International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571

Review Article

Khalitya (Hair Fall) Management - Ayurvedic Perspective

Dr. Princy Purwar1, Dr. S. S. Yadav2, Dr. Pragya Gangele3

1JR 2, 2Assistant Professor, 3JR 3, Department of Samhita & Sanskrit, Faculty of , IMS, BHU, Varanasi,

Corresponding Author: Dr. Princy Purwar

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda is a deep ocean of knowledge in which not only systemic disease but also local minor diseases are described in detail. Hair fall is one of the minor diseases which is affecting approximately 1.7% of the world population and challenging task for physicians. Hair fall has been described in Ayurveda by the name of khalitya roga under the heading of kshudra roga (minor disease) or shiroroga (diseases of head & scalp). It is progressing disorder people living in sedentary ways of life, stress induced hectic schedules along with indiscriminate dietary habits result in many disturbance and deficiencies in the body which directly reflect in loss of hair. We can reduce & manage this rising problem of hair fall through modifying life style, purification therapy and medication practicing in Ayurveda.

Key words: Khalitya, indralopa, hair oil, nasya.

INTRODUCTION esteem and heightened self-consciousness in Healthy, long and vibrant hair helps people affected by hair loss. [1] a lot in improvement of personality. Hair fall has been described in Therefore, to keep hair in healthy state is almost all the Ayurvedic literatures as entirely duty of human being, because just Khalitya. It has been included in Shiroroga like face, hair is also a mirror of healthy by Acharya Charaka & Ashtanga state of body. In this advanced modernized hridayakar. This inclusion has been done on era, the humans are gifted with lot of the basis of Shtana (location) of diseases sophistication, luxuries but at the same time and similarity of etiopathogenesis of left with sedentary life style, stress induced diseases. It is clearly mentioned in hectic schedules along with faulty dietary Ashtanghridaya that nine diseases occurring habits. These all habits influences the on the outer part of head over scalp should homeostasis of the body and with many be called shiroroga. other health problems, fall is one of them. Sushrut Samhita, Ashtangsamgrah, Problem of falling of hair is progressively Yoga Ratnakar and Madhav Nidan, has increasing in society which is also affecting included Khalitya diseases under kshudra quality of life. Many years of hair loss have roga. This inclusion in kshudra roga is due impact on mental health. Dermatology life to mildness of disease. These diseases are quality index scores in patients with hair not life threatening and are of less severity loss were similar to those recorded in severe in comparison to other major diseases. psoriasis. This study specifically identify the Gayadasa says that they are minor because feeling of self - confidence, low self - of littleness of their cause, symptoms and

