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(IJRMST) 2019, Vol. No. 8, Jul-Dec e-ISSN: 2455-5134, p-ISSN: 2455-9059

KESHAYURVEDA (HAIR CARE IN

AYURVEDA)
*Raju Kumar, **Dr. Gulab Chand Pamnani, #Dr. PrabhakarVardhan

*P. G. Scholar, **Associate Professor, #Assistant Professor

P. G. Deptt. ofShalakyatantra, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan-302002.

INTRODUCTION- obstructs the channel of Romakoopa leading to the

stoppage of the regeneration of the hair and this
Kesha(Hair) is the covering appendage of scalp and condition is known as Indralupta,Khalitya or Ruhya.
skin. It not only helps in thermoregulation but also
helps in beautification of the person. Hairs are AcharyaVagbhatta differentiated Indralupta and
originated from the hair roots and made up of keratin Khalityaby saying that in khalitya, loss of hair occurs
protein. Black colour of hairs is due to presence of gradually than in Indralupta,pathology being
melanin pigment in them. In Ayurveda, it is said to common in both.
be mala of asthidhatu (bones). That’s why, good
Madhavakara has followed the description of
amount of protein along with vitamins and minerals
Sushruta and most of the later workers have the
is essential for natural growth and colour of hairs.
followed the description of Madhava. On the basis of
Commonly encountered diseases of hairs include
above definitions, it may be said that gradual loss of
Khalitya (Alopecia), Palitya (Premature graying of
hair from the scalp is known as Khalitya.
hairs), Indralupta (Baldness), Daarunaka(Dandruff)
and Arunshika (Seborrheic dermatitis).
Nidana –

MATERIAL AND METHODS- In Ayurveda literature, Sushruta and Vagbhattahave

mentioned thecausative factors of Khalityaas follows:
The available literature comprising of Ayurvedic
scriptures, modern medical books, research articles  Lavana rasaatisevana
and internet were searched extensively for the  Ksharaatisevana
diseases relating to hair and their management.  Usharbhoomi
 Viruddhaaaharsevana
LITERATURE SURVEY-
Purvarupa -
1) Khalitya (Alopecia)-
Purvarupa are the premonitory symptoms of the
AcharyaCharaka mentions that tejas by involving disease which are observed before the complete
VatadiDosha when scorches up the scalp, it results in manifestation of the disease. Khalitya has no
khalitya. According to Chakrapani, word ‘Tejas’ purvarupa but,occasional loss of some hairs may be
here denotesDehaUshma as well as Pitta Dosha. considered as apurvarupa of Khalitya.
Sushrutadescribes that Pitta along with Vata by
involving the root of hairs (Romakoopa) cause hair
fall and thereaftershleshma along with shonita

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Rupa– lepaafter doing prachchhana. The common

management can be divided as following:
The pratyatmalinga of Khalitya may be taken as the
gradual loss of [Link] Khalitya is a
tridoshajavyadhi, its type depends on the dominancy
of [Link] of Khalitya as told by 1. Abhyanga
AcharyaVagbhatta according to its type is as follows: 2. Lepa
3. Shodhana
[Link] – In this type, Keshbhoomi appears 4. Nasya
as if it is Agnidagdha and it becomes Shyava and 5. RasayanaandKeshyaDravyalikeAamalaki,
Aruna. Bhringraja, Yastimadhuetc.

[Link] - In this type, the colour of scalp is 2) Palitya (Premature graying of hairs)-
pita, nila and harita. The scalp is surrounded by the
Sira (veins), Swedamay be present all over scalp. Different authors of Ayurveda have classified
AkalaPalitya as both Swatantraand
3. KaphajaKhalitya – In this type, the colour of scalp ParatantraVyadhi. It is included under KshudraRoga
is more or less same as the colour of skin but, it is and KapalagataRoga [Link],paratantraakala-
Ghana and Snigdhain appearance and the colour palitya refers to the disease caused by some other
tends towards whitish tinge. diseaseslikeShwitra etc.

