Naturally beautiful hair with Ayurveda

2026 June 09

Women in particular long for strong, thick, healthy and shiny hair, but ‘hair health’ is also a matter of great importance to men. Lush, shiny hair is not only eye-catching; it is also a sign of good health, helps to lift our spirits and gives us greater self-confidence.

Whether it’s the sun, sea water, hormonal changes or stress – our hair faces numerous challenges throughout our lives. If you want beautiful, supple hair, the right care and a balanced dosha can go a long way towards achieving this.

We’ll share with you the most effective Ayurvedic tips for beautifully healthy hair, hair growth, care and protection against hair loss, and give you a detailed guide to a soothing and effective Ayurvedic head massage.

You’ll be surprised to discover the cycle recommended by Ayurvedic texts for haircuts, and the different hair types associated with various Dosha types to help you determine what your personalised hair care routine should look like and how you can best support the health of your hair. After all, healthy, well-cared-for hair simply grows best.

"Healthy, shiny hair is a sign of good health."

Dr Richa Shrivastava

What does your hair have to do with your Ayurvedic type?

The colour and texture of our hair are largely determined by the doshas and our Ayurveda-Typ characterised. If, for example, the hair is rather dry, it has more Vata qualities. That is why our hair also provides an indication of our Ayurvedic constitution. For example, fiery red hair is indicative of a fiery Pitta type.

If you want to show off your hair to its best advantage and keep it looking beautiful and shiny for as long as possible, it’s worth focusing your hair care on Your dosha type and to tailor it to your hair’s specific needs.

Vata type – when your hair needs special protection and care

Vata-Typen Tend to have fine, dry, and sometimes even brittle hair, which is often wavy or curly. Consequently, the hair and scalp of Vata types – which also tend to be dry – require particularly gentle cleansing as well as additional, protective and nourishing care.

Pitta type – fiery red to blonde hair

Pitta-Typen often have fine, less dense blonde or reddish hair. A pronounced Pitta dosha can lead to the hair colour changing at an early age, the hair turning grey and falling out relatively early. Like the rest of the skin, the scalp of Pitta types is usually well supplied with blood.

Kapha type – the perfect foundation for a lion’s mane

Kapha-Typen can usually enjoy thick, full hair. Their scalp and hair tend to be on the oily side.

Haircuts – it’s all about the rhythm

Ayurveda recommends having your hair cut every 15 days. This may seem like a lot of effort at first, but it’s well worth it! Not just for hygienic reasons, as the ancient Ayurvedic texts point out. A minimal trim of the ends is enough to prevent split ends, frizz and so on. The reward is healthier and stronger hair! By the way: If you don’t want to have your hair trimmed at the hairdresser’s every 15 days, why not give it a go yourself if you feel confident enough? There are some great instructional videos and tips online showing you how to do it yourself with just a few basic tools. Go for it!

Oil scalp massage – a pampering treatment for your hair Soul

In Ayurveda, regular scalp massage with oil is an integral part of any hair care routine. It is a real treat for the scalp and a wonderful way to achieve well-cared-for, shiny hair full of vitality.

Just give it a go. You’ll find that it’s not just your scalp that benefits from the massage, but your whole head and your nervous system too. The massage stimulates blood flow to the scalp, cleansing and nourishing it. It instils a sense of inner calm and deep relaxation, leaving you with a wonderfully soothing feeling.

The right oil for every hair type or dosha

Natural herbal oils based on are ideal for massaging the scalp aged sesame oil. The Ayurvedic property of sesame oil is called Keshya; put simply, this means that sesame oil improves the health of the hair.

How to make your own aged sesame oil

Sesame oil that has been briefly heated to around 100 °C is described as ‘matured’. With a simple trick, you can make your own cold-pressed organic sesame oil How to make your own lightly aged sesame oil:

Heat the sesame oil in a saucepan over a medium heat.
Whilst the oil is heating, gently let a few drops of water slide into it using a teaspoon. The water sinks down into the oil and settles at the bottom of the pan.
Once the target temperature has been reached and the maturing process is complete, a bubble forms from the water, rises to the surface and bursts.

