🌿 Grandma’s Oil Pot: Forgotten Oils That Still Work Wonders

👵🏽 A Whisper from the Past

In every Indian home, there once lived a sacred ritual — a brass or copper pot filled with thick, dark, aromatic oil, simmering on low flame. A grandmother’s loving hands would take that oil and gently massage it into our scalp, humming an old bhajan or telling stories of gods, herbs, and magic. That pot wasn't just oil — it was wisdom, healing, and ancestral care.

But somewhere between shampoos, serums, and salon treatments, we lost that pot… and what it carried.

Today, Ayurveda gently taps us on the shoulder and reminds us:

🌿 Why Grandma’s Oils Still Matter Today

Modern hair problems — stress-induced hair fall, premature greying, itchy scalp, thinning hair — are signals of deeper imbalance. Grandma’s oils were more than remedies; they were preventions. They weren’t instant, but they were deeply transformative.

These oils were:

• Slow-infused over fire, not chemically extracted
• Mixed with love and intent, not preservatives
• Seasonally prepared, not mass-produced
• Aligned with dosha balance, not trend-driven

They healed not just hair, but nerves, emotions, and skin. Let’s rediscover them.

🪔 The Forgotten Oils from Grandma’s Pot

1. 🌿 Bhringraj Oil – The King of Hair

Known as Kesharaja (king of hair), Bhringraj oil was grandma’s go-to for hair fall, premature greying, and poor sleep.

Benefits:

• Boosts blood circulation in the scalp
• Revives hair follicles
• Soothes stress and improves sleep
• Treats dandruff and split ends

Ayurvedic Use: Especially good for balancing Vata and Pitta.

2. 🌸 Hibiscus Oil – The Flower of Hair Beauty

Hibiscus flowers and leaves were crushed and added to coconut oil in a slow process.

Benefits:

• Promotes thicker, shinier hair
• Stimulates new hair growth
• Cools the scalp and reduces heat-related damage
• Prevents dryness and breakage

Ayurvedic Use: Excellent for Pitta-related hair issues like greying and heat boils.

3. 🌰 Amla Oil – The Memory Oil

Amla, rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, was sun-dried and boiled in base oils for hours. Grandmas would say, “Amla se sir thanda rehta hai.”

Benefits:

• Strengthens roots and promotes growth
• Delays greying
• Improves scalp health
• Boosts hair volume

Ayurvedic Use: Tridoshic — balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

4. 🌱 Neem Oil – The Scalp Purifier

Though pungent in smell, neem was a must-have in every oil pot for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Benefits:

• Treats scalp infections
• Reduces itchiness and dandruff
• Heals boils and minor wounds on scalp
• Encourages a clean, detoxified scalp

Ayurvedic Use: Perfect for Kapha and Pitta imbalances.

5. 💧 Castor Oil – The Silent Strengthener

Thick and sticky, it wasn’t loved by children, but grandmas insisted on it for its power.

Benefits:

• Deeply nourishes dry scalp
• Promotes dense hair growth
• Seals moisture in hair
• Used for eyebrows and eyelashes too

Ayurvedic Use: Beneficial for Vata dosha, especially during winters.

6. 🌾 Sesame Oil – The Original Ayurvedic Base Oil

Known as tila taila, sesame was considered sacred. It penetrates the deepest layers and carries herbs with it.

Benefits:

• Rejuvenates scalp tissues
• Removes toxins from scalp
• Enhances absorption of herbs
• Calms the mind and promotes sound sleep

Ayurvedic Use: Balances Vata — ideal for head massage and seasonal abhyanga.

💛 More Than Just Oils: They Were Rituals

These oils were not just applied. They were part of a ritual of love and grounding:

• Heated in an iron vessel
• Applied while reciting mantras
• Massaged with fingers dipped in devotion
• Left overnight as the moonlight touched your hair

And in the morning — hair was not just soft. The mind felt lighter, the heart calmer, and the soul reconnected.