
3. Store bed sheets inside their matching pillowcase.
4. Use a trousers hanger as a cookbook holder.
5. Put a wooden spoon over boiling water to prevent overflows.
6. Use muffin tins for condiment assortments at BBQs.
7. Place a rubber band around an open paint can to wipe your brush.
8. Use nail polish to differentiate keys.
9. Cut soft cheese or cake with unscented dental floss.
10. Use a squeegee to remove pet hair from furniture.
11. Put pancake mix in a ketchup bottle for a no-mess experience.
12. Use old newspaper to deodorize food containers.
13. Clean your keyboard with sticky notes.
14. Use a can opener to safely open blister packs.
15. Amplify your phone’s speaker with a cup.
16. Use ice cubes to remove furniture indentations in carpet.
17. Use a banana peel to shine shoes.
18. Put a dry towel in the dryer to speed up the drying process.
19. Use a hanging shoe rack to organize cleaning supplies.
20. Use toothpaste to clear up hazy car headlights.
21. Drop Alka-Seltzer tabs to clean a toilet.
22. Freeze aloe vera gel in ice cube trays for sunburn relief.
23. Store ice cream in a zip-top bag to keep it soft.
24. Use a bread tab to hold your spot on a roll of tape.
25. Thread a necklace through a straw to prevent tangling.
26. Blow-dry your mirror to prevent fogging.
27. Use a pool noodle to fill your mop bucket.
28. Use a tennis ball to hold pens or as a towel holder.
29. Clean sneakers with toothpaste.
30. Use a lint roller to clean out your purse or backpack.
31. Use a pasta ladle to measure one serving of spaghetti.
32. Use a pillowcase to clean ceiling fans.
33. Place a rubber band around an open paint can to wipe your brush.
34. Use a post-it note when drilling to catch dust.
35. Wrap gifts with fabric for reusable wrapping.
36. Flip a toaster on its side for grilled cheese.
37. Prevent pot boiling over with a wooden spoon.
38. Infuse olive oil with garlic for instant bread dip.
39. Freeze lemon slices and water for instant refreshing drinks.
40. Use a hair straightener to iron collar edges.
41. Cook two pizzas at once by cutting them in half and laying them flat.
42. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your glasses with vinegar.
43. Use a carabiner to carry multiple grocery bags.
44. Freeze a sponge in a zip bag for an ice pack that won’t drip.
45. Write with a whiteboard marker on appliances to track perishables.
46. Use an egg slicer for equally sliced mushrooms.
47. Put a damp sponge in the microwave to disinfect it.
48. Layer scented dryer sheets between sheets for a fresh bed.
49. Soak a sponge in water and soap, freeze it for a DIY ice pack that cleans.
50. Use binder clips to fix a broken keyboard foot.
51. Make a tablet stand from a cutting board and a scrunchie.
52. Stash emergency cash in a ChapStick tube.
53. Plant herbs in a wine rack with glass jars.
54. Organize cables with binder clips on a desk edge.
55. Clean blender by blending water and soap.
56. Stuff newspaper in wet shoes for quick drying.
57. Use a muffin tin to serve condiments at a picnic.
58. Turn a magazine holder into a shelf by mounting it sideways.
59. Keep apple slices from browning with a rubber band.
60. Use a plastic bottle as a makeshift watering can.
61. Drop a few marshmallows into brown sugar to prevent hardening.
62. Clean your iron by ironing salt on wax paper.
63. Use a vegetable peeler to slice cheese thinly.
64. Sharpen scissors by cutting fine-grit sandpaper.
65. Use crayons as emergency candles.
66. Place a wooden spoon in a pot to prevent boiling over.
67. Make your own ice pack by freezing dish soap.
68. Organize your closet by hanging bags with shower curtain rings.
69. Keep cords organized with bread tags.
70. Use a colander to evenly distribute powdered sugar.
71. Make a DIY sprinkler with a punctured plastic bottle.
72. Use a wine cork to safely store needles.
73. Store sheet sets inside their corresponding pillowcase.
74. Freeze coffee in ice cube trays for undiluted iced coffee.
75. Use beeswax to waterproof shoes.
76. Use a magnetic strip to organize bobby pins and tweezers.
77. Remove pet hair with a squeegee.
78. Use old CD racks for bagel sandwich holders.
79. Use a potato to unscrew a broken lightbulb.
80. Use a salad spinner to fluff down jackets.
81. Use glasses as a makeshift smartphone tripod.
82. Keep your earbuds in a mint container when not in use.
83. Seal plastic bags with the top of a water bottle; cut the top off and slide the bag through the neck.
84. Convert a cardboard box into a makeshift sled.
85. Turn a plastic bottle into a makeshift piggy bank.
86. Keep a bar of soap in the same drawer as your dirty laundry to keep it smelling fresh.
87. Use old socks as sleeves to protect drinks from warming or hands from cold.
88. Use a wine bottle as a rolling pin.
89. Make a no-sew pet bed from an old sweater.
90. Cut an old milk jug into a dustpan.
91. Use a yoga mat under rugs for extra no-slip safety.
92. Use a waffle iron to make cinnamon rolls.
93. Turn a bread clip into a holder for tapes on a tape roll.
94. Put Vaseline on the end of a nail polish bottle for easy opening.
95. Use a vegetable peeler to make chocolate curls.
96. Use a pill container to organize jewelry when traveling.
97. Use a shower cap to cover the bottom of shoes in your luggage.
98. Use a lemon to freshen up your garbage disposal.
99. Use a rubber band around an open paint can for excess paint wiping.
100. Use clear nail polish to stop a run in your stockings.
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