Neelibhringadi Oil Benefits, How To Use, Ingredients, Side Effects

Neelibhringadi Oil is an Ayurvedic hair oil, used to improve quality of hair, to treat split hairs, premature graying and baldness. This herbal oil is formulated based on Kerala Ayurvedic principles. 

Benefits

Neelibhringadi Thailam Uses: 
It is used to treat premature graying, baldness, split hairs, hair loss, scalp itching and dandruff.
Useful in itchy scalp, hair thinning

How to use

This oil is meant to be used for external application only. It is applied over scalp, followed by gentle massage for five minutes.
It can be applied at night and hair wash can be done in the morning.
It can also be applied in the morning, half an hour before head bath.
In small quantities, it can be applied on daily basis.

How to wash off the hair oil?
Wait for at least 30 minutes before washing hair. Longer the delay, better (except for very oily hairs). It is best to use herbal hair wash powders to wash off the hair oil. One or two rounds of wash with hair wash powder will get rid off oil from hair. It is very fine, even if some amount of oiliness remains on the hair.
Traditional treatises mention cold water to wash hair and face. (Reference: Ashtanga Sangraha, Sutrasthana, Dinacharya chapter). But to wash oily hair, lukewarm water can also be used. Avoid very hot water for hair wash.

To wash off the oil – herbal hair wash powder is preferred. If not, soap or shampoo are also fine to use.

Does it cause hair fall initially?
Yes, some people have observed hair fall in initial couple of weeks. But over a period of 2 – 3 months, it leads to hair regrowth and prevention of hair fall.

Combination with other hair oils –
Usually equal quantity of hair oil mix with Ayyappala Kera tailam or Kuntalakanti hair oil is made along with Neelibhringadi.

Oil combinations

Some people mix this oil with equal quantities of almond oil, olive oil or coconut oil. It is fine to do so, though not very necessary. This traditional herbal oil, in itself is capable enough to do the prescribed job.

Side Effects

Some of the complaints noted with this oil are –
Small bumps on forehead (usually noted when the oil is applied and left on the head for a very long period of time)
Headache.

Some people experience cold and sinusitis worsening, if applied at night.
It is happening so because Neelibhringadi Taila is coolant in nature.
If you wish to apply it at night, do the following procedure:
Take 200 ml of the oil, pour it into a steel vessel.
To it, add 10 grams of pepper powder. Heat it in mild heat for three minutes.
After three minutes, filter it. Use this oil to apply at night.
If the problem persists, then you will have to apply it only in the morning.

Time Duration

It can be used for a very long period of time, as advised by Doctor.
If you intend to have good beard growth, it can be applied on beard as well, at night or 1 hour before face wash.

Questions

Do I need to take bath everyday while using this oil?
If you are using in small quantities, you need to bathe everyday.

What is the difference between neelibhringadi tailam (sesame oil base) and neelibhringadi kera tailam (coconut oil base) ?
Sesame oil base is useful in cold climate, during winter.
Kera tailam – coconut oil base is useful in hot climates, people with high Pitta, excess burning sensation.

Which component of this oil makes it cooling? Bringaraja is hot in nature.
Amla and Coconut oil are coolant in nature.

Principle

In this herbal oil, the herbs are infused in the medium of sesame oil / coconut oil along with herb water decotion. Then the solid waste herb materials are filtered out. Thus, this oil contains oil soluble and water soluble phyto-active principles of medicinal herbs.

Contents, Ingredients

Nelibhringadi Coconut Oil  ingredients:
Neeli swarasa – Juice extract or decoction of Indigofera tinctorea – 768 ml
Bhringaraja swarasa – Juice extract or decoction of Eclipta alba – 768 ml
Shatakratulata (Karnasphota) –  Cardiospermum helicacabum – decoction – 768 ml
Dhatri – Amla – Emblica officinalis – 768 ml
Aja ksheera – Goat milk – 768 ml
Nalikera Ksheera – coconut – 768 ml
Mahishiksheera – Buffalo milk – 768 ml
Dhenudbhava – Cow milk – 768 ml
Taila – Coconut oil – 768 ml
Yashti – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra – 32 g
Gunjamoola – Root of Abrus precatorius – 32 g
Anjana – Aqueous extract of berberis aristata ( or purified and processed lead sulphide) – 32 g
The oil prepared with coconut oil base is called – Neelibhringadi Kera thailam

Some companies like Alva Pharmacy do manufacture this oil with sesame oil base.

