Hair shedding - it’s a Vata thing
How to help your hair shedding this Autumn
Have you noticed how much more hair seems to accumulate in the shower at this time of year when you wash it? I can explain.
You’re not imagining it, seasonal hair shedding is real, and Autumn is often when we notice it the most. Just like animals shed their coats with the change of season, our hair goes through its own subtle version of this cycle.
Why Does Hair Shed More in Autumn?
In Ayurveda, Autumn is considered Vata season, a time dominated by the elements of Air and Space. Vata energy is light, dry, cool and mobile, which are beautiful qualities that spark creativity and clarity, but they can also lead to dryness, brittleness and instability when out of balance.
Hair, being an extension of the bones (asthi dhatu), is particularly sensitive to Vata imbalance. When Vata rises (as it naturally does in the windy, dry months) the scalp can become dry, circulation slows and more hair enters its shedding phase.
This doesn’t mean anything is “wrong”; it’s simply your body moving with the season. But Ayurveda teaches us that by nourishing and grounding ourselves during this time, we can support the body’s natural rhythm - including our hair health
Eat Warm, Grounding, and Nourishing Foods
To balance Vata, we focus on the opposite qualities: warm, moist, oily, and grounding foods. Think of comforting, easy-to-digest meals that feel like they’re wrapping you in a big hug.
Start your day warm: Try a bowl of spiced porridge with ghee, cinnamon and dates or warm stewed apples to gently wake the digestion.
Cooked, not cold: Choose soups, stews and dhals over salads or raw foods.
Healthy fats are your friend: Add ghee, sesame oil or olive oil to meals to nourish both scalp and tissues.
Include Vata-balancing spices: Cumin, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom support digestion and circulation, helping nutrients reach the hair follicles.
Hydrate warmly: Sip herbal teas throughout the day. Liquorice, camomile, ginger or fennel to calm and moisten the system.
Evening brews: an evening cup of warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg and ashwagandha is a beautiful way to settle the body and promote deep rest.
Oiling the Scalp
In Ayurveda, the practice of head oiling (shiro abhyanga) is deeply restorative. A warm oil massage helps calm Vata, improve circulation and strengthens the hair roots.
Use nourishing oils like:
REALLY GOOD HAIR OIL by Fushi BUY HERE - use my code CHARLOTTE15 for a 15% discount - includes Brahmi & Neem which are good for stimulating hair follicles to promote hair growth and to counter hair thinning.
ROOT REVIVAL by Fushi BUY HERE - use my code CHARLOTTE15 for a 15% discount - includes Bhringaraj and Amla which are great for hair rejuvenation, for revitalising follicles and maintaining scalp health
Warm the oil slightly, massage it gently into your scalp, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight if you can wrapped in a towel). Then rinse with a mild, natural shampoo.
A little acceptance
Seasonal shedding is part of the body’s natural intelligence, a form of release before renewal. By aligning your diet, routines and rituals with the rhythm of autumn, you’re not fighting against it, you’re moving with it.
With time, warmth, and nourishment, your hair will return to balance, stronger and shinier than before.
A gentle reminder
Just like the trees let go of their leaves, this is your time to shed what’s no longer serving you, physically, emotionally, energetically. Let your hair, your body and your spirit move through the season with softness and care.
If you are keen to know how else to support your body through Vata season, look about for the next post in the coming weeks!
