Ayurveda for Alopecia or Khalitya

How does Ayurveda diagnose and treat hair fall (Khalitya or Indralupta) considering the dosha imbalances and scalp health?

As our face is mirror of our internal health, our hair is also reflection of a healthy body. When those hairs start falling, it is termed as Alopecia or baldness. It decreases our self-confidence and self-esteem. 
 

In Ayurveda, hairfall is described as Khalitya or Indralupta. It is generally characterized by gradual or sudden hair loss in patches on the scalp. It has been placed under "Shiroroga" by Acharya Charaka and Ashtanga hridaya on the basis of its Shtana or location of the disease, that is head or scalp. 
 

It is caused by combination of Pitta dosha with Vata or Kapha dosha that reaches the root of hair and destroys them. If it is caused by imbalance in Vata doshas, then it causes burning over scalp, if it is due to imbalance in Pitta dosha, it causes sweating and if it is due to Kapha dosha, it can cause the skin to grow thicker. 
 

When the Tejas dhatu that is heat of the body, combines with Vayu that is air, and other doshas, it causes increased heat on hair roots or the scalp. Then, the hair follicles get blocked by an accumulation of Shonita (blood) and Shleshma (mucus), which stops hair from growing again. 
 

The trigger factors for Khalitya are excess intake of Kshara(alkaline), Lavana (salt), Katu(spicy) and Viruddha Ahara(unhealthy food), stress, anger, shock, etc. 
 

Alopecia is treated with cupping therapy and cleaning techniques (Sodhan karma), surface exfoliation (Prachaan karma), and the use of pastes like (dhatura lepa, Gunjadi lepa) and oils like (Bhringraj Oil, Karanja Oil) etc 
 

Source1:-Patil, S. B., Patil, G. S., & Patil, V. (2023). Effective management Alopecia totalis by Ayurveda - A case report. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 14(6), 100805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100805 
 

Source2:-Purwar, P., Yadav, S. S., & Gangele, P. (2019). Khalitya (hair fall) management-ayurvedic perspective. International Journal of Health Sciences Res, 9(4), 255-260. 
 

Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment.Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.

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