4. TridoshajaKhalitya – In this type of khalitya, Nidana-

characteristic of all three Doshas are observed. The
scalp looks like burnt and it bears nail like The Nidana mentioned for these above
appearance. mentionedRogadgikara can be applied for that of
[Link], AkalaPalityaNidana can be
ChikitsaSiddhant- studied by elicitingVegavarodhajanyaNidana,
Atiyoga-Ayogaof IndriyarthaSamyoga,
RasavahaandAsthivahaSrotodusthiHetu.
AcharyaSushruta states that NidanaParivarjana is
AkalaPalityaisTwachagataRogawhereRomakoopa
the principle of the treatment.
are lodged, so that some of the KushthaNidana can
AcharyaCharakaandSushruta have inclined
also be [Link] the etiological factors can be
towardsprescribing Nasya to the patient of the
elaborated in the following subtitles-
Shiroroga, by saying that Nasa is the gate way to the
1. Aharaja(Dietetic factors) –AcharyaCharaka
Mastishka. Expelled Doshas like Vata, Pitta and
describes that excessive use of Lavana Rasa Dravya
Kapha accumulated in the surrounding areas of
leads to Palitya.
Pakvashaya,Amashaya and Murdha should be treated
2. Viharaja (External and behavioral factors)–
by Basti, Virechanaand Vamana therapies
RajoSevana, DushitaVayuSevana, DhumaSevana,
respectively. This is the common management of
Shiro-abhyangaAyoga, DushitaJalaSnana,
Shiroroga. AcharyaCharaka says that the patient of
AtiVyayama, Vata-Pitta
Khalitya should be treated byNasya, tailabhyangaon
PrakopajaViharalikeRatrijagarana,AtapaSevana,Up
head & face and Pralepaon the head along with
avasa
ShodhanaandShamanachikitsa.
are responsiblefor AkalaPalitya.
AcharyaSamgrahkara has quoted that application of 3. Manasika (Psychic factors) – Krodha, Shoka,
the different types of pralepa should be performed AtiManasShrama, Bhaya
following the shuchi karma or the application of
4. AnyaHetuja (Miscellaneous factors)-Akala-Palitya
is JanmajaataVyadhi (congenital/genetic disease).

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So, genetically tendencycan be elucidated in the TrimarmiyaChikitsa,Charaka has described the etio-
families having greying of hairs. AcharyaCharaka pathogenesis, line of treatment and various modalities
has mentioned according to Prakriti, Jaati, Kula, for the treatment of disease Indralupta. It has been
Desha, Kaala andVaya, specific Bhava will differ. included in UrdhvajatrugataRoga and has been
described to occur due to negotiation of
Dushtapratishyaya.

Purva-Roopa –
SushrutaSamhita: InSushrutaSamhita, Sushruta has
There are no specific PurvaRoopamentioned for explained Indralupta as a synonym of Khalitya and
Akala-Palita in classics of Ayurveda. has described it under [Link] is described as
Rupa - “Indralupta” or “Khalitya’’ or “Rujya”. As per
Dalhana has stated about twotypes ofPalita- one AcharyaSushruta, Pitta along withVataby involving
which is related to aging "Kala Palitya", also known the roots of hair (roma-kupa) causes fall of hairs and
as there after Shleshmaaalong withShonitaobstructs the
PrakritaPalita and second is AkalaPalitya means channel of the roma-kupa leading to the stoppage of
premature greying or [Link] regeneration of the hair.
symptoms are developed in VriddhaVaya and
VaikritaPalityasymptoms are usually developed in Samgraha Kala:InAshtangaSamgraha,Vagbhattahas
AkalaVaya mentioned Indralupta under KapalgataVyadhi along
with its pathogenesis. He was the first who has made
Types of Palitya- differentiation between Indralupt and Khalitya.
AcharyaVagbhatta differentiated by saying that in
1. Vataja-Split hair, Gray hair, Rough, Dry, Khalitya, loss of hair occurs gradually than that in
Watery hue, Irregular hairs Indralupta, pathology being common in both.
2. Pittaja-Burning sensation,Yellowishhairs
3. Kaphaja-Unctuous, Advancing, Thick AshtangaHridaya: AshtangaHridaya deals with
4. Sannipataja –Whitish, Mixed, disease Indraluptaon the lines ofAcharyaSushruta.
Shirorujodhbhava-Discolored
hair,Intolerance in touch MadhavaNidana:Madhavakarahas described the
disease, Indraluptaaccording to Sushruta, but in
Chikitsa:
Madhukosha commentary Kartikacharya has clearly
According to Dosha involvement, the Chikitsa Sutra
differentiated Indralupta, Khalitya and Ruhyafrom
for Akala-palitya are carriedout. The following are
one another.
the ChikitsaSutra to treat premature graying of hairs-

