It is essentially excesses in either vata or pitta doshas that can cause hair loss. According to Ayurveda, excesses of vata or pitta can cause hair to fall out at the root. The hair follicles will then fill with blood or kapha, inhibiting re-growth. Excess pitta can cause premature grey hair, and excess kapha and vata can cause dry and brittle hair and an itchy scalp. ¹

Doshas and Dietary Needs for Hair Health

Vata

A typical vata pacifying diet would favor: ⁷⁰

• sweet fruits
• cooked vegetables
• grains like quinoa and rice
• red lentils
• mung beans
• soya milk
• tofu
• butter
• cheese
• beef
• eggs
• fish

Vata types should avoid the following foods: ⁷⁰

• dried fruit (e.g., dates and raisins)
• raw vegetables
• barley
• rye
• most legumes (other than those mentioned above)
• cow’s milk
• pork
• turkey
• lamb

Pitta

A typical pitta pacifying diet would favor: ⁷⁰

• sweet fruits
• sweet and bitter vegetables (e.g., cooked beets and asparagus)
• most grains
• most legumes
• tofu
• soft cheeses
• cow’s milk
• yogurt
• white rice
• white meat from poultry

Pitta types should avoid: ⁷⁰

• sour fruits
• pungent vegetables
• yeast (including breads made with yeast)
• soy sauce
• corn
• brown rice
• rye
• hard cheeses
• nuts
• beef
• lamb
• pork
• dark meat from poultry
• egg yolks
• seafood