Herbal Remedies

It is said that for every ailment there is a cure. The use of ayurveda hair products are an excellent cure for a variety of scalp and hair ailments. These ailments are common although cures in the west have only been available until now in largely synthetic forms.

Hair care tips

Over 40 herbs and essential oils are incorporated in our herbal products. The medicinal value of some of the ingredients is described below. You will find that each of the ingredient has many medicinal uses. This is only to give you an idea of the value of each ingredient we use by giving its overall use in the alternative medical field.


Almond Oil (Amygdalus Communis)
Almond oil is an emollient, anti-pruritic, and laxative. It makes a very good nourishing skin cream. Its smooth massaging action on the skin helps reapair degenerated dead skin cells and removes superficial hair. It is very useful for softening the skin and is the best base oil for any kind of massage. This oil is used in preparing body massage oils, creams, lotions and moisturizing products.

Aloes (Aloe Vera Linn)
Aloes has been in use for over 7,000 years. Aloes is anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and is extremely effective in treating several skin disorders. It is an effective moisturizer and helps in anti-aging, cleansing, and softening the skin. Aloes inhibits the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase which is responsible for skin discoloration. Aloes removes dead skin cells and stimulates formation of new cells, tightening of the skin, and making the skin look young. Other medicinal uses include treating radiation ulcers, peptic ulcers, thermal burns, wounds, pimples, freckles, spots, dandruff, split ends, menstrual problems, constipation, urine disorders, and improving digestion.

Amba Haldi (Curcuma Aromatica)
Amba haldi is an aromatic stimulant, tonic and carminative. It protects skin from atmospheric pollution, wrinkles and bacteria. It imparts resistance against allergies of throat, nose and trachiobranchital passage. Haldi is commonly used in skincare preparations and treats pimples, acne and black heads. It helps prevent and slow the growth of unwanted superfluous hair. Both Haldi (Turmeric) and Kali Haldi (Black Zeodary) are used by the traditional healers in treatment of hydrocele (A pathological accumulation of serous fluid in a bodily cavity, especially in the scrotal pouch). Both are used externally.

Amla (Phyllanthus Emblica)
Amla is one of the richest sources of natural Vitamin C. It is a refrigerant, diuretic, carminative and stomachic. Amla is a wonderful cleansing agent for both the skin and hair. It imparts lustre to hair and protects scalp aagainst infection, dandruff, and helps prevent and control greying of hair. For skin, it improves complexion and removes wrinkles. Amla is also used to treat constipation and is used as a cooling agent to reduce the effects of sun strokes and sun burns.

Anantmool (Hemidesmus Indicus)
Anantmool has long enjoyed reputation as tonic, alterative, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, blood purifier & flavouring agent. The main constituents are P-Methoxy salicylic aldehyde, beta sitosterol, tetracyclic triterpene alcohals, fattyacids, tannins, saponins etc. It is employed in nutritional disorders, chronic rheumatism, gravel (calculi) & other urinary diseases, syphilis, scrofula (cervical tubercular lymphadenitis) & skin affections. It helps in treatment of syphilis by stimulating the defense machanism of the body. It has also been used successfully in the treatment of psoariasls. It shows inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli.

Anise (Pimpinella anisum )
Anise is carminative and pectoral in character. It enjoys considerable reputation as a medicine in coughs and pectoral affections. In hard, dry coughs where expectoration is difficult, it is of much value. It is greatly used in the form of lozenges and the seeds have also been used for smoking, to promote expectoration. The volatile oil, mixed with spirits of wine forms the liqueur Anisette, which has a beneficial action on the bronchial tubes, and for bronchitis and spasmodic asthma, Anisette, if administered in hot water, is an immediate palliative.

Arjun (Terminalia Arjuna)
Arjun is an antringent, cardiac stimulant and tonic. It is known for its useful effects on treating cardiac disorders. It also treats fractures, pimples, ace, freckles and non-healing wounds. Taken internally, it is extremely good for heart.