1. SthanikaSnehana/ Abhyanga and Nidana -

SthanikaSwedana There is no clear description of causative factors
2. Samshodhana (Sarvadaihikaand regarding disease Indralupta in Ayurvedic texts. The
Shirovirechana) etiological factors mentioned by AcharyaCharaka
3. Nasya (Navana type) can be understood as that of [Link]
4. Shiro-lepa Vimanasthana, AcharyaCharaka has mentioned that
5. Shamanachikitsa using Yastimadhu, Neelini, over consumption of Kshara, Lavana and
Madyantika etc. ViruddhaAhara can be the causative factor for hair
3) Indralupta(Baldness)- fall. Apart from these, commonakshiroganidanaalso
can be considered responsible for indralupta.
CharakaSamhita: In Vimanasthana, Charakahas
described the etiological [Link] eliciting the

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(IJRMST) 2019, Vol. No. 8, Jul-Dec e-ISSN: 2455-5134, p-ISSN: 2455-9059

Purvarupa- Rupa – The cardinal symptom of Indraluptais loss of

No specificPurvarupa has been described in case hair and associated symptoms as follows.
ofIndralupta.
Types ofIndraluptaas per AcharyaHarita-

Types of Indralupta Rupa(sign & symptoms)

1. VatajaIndralupta Rukshaand Pandura scalp
2. PittajaIndralupta Red and burnt scalp
3. KaphajaIndralupta Snigdha scalp
4. RaktajaIndralupta Presence of Puya (Pus)
5. SannipatajaIndralupta All the character of 3 dosha

Chikitsasiddhant- The line of treatment for Indraluptamentioned by different Acharyais-

[Link] (snehana&shodhana)[Link]

4) Darunaka(Dandruff) -

It is explained as kapalagataroga by VagbhattaandSharngdharaandKshudrarogabySushruta, Bhavaprakasha,

Madhavakara&Chakradatta. All have the same opinion about the seat of this disease, which is
[Link] is basically categorized in Kshudraroga.

Nidana-

In Ayurvedaliterature, there is no reference available regarding the causative factors of Darunaka.

Shiroroganidana stand common for Darunaka, as it is a type of Shiroroga. All the nidana described by various
Acharya for Shiroroga can be classified under four broad categories:

Aharatmakanidana-Amlaaharaatisevana, Atisitaambusevana, Guru ahara, Himaahara, Atimadyapan,

Dushitajalapana

Viharatmakanidana-Atapaatisevana, Atisvapna, Diva Svapna, Jagarana, Praagvata, Rajaha savanna, Atimaithuna,

Bashpanigraha, Atirodana, Vegadharana, Abhyangadvesa, Mrijaadvesa

Manasanidana– Manahsantapa
Anyanidana- Dushtaatma, Krimi

Purvarupa-

Purvarupa denotes the symptoms that manifest incompletely before thevyaktavastha. No reference is
available regarding purvarupa of Darunaka in the classics.

