Phyllanthus emblica, also known as Indian gooseberry, isn’t tasty, but your hair will find it delicious. Even the best amla powder for hair is bitter for eating, but that’s not why you want to try it, right? You’ve heard that amla makes hair grow thick and shiny.
How to use amla powder for hair growth? You’ll need to mix it with water or oil before treating your hair and scalp with it. And that leads us to the question about which brand of amla powder is best for hair.
None of the best amla powders we reviewed were brands that the average person would recognize. To choose them, we had to rely on the information the manufacturers provided, customer reviews, information from top beauty sites, and places like Fakespot to make sure we found pure amla powder.
What is amla powder?
Amla is a superfood, a fruit that grows in Asia. It’s been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to treat many different health issues. It’s rich in antioxidants like vitamins C and E which are naturally anti-inflammatory and can help slow hair loss. It also provides iron, calcium, phosphorus, and tannins. Together these nutrients help condition the scalp and hair.
Amla powder is made from finely ground dehydrated fruit. Therefore, it needs to be mixed with water or oil before being applied to the scalp and hair.
What can amla powder do for hair?
Amla’s ability to stimulate hair growth has been studied in animals. Clinical research completed in the 1980s showed that amla oil sped up hair growth on rabbits and increase the volume of sheep’s wool. The researchers believed it was because amla is packed with vitamin E (1).
Three decades later, another study compared amla to minoxidil for hair growth. They discovered it worked remarkably well without side effects (2).
Of course, there are many anecdotal reports from people around the world who shampoo and/or condition their hair with amla. They say that it increases volume, shine, and strengthens strands while reducing hair fall. For some, it slows down or reverses graying and cures dandruff, too.
How to use amla powder for the hair
It’s easy to make amla paste with two teaspoons of powder and a teaspoon of coconut or olive oil. Mix well then massage the paste into the scalp and strands. Wait 30 minutes before shampooing so that it absorbs into the hair and skin.
Amla can also be added to henna hair dye to make the color fix easier and last longer. With that said, be careful using amla powder on blond or white hair because it may affect the color.
Get your inspiration when you choose one of the best amla powders below:
| The best amla powders for hair | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Organic Amla Powder (Amalaki) by FGO |
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| Hesh Herbal Complete Hair Care Combo Pack: Amla, Brahmi, Shikakai, Aritha |
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| Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Amla Berry Powder (Amalaki) |
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| Organic Pure Amla Berry Powder by Jiva Organics |
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| Organic Amla/Amlaki(Emblica officinalis) Powder by CARMEL ORGANICS |
|
Not everyone wants to go to the trouble of doing a DIY hair treatment with amla. Why not enjoy a pre-mixed amla oil that’s ready to make your locks look luscious:
| The best amla oils for hair | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Dabur Amla Hair Oil |
|
| SVA Organics 100% Pure & Natural Amla Oil |
|
| Blend of Brahmi and Amla Herbal Oil - Vaadi Herbals |
|
Best Amla Powders for Hair in 2024
Organic Amla Powder (Amalaki) by FGO
Here’s what you’ve been looking for: pure, organic amla powder in a resealable 1-pound bag. Not only is it USDA-certified organic but it’s also certified non-GMO. It’s literally just straight Indian Gooseberry powder from dried, finely milled fruit raised in India. The powder is packed in California at a GMP-certified plant.
The scientific name of this miracle fruit is Phyllanthus emblica and it’s so pure that you can eat it. Make a smoothie with yogurt or coconut milk. It’s a sour berry but it’s a superfood rich in nutrients that are good for you.
The bag comes with an expiration date at least one year down the road. But if you’re hesitant to go all in, opt for a 4 or 8-ounce bag and start small. After all, depending on the length of your hair, you’ll probably need a tablespoon or less per hair treatment. Mix it with your favorite plant oil to make a hair mask or try one of the many Ayurvedic recipes found online.
Pros:
- Certified non-GMO and USDA-certified organic
- Available in 1-pound, 8-ounce, and 4-ounce resealable bags
- No additives, packed in the USA
Cons:
- None
Hesh Herbal Complete Hair Care Combo Pack: Amla, Brahmi, Shikakai, Aritha
This brand sells amla powder by itself but we thought you might like to expand your horizons with other Ayurvedic hair powders. They can be mixed together or used individually.
As you might know, amla powder naturally darkens hair to hide gray hairs. Furthermore, it leaves locks shiny and stronger than before. If you add amla powder to henna hair dye, it tones down the red to develop a chestnut or auburn color.
Experiment with washing your hair with amla, shikakai, and aritha powder. It doesn’t take much for a deep, satisfying clean that leaves each strand well-conditioned. You may never go back to commercial shampoo again.
Still, there are cons. For one, it takes more effort to mix up hair care products this way than to pop the top on a plastic bottle. Plus, it can be a bit messy and it takes time for the treatment to work.
Pros:
- Ayurvedic hair treatment pack with four popular powders including amla
- Can be mixed together or used individually
- Suitable for shampooing and conditioning the hair
- Amla powder softens the red of henna hair dye
Cons:
- This collection of powders is for external use only
Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Amla Berry Powder (Amalaki)
It checks all the boxes: certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and Kosher. This one-pound bag of amla powder is produced by a brand that insists on paying farmers and employees fair wages, plus it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. How do they manage to price the powder so affordably? Well, they manage the whole supply chain.