Ashwagandha (Withania Somniferra)
Ashwagandha is also referred to as "Indian Ginseng," and it is one of the oldest medicinal plants in use. Ashwagandha has more medicinal uses than most herbs. It is a very prominant ingredient is treating several skin problems. Externally, it is also used for treating ringworm, snake bites, sores, wounds, boils, swellings, sore eyes, and lice. The root of the plant is used as a powerful tonic, sexual stimulant, and narcotic. It is also used in restoring functions of organs, treating urine disorders, treating senile disorders, rheumatic disorders, indigestion, cough, cold, chest complaints, and ulcers. Internally, the leaves are used in killing worms, treating hemorrhoids, and reduction of fever.

Aruna (Sphaeranthus Hirtus)
Aruna is bitter stomachi, stimulant, alterrative and demulcent. It is used for Bilious affections and for the dispersion of various kinds of Tumours, and is useful as blood purifier in skin diseases. It is used in Glandular swellings in the neck and also a good remedy in Jaundice.

Babool (Acasia Arabica)
Babool is an astringent and a demulcent. It is used to heal open wounds, ulcers, haemorrhage, swelling, bleeding gums, dry cough, throat pain, canker sores, syphilitic affections, and aphthous stomatitis. Decoction made of babool bark could be used as garble and mouthwash.

Bakul (Mimosops Elengi)
Bakul is used in the treatment and maintenance of oral hygiene. Rinsing mouth with water solution made with bakul helps in strengthening the teeth. Bakul also prevents bad breath and helps keep the gums healthy.

Basil (Ocymum minumum )
Basil is aromatic and carminative. Although it is generally employed in cooking as a flavouring, Basil has been occasionally used for mild nervous disorders and for the alleviation of wandering rheumatic pains- the dried leaves, in the form of snuff, are said to be a cure for nervous headaches. An infusion of the green herb in boiling water is good for all obstructions of the internal organs, arrests vomiting and allays nausea. The seeds have been reckoned efficacious against the poison of serpents, both taken internally and laid upon the wound. They are also said to cure warts.

Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia)
 Bergamot oil is a powerful antiseptic and is excellent for sores. It increases photosensitivity of skin and is widely used in suntan preparations. It is also used to treat acne, psoriasis, ulcers and wounds. Traditionally used as a potent medicine and sold for its scent.
Bergamot oil produces an uplifting, refreshingly astringent atmosphere. This may assist in reducing anxiety and depression. As an ingredient in lotions and massage oils it can help reduce tension and inflammation. Well-diluted in a facial or body oil bergapten-free Bergamot's anti-septic and anti-fungal properties can be helpful for acne, and problem skin conditions. A few drops in a sitz bath or regular bath can also be beneficial. It is very popular as a perfume ingredient both in commercial and home recipes.

Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum )
Black pepper is aromatic, stimulant, carminative and is said to possess febrifuge properties. Its action as a stimulant is specially evident on the mucous membrane of the rectum, and so is good for constipation, also on the urinary organs. As a gargle it is valued for relaxed uvula and paralysis of the tongue. On account of its stimulant action it aids digestion and is specially useful in atonic dyspepsia and torbid condition of the stomach. It will correct flatulence and nausea. It has also been used in vertigo, paralytic and arthritic disorders. It has also been advised in diarrhoea, cholera, scarlatina, and in solution for a wash for tinea capititis.

Brahmi (Centela Asiatica)
Brahmi is a tonic, diuretic and an energy stimulant. It is used to treat skin diseases like eczema and dermatitis. It is also used for improving memory, epilepsy, and several mental disorders. Brahmi is also very useful for hair growth, and is commonly used as a hairwash.

Bawachi (Psoralea Corylifolia)
Bawachi is used in treating psoriasis, leprosy, leucoderma and several other skin diseases like white skin patches, spots, blemishes, acne etc. Bawachi is capable of stimulating the cells by penetrating through the epidermis to the lymphatic cells and entering into the subcapillary areas under the skin. It is alos a powerful herb for treating lice, dandruff and scalp itching.

