Hair loss and dandruff are one of the most irritating disorders that can even make a person depressed at times.

There is a huge market for hair disorders such as hair fall, dandruff, alopecia etc. Companies are making a quick buck and exploiting in the name of herbal remedies. Many of these remedies are not purely herbal and may contain some herb as a component with inorganic and harmful chemicals as the prime component. Such products give only temporary relief, for example, anti-dandruff shampoos widely marketed, give relief only for a day or even lesser period.Ofcourse, there are genuine products in the market and the companies need not be pointed out for it is not their fault alone, but also of consumers who wants a quick remedy! Application of such temporary remedies and easily accessible products is not the right solution for the hair disorders, the solution lies in the age old systems of traditional medicine.

Such traditional medicine with modern science and technology can throw some effective long term and easy to use remedies. While I don't remember at this point of time any such ready to use natural remedy manufactured by companies, I am suggesting some time tested age old traditional or natural methods for containing hair fall and dandruff. Though some of the methods are cumbersome or the ingredients not readily accessible, this is the only way and natural way for preventing as well as curing the irritating disorders.

The ripened fruits of Soap nut, botanically called Sapindus emarginatus, are soaked in hot water for 10-15 minutes and then crushed with hand in the same water to get the extract.The extract can be daily used beneficially with no side effects as a shampoo. It gives rich lather and can be compared in lathering property to synthetic lathering agents generally found in manufactured shampoos.

Another time tested natural shampoo, is the thoroughly ground powder of Blackgram, which should be made into a viscid paste with which the hair is washed and the scalp massaged. This is a good soap for the body also. For starters, the paste when applied, may be rough as compared to the soap, but a beautiful soap with all goodness.

Both the above, Soap nut juice and Black Gram powder are natural shampoos, with no loss of natural oil from the body and in addition are anti dandruff.

Prior to head bath the following applications are useful

Prior to shampooing or head bath, the scalp is thoroughly massaged with a combination made of crushed fenugreek seeds and sour curd. Leave for 15-20 minutes and wash with the shampoos suggested above.

People who do not like to apply oil in day times may apply oil like pure coconut oil before going to bed and then shampoo the natural way in the morning. This restores the lost oil from the scalp.

Another remedy widely used in India and known as a c-vitamin rich fruit all over the world, Powder of Indian Gooseberry is an excellent rejuvenator for the hair. It brings lustier, prevents or contains dandruff and helps strengthen the roots.

There are several such remedies, but access to the raw materials or genuine products is a problem in addition to the time consuming preparations. At least choose a product that has less of synthetic components and more of naturals. Never go for a shampoo full of chemicals, just because it gives tons of lather!

Ravikumar Uppaluri hails from Kaikalur, Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh State in India. The famous Kolleru bird sancturay, a fresh water lake that attracts birds from as far as Siberia, is located near Kaikalur. Kolleru lake once vast, beautiful and sheltering scores of birds and other animals is on the verge of extinction.

The author Holds a Masters degree in Agricultural Sciences and is cofounder of an organization involved in Nature conservation and sustainable development. The author has profound interest in the fields of medicinal plants, natural products and organic farming. The author can be reached at uravikumar@yahoo.com Visit http://www.geocities.com/uravikumar for more information on Kolleru lake.