What is the Ayurvedic line of treatment for dandruff?

Dandruff is a common scalp manifestation that leads to some changes in the body. These changes are not restricted to the scalp but also lead to impurities in the blood. Holistic medicine, Ayurveda, gives us a deeper understanding of what goes wrong in the body. Hence, to understand how Ayurveda treats dandruff, it is important to know how dandruff manifests.

This blog will provide a detailed discussion of the reasons for dandruff in Ayurveda and ayurvedic treatment for dandruff.

What is dandruff?

Darunak (dandruff) is a disorder that affects the scalp and causes white, dry flakes of dead skin to fall off the scalp. According to Ayurveda, Daranak is a Vata-Kapa-predominant tridosha illness. It experiences itching, white scale-like structures, and scalp dryness.

Wet dandruff in Ayurveda

The oily substance sebum (Kapha), is produced by the scalp’s skin. Your scalp and hair benefit from the moisture that this sebum provides. It is a normal procedure that, if skipped, could cause your hair to become frizzy and dry. You could experience scalp issues, though, if this sebum (Kapha) is overproduced for some reason. 

Overproduction of sebum (Kapha) results in the development of oily scales on the scalp, which can be extremely itchy and lead to infection. As a result, treating moist dandruff is more difficult than treating dry dandruff.

Impurity in the blood due to doshic imbalance

A condition known as “Vata Pradhan Kapha dosha” is the root of dry dandruff. On the other hand, the “Kapha Pradhan Vata dosha” is what causes wet dandruff. According to Acharya Videha Pitta, Kapha is responsible for the development of daranak, or dandruff. 

Increased Vata and Pitta in the body causes Rakta Dhatu to be destroyed, which results in blood pollutants. This then results in the scalp receiving inadequate nutrition. In these circumstances, blood purification is also necessary to get rid of dandruff.

Ayurvedic view of dandruff

The condition of dandruff is classified by Ayurveda as Shudra Roga, which arises from an imbalance of all three doshas (Ayurvedic humor). Vata and Kapha are the main doshas at play. Ayurvedic humor known as Kapha represents softness, and stickiness, and offers lubrication and sustenance. Vata’s nature is arid and harsh. 

Both doshas, depending on which one is stronger, produce unique impurities in the scalp that are sticky and dry when they are inflamed. These contaminants build up in the deep scalp tissues and pollute them. Deep tissue contamination and worsened Vata-Kapha Dosha result in flaky patches on the scalp that itches. These causes cause the scalp to lose more dead epidermal cells than usual, which results in dandruff.

Ayurvedic treatment for dandruff

The aim of ayurvedic dandruff treatment is to calm Pitta with a personalized food and lifestyle regimen in addition to medication. In order to combat dandruff and early aging of the hair, a combination of nutrition, herbs, oil massage, breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga may be helpful. 

Included in this are Siro Abhyangam, Sirolepanam, Kshalanam, Siro Dhoopanam, Thalapothichil, and Sirodhara, among others. Virechanam, Nasyam, and other panchakarma therapies are also appropriate. Rasayana therapy addresses nutritional deficiencies and enhances general health.

Furthermore, to pacify the effects of Kapha and Vata dosha, special herbs like amla, neem, raisins, mustard seeds, licorice, etc. are recommended. 

According to Ayurveda, dandruff may be brought on by prolonged exposure to cold water, excessive consumption of salty foods, chronic rhinitis, irregular sleeping patterns, excessive sun exposure, suppression of natural arousals, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive perspiration, improper hair maintenance, and the use of very little or no hair oil for massaging the head and scalp.

Wet or oily dandruff can be treated with both external and internal medications, according to Ayurveda. The topical medications are meant to control dandruff as well as ease any itching and infections that may exist. The internal medications are designed to cleanse the blood, boost immunity, nourish the skin, and help with hair quality improvement.

Summing Up

The treatment of dandruff is completely natural when the line of treatment is ayurvedic. Even simple routine changes help treat dandruff and eliminate the condition from the root cause. Being said that, it is also important to validate the therapy line with an ayurvedic consultant. Rest, the remedies for dandruff, and lifestyle changes can be employed to treat dandruff.

If you want to read more about dandruff, click here.