Amla Oil- any experiences?

[Henrietta]

I found it in the internet when I was looking for cassia (still only one piece, one brand, one seller, expensive)? Have you heard about it? Did you use it? How does it work? And positive/negative effects?

On the webpage it is said to moisturise hair and make it growing faster. There are some kinds of it, like Jasmine, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil- for dry hair, split ends etc.

[little_cherry]

I make my own amla oil and use it as a deep conditioning oil treatment. I've had amla oil darken my hair though.

[MissCoco]

Since September this year, I've been using pure Amla oil and am very pleased with the results. It conditions my hair nicely, without being as heavy as coconut oil (which for me isn't problem, but I know it can be for other peoples' hair) and adds shine. I think my hair has slightly darkened a little, but that could be for a variety of reasons (less time in the sun, oiling more frequently, started using organic shampoos, etc). I'll see in a few months if it gets darker...

Some people have complained of the smell, but I actually quite like it. Also, if it really bothers you, you can try using only a small amount at a time, considering that a little goes a long way with this oil. As for my growth, I think Amla contributes to it nicely so far, but I'll have to wait before saying if it makes my hair grow faster or not.

Anyway, I strongly recommend it. It even works great on my mom's super dry 3b/C/iii hair; works great on a flaky scalp too. :) Oh, by the way, I got mine on Amazon. From the seller "Bazaar of India". They have international shipping, which is great! :D

[jeanniet]

little cherry, can you explain how you make the amla oil and how you use it for DT? I have dark hair already, so I don't care about darkening.

ETA: Ah...I don't know why I had to say I have dark hair. I think that's readily apparent from my sig picture!

[little_cherry]

little cherry, can you explain how you make the amla oil and how you use it for DT? I have dark hair already, so I don't care about darkening.

ETA: Ah...I don't know why I had to say I have dark hair. I think that's readily apparent from my sig picture!
:D Sure. I use 1tbs of amla powder to 1/2 cup of olive or coconut oil and gently heat them together for about an hour on the stove...when the oil becomes darker all of a sudden, take off heat and jar it. You can strain out the amla powder, but I don't bother with this...the powder sits on the bottom of the jar. :)

[<3OnHerSleeve]

I've recently bought amla powder and I plan on mixing it with a mixture of coconut and brahmi oil and see how that goes :)

[Henrietta]

Thank you for your answers:) I will consider buying it, as it s relatively cheap, few times cheaper than coconut oil:)

[ChloeDharma]

Just to clarify, amla or brahmi oils are extracts into an oil like Little Cherry describes. Usually coconut oil is used or sometimes sesame. Commercial ones are often made with mineral oil which would explain why the feel of the oil seems different. Given mineral oils lack of ability to penetrate the skin i'd expect less benefits from a mineral oil based amla or brahmi oil than a vegetable oil.

There is no such thing as a pure amla oil though in the sense that only amla is used to make it. The constituents have to be extracted into another oil.

[jeanniet]

Thank you, little cherry and ChloeDharma. What are the benefits to using an amla-infused oil as a DT? I have lots of amla powder, but I've only used it to tone down henna.

[Diamondbell]

There is no such thing as a pure amla oil though in the sense that only amla is used to make it. The constituents have to be extracted into another oil.

I was thinking of the same thing, that there is no such thing as pure amla oil, since amla is just a juicy berry. This juice is added to oils like coconut oil or sesame oil. :) I love amla in oils. My favorites so far have been the Nilibringadi oils which have amla in them apart from other herbs.

[sakuraemily]

There is this method of making amla oil I thought up.
I've seen on some sites that you're supposed to make amla oil by boiling dried amla in coconut oil till it goes black.
My variation is: I take a teaspoon of amla paste which is left after extracting juice from amlas and put it in the oil for more than four hours. The paste should have had all juice sucked out of it before soaking in oil. Then I boil it.
Works fine for me. You can try it out and see whether you like the results.

[ChloeDharma]

Thank you, little cherry and ChloeDharma. What are the benefits to using an amla-infused oil as a DT? I have lots of amla powder, but I've only used it to tone down henna.