International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 255 Vol.9; Issue: 4; April 2019 Princy Purwar et.al. Khalitya (Hair Fall) Management – Ayurvedic Perspective treatment. They are not only minor but also During this process of production of dhatus mean terrible which, though of a low stature when metabolism of asthi dhatu occur by its frequently give pricks and embarrassment to own agni & majja dhatu emerges from sara patient. part and at the same time hair of scalp & body and nails form as mala. [2] According MATERIAL AND METHODS to acharya Sharngadhar, Scalp and body Literature of all the Ayurvedic texts hair are the updhatu of Majja dhatu. [3] (both brihat-trayi and laghu- trayi), modern Among the all the garbhaj bhava literature and new researches (factors for development of foetus), hair is published are studied for this review work. pitraj bhava means structure, colour and Khalitya and Indralupta: Gradual falling of quantity of progeny are dependent on hair is known as Khalitya. When pitta paternal side. [4] Hair made up of mainly combines with vata or kapha to parthiva mahabhoota (earth element). Hair destroy the hair, it is called khalitya. [7] formation starts during sixth month of According to Acharya Chraka, The tejas intrauterine life. [5] dhatu (heat of body) of the body in According to modern science, Hair association with vayu and other dosha, can be defined as modified epithelial scorches up the hair-root (scalp) giving structure formed as a result of keratinisation instantaneous rise to alopecia (khalitya) in of germination cell. Hair is an epidermal man. One more term used in texts for hair appendage that lies with the dermis. Every fall is Indralupta. Ruchya and chach are two hair emerges from the hair follicles which of its synonyms. [8] According to Acharya resembles like a slim pocket insides kartika, falling of hair from all over the epidermis. Hair is present in every body is called ruhya. discipline of the epidermis beside the palm, There are some differences between sole and lips. Hair development undergoes a khalitya & Indralupta. In khalitya, hair loss repetitive cycle. In the scalp, hair growth is gradual and generalised over the scalp but cycle has three essential phases: Anagen, hairs are lost suddenly and patch by patch in Categen and Telogen. The anagen segment indralupta. When the kapha dosha is a progress phase which most commonly combines with rakta dhatu it results in lasts 3-5 years. One a healthy scalp, there degeneration and shutting down completely are roughly 100000 hair & 90% of the of hair follicles thus leading to baldness. follicles are consistently in the anagen When Khalitya is due to vata it causes segment of hair development. Categen stage burning over scalp; when due to pitta it follows this phases, when the follicles causes sweating and when due to kapha it begins to end up dormant which lasts for 2-3 causes thickening of skin. [8] week. The telogen stage is a dormant stage or resting interval that lasts 3-4 months. Origin of hair- When this stage ends, hair falls out. That Ayurveda mentioned that human body is hair follicle then returns to the anagen stage made up of main seven dhatus (body & a new hair begins to develop. In this way, elements) viz. Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, hair growth cycle continues. 50-60 hairs are Asthi, Majja and sukra. Majority of lost per day in normal hair growth cycle. [6] acharyas belief that the production of later dhatu occurs from former dhatu by the Causes of Khalitya Roga- function of their respective agni i.e. the  Due to usna guna of pitta dosha rasagni turns the ahara rasa into rasa dhatu individual of pitta prakriti starts hair fall then raktagni converts part of rasa dhatu in and greying of hair earlier than rakta and so on. Along with production of individuals of other dosha prakriti. [9] later dhatu, there is side by side production  The hair has tendency to lose its natural of upadhatu & mala of former dhatu. colour with advancing age. Although,

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Aging is genetically predetermined but  Hair fall can be caused by decrease in lifestyle, dietary habits, mental status, asthi dhatu or vitiation of asthi dhatu. social & family life and many other As hairs are formed by waste product of environmental factors may influence the asthi dhatu and hair dependent upon it aging process and their unfavourable for nutrition. [16] effects cause premature aging. In a  Excessive combing during ritukal leads survey study, 81.66% patients of pre- to hair fall in child. [17] (Su.) mature aging of 30-40 years age had  Causes according to modern science - complaint of hair fall. Pre-mature aging Nutritional disorder, Local skin disorder, could be a cause of increasing hair fall Endocrinal diseases, Post - acute illness, in peoples. [10] Stress, Drugs, Cosmetics and Genetic  Causative factor of shiroroga are too tendencies. much exposure to smoke, sunlight, mist, indulge in water sports; excessive sleep Approach to Patient of Khalitya - or avoiding sleep, sweating, eastern Hair fall can be manifested as breeze or direct breeze, control of tars, primary disease (as independent disease) as weeping too much, drinking water & well as secondary to other disorder or can be wine in large quantity, presence of present as symptom of many diseases. warms in side body, suppression of Because of its variable etio-pathogenesis, urges, avoiding the use of pillow, bath we need a careful approach to the patients and oil anointing, always looking for proper diagnosis and treatment of hair downwards, unaccustomed, unhealthy, fall (khalitya). Proper history should be vitiated or raw smell, too much speaking taken including all the criteria like past etc; by indulgence in these and similar medical history, family history and personal causes the dosha get aggravated and history along with other general & systemic produces diseases in head. This can examinations. Scalp & body should be produce khalitya because of same place carefully examined to detect any of manifestation. [11] abnormality in skin.  Darunaka (Dendruf) - Deranged kapha and vayu cause minute fissures on the Management of Khalitya – scalp which are dry and show sign of 1. Nidanparivarjan - Nidanparivarjan itching and leads to hair fall. Many should be first line of management. All times along with kapha and vata, pitta the causative factors & risk factors gets deranged leading to darunaka. [12] should examine carefully and must be Daruna mean hard. Although vitiation avoided to reduce development of of kapha and vata has been mentioned disease. in darunaka, association (anubandha) of  Prevention is better than cure. Individual pitta and rakta is also seen. [13] of pitta prakriti are more prone to  Excessive consumption of salt and falling of hair. They should follow diet kshara leads to khalitya. [14] Improper & habit as mentioned for them in diet or excess salt in diet consumption Ayurvedic texts. Due to accumulation of by pregnant lady causes khalitya early in pitta dosha in rainy season and vitiation her child due vitiation of pitta dosha. [15] in autumn season, these months of year  Getting angry, talking & laughing too are more uncertain for patients of hair much, sneezing and over exertion after fall, individual of pitta prakriti or taking nasya leads to khalitya and persons with genetic history of baldness. palitya. Here, hair fall occurs because of These people are strictly advice to not following agenda after Nasya follow proper routine mentioned for procedure. rainy and autumn season respectively.

