Herbs for Hair Care

7 Sri Lankan medicinal plants traditionally used for this purpose. Open a herb to see its Sinhala, English and botanical names, the parts used, how it is prepared, the research behind it and safety notes.

Use with care: Traditional use does not prove that a herb works or that it is safe for you. Talk to a doctor or a registered Ayurveda practitioner before using herbs to treat a condition, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medicines, or treating a child. Read our disclaimer

Succulents

Komarika (Aloe Vera): Excellent on Skin, Complicated to Swallow

(Aloe vera)

Komarika (Aloe vera) sits in a pot by countless Sri Lankan kitchen doors for one very good reason: w

Fruits & Seeds

Endaru (Ricinus communis): Castor, the Oil Plant With a Poison in Its Seeds

(Ricinus communis)

Endaru (Ricinus communis) grows on every neglected roadside in Sri Lanka, its glossy, star-shaped le

Fruits & Seeds

Godapara (Dillenia retusa): Sri Lanka's Endemic Natural Shampoo

(Dillenia retusa)

Godapara (Dillenia retusa) is endemic to Sri Lanka — it grows wild nowhere else on earth. Before sha

Leaves

Karapincha (Murraya koenigii): Curry Leaves Are Not Just Flavour

(Murraya koenigii)

Karapincha (Murraya koenigii) suffers a peculiar fate: it is put into almost every Sri Lankan dish a

Leaves

Kikirindiya (Eclipta prostrata): Bhringraj, the Hair Herb

(Eclipta prostrata)

Kikirindiya (Eclipta prostrata) is the plant Sri Lankans reach for when hair starts going grey or fa

Flowers

Sapaththu Mal (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis): The Red Shoe Flower for Hair and Tea

(Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Almost every Sri Lankan garden fence has a sapaththu mal bush, its big red flowers opening each morn

Fruits & Seeds

Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica): Amla, Triphala's Third Fruit

(Phyllanthus emblica)

Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica) is the fruit that plays a trick on you: bite it and it is astringent and

Other uses

Digestion (42) Coughs and Colds (22) Skin Conditions (22) Blood Sugar and Diabetes (18) Fever (16) Urinary and Kidney Health (16) Cooling the Body (14) Joint Pain and Arthritis (13) Wound Healing (12) Sleep and Stress (9) Immunity (8) Diarrhoea (8) Oral and Dental Health (8) Constipation (7) Cholesterol and Heart Health (7) Liver Health (6) Asthma and Breathing (5) Women's Health (4) Inflammation and Swelling (4) Memory and Brain Health (4) Eye Health (4) Weight Management (3) Piles (Haemorrhoids) (3) Intestinal Worms (3)