Cade (Juniperus Communis )
Cade Oil is generally used in the treatment of the cutaneous diseases. It is a ready solvent for chemical drugs and is used externally for chronic eczema as oil, ointment, and soap.

Calamus (Acorus Calamus )
Calamus is an aromatic stimulant and mild tonic. On account of the volatile oil which is present, it also acts as a carminative, removing the discomfort caused by flatulence and checking the growth of the bacteria which give rise to it. It is used to increase the appetite and benefit digestion. It has a brownish-yellow colour and a pungent, spicy taste and is used as a stomachic and flavouring agent.

Camphor (Cinnamonum camphora)
Camphor has a strong, penetrating, fragrant odour, a bitter, pungent taste, and is slightly cold to the touch like menthol leaves; locally it is an irritant, numbs the peripheral sensory nerves, and is slightly antiseptic. Camphor is used in medicine internally for its calming influence in hysteria, nervousness and neuralgia, and for serious diarrhoea, and externally as a counter-irritant in rheumatisms, sprains bronchitis, and in inflammatory conditions, and sometimes in conjunction with menthol and phenol for heart failure.

Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis )
Chamomile is a Tonic, achic, anodyne and an antispasmodic. The official preparations are a decoction, an infusion, the extract and the oil. It is an old-fashioned but extremely efficacious remedy for hysterical and nervous affections in women and is used also as an emmenagogue. It has a wonderfully soothing, sedative and absolutely harmless effect. It is considered a preventive and the sole certain remedy for nightmare. It will cut short an attack of delirium tremens in the early stage. It has sometimes been employed in treating intermittent fevers.

Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis )
Cedar is aromatic, astringent and diuretic. The decoction of cedar is used in intermittent fevers, rheumatism, dropsy, coughs, scurvy, and as an emmenagogue. The leaves, made into an ointment with fat, are a helpful local application in rheumatism. An injection of the tincture into venereal warts is said to cause them to disappear. It is alos a very good pain-reliver.

Chandan -- Sandalwood (Santalum Album)
Sandalwood is one of the most expensive, most exotic, and most aromatic plants known to humans. Grown mostly in the southern parts of India, Sandalwood is a very highly revered plant both in the medicinal world and in Hindu culture. Its seductive fragrance is considered to have many curative properties. Sandalwood has a use in treating most skin problems. It is a cooling agent, stimulant, and blood purifier. It protects skin from the sun's rays, acts an anti-aging agent, and keeps skin smooth and aromatic. Sandalwood is extremely effective on pimples, prickly heat, skin erruptions, itching, rashes, spots, freckles, and swellings. It is a very popular ingredient in salon facials. The oil is antiseptic and is used in treating gonnorrhea, scabies, pimples, wrinkles, bronchitis, fever, and urine disorders.

Chaulmoogra
Chaulmoogra is a nerve tonic. It rejuvenates and removes dead skin cells. It is used in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, leprosy and white skin patches.

Citrus Peel (Citrus Aurantium)
Citrus peel is a very rich source of natural Vitamin C. It contains essential aromatic oil and is full of natural antioxidents. It is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal. It is used for both hair and skin treatments like scars, white skin patches, spots, acne, injuries, burns, stretch marks, wrinkles, sagging skin, hairfall, dandruff, splitends etc.

Clove
Clove oil is a skin tonic and is used for treating many skin problems. The oil is strong in character and is excellent pain killer. It is is partcularly popular in relieving tooth aches and canker sore pain. It is also used for treating cold and caugh.

Dalimb (Punica Granatum)
Dalimb is a an astringent and a powerful cleanser. It is widely used for treating oral problems. It reduces swelling in gums and removes tooth stains caused by chewing tobacco, smoking or coffee. It also cures mouth ulcers, bad breath, gingivitis and pyotthoea. Dalimb is used to relieve dry caugh and for keeping the throat clear.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
Eucalyptus oil is an expectorant, vermifuge and a local antiseptic. It is used in cleansing nasal passage, treating sinusitis, bronchitis, muscle pain and swellings. The medicinal Eucalyptus Oil is probably the most powerful antiseptic of its class, especially when it is old, as ozone is formed in it on exposure to the air. It has decided disinfectant action, destroying the lower forms of life. Internally, it has the typical actions of a volatile oil in a marked degree. Eucalyptus Oil is used as a stimulant and antiseptic gargle. Locally applied, it impairs sensibility. It increases cardiac action.

Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens)
Geranium oil has a rosy with an earthy-sweet, smooth and dry aroma. Traditionally the root of the Geranium (AKA Cranesbill) has been used medicinally for a multitude of ailments. The essential oil is the most popular oil for perfumery recipes.
Long used for its balancing and uplifting properties; it appears to assist in normalizing hormonal levels and, act as a mild stimulant. Not only is it calming and relaxing making it a wonderful addition to all manner of skin care products, baths and diffuser blends, but its astringent, anti-inflammatory and mildy anti-bacterial properties make it effective and beneficial for a range of skin conditions and complexions.
Geranium oil blends well with Rose, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Vetivert and Lavender.

Ginger (Zingiber Officinale )
Ginger is a stimulant, carminative, diuretic and diaphoretic. It is especially valuable in alcoholic gastritis and helps relieve diarrhoea and inflammation. Ginger Tea is a hot infusion very useful for stoppage of the menses due to cold. Externally it is used as a rubefacient. It is also used in chronic chest complaints, painful spasms of bowels and stomach.

Ginseng Plus (Panax Ginseng)
Known as "All-Cure-Root," Ginseng is the mother of all medicinal plants and has been in use for over 5,000 years. Grown mostly in Korea and China, Ginseng is not only rare but also extremely expensive, and by itself justifies the cost of any product that uses it as one of its ingredients. Research from all over the world proves the remarkable quality of this root in treating several physical and mental ailments including stress relief. Ginseng is known for its overall strengthening effect on humans. Ginseng is used by many athletes for strength and by students and executives for stress relief and memory improvement. It contains many alkaloids and saponins, and has demonstrated its healing, curing, and magical powers time and again. Ginseng is also used in herbal teas, cosmetics, foods, and soft drinks.

Gudmar (Gymnema Sylvestris)
Gudmar is a very useful herb for patients suffering from diabetes. The meaning of Gud is Jaggery, sugar and mar means to kill or destroy. It is used to destroy sugar hence useful in diabetes. It is a common herb of Monsoon forests. In Ayurveda this herb is mentioned as bitter, acrid, cooling, tonic, alterative, anthelmintic, alexiteric and useful in respiratory troubles, heart - diseases, piles, leucoderma and urinary discharges. The plant is stomachic, stimulant, laxative, diuretic and useful in cough. The leaves of the plant, when chewed possess the remarkable property of paralysing the sense of taste for sweet and bitter substance for few hours. The leaves are used as a remedy for diabetes.

Gulvel (Tinospora Cordifolia)
The plant possesses bitter, pungent and astringent tastes, sweet post-digestive effect and has a hot potency. It has light and dry attributes. It alleviates all the three doshas viz. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Gulvel is one of the best rejuvenative (rasayana) herbs. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory1, antacid, antipyretic, tonic and neuroendocrine immune modulating effects. Being rasayana, the rejuvenative herb, it promotes the qualitative nourishment of all tissues (seven dhatus) in the body. It is used for treating arthropathies, chronic inflammation of respiratory and urinary systems, general weakness, chronic skin disorders, chronic low grade fever.

Henna (Lawsonia Alba )
Henna leaf powder is an astringent and has a cooling effect. It is used as a hair conditioner, hair dye and is commonly applied on hands and feet by many traditions. It controls excessive secretions of scalp oils and gives a healthy shine to hair. It is an excellent remedy for almost all scalp disorders. It has been employed both internally and locally in jaundice, leprosy, smallpox, and affections of the skin. The fruit is thought to have emmenagogue properties. The Egyptians are said to have prepared both an oil and an ointment from the flowers for making the limbs supple.

