Alma Hair Serum, 2 fl oz (60 ml)

Description

The Health Benefits of Amla Oil

Amla oil is a natural oil used for hair health that contains extracts from the Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica). It is traditionally made by drying the fruit and immersing it in a base oil for a duration, after which the oil is filtered and purified. Amla oil is said to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss and premature graying. When used as a hair treatment, amla oil is applied to the scalp or face. Long used in Ayurveda, the Indian gooseberry is prized for its sour taste; the word amla translates to “sour” in Sanskrit. It is used in numerous multi-herbal formulations, including the centuries-old dietary supplement Chyawanprash.¹ While Indian gooseberry is edible, amla oil manufactured from its fruit is intended for external use only.

In Ayurvedic healing, the Indian gooseberry is said to possess kashaya (astringent) properties beneficial to hair. It is high in vitamin C and natural antioxidants known as flavonoids and polyphenols. When used for hair treatment, amla oil is thought to strengthen and condition follicles down to the roots. Ayurvedic practitioners also believe that amla oil can promote hair growth, reduce dandruff, and prevent the graying of hair. Even beyond the effects of the fruit extract, the application of oil to dry, flaky skin can have a therapeutic effect by acting as an emollient moisturizer. This is not unique to amla oil, however. Even though amla oil has a long history in Indian cultures, there is little scientific evidence to support its use. Of the available research, there is some evidence, albeit slight, of its benefit in treating male pattern baldness.

Hair Loss

Androgenic alopecia is characterized by a receding hairline and the gradual disappearance of hair from the crown and frontal scalp. Despite it often being called male pattern hair loss, this condition can affect both men and women. It can also occur with diseases like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).