Reference and Expiry Date

 Sahasra Yoga, Taila Yoga Prakarana – 38

Expiry date: 3 years from the date of manufacture. Once you open the seal, it is better to use it within an year.

Shloka, Sanskrit Verse

Use in children

Consult your doctor before using in children below 5 years of age.
If one discontinues this oil, does it trigger hair fall?
No. But it is good to continue for long term. At least after diluting with sesame oil – 50 % each, if not pure oil.

Manufacturers

 J & J Kalan Pharmaceuticals, KPN, Bipha Ayurvedic.
Impcops – Indian Medical Practitioners Co-op Society
Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala
Kerala Ayurveda Limited
Nagarjuna – Neelibhrungaadi Thailam

In how many months Neelibringadi oil shows results?
Decrease in hair fall is expected to be appreciated with one month of use.
With just the oil (without oral medicines for hair re-growth), it may take around 3 months time to show hair growth or regrowth.
With oral medicines for hair – such as Bhringarajasav, Trichup capsule, Narasimha Rasayana, Brahma Rasayana, Chyawanprash, Amla capsule etc, hair growth can be appreciated in about 2 months time.
Results will be delayed if hereditary factors or diseases such as hypothyroidism etc are involved.
Results will be faster otherwise.
Having said that, do not use Neelibhringadi hair oil just as a quick fix for hair fall. It is best to continue using this hair oil for as long as possible. Ayurveda recommends applying hair oil everyday.
Related: Ayurvedic hair care principles

Home remedy for grey hairs:
200 ml of this oil is mixed with 10 grams of each of Triphala, henna, black tea and reetha powders. Ground well, made into a paste. This is applied as hair pack 30 minutes before hair wash. This can be done once or twice a week.

Usual hair improving product suggested along with this oil –
hair wash powder – Meera
Oral product such as Chyawanprash, Brahma Rasayana, Trichup, Bhringaraja, Amla powder or capslue, Narasimha Rasayana etc.
The choice of product depends on the consulting doctor. All these products can only be consumed after direct consultation with a doctor.  

Variant mode of uses of this oil –
Some people add a teaspoon of each of fenugreek, curry leaves and black onion seeds to this oil, heat a little and filter. Then use it on hair. This is fine to do, but repetitive heating of oil is not recommended as per Ayurveda.

Hair Care Tips

Tips for long and strong hair –
Aloe vera: Take 1/3rd cup of aloe vera juice. Instead of this, you can also take 1 tbsp of aloe vera gel with a pinch of cumin thrice a day for 3 months for hair fall control.
Drink fresh juices of carrot, lettuce and spinach for aiding in hair growth.
Sesame seeds: A spoonful of white sesame seeds each morning can be a great source of magnesium and calcium. They are very effective hair loss checkers.
Green leafy vegetables and fruits: No one can underestimate vegetables and fruits for preserving hair fall, as they are rich in fiber which are an excellent in preventing hair fall.
Yoghurt: Consuming yoghurt everyday reduces hair fall to a large extent. It is a trusted remedy for hair related problems.
Vitamin C, vitamin B-complex, zinc, sulphur and some important fatty acids are very important to make the roots of your hair strong. You can find these nutrients in sprouts, yeast, buttermilk, nuts, milk, soy beans and whole grains. Include these in your diet and you can expect to reduce your hair fall in a few months
Drink plenty of water. You do need to flush out the toxins that have accumulated in your body and drinking water is the best of doing it.
Some ayurvedic herbs:
Bhringharaj: Bhringaraaja (Eclipta prostrata) is taken internally and used externally as Bhringraj oil and is an excellent rejuvenator
Brahmi: hair pack isused with curd is an excellent hair pack.
Ashwagandha: weakened immune system is one of the fators for hair loss. Ashwagandha makes you feel energized and healthier. It stops stress, increases vigor and helps regrow lost hair.

Can this oil be used in excessive oily hairs?
Yes, but in small quantities. Best to apply 30 minutes before hair wash, once or twice a week.

Is this oil meant only for women?
No. It can be used by men and whoever wishes for improving hair quality.

During pregnancy, lactation

If you were using this oil before pregnancy without any allergic reaction, you can continue using this oil even during pregnancy.
If you have not used this product before and wish to use it during pregnancy, better to consult a doctor because it can cause skin allergy in some rare cases.
It is generally considered as safe to use during lactation, however consult your doctor for the right advice.

Can this product be applied after steam therapy?
No. Oil is best applied before steam therapy. This is as per basic Ayurvedic principles.