Jamun (Eugenia Jambolana )
Jamun has long been used as a carminative in diarrhoea; stomachic and astringent. The fresh seeds have been found most effective in diabetes, as they quickly reduce sugar in the urine; also very beneficial in glycosuria.

Jasmine (Jasminum)
Aromatherapists use Jasmine oil for treating disorders related to nervous system, menstrual cramps, anger, headaches, insomnia, depression, worry, muscular tension, labor pains. It is also known to increases sensuality.

Jaswand (Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis)
Jaswand is a refigerant, emollient, demulcent and aphrodisiac. It stimulates hairgrowth and hair thickness. Hibiscus helps in the reduction and prevention of graying, balding, hair-loss, dandruff, split-ends, and many scalp disorders. It is also an excellent natural conditioner.

Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis)
This oil is used in high grade cosmetics and is considered a replacement for sperm whale oil. It is golden in color, thin, and absorbs excellently into the skin. It is unaffected by temperature changes and can stand high heat without going bad. It could be used as a moisturiser and conditioner in shampoos. It is also a very active ingredient in treating skin problems like acne, psoriasis, and helps in the stimulation on hairgrowth.

Juniper (Juniperus communis )
Juniper is given as a diuretic, stomachic, and carminative in indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of the kidney and bladder.
The chief use of Juniper is as an adjuvant to diuretics in dropsy depending on heart, liver or kidney disease. It have been used in chest complaints and in leucorrhoea, blenorrhoea, scrofula, etc. Juniper acts as antiseptic gargle, heals infected gums and removes bad breath. Steam inhalation with juniper relieves cold and cough. Massage with juniper oil relaxes body and it is used in neuralgia, sciatica and rheumatism. It is also used to treat acne, oily skin seborrhoea of scalp.

Jyesthamadha (Liquorice Glycerriza)
Jyesthamadhu has been in use since the time of Roman empire. Hippocrates recommneded this root as an expectorant and carminative. It is used for cough, asthma, hoarseness (voice improvement), strength development, hyperacidity, soar eyes etc. For skin it is partcularly used as a facial, and as a dressing for wounds to expedite healing.

Jyotishmati (Celastrus Paniculata)
Jyotishmati oil is stomachic, tonic and good for cough and asthama. It is used in leprosy, gout, rheumatism, headaches and leucoderma. Its use in the treatment of beri-beri is also reported. It is used in combination with other herbs as sexual stimulant.

Kachur Sugandhi (Kaempferia Galanga)
Kachur Sugandhi is diuretic, carminative, stimulant and expectorant. It contains alkaloid starch with fragrant liquid essential oil. It is generally used in perfumery but it most important use is in the hair care. It stimulates hair growth, prevents loss of hair, treats dandruff, lice and many other scalp disorders. It is popularly used as a hair wash. It is also known for treating cough.

Khair (Acasia Catechu)
Khair is a powerful astringent, cooling agent and a blood purifier. It contains tannins and is useful in pyorrhea. Other medicinal uses of Khair include the treatment of repetitive stomatitis, mouth ulcers, spongy gums, bleeding, swelling, dental plaque, abscess and hoarseness of voice.

Khus (Andropogan Muricatus)
Widely used in aroma therapy and perfumes, Khus is a cooling agent, tonic, and blood purifier. It has a very cooling effect on the skin, and is used in treating many skin disorders. Khus is know to have a calming effect on the nervous system, and therefore is also used in psychological treatments for anger control, insomnia, and stress relief. Other medicinal uses of Khus include ringworm, indigestion, loss of appetite, fever, gastric irritation, menstrual problems, vomiting, diarrhea, sprains, back pain, rheumatism, and shooting pains in nerves.

