Can Amla Oil Make Your Hair Grow Faster?

Amla fruit — also known as Indian gooseberry or emblic myrobalan — grows on the amalaki tree indigenous to India. Amla is available as an oil or as the primary ingredient in haircare products at health-food and beauty retailers.

Practitioners of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, hold that every part of the tree offers therapeutic benefits. Amla fruit is rich in vitamin C, various minerals, and antioxidants. Ayurvedic advocates claim the fruit is particularly good for nourishing hair and promoting hair growth.

How can amla oil benefit hair?

Some research provides preliminary scientific support for these assertions. Based on a few small-scale studies, amla seems to help deter hair parasites, improve hair appearance, and enhance hair growth.

In one investigation in India, researchers compared four types of hair care formulations, one of which contained amla oil. They discovered that the amla-containing product was the most potent against hair parasites, making it the most effective at keeping hair free of these pests.

In another Indian study, scientists assessed the effects of amla and other herbal hair oils on coat health and growth in rabbits and rats. They applied patches with varying concentrations of amla oil to the animals’ fur and observed growth over 15 days. The results showed that amla oil produced “significant” and relatively rapid fur growth and improved overall fur condition.

A study from researchers in Pakistan also supports the idea that amla oil stimulates hair growth in rabbits. However, they did not observe the same effect in sheep, which they attributed to sheep lacking a distinct subcutaneous fat layer that many other mammals — including rabbits, rodents, and humans — possess.

How do you use amla oil on your hair?

Amla oil is sold in various concentrations. Less concentrated preparations contain more water and are therefore milder. That can be beneficial: research has indicated an optimal formulation of amla oil diluted to about a 7.5 percent solution in water.

When buying amla oil, check the concentration and adhere to the usage directions on the label.

What to know before using amla oil on your hair

A major advantage of amla oil is its low risk of overdose. To date, studies have not reported significant adverse effects when amla oil is applied to the scalp as a treatment for hair health and growth.

For topical use, purchase amla oil from a health-food or beauty store, or choose hair products that already contain it. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for optimal results.

The takeaway

Amla oil is promoted in Ayurveda as a remedy to support hair health and encourage hair growth. A handful of small studies offer some supportive evidence, though most hair-growth research to date has been conducted in animals rather than humans.