THE GOODNESS OF AMLA

Summer brings with it dryness and dry skin flaking off the scalp and itchiness is referred to as dandruff. The aggravation of Vata generally causes this dryness. Here are a few remedies that can be made from products at home to get rid of dandruff. Add 1 teaspoon of camphor to half a cup of coconut or neem oil. Store it in glass container. Dosage: Massage this oil into the scalp before bed. • Mix 1 teaspoon of castor, mustard and coconut oil each and massage into the scalp. • Mix one part of lemon juice with two parts of coconut oil. Massage into the roots of the hair regularly. Wash with warm water after three to four hours or leave overnight. The summer also makes it easy to find Amla (gooseberry). It is possibly the only fruit that contains all tastes except salty. With sourness as the foremost taste, it is at the same time sweet, astringent, bitter and pungent. It is light, dry and cold in effect and the most concentrated form of Vitamin C in the entire plant kingdom. Did you know that it has approximately 20 times the vitamin C content that is in an orange? Though it is a very potent form of vitamin C it is easily assimilated by the human body. The vitamin C in the amla fruit is bonded with tannins that protect it from being destroyed by heat or light. Amla enhances the absorption of food, by strengthening the digestive system. It does this by increasing the fire (known as "agni" in ayurveda) in the stomach, without creating any excess stomach acids. It also acts as a great detoxifying agent for a sluggish liver, and helps to make the skin clear and radiant. Hair Shampoo using Amla Ingredients • 100 grams of amla • 100 grams of khus • 200 grams of reetha • 200 grams of shikakai • 1/2 teaspoon of sodium benzoate • 2-1/2 litres of water • 8 teaspoons of lavender oil Method • Soak amla, shikakai, khus, and reetha for one night • Boil them in the morning till the mixture remains the half • Now strain the mixture and add lavender oil and sodium benzoate • Shampoo is ready. Know more about Ayurveda and for your Ayurvedic guidance, ask the vaid.