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 In hair fall due to premature aging, should be mild and free form chemicals. Rasayana therapy is needed mainly with Decoction or Shampoo made up of herbs vayasthapana drugs. like Henna, Bringraj, Jatamansi, Shoe  Patient should protect himself from all flower, Triphala, Ghrit Kumari, the causes mentioned for shiroroga as Shikakai, Motha, Bhrami etc. can be hair fall numerated under shiroroga used for washing hair. according to some author. He should  Dhoomapana (medicated smoke)– protect himself from dust, smoke, fog, Along with health of head & senses, cold water, sunlight etc. he should avoid dhoomapana cures the problem of hair sleeping in day time and awakening late fall by clearing the dosha from head night. region and also improves the firmness of [21]  Patients of hair fall must avoid excessive hair on the head, beard & teeth. use of salt and kshara in his diet.  Kshaurakarma – Hair cutting & proper  Harsh Chemical, heating treatment used care of hair of scalp & beard should be in practice for cosmetic purpose should done regularly. Acharya charaka be avoided or minimally used. mentioned that everybody should have a hair - cut, shave and nail cut thrice every [22] 2. Hair Care- Along with these fortnight. precautions, patients of hair fall need to  Ushnishka – The wearing of ushnishka adopt a healthy life style for care of hair, (turban or cap) on head protect the hair discussed in Samhita for the health of from wind, heat, dust etc. which is pious hair are as following. and beneficial for hair. [23] Covering of  Moordha tail (oiling) and paste for head protect are hairs from local application over scalp – Oil environmental factor. should be regularly applied on scalp. It prevents falling of hair, baldness and 3. Purification Procedure also makes the hair black long and deep (Panchkarma)- For the patient of hair - rooted. It provides nourishment to the fall Vaman, Virechan, Vasti and Rakta hair follicles and also gives strength to mokshana should be done according to the cortex and fibre of hair. [18] Mustard the dosha involve. Because of oil or Coconut oil can be used on regular involvement of mainly pitta dosha, basis for the massage oil hair. virechana and rakta mokshan are  Nasya (nasal drop) – Everybody should commonly indicated in falling of hair & take nasal drop of “Anu tail” every year baldness. during the rainy, autumn and spring 4. Medicated Oils for shiroabhyanga are season when the sky is free from cloud. - Along with many other benefits, it  Neeli tail (Sushrut) prevents hair fall and also accelerates  Sairiyaka tail (Sushrut) the growth of hair. [19] Nasya nourishes  Mahaneel tail (A.H.) the srotas present above the clavicle  Snuhyadi tail (Chakradutta) including the hair follicles which  Chandanadhya tail (Chakradutta) strengthen the hair and reduce falling.  Mulethi + amlalaka + milk + tail paka  Snana (taking bath) – Acharya Sushrut (Chakradutta) mention that the head and hair should not be washed with warm water or with 5. Pastes for local application over scalp very cold water. Pouring warm water are - over head reduces the strength of hair &  Madhuka, amalaka + honey (A.S) [20] eyes. Proper hair wash should be  Tila, amalaka + honey + oil(A.S) done at least three times in a weak. Shampoos and soaps used for hair wash

