Thalapothichil – Ayurveda’s way to hair health

  In today’s environment, where air, water and even food are impure, our hair health often suffers. Chemical products may offer temporary relief; but in the long run, they only strip our hair of its natural sheen and vitality. Ayurveda, on the other hand, offers a natural solution – thalapothichil.  Also known as Shirpolepa, this ancient Ayurvedic therapy rejuvenates the scalp, promotes healthy hair and deeply relaxes the mind. This traditional treatment from Kerala, India, provides holistic solutions to many modern hair care challenges.   Understanding Thalapothichil   Thalapothichil is a Malayalam word. ‘Thala’ means head and ‘Pothichil’ means covering. This therapeutic procedure involves applying a medicated herbal paste over the head, which helps correct imbalances and relax the body and mind.   In Ayurveda, practitioners link hair thinning, baldness, and early greying to an imbalance in Doshas, especially Pitta.   The herbal paste has cooling and calming effects on the scalp. Hence it is particularly beneficial for balancing excess Pitta. This makes the treatment highly effective for various psychosomatic disorders.   Thalapothichil Procedure    Usually, such a procedure should be carried out under the guidance of an expert Ayurvedic practitioner. Still, if you are advised so and you want to do it at home, I will make it simple for you.    Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how Thalapothichil is performed:   Preparation   First, sit comfortably on a chair. It is always best to start with a clean scalp for easy absorption of the ingredients. Taking a head bath a day before is completely fine.    At our clinic, we start with a gentle head massage using specific medicated oils to prepare the scalp. You can work with any cold-pressed virgin oil. Organic black sesame oil, however, is the best choice.    Herbal paste application   A fresh herbal paste is prepared with the herbs chosen according to the constitution and condition of the individual.  Some common herbs that you can use at home include Amla – rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, Neem – with loads of antibacterial and detoxifying properties, and Brahmi – for mental clarity and inducing calm.    These herbs should be cooked with buttermilk which in itself is a cooling ingredient. This herbal paste is applied uniformly over the scalp, creating a layer about 0.5 to 1 centimeter thick, leaving a small hole in the center.    Oil pouring   Medicated oil is poured into the hole selected according to the individual’s health factors. For instance, for people with extreme Pitta aggravation, cooling oils with Sandalwood as the main ingredient is a great choice.    You can consult your doctor to understand what oil works best for you.    Covering   The paste is then covered with leaves, such as banana or lotus leaves, and a cloth, leaving the central groove open. You can also tie a band around the head to secure the leaf covering.   Duration   Leave the paste on the scalp for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Experts recommend not straining your eyes during this period by avoiding reading books or watching screens.   I’ve seen people doing this in salons while undergoing expensive spa treatments. You’re here to relax, so do it. Listen to the soft music or simply meditate!   Completion   As a final step, we gently remove the paste and follow it with a soothing head massage. The massage helps in the easy penetration of the herbal ingredients, improves blood circulation, and also nourishes the scalp and hair follicles.   This treatment offers double benefits –  improving the physical health of the scalp and hair and fostering a sense of calmness and serenity contributing to overall well-being.      Benefits of Thalapothichil   Thalapothichil isn’t just a relaxing treatment; it offers a plethora of benefits:   Balances Pitta Dosha Relieves stress and mental fatigue Improves sleep quality Cures insomnia Enhances hair health Stabilizes the nervous system Improves memory and concentration Activates the Marma points Enhances the health of the head and neck region These benefits make Thalapothichil a sought-after therapy for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.     Indications: Who Can Benefit?   Experts recommend Thalapothichil for various conditions, including:   Insomnia and sleep disorders Hypertension Chronic headaches and migraines Dermatitis, dandruff, and hair loss Premature graying Anxiety, depression, and other psychosomatic disorders   If you’re experiencing any of these conditions, ask your doctor today about Thalapothichil.     Thalapothichil: Your Questions Answered!   Thalapothichil (Shiro Lepa) is one of those beneficial therapies that have been existing  in Ayurveda for centuries. But if you’re unfamiliar with it, you might have some questions – “Is it safe?” “How often should I do it?” or “Will it really resolve my hair problems?   No worries! I’ve got you covered.    Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding Thalapothichil that I will try to answer most simply:   Can you customize Thalapothichil for my body type?   Absolutely! Ayurveda is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every individual has a different constitution (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and needs different treatment. You can customize Thalapothichil to your individual requirements.   A trained Ayurvedic doctor would check your Prakriti and Vikriti before prescribing the right herbs, oils, and the optimal frequency.  And this way, you’re not just getting a random therapy, but receiving a truly effective treatment for your body and mind. Pretty cool, right?   Does it have any side effects?   For the most part, nope! This is a gentle, natural, and safe therapy well tolerated by all skin types.   However, as Ayurveda emphasizes,  every Prakriti is different. If you have super sensitive skin or are allergic to certain herbs, mild irritation may occur. This makes it really important to check with an expert before opting for this therapy. Better safe than sorry!   How often should I get Thalapothichil for maximum benefits?   This completely depends on the condition of your hair and scalp. If you’re experiencing extreme hair fall, dandruff or scalp infections, you may require weekly or bi-weekly visits.   As you start noticing… Continue reading Thalapothichil – Ayurveda’s way to hair health

Can Ayurveda Really Stop Hair Loss?