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Rupa-

Kandu (Itching), Keshachyuti (falling of hair), Swapa (abnormalities of touch sensation), Rukshata
(roughness or dryness of the skin), Daruna (difficult in tolerance) and Twaksphutana (breaking or cracking
of the skin) are the cardinal symptoms of the disease Darunaka.

Chikitsa-
In Ayurveda literature, references regarding the dietary measures and various treatment modalities for Darunaka
are explained by different Acharya.

The treatment principles indicated for Darunaka in Ayurvedaare –

1. Siravedha2. [Link]-
[Link] using Aristaka, Satala, Arjun, Lodhraetc.

5) Arunshika(Seborrheic dermatitis) –

Seborrheic dermatitis (Arunshika), also known as seborrheic eczema, is a very common skin condition that
causes redness, scaly patches and dandruff. It most often affects the scalp, but it can also develop in oily areas of the
body, such as the face, upper chest and back.

Acharya Sushrutamentions that many small, porous boils containing pus appear on the scalp due to vitiation of
kaphaand raktadosha and infestation of krimi.

Acharya Vagbhatta opines that pitta is also involved apart from above mentioned factors in arunshika. The boils are
of the size of kanguni or sarsapa.

Nidana-

In Ayurveda literature, there is no reference available regarding the causative factors of Arunshika.

Purvarupa-

Purvarupa denotes the symptoms that manifest incompletely before the vyaktavastha. No reference is
available regarding purvarupa of Arunshika in the classics.

Rupa-

Kleda(Watery discharge) andKrimi(Dandruff) in the small porous boils on the scalp is the classical feature of
Arunshika.

Chikitsa-
In Ayurveda, the dietary recommendations and treatment modalities for arunshika are explained by different
Acharya.

The treatment principles indicated for arunshika in Ayurveda are –

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1. Raktamokshanaby usingJalauka [Link] 3. Virechana 4. Shiro-Lepa5. Shiro-

[Link] using Kushtha, Nimba, Patola, Haridra, Gomutraetc.

Conclusion- In this way, it is evident from the above description thatAyurveda provides various treatment
modalities for the management of hair related problems which are prevalent these days. Keshayurveda(Hair care
in Ayurveda) is an emerging branch of beauty care now-a-days.

REFERENCES–

(A)

1. Ch. Chi. 15/19

2. Chakrapani onCh. Chi. 26/132
3. Su. Ni13/33-34
4. A.H. Ut 23/25-26
5. A.H. Ut. 26/24-27
6. Ch. Chi. 26/291
7. Ch. Chi. 26/262

(B)

1. A.S.U. 27/22
2. [Link]. 55/22
3. [Link]. 13/37
4. B.P.U. 61/1
5. A.S. U.23/1-2

(C)

1. Ch. Vi. 1/17 -18.

2. A.S. Ut.27/29-30.
3. A.S. Sh.2/37.
4. A.H. Ut.23.
5. [Link]., Vol. 2,55/28-29.
6. Vangsena Samhita,Kshudrarogaadhikara, 32/134-135.
7. Harita Samhita,Tritiya Sthanam, 43/1-2.
8. [Link]. 20/24-26.
9. [Link]. 26/262-263.
10. [Link]. 28/38.

(D)

1. [Link].13/34
2. [Link].13/36
3. [Link].20/23
4. [Link].28/17
5. [Link].28/17&33
6. [Link].23/23

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7. [Link] Chi.87-91
8. Sha. PurvaKhand7/151-152
9. [Link] 61
10. A.H.U. 24/25-27
11. VangsenKshudraroga 248
12. [Link]. 20/29

(E)

1. [Link].13/35
2. A.S. Ut. 23/22
3. A.S. Ut. 27/16
4. A.H. Ut. 24/21-24
5. A.S. Ut. 28/30-32

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