Pros:
- Certified organic and non-GMO
- Also gluten-free and Kosher, safe for human consumption
- Also suitable for cleansing and conditioning the hair
Cons:
- None
Organic Pure Amla Berry Powder by Jiva Organics
If you’d like to add amla powder to your diet and condition your hair with it, we suggest upgrading to a larger 1.5-pound resealable bag like this one.
The powder is made from USDA-certified organic amla and completely free of salt, MSG, additives, dyes, and preservatives. The plants from which the fruit is harvested are not genetically altered (non-GMO). Moreover, neither the fruit nor the powder was irradiated or treated with ethylene oxide.
Reviewers say mixing the powder with natural oils brings out the shine and gives curls definition and bounce.
Pros:
- Non-GMO and USDA-certified organic with no additives or preservatives
- Can be used as a dietary supplement or hair treatment
- Not processed with ethylene oxide or treated with radiation
Cons:
- None
Organic Amla/Amlaki (Emblica officinalis) Powder by CARMEL ORGANICS
If you use amla for Ayurvedic medicine, you can probably name the many benefits it offers. People take it to reduce inflammation in the body, relieve constipation, improve eyesight, strengthen the immune system, and enjoy healthy skin and hair.
This amla powder is sustainably-sourced from organic, non-GMO crops. It’s also Kosher-certified. It mixes easily with water, making it handy for stabilizing henna hair dye color.
Pros:
- Sustainably-sourced
- Organic and non-GMO as well as Kosher
- Mixes easily with water
- Can be eaten and used externally
Cons:
- None
Dabur Amla Hair Oil
Let’s switch gears to show you amla oil instead of powder. Instead of the messy business of making it yourself, you can enjoy pre-made hair treatments like this one. It can be massaged into the scalp and used to condition curls.
This popular product from India is carefully formulated with amla extract in canola oil so that it slows down graying and protects against breakage. It’s been a best-seller for five decades.
The oil performs best on dark hair because it deepens the color. Even though it’s fragranced, it’s still a bit medicinal-smelling. On the bright side, it tames frizzy hair, strengthens curls, and can be used as leave-in conditioner or a hair mask that’s washed out.
If you have straight or oily hair, apply the oil only from the middle of the shaft to the ends, and use less than you think you need. The base ingredient is liquid paraffin so the texture can be a little heavy.
Pros:
- Popular hair treatment from India
- Amla extracts in canola oil treat premature graying and protect against damage
- Acts as a leave-in conditioner or hair mask before shampooing
Cons:
- Medicinal scent
- Contains liquid paraffin
SVA Organics 100% Pure & Natural Amla Oil
If all you want is amla oil, this one comes with a dropper and no added ingredients. The amla fruit is grown in India and the oil is bottled in the USA.
It’s ready to use from the moment you unpack it. Put a few drops in your palm and rub your hands together. Run your fingers through your hair from the mid-shaft to the tips to apply it as a leave-in conditioner. Also, massage it into the scalp at bedtime and put on a shower cap to soothe an itchy scalp and wake up with luxuriously soft and shiny curls.
Lastly, the brand offers a satisfaction guarantee.
Pros:
- Pure amla oil produced from fruit grown in India
- Bottled in the USA
- Comes with a dropper and a satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- None
Blend of Brahmi and Amla Herbal Oil by Vaadi Herbals
What happens if you blend amla and brahmi? You get oil that stops hair from falling out, stimulates growth, and can also relieve joint pain when used for massages.
But those are not the only ingredients in this cooling Ayurvedic oil. It also has Bhringraj to cure a dry, itchy scalp, lavender to treat dandruff and relieve stress, plus clove for pain relief.
There’s also badaam oil which is also helpful for hair growth. It’s a lightweight moisturizer that adds volume without weighing down the hair. Then, the final ingredient is rose oil, also known as gulab phool tel, for radiant, youthful skin.
Reviewers say the oil feels refreshing and leaves the scalp soothed and the hair smooth. However, it has a green tint that may temporarily stain clothing, so we recommend applying it with an old towel draped around the shoulders.
Pros:
- Ayurvedic oil for conditioning the hair and massage in the body
- Cooling oil with amla, clove, and medicinal herbs
- Refreshes, relieves pain, treats dry scalp and dandruff
Cons:
- May temporarily stain fabric
Conclusion
There’s a part of you that wants to get back to nature. It’s inspiring you to try amla powder for your hair. The good news is that this is an affordable treatment that conditions curls and stimulates growth. We hope our reviews of the best amla products for hair care helped you find what you need today.
Sources:
1. https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/6704?article_id=6704 Effect of Topical Application of Oils of Amla, Coconut, Sarson and Samsol on Growth of Rabbit’s Hair and Sheep Wool, Muhammad Shoaib Akhtar and Makhdoom Abdul Jabbar ( Department of Physiology and Pharmacology University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. ), published in the Jounral of the Pakistan Medical Association, vol.31. number 11, November 1981
2. https://www.jocpr.com/articles/preparation-evaluation-and-hair-growth-stimulating-activity-of-herbal-hair-oil.pdf Preparation, evaluation and hair growth stimulating activity of herbal hair oil, by Pooja S. Banerjee, Megha Sharma, Rajesh Kumar Nema, Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2009, 1(1): 261-267