Oiling your hair has always been considered an important part of the hair care routine, and our mothers and grandmothers have always thought that oil massages are the key to long and luscious hair. However, our elders are divided on whether or not to leave the oil in the hair overnight. The traditional wisdom of leaving hair oil on overnight may differ from what Ayurveda suggests. The ancient medicinal practice recommends washing your hair quickly after oiling it.

According to Ayurvedic expert Dr. Rekha Radhamony, keeping hair oil on overnight might worsen Kapha and should be avoided.

"Depending on your dosha imbalances, you should not leave hair oil on your hair for longer than 30 to 45 minutes. You must take a head shower as soon as you have finished oiling "suggests the Ayurvedic expert.

According to Dr. Radhamony, this piece of advice comes from Kerala's Ayurvedic practices because the state is the closest to the ancient medical practice than others.

"India has a rich culture and Ayurveda has been finely interwoven with our culture since time immemorial. Ayurveda was practiced extensively in India before British rule, to the extent of doing cesarean

According to the Ayurveda expert, there are many practices nowadays that are labeled as traditional but are actually "western-influenced wisdom."

She provides the example of mixing raw salads with lunch, which was never done in India before British control. Ayurveda normally suggests warm and prepared meals for everyone, especially those who have a weak Agni or digestive fire and does not encourage having salad with food. Salads are best eaten at midday and in the summer, when the digestive fire is strong, according to Ayurveda.

sections and even plastic surgeries with Ayurvedic principles and instruments. However, during British rule, Ayurveda faced a lot of backlashes, especially in Northern India. In South India, the Ashtavaidyas - 8 Ayurvedic families in Kerala continued to practice despite facing opposition from the British. That's why, even today, Kerala stands closest to Ayurveda than any other state in India. (Maybe that's why my grandmother never allowed me to sit with oil in my hair and always asked me to wash it off ASAP.)," writes the expert in her latest Instagram post.