Once it has cooled, store the matured sesame oil at room temperature, away from direct light.

To ensure your hair receives the best possible care, we offer special Ayurvedic Hair oils, which are perfectly tailored to the needs of the respective hair/dosha type. Whether Vata-, Pitta– or Kapha-Haaröl, Each oil contains a unique blend of carefully selected herbs and other plant-based ingredients that help to balance the dominant dosha and support the natural functioning of the scalp.

How to do it – a guide to Ayurvedic head massage

Sit down comfortably and pour some massage oil into the palm of your hand.
Now use the fingers of your other hand to apply the oil to the centre of your head and, from there, slowly spread it over your entire scalp using the flat of your hand.
Next, place your thumbs on your temples.

Now apply a little pressure to this area and then release it. Your fingers should be slightly spread apart – much like when washing your hair. The pressure should be firm, but not too strong.
Now move up to your forehead and massage the scalp around your hairline using the same technique. Here, too, keep alternating between pressing and releasing with a certain amount of pressure – press and release, press and release … Repeat this pressing and releasing movement a total of five times.
Move your hands further up and massage your scalp carefully, section by section – at the sides, on top and at the back. As you do so, massage the scalp by alternating between applying pressure and releasing it.
Move your hands upwards towards the centre of your head and massage your scalp again with your fingertips. From here, move your hands to the back of your head, where you continue the massage in the same way.

Now continue your pressing movements downwards, starting from the centre of your hairline. As you do so, your fingers continue to move downwards in the same position, whilst your thumbs support your massage from the sides.

When you reach the back of your head, return to the front and start again from the beginning. Unlike the first round, your hands should be slightly further apart this time. The distance between your fingers and the centre of your head should be about 2.5 cm greater on both sides than in the first round, so that your hands are positioned almost at the sides of your head. Now start again, moving your hands as described above in a rhythm of pressing and releasing.

Depending on your Ayurvedic type and how much time you have, you can start by massaging your head for five minutes. If you can spare the time, gradually extend your pampering routine for your head and scalp to seven minutes. Whilst Kapha types, for example, can cope well with a longer and more intensive massage, this is generally not an option for Pitta types – and their scalp might also quickly become red.

YouTube Webinar: Natürlich schönes Haar - die besten Pflegetipps für jeden Dosha-Typ

Here’s how to relax even more

Once you’ve got the hang of head massage, you can take your relaxation to the next level with three simple tricks:

Synchronising your breathing with the massage: To do this, you can breathe out through your nose as you apply pressure and breathe in as you release it. Don’t strain yourself, though. Otherwise, just carry on breathing naturally whilst performing the head massage.Synchronising your breathing with the massage: To do this, you can breathe out through your nose as you apply pressure and breathe in as you release it. Don’t strain yourself, though. Otherwise, just carry on breathing naturally whilst performing the head massage.
Gently tug at the hair: During the massage, give the hair a very light tug every now and then.
Clench your hands into fists and press them gently against your scalp (see illustration)

Can you feel the difference? After the massage, you’ll feel calmer and more relaxed, whilst your head and scalp will feel really fresh and revitalised.

NAfter the head massage – enjoy the relaxation

To allow the nourishing oil to be absorbed into the scalp undisturbed, it should be left on the head for about half an hour before washing it out. Ayurveda recommends that you relax whilst the oil is taking effect and avoid sudden changes in temperature. Depending on your dosha type, you can loosely cover your head with a hat, cap or similar whilst the oil is taking effect. This will help you enjoy the feeling of relaxation to the full.

„Those who regularly apply sesame oil to their head do not suffer from headaches, hair loss or premature greying. The head and forehead are strengthened. The hair is black, long and deeply rooted. The senses function well, and the skin has a healthy glow. Massaging sesame oil into the head promotes healthy sleep and happiness.“

Charaka Samhita, Sutra 5, 81–83

Gentle cleansing – the right shampoo for every hair/dosha type

Gentle, natural cleansing is essential for healthy, shiny hair. Natural cosmetic products such as the authentic Dosha shampoos from Maharishi Ayurveda We deliberately avoid mineral oils, parabens and silicones, which can build up on the hair and scalp over time. Mild plant-based surfactants ensure gentle cleansing without drying out the hair, unlike artificial foaming agents. Consequently, our shampoos are also suitable for frequent use. In addition, wheat proteins improve manageability and smooth even damaged, dull-looking hair.