The main benefit of amla oil is to encourage good growth and prevent greying. The oil itself should not darken but i think the idea is that by nourishing the developing hair it keeps it's colour.

Diamondbell, i think i might have already asked you before but my memory is like a sieve ;) do you prefer the Nili oil to the ramtirth brahmi oil?
I've been very lazy with oiling but for me the old formula hesh bhringraj oil is still my favourite....i'm very sparing with it now though as i can't get anymore.

Sakuraemily, that sounds a good way to do it and heating the oil should make any leftover water evaporate. I do wonder though if by taking the juice out first means there are less of the beneficial chemicals left in the pulp to be extracted.

[Diamondbell]

Sakuraemily, that sounds a good way to do it and heating the oil should make any leftover water evaporate. I do wonder though if by taking the juice out first means there are less of the beneficial chemicals left in the pulp to be extracted.

Retaining the amla juices is good too. But I suppose it is just tougher to make such an oil, because if the juices are not cooked with the oil properly, the oil could get rancid pretty fast. I have made the oil with amla-paste once, in coconut oil, but without removing the juices. I just let the oil to boil for long. It never got spoilt!

[Diamondbell]

The main benefit of amla oil is to encourage good growth and prevent greying. The oil itself should not darken but i think the idea is that by nourishing the developing hair it keeps it's colour.

Diamondbell, i think i might have already asked you before but my memory is like a sieve ;) do you prefer the Nili oil to the ramtirth brahmi oil?
I've been very lazy with oiling but for me the old formula hesh bhringraj oil is still my favourite....i'm very sparing with it now though as i can't get anymore.

Sakuraemily, that sounds a good way to do it and heating the oil should make any leftover water evaporate. I do wonder though if by taking the juice out first means there are less of the beneficial chemicals left in the pulp to be extracted.

ChloeDharma - I really can't make up my mind between Ramtirth and Nili oils. Ramtirth is coconut oil based, as you know. I love the smell of Ramtirth oil, smells so pure of herbs. With Nili: I normally like the sesame-oil based one. But the latest one I bought (Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, Coimbature), the smell has been somewhat different - didn't like it so much (the smell) and so I am diluting it with more sesame oil to neutralize the smell. But now that you remind me of Ramtirth oil, I feel like getting it again! :) Too bad that your favorite Hesh company is not making the old formula oil? What were the ingredients in that one? May be you can get an oil with same ingredients but a different brand?

[kmouse43]

I have used it many times. For me it has been very good for a moisture boost. An Indian friend of mine told me that Amla is known to darken your hair and help to disguise gray hair. I guess it did that for me somewhat. Now I henna so i'm not using my Amla because I like my red color and do not want it darker.

[MissCoco]

Just to clarify, amla or brahmi oils are extracts into an oil like Little Cherry describes. Usually coconut oil is used or sometimes sesame. Commercial ones are often made with mineral oil which would explain why the feel of the oil seems different. Given mineral oils lack of ability to penetrate the skin i'd expect less benefits from a mineral oil based amla or brahmi oil than a vegetable oil.

There is no such thing as a pure amla oil though in the sense that only amla is used to make it. The constituents have to be extracted into another oil.

Sorry for a late response, but I'm guessing this was directed to me since I said I was using "pure" amla oil. What I meant is that it doesn't have mineral oil, henna or any of the other ingredients used in the more popular Indian brands, like Dabur. Sorry for my bad choice of words, and thank you for your clarification. :)

[Eolan]

I used amla oil for the first time yesterday. I really like the smell of it, rich and musky. My boyfriend says it smells like "hippie". :D

[hairobsessed1]

thanks uys= you are giving me loads of ideas for oils to try :) hope i have enouh room in my bathroom cabinet though

[HawaiianCurly]

I absolutely love the Amla oil, I've been using it for almost a week now, but I love it. I run it through my hair after I've put in my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, massaged my scalp with the Espiritu De Canela oil and combed out first with the Star Lacio Lacio. Running the Amla oil in my hair and down the entire length of it, not much, I basically dip my index fingers in it and rub it in my palm, and then run it through my hair after I've sectioned it into about 4-6 sections. It softens amazingly, but the Shea Moisture itself gives good shine and softening also, soooo idk, but I really like the Amla, I will definitely continue using it.