Does the sight of hair on your brush make you panic? Do you worry about thinning strands every time you run your fingers through your hair? Trust me, you’re not alone. Hair loss is a common concern, but the good news is, in most cases, it’s something you can overcome with Ayurveda.   Almost every patient who consults me, whether for thyroid issues, PCOS or even diabetes, deals with hair loss. They all ask me the same question – What do you suggest for hair growth and hair fall?   If you’ve been searching for answers, you’re at the right place.      Can Ayurveda Really Help with Hair Loss?     Is your hair loss reversible? The answer depends on the type of hair loss you have. Some conditions are completely reversible with Ayurvedic treatment, while others can only be managed or delayed.   In this blog, let’s discuss different types of hair loss, their causes, and how Ayurveda can help in each case.   1. Is your scalp completely shiny? Then Ayurveda can’t help.     One of the first things to check when dealing with hair loss is the condition of your scalp. Look at the area where you have lost hair.   If your scalp is completely smooth and shiny, with no tiny hair follicles or dots visible, then hair loss is irreversible. This happens because the hair follicles have atrophied (shrunken and died), meaning they cannot produce hair again.   This type of hair loss is known as scarring alopecia and can’t be treated with Ayurveda.    If you want to regain hair in such areas, modern treatments like hair transplants are the only option.   2. Some baby hair or tiny dots? Ayurveda can help!     Now, what if your scalp isn’t completely shiny?   If you see tiny dots or small baby hairs in the area where you’re experiencing hair loss, it means your hair follicles are not dead but dormant or weekend. In such cases, Ayurveda can help by reviving these follicles and promoting hair regrowth. Ayurvedic treatments like scalp massage, herbal oils, detoxification and a nourishing diet can stimulate these follicles back to life. So if you still have some hair left in the affected area, don’t lose hope. Your hair loss can be reversed with Ayurveda.     3. Autoimmune hair loss (Alopecia Areata)? It is completely reversible!     One of the most common autoimmune hair loss conditions is Alopecia Areata, where hair falls out in patches. If you see small, round bald patches on your scalp, eyebrows, or beard, it could be Alopecia Areata. The most unique sign of this condition is exclamation-mark-shaped hair where strands are thinner at the bottom and thicker at the top. Ayurveda calls this condition Indralupta and believes it happens due to: Pitta accumulation affecting hair follicles Obstruction of hair roots due to Kapha & Rakta (blood tissue) imbalance restricting the growth of hair Overconsumption of inflammatory foods, salty foods, and alkaline foods (eg. Apple cider vinegar) Stress Long unaddressed impaired digestion Krimi (parasites)   Ayurvedic Treatment for Alopecia Areata       Ayurveda can completely reverse this condition with: Detoxification – Removing toxins (Ama) from thehair fall baldness body Correcting diet – Eating a cooling, anti-inflammatory diet Herbal hair treatments – Hair oils, scalp scrubs, Nasya therapy, and Shiropichu (herbal oil application) If treated properly, Alopecia Areata is fully reversible, and you can regrow your hair naturally!       4. Hair loss from thyroid issues? Yes, there is hope!     If you are suffering from thyroid imbalance, your hair is falling mostly from the crown area (top of the head). Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to slow hair growth, brittle strands and diffuse thinning.   Thyroid imbalance is associated in Ayurveda with Dosha imbalance. Ayurveda focuses on balancing thyroid hormones naturally with: A Kapha and Vata balancing diet Herbal treatments to strengthen hair roots Stress management techniques like meditation and yoga   From the moment you start Ayurvedic treatment for your thyroid condition, hair fall can be stopped or significantly reduced. However, patience is key, as hair regrowth takes time.     5. Telogen Effluvium? Don’t worry at all!     Have you recently experienced extreme stress, rapid weight loss, a fever, or surgery? Then you might have Telogen Effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition. In this condition, large amounts of hair fall out suddenly, especially after a stressful event. The good news? This is not permanent, and hair can grow back naturally. Ayurveda can speed up hair regrowth by strengthening the hair follicles and nourishing the Asthi Dhatu (bone tissue) and Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue). So if your hair started shedding after an illness or stress, don’t panic! With proper care, it will grow back.   6. Genetic hair loss? Ayurveda can delay it!       If you have a family history of balding, you might have Androgenetic Alopecia (male/female pattern baldness). This condition is not completely reversible, but Ayurveda can help slow it down. By strengthening the existing hair follicles, we can delay the progression of balding. Ayurvedic oils, scalp massages and internal medicines help maintain hair for as long as possible.     7. Traction Alopecia? You can fix it yourself!     Do you always tie your hair in a tight ponytail, sleek bun, or fixed partition? This can lead to Traction Alopecia; consequently, it causes receding hairlines in women. You can fix this by: Changing hairstyles to reduce tension on hair roots Massaging the scalp with herbal oils to stimulate regrowth Using gentle hair scrubs to remove buildup If caught early, Traction Alopecia is completely reversible.       8. Postpartum hair loss? Your hair will be back soon!   If you have recently delivered and you’re noticing clumps of hair falling out, don’t panic. New mothers often experience heavy hair loss after giving birth. It is temporary. By the time your baby turns one, your hair growth cycle should return… Continue reading Can Ayurveda Really Stop Hair Loss?