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 Kapikakshu mool + aksha tail in iron Shodhana and nasya karma is a specialised vessel (A.S) therapy of Ayurveda. Shodhana is a  Dugdhika karveera+ milk (A.S) procedure which takes out the from  Kapalaranjaka lepa (Chakradutta) the nearest route of its vitiation. Rasayana  Bhringpushadi lepa (Chakradutta) therapy has immune-modulators,  Mandoor bhasma + amlaki churna + antioxidant properties and rejuvenating japapushpa then wash with triphala action which is very beneficial for the hair kwath fall caused by any chronic illness, pre  Ayas churna + triphala + sour liquid mature aging or nutrition deficiency. (Chakradutta) CONCLUSION 6. Medicated Oils for Nasal medication Khalitya is a wicked disease which are - needs proper management. Some minor changes of life style and dietary habits can  Anu tail Nasya (A.S.) prevent hair fall. Proper hair care life oiling,  Brihatyadi navana (A.S.) washing, protection from external factors

 Sahacharadi navana (A.S.) like environment, chemicals, heating etc is  Nimba tail (Chakradutta) important for preventing hair fall and  Bhrigaraja rasa + mulethi + milk + tail keeping them healthy. Before starting paka (Chakradutta) treatment of hair fall, physician should identify the cause and first treatment should 7. Other yoga & Rasayana for the be Nidanparivarjana or management of that patient of hair fall mentioned in cause. Than after other therapies like are- Abhyang, lepana, shodhan, nasya,  haritaki Rasayana hould be prescribed accordingly.  Kankarishta In this way, we can treat the khalitya roga  Dwipanchmool ghrita or hair fall effectively.  Amalaki rasayana  Navayas lauha REFERENCES  Mandoora bhasma 1. D Williamson, M Gonzalez, AY Finlay. The effect of hair loss on quality of life. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. DISCUSSION 2001 15, 137-139 Khalitya is a common but very 2. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita English challenging and capricious disease of the translation, vol. IV, Chikitsasthan, world population and can have a profound grihanidoshachikitsa adhyaya (15; 19). effect on physical and emotional state. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Series Viruddha ahara, pitta vardhak ahara office; 2009. p.15. 3. Sharngadhara, Sharngadhara Samhita, Prof. K. vihara, abhishyandi ahara, sedentary R. Srikanta Murthy, Prathamakhand, lifestyle increases Pitta and Vata which kalaadikakhyana adhyay(5:15).Varanasi: leads to khalitya. Ayurvedic management Chaukhambha orientalia; 2001. p.21. for Khalitya are Abhyang, shodhan, lepan, 4. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, English Nasya, Rasayana therapies. translation, vol. II, Dr. Ram Karan Sharma Abhyang chikitsa, especially with oil and Vaidya Bhagwan Dash, Sharirasthan, is best for vata dosha shaman. Abhyang of khuddikagarbhavakrantisharira adhyaya (3;7). Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Series oil which prepared by kapha, pitta and office; 1985. p.371. vatahar dravyas helps in vata shaman along 5. Vagbhat, Astangasamgraha,Sasilekha Sanskrit with pitta and kapha shaman. Shirolepan commentary by Indu, Prof. Jyotir Mitra, karma which performed by vatahar, Sharirasthan, garbhavakranti adhyaya (2;23). pittahar and kaphahar dravyas normalizes Varanasi: Chaukhambha Krishnadas vata, pitta and kapha dosha accordingly. Academy; 2008. p.278.

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How to cite this article: Purwar P, Yadav SS, Gangele P. Khalitya (hair fall) management - ayurvedic perspective. Int J Health Sci Res. 2019; 9(4):255-260.

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International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 260 Vol.9; Issue: 4; April 2019