[Yeesha]

I have it too and really like it. My hair is happy, it smells good...
Perfect. :)

Mine is mostly sunflower oil. And: it's red. :) I like red oil. *g*

[chargersfan]

I was wondering about amla oil, I recently came across some at a local Indian restaurant/grocery store. It looks fairly dark, and I was wondering if it might darken blonde hair. Any experiences?

[bonnie1735]

Where are you guys getting Amla powder from in the US?

[ChloeDharma]

Sorry for a late response, but I'm guessing this was directed to me since I said I was using "pure" amla oil. What I meant is that it doesn't have mineral oil, henna or any of the other ingredients used in the more popular Indian brands, like Dabur. Sorry for my bad choice of words, and thank you for your clarification. :)

Thanks for clarifying that. Yes my post was mainly in reply to yours just in case there was any confusion :-)

So what brand do you use? If it's not in coconut oil which oil is it extracted into?

Diamondbell, i thought of that, well i thought of finding the ingredients and making it myself but some of them are really obscure and hard to find. I'll have to get a copy of the ingredient list to you.....i'm sure they are in a thread somewhere on here.

I'm tempted by the ramtirth oil after hearing your praise for it so often. I've seen it on ebay so might treat myself.
On another thread Nili oil was discussed and it seems some brands include an ingredient some people dislike....though i can't remember why they disliked it. Maybe the one you got recently has this ingredient?

Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack.....back to amla oil....i really should make some.

ETA here is a link to a thread where i list the Hesh Bhringraj oil ingredients http://www.forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=15181&highlight=hesh+bhringraj+oil
And this is a list copied from my first post
Coconut Oil, Maka, Amla, Brahmi, Mehendi, Pudina Phool, Bawchi, Chandan, Dantimool, Ghawla, Ghodawal, Jatamasi, Jivanti Patra, Kapoorkachli, Kapoor, Methi, Rose, Shankhawali, Wala.

[Xena]

I have it too and really like it. My hair is happy, it smells good...
Perfect. :)

Mine is mostly sunflower oil. And: it's red. :) I like red oil. *g*


Hello Yeesha!

where did you buy your Amla oil? I live in Vienna too and just wonder where to buy it :)

[Yeesha]

Hi Xena!

I got mine online, from http://www.indien-produkte.de/ (it's the Khadi Amla oil). :)
I don't know if there are shops in the city where you could buy it, but you could try to look around for indian shops.

[Xena]

Thx for the info Yeesha :) I found some Indian powders at Prosi (Gürtel near Stadthalle). I also want to visit http://www.keralaayurvedashop.com/ this shop. I never tried any Khadi products but I read that a lot of members from beautyjunkies are happy with their products.

[sakuraemily]

The main benefit of amla oil is to encourage good growth and prevent greying. The oil itself should not darken but i think the idea is that by nourishing the developing hair it keeps it's colour.

Diamondbell, i think i might have already asked you before but my memory is like a sieve ;) do you prefer the Nili oil to the ramtirth brahmi oil?
I've been very lazy with oiling but for me the old formula hesh bhringraj oil is still my favourite....i'm very sparing with it now though as i can't get anymore.

Sakuraemily, that sounds a good way to do it and heating the oil should make any leftover water evaporate. I do wonder though if by taking the juice out first means there are less of the beneficial chemicals left in the pulp to be extracted.
There maybe less benificient chemicals. I suppose it is better to heat with the moist paste.
I used the squeezed out pulp because I'd made amla juice to drink and didn't know what to do with the leftover pulp.

[ChloeDharma]

There maybe less benificient chemicals. I suppose it is better to heat with the moist paste.
I used the squeezed out pulp because I'd made amla juice to drink and didn't know what to do with the leftover pulp.

I'm sure the pulp still has lots of goodies to add to the oil....i was just thinking out loud, so to speak ;). Sounds like a good idea for using up the leftovers. Maybe next time you could use the pulp as a face mask too.....i find amla on my skin amazing.