Lavender (Lavandula Vera)
Lavender oil helps to relax, calm nervous system, and is a good sedative. Lavender was used in earlier days as a condiment and for flavouring dishes to prevent indigestion and stomach disorders. It has aromatic, carminative and nervine properties. Though largely used in perfumery, it is now not much employed internally, except as a flavouring agent, occurring occasionally in pharmacy to cover disagreeable odours in ointments and other compounds. Red Lavender lozenges are employed both as a mild stimulant and for their pleasant taste. The essential oil, or a spirit of Lavender made from it, proves admirably restorative and tonic against faintness, palpitations of a nervous sort, weak giddiness, spasms and colic. It is agreeable to the taste and smell, provokes appetite, raises the spirits and dispels flatulence. A few drops of the essence of Lavender in a hot footbath has a marked influence in relieving fatigue. Outwardly applied, it relieves toothache, neuralgia, sprains, rheumatism, healing burns, wounds, cracks, and skin inflammation. Also used in treating acne, psoriasis, sunburns, hairloss and migrane.

Lemon Oil (Citrus Limonum)
Lemon oil is a very useful cleansing agent and has rejuvenating action on skin. Lemon juice is probably the best of all antiscorbutics, being almost a specific in scurvy. The juice may be used in diaphoretic and diuretic draughts. It is highly recommended in acute rheumatism, and is sometimes given to counteract narcotic poisons, especially opium. It is a good astringent, whether as a gargle in sore throat, in pruritis of the scrotum, in uterine haemorrhage after delivery, or as a lotion in sunburn. It is said to be the best cure for severe, obstinate hiccough, and is helpful in jaundice and hysterical palpitation of the heart. The decoction has been found to be a good antiperiodic, useful as a substitute for quinine in malarial conditions, or for reducing the temperature in typhoid.

Lemongrass (Andropogon Schoenanthus)
Lemongrass owes its sweet scent almost entirely to its chief constituent, citral, and is one of the chief sources of the citral used in the manufacture of Tonone or artificial violet perfume. It is used for improving both skin and muscle tone, and tightening skin. It is also used in treating acne and pimples.

Lodhra (Symplocos Recemosus)
Lodhara is made from bark and is a cooling agent and a mild astringent. It is useful in treating eye inflammations and bowel complaints. It is widely used in oral hygiene and treats bleeding gums, bleeding teeth, and strengthens gums and teeth. It also treats skin rashes, amoebiasis and menstrual disorders.

Maka (Eclipta Alba)
Maka is a coolant, tonic and stimulant. It has been in use for centuries for hair treatment and helps prevent falling hair, stops premature greying and is known as a brain tonic. It is also known for treating insomnia.

Manjishta (Rubia Cordyfolia)
Grown mostly in the northwest Himalayas, the root of the Manjishta plant is widely used in treating pimples, reducing wrinkles, improving complexion, treating burns, healing injuries, and lessing inflammation, swellings, spots, and scales. The fruit is used to treat liver problems, and the stem is used for snake bites. Internally, this medicinal plant is used for paralysis, jaundice, urinal, and menstrual disorders.

Marigold (Tagetes Erecta)
Marigold is chiefly used as a local remedy. Its action is stimulant and diaphoretic. Given internally, it assists local action and prevents suppuration. It is useful in chronic ulcer, varicose veins, etc. It is considered to have much value as an aperient and detergent in visceral obstructions and jaundice. It has been asserted that a Marigold flower, rubbed on the affected part, is an admirable remedy for the pain and swelling caused by the sting of a wasp or bee. A lotion made from the flowers is most useful for sprains and wounds, and a water distilled from them is good for inflamed and sore eyes. An infusion of the freshly-gathered flowers is employed in fevers, as it gently promotes perspiration and throws out any eruption - a decoction of the flowers is much in use in country districts to bring out smallpox and measles, in the same manner as Saffron. Marigold flowers are in demand for children's ailments. The leaves when chewed at first communicate a viscid sweetness, followed by a strong penetrating taste, of a saline nature. The expressed juice, which contains the greater part of this pungent matter, has been given in cases of costiveness and proved very efficacious. Snuffed up the nose it excites sneezing and a discharge of mucous from the head. The leaves, eaten as a salad, have been considered useful in the scrofula of children, and the acrid qualities of the plant have caused it to be recommended as an extirpator of warts.