Each of the three shampoos contains herbs perfectly tailored to the respective hair/Ayurvedic type, which remove excess Vata, Pitta oder Kapha to soothe and promote dosha balance.

Enjoy the wonderful, natural fragrance of pure, natural essential oils in our BDIH/COSMOS NATURAL-certified shampoos.

Finally, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water and dry it gently.

Care from within – beauty nutrition for beautiful and healthy hair

Just like our bones and teeth, our hair is classified as part of the Asthi Dhatu in Ayurveda. Foods and herbs that strengthen our Asthi Dhatu therefore automatically benefit our hair as well. When the Asthi Dhatu is in balance, it provides the best foundation for healthy hair growth and beautiful, shiny hair.

Ayurveda recommends various foods and herbs that you can use to specifically improve your Asthi Dhatu and, consequently, the health of your hair and scalp. Above all, it is important for beautiful and healthy hair that you consume sufficient amounts of healthy Proteins to include in your diet. Pulses are an excellent source of protein for vegetarians; for example, dal made from mung beans. Dal is very high in protein, easy to digest and extremely nutritious. Tips on preparation and you can find delicious recipes on our website.

Many types of berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries, are rich in Vitamin C-content and Antioxidants A real superfood for skin and hair.

Foods that are rich in are also ideal for healthy, beautiful hair Zinc contains. This is because zinc supports the skin, hair and nails in equal measure. Good sources of zinc include, for example, nuts, pulses, grains and sesame seeds.

Foods that are considered beneficial for the hair in Ayurveda include

Spinach,
Sweet potatoes, which should feature on the menu from time to time,
Avocados,
Nuts, and almonds in particular.

Another Ayurvedic ‘secret recipe’ for beautiful, healthy hair involves herbs that nourish the Asthi Dhatu and the hair. Fenugreek is considered beneficial for hair growth, Amalaki und Guduchi. Guduchi reduces Pitta and Vata. According to Ayurveda, both doshas are linked to hair loss and the greying of the hair. One herb that is particularly praised for its benefits to hair health is „‘Eclipta alba’ (Bhringraj). That is why we use it in our shampoos and hair oils. Eclipta alba is also recommended for premature greying – and it strengthens the hair.

Traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulations, such as those we use to produce our Rasayanas for hair and nails use.

We would like to thank our experts, Dr Richa Shrivastava and Vaidya Dr Rajat Sharma, for their expert support!

Dr Richa Shrivastava

is a well-known researcher. She studied and completed her PhD at India’s leading Ayurvedic university. She holds a Master of Science (in medicinal plant research).

At the renowned research centre of Maharishi Ayurveda Products India, Dr Shrivastava leads a team of experienced scientists and specialists working in the fields of product development and standardisation. Dr Shrivastava heads up prestigious research programmes and teaches in the field of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic plants. She is particularly committed to the identification of suitable herbs and to quality control.

Vaidya Dr Rajat Sharma

Vaidya Rajat Sharma studied Ayurveda and medicine at Punjab University and is a fourth-generation member of a traditional and renowned Vaidya family. He has in-depth knowledge of pulse diagnosis (Nadi Vigyan) and has been practising Maharishi Ayurveda for 12 years.

His wide-ranging expertise covers the fields of nutrition, health education, naturopathy and yoga, medical Vedic astrology and Panchakarma. Dr Sharma also researched the health implications of climate change at Harvard University.

Dr Sharma carries out a very thorough assessment of his patients’ detailed medical history, pulse and health parameters from an Ayurvedic perspective. He provides support and advice on diet, lifestyle, personalised Ayurvedic herbs, Panchakarma and yoga therapy. Dr Sharma treats patients with a wide range of chronic conditions. His main interest lies in the management of gut health, as, according to Ayurveda, this is the root cause of most health problems. His wish is for ‘perfect health’ for everyone.