[MissCoco]

Thanks for clarifying that. Yes my post was mainly in reply to yours just in case there was any confusion :-)

So what brand do you use? If it's not in coconut oil which oil is it extracted into?



Sorry for the slow reply! I get my oil from the AyurNatural Beauty website. After hours of searching with my mom, we finally found a clean, attractive website that sells natural products that aren't overpriced (and with international shipping, too!) They have everything and the delivery is great.

The amla I have is, like most Ayurvedic oils, extracted into sesame seed oil and mixed with other plants (in this case, long pepper and guduchi, a type of shrub found in Asia).

[Diamondbell]

ETA here is a link to a thread where i list the Hesh Bhringraj oil ingredients http://www.forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=15181&highlight=hesh+bhringraj+oil
And this is a list copied from my first post
Coconut Oil, Maka, Amla, Brahmi, Mehendi, Pudina Phool, Bawchi, Chandan, Dantimool, Ghawla, Ghodawal, Jatamasi, Jivanti Patra, Kapoorkachli, Kapoor, Methi, Rose, Shankhawali, Wala.

ChloeDharma - these are the ingredients of Ramtirth Brahmi hair oil:
coconut oil Brahmi, Kothmir, valo, Gahunla, bavchi, sitalchini, damaro, sandalwood powder, nagoda, nagarmoth, ratanjot, shakhpushpi, marvo, vacha or vaj, bhangra, amla, rose alba

So I think they are somewhat similar! :) In any case I find Sandalwood, rose, bawchi, amla, brahmi, coconut oil etc there. Of course my version is of another language - may be Gujarati. Not sure.

[Pre-Raphaelite]

I bought a pound of amla herb from From Nature With Love online, before realizing that amla can darken hair. I definitely don't want that! I was thinking g*ddamnit, what am I going to do with all this amla??? Then I read that it can be used as a clarifying, tonifying face pack by mixing it into a paste with water, applying to the face and leaving it on about 20 minutes before washing it off. I've used it and the results are amazing! It is a mild exfoliant and leaves my face baby soft. If you have dry skin you may want to apply some jojoba oil or a good moisturizer afterwards.

[3azza]

Amla makes my hair soft and shiny. I tried it from brands like Dabur and Vatika. I hated the mineral oil factor. SO i bought amla powder and mixed it with my conditioner along with other ingredients, and it was nice too. Now i'm infusing it with henna in olive oil. I'll be leaving that for a few days. I'm looking forward for the results.

[Lenigirly]

Hi everyone!

I ordered amla oil on Amazon. I ordered it because it doesn't contain mineral oil. However, I've read on this forum that amla is known for darkening your hair which i think is good, but i also read that it can turn your hair wavy or curly and fluffy. I have straight hair and I don't want it to turn wavy or fluffy. Is this true? And if so is it permanent?

[Lenigirly]

Hi everyone!

I ordered amla oil on Amazon. I ordered it because it doesn't contain mineral oil. However, I've read on this forum that amla is known for darkening your hair which i think is good, but i also read that it can turn your hair wavy or curly and fluffy. I have straight hair and I don't want it to turn wavy or fluffy. Is this true? And if so is it permanent?

[LadyJJ]

just purchased Dabur Amla Gold and I hope we are gonna like each other :D :D

[Lenniemi]

Is it a good idea to mix the dabur coconut oil with hesh amla powder? How many applications a week-month do you need to have the best results and for how long do you have to leave it on?

[mira-chan]

Mixing powder into oil might get a bit messy. If you want to infuse amla into the oil, get bigger pieces so that you can strain it easier. I leave oil on my hair at least 2 hours as a standard, but longer is better. As for how many applications, that depends your hair. If it seems dry apply more, if it seems too much, apply less.

[Lenniemi]

Maybe mixing the dabur vatika coconut oil and amla oil might be a good idea ( and add some rosemary and sage drops). The question is: what is the best amla oil, best strength

[mira-chan]

In rosemary and sage, it's mostly the tannins that cause the darkening, their oils will not do it. It's like deposit dye and works best with whole dried plants.