Mehendi (Lawsonia Alba)
Henna leaf powder is an astringent and has a cooling effect. It is used as a hair conditioner, hair dye and is commonly applied on hands and feet by many traditions. It controls excessive secretions of scalp oils and gives a healthy shine to hair. It is an excellent remedy for almost all scalp disorders. It has been employed both internally and locally in jaundice, leprosy, smallpox, and affections of the skin. The fruit is thought to have emmenagogue properties. The Egyptians are said to have prepared both an oil and an ointment from the flowers for making the limbs supple.

Mint (Mentha Arvesis)
One of the most common herbs and extremely popular in alternative medical treatments, Mint has several medicinal uses in treating skin problems. It is especially useful in treating acne, itching, inflammation, and burns. Internally, it is considered excellent for indigestion and gastrointestinal problems, and is very popular in the food and confectionary industry.

Motia Rosha Oil
Motia Rosha is a very stimulating oil for scalp. It is widely used in hair treatments because it stimulates the germinal layer and pigment cells of hair. It helps hair growth, treats and prevents grey hair, dandruff, split ends and imparts healthy glow to hair. It is also a very important ingredient in the preparation of hair and scalp oils.

Multani Mitti (Fuller's Earth)
Multani mitti has been in use as far back as ancient Rome. Fuller's earth can clean our bodies, as well. It is often used in facial masks to draw oils from the skin and to treat nail problems. You can sprinkle it your bath, or make a paste that can be applied to your face or hair. Fuller's earth is also a natural way to remove impurities without stripping the hair of its natural moisturisers. Medically, the clay absorbs bacteria and toxins and reduces water loss. Because of its high mineral content, it is used to reduce arthritic pain, and strengthen fingernails, teeth, gums and hair.

Neem (Melia Azadirachta)
Every part of the Neem tree has a medicinal use. It is one of the oldest medicinal plants in the world and has been in use in Ayurveda medicine for thousands of years. Neem is used in medicine, food, and cosmetics. Is is an antiseptic, moisturizer, and emollient. It is used in treating many skin problems like pimples, itching, inflammation, and sun burns. Fruits of the Neem plant are used to treat ringworm and pelvic pain. The root is used for treating syphilis and interstinal disorders. Leaves are used as a remedy for headaches, hysteria, glandular swelling, and menstrual disorders.

Nagarmotha (Cyperus Rotundus)
Nagarmotha contains pinenes and cineole. It is a neutral waxy substance and is used as a hair wash and treating hair and scalp disorders. It dilates the small capillary and acts on the sebaceous glands at the hair root and stimulates them. It has been in use for centuries for anointing body. It is also widely used for skincare, loose motions, excessive thirst and for reducing swellings.

Olive (Olea Europaea )
Olive oil is an astringent and antiseptic. It is a nourishing demulcent and laxative. Externally, it relieves pruritis, the effects of stings or burns, and is a good vehicle for liniments. With alcohol it is a good hair-tonic. As a lubricant it is valuable in skin, muscular, joint, kidney and chest complaints, or abdominal chill, typhoid and scarlet fevers, plague and dropsies. Delicate babies absorb its nourishing properties well through the skin.

Orange (Citrus Aurantium ) Orange oil like lemon oil is a very useful cleansing agent and has rejuvenating action on skin. The juice may be used in diaphoretic and diuretic draughts. It is highly recommended in acute rheumatism, and is sometimes given to counteract narcotic poisons, especially opium. It is a good astringent, whether as a gargle in sore throat, in pruritis of the scrotum, in uterine haemorrhage after delivery, or as a lotion in sunburn. It is said to be the best cure for severe, obstinate hiccough, and is helpful in jaundice and hysterical palpitation of the heart. The decoction has been found to be a good antiperiodic, useful as a substitute for quinine in malarial conditions, or for reducing the temperature in typhoid.