You may know about ghee in your tea, ghee on toast, ghee in porridge—even ghee for your skin. But what about ghee for hair? The health of your hair is a deeper reflection of your bone health. Also, you need enough moisture and healthy fats in your diet for strong, lustrous hair and nails. Let’s explore how ghruta and ghee can support healthy hair. As I mentioned above, the state of your hair is an indication of the state of your bones. The bone tissue is called asthi dhatu in Ayurveda. If you want to have healthy, shiny, strong hair, consider how you are caring for your bones. Is your diet nutritious and wholesome? Are you getting a variety of whole, organic foods and adequate supplies of minerals and vitamins such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, and vitamin D? Also, what is the state of your digestion? You could have a perfect diet, but if your digestion is compromised you will not adequately absorb your nutrients. For tips on balancing digestion, you can read our post on ghee and digestion. Also, consider focusing on foods that balance your constitution. In addition, you may want to consider these tips on regulating agni.

Ghee for Hair

Along with digestive health, ample nourishment, and bone health, when it comes to hair health, moisture matters, both for internal consumption and topical application.

Eating Ghee

If you are experiencing dry, brittle, or thin hair, consider adding more healthy lipids to your diet. This will boost the rasa dhatu and will likely be reflected in the health of your hair. Ghruta and ghee are perfect examples of nourishing, ojas-building fat sources. Since Vata dosha is dry by nature, Vata-types may need to intentionally add extra fat to their diet. If you are thinking about ghee for hair, consider adding a spoonful of ghruta or ghee to your morning porridge, spreading it on your toast, or using it regularly as a cooking oil. Also, be sure you are drinking enough water. Broths and herbal teas may be helpful too for increasing hydration.

Topical Application

Perhaps you’ve seen avocado hair masks, honey hair masks—maybe even egg or mayonnaise hair masks! Ghee can be used as a hair mask too! This is another great usage of ghee for hair. To use as a hair mask, apply a couple of spoonfuls of melted ghee to your hair and scalp. Massage in well and let sit for an hour or two. You may want to use a shower cap to prevent getting ghee on clothing and upholstery. Rinse out with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. You can also experiment with mixing one part ghee and one part coconut oil. Applying a small amount of oil to the scalp is part of Ayurvedic self-care. You can find special hair oils that contain herbs such as brahmi and bhringaraj. You can do similarly with plain ghee or ghruta. However, if you choose to apply ghee to your scalp before bed, use just a very small amount and focus on your scalp, not your hair. Also, you may not want to sleep on your most expensive pillowcases when testing this out!

Nourishment for Health

In closing, there are a number of ways to use ghee for hair—both topically and internally. If nothing else, the moisture, healthy fats, and vitamins contained in ghee will nourish your whole body from the inside out. And, a healthy body means healthy hair!

Greta Kent-Stoll is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner (NAMA), as well as a writer, editor, and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Her Ayurveda practice is based in Asheville, North Carolina and she is the co-owner of Iyengar Yoga Asheville.