By Shahnaz Husain
Among hair problems, dandruff is very common. In its mild form, it consists of loose white flakes. Sometimes, the flakes may be yellowish, while dandruff can be accompanied by itching. Sometimes, the scales and oily secretions tend to stick to the scalp. Hot oil therapy is a useful home treatment for the prevention and control of common dandruff. It also relieves dryness of the scalp and prevents clogging of the pores of the scalp. Heat olive oil and apply on the scalp with cotton wool. Rub gently to dislodge the flakes. Then do the hot towel wrap. The next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash the hair after half an hour. This can be done once or twice a week. Here are some home-made beauty products for the hair:
Hair Oil
Heat 250 ml pure coconut, or sesame seed oil. Take a handful of neem leaves and add it to the oil. Let it stand in the oil for ten days, keeping it in the sun during the day. Then strain the leaves and keep the oil for use. This Neem Oil keeps the scalp healthy and relieves itching.
You can also make Amla Hair Oil. Take a handful of dry amla. Grind coarsely and add it to 100 ml pure coconut oil. Keep it in an airtight glass bottle and keep the bottle in the sun daily for about 15 days. Then strain the oil and store. The oil can be used to apply on the hair.
Home Made Hair Cleanser
You can make your own hair washing preparation. Plant ingredients like reetha and shikakai are powerful natural cleansers, yet they have a gentle action. They also have other beneficial properties. Amla is rich in Vitamin C and helps to restore the normal acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Take one handful each of dried reetha, shikakai and amla. Add them to one litre of water and allow them to soak overnight. The next day, simmer the herbs with the water on a low fire, till the water reduces to half the quantity. Do not boil it on a high fire. Allow the mixture to cool and strain it through a clean cloth. Use the liquid to wash your hair. This quantity should be enough for four washes. Keep your home-made hair cleanser in the refrigerator for further use. Make small quantities at a time. Large quantities should not be kept over a long period of time.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.’
