Nagaraj — awaken your roots
Oils of Tradition and Innovation
Carefully Selected for the Scalp
Traditional formulas enhanced by modern science.
20 oils you'll want to use the more you know about them.
01What makes Nagaraj's scalp oil different?
This is a uniquely formulated anti-aging scalp oil that combines Ayurvedic traditions with oils gaining attention in modern research.
The 20 oils are adjusted to be more effective, utilizing Ayurvedic principles.
* Anti-aging care refers to skincare appropriate for one's age.
02Why Ayurveda values the scalp more than hair
Ayurveda does not begin hair care with the hair itself. It starts with the scalp.
If the soil is tilled, and water and nutrients are abundant, the plants rooted there will grow vigorously. Instead of caring for the leaves, the focus is on improving the soil. Hair is rooted in the soil of the scalp.
Furthermore, the scalp has long been considered the most receptive area to one's emotional state. When feelings fluctuate, or when under stress, Ayurveda first addresses the head. Cooling, nourishing, and nurturing it is believed to calm the mind.
Shirodhara symbolizes this. It is a technique where warmed oil is continuously poured in a thin stream onto the center of the forehead. Its purpose is not for hair, but to pacify the mind. In India, scalp oil treatments like this have historically been a standard part of hair care.
03The role of this oil from an Ayurvedic perspective
In Ayurveda, the human body is understood through the balance of three functional energies: "Vata (air)," "Pitta (fire)," and "Kapha (water)."
| Function | If excessive on the scalp | |
|---|---|---|
| Vata (Air) | Movement・Dryness | Dryness, powdery dandruff, itching |
| Pitta (Fire) | Heat・Transformation | Heat sensation, itching |
| Kapha (Water) | Heaviness・Moisture | Grease, heaviness, damp dandruff |
For the scalp, all three are often concerns. It can be dry, causing dandruff and itching, or feel hot, or become greasy and heavy.
Therefore, this oil is formulated to address all three doshas.
- Herbs that keep the scalp cleanNeem, Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), Bhringaraj. These plants are believed to have properties that regulate trapped heat, greasiness, and heaviness. They keep the scalp clean and healthy, suppressing dandruff and itching. This role addresses Pitta and Kapha.
- Moisturizing oilsSesame oil, almond oil, evening primrose oil, and others. They combat dryness and deeply moisturize the scalp. This role addresses Vata.
- Layering "Rasayana" on topThese are a group of substances known in Ayurveda as "those that maintain youthfulness." This formulation includes three Rasayanas: Bhringaraj, Gotu Kola, and Amla.
04The 9 Key Ingredients
"Effect on Dosha" for each oil ── ↓ = pacifies (reduces) that Dosha / ↑ = increases that Dosha / ↓↓ = strongly pacifies
Bhringaraj
Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Eclipta Prostrata Extract
- Sanskrit Name
- Bhringaraja / Kesharaja
- Nature
- Warming / Light, dry quality
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↓Pitta (Fire) —Kapha (Water) ↓↓
- Effect
- The most important herb for hair. Maintains a healthy scalp.
- Main Components
- Coumarins such as wedelolactone
- Role in this formula
- The main ingredient in this formula. As its name suggests, it is a material dedicated to hair.
Its Japanese name is Takasaburou. In Sanskrit, it is called "Kesharaja" — King of Hair. In Indian hair oils, it is widely known as an indispensable ingredient alongside Amla. No other herb in Ayurveda has been more revered for hair. Oil extracted from Bhringaraj has been used for generations as a classic scalp treatment.
It is a herb believed to have properties that regulate heaviness and stagnation — qualities that pacify Kapha. It maintains a healthy scalp and leads to firm, resilient hair. It is the core ingredient that gives this formula its name, "awaken your roots."
Rosemary
Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Rosemary Leaf Oil
- Origin
- Mediterranean coast (plant not appearing in classical Ayurveda)
- Nature
- Warming / Light, clear freshness
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↑Pitta (Fire) ↑Kapha (Water) ↓↓
- Effect
- A classic herb cherished for scalp care in Europe. Also gaining attention in modern research.
- Main Components
- 1,8-Cineole, Camphor, α-Pinene
- Role in this formula
- One of the core ingredients of the formula. Keeps the scalp refreshed and healthy.
Rosemary is a plant that has been used for hair and scalp care in Europe for centuries. The custom of rinsing hair with its decoction remains in various regions, and in the 14th century, "Hungary Water" — one of the oldest recorded cosmetic waters with rosemary as its main ingredient — was created. Passed down with legends of a water that maintained youth, it holds a special place in the history of European herbs.
And now, rosemary is one of the most noteworthy scalp care ingredients in modern research. It is used in hair care worldwide, and research papers are increasing year by year. It is an ingredient where modern science has caught up with a plant that has been a "scalp care classic" in Europe for hundreds of years.
Its main aromatic component is 1,8-cineole. The refreshing, clear sensation comes from this component. In this formula, it is used not for fragrance, but for scalp care purposes. It is the only ingredient invited from Europe amidst a collection of traditional Indian herbs.
Amla
Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
- Sanskrit Name
- Amalaki
- Nature
- Cooling, yet said to turn sweet after digestion
- Effect on Dosha
-
Vata (Air) ↓Pitta (Fire) ↓↓Kapha (Water) ↓Balances all three
- Effect
- Rasayana (maintains youthfulness). Said to balance all three doshas.
- Main Components
- Vitamin C, polyphenols, tannins
- Role in this formula
- Supports age-appropriate scalp and hair care.
Amla is a prime example of a substance called "Rasayana" — something that maintains youthfulness — in Ayurveda. What makes it special is that it is believed to balance all three Doshas (qualities). While many ingredients reduce one Dosha at the expense of increasing another, Amla is thought to have no such imbalance.
In terms of components, it is a fruit known for containing a remarkably high amount of Vitamin C among fruits. For age-appropriate scalp and hair care.
Neem Oil
Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil
- Sanskrit Name
- Nimba
- Nature
- Cooling / Light, dry quality
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↑Pitta (Fire) ↓↓Kapha (Water) ↓↓
- Effect
- The foremost purifying herb, traditionally used to pacify heated conditions.
- Main Components
- Limonoids such as Azadirachtin, Nimbin
- Role in this formula
- Keeps the scalp clean, suppresses dandruff and itching.
In India, neem has been called the "village pharmacy." Its branches are used to clean teeth, its leaves are placed in clothes as insect repellent, and the tree itself is planted in the center of villages — it appears in every aspect of daily life.
In Ayurveda, neem is the foremost herb for keeping the scalp clean. It is considered to have cooling properties, traditionally used to alleviate heated conditions or heavy, congested states.
In this formula, it plays the role of keeping the scalp clean and suppressing dandruff and itching. The unique characteristic scent of neem has been adjusted to blend in with the combination of other plants and essential oils.
Black Cumin Oil
Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
- Sanskrit Name
- Krishna Jiraka
- Nature
- Warming / Light, clear
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↓Pitta (Fire) ↑Kapha (Water) ↓↓
- Effect
- A plant traditionally described as the "seed of all remedies."
- Main Components
- Thymoquinone
- Role in this formula
- Keeps the scalp clean, suppresses dandruff and itching.
These are small black seeds, called "Kalonji" in India and "Black Seed" in the Middle East. "Heals everything but death" — this saying has been passed down about these seeds. Such is the high regard given to this plant.
Unlike cooling neem, this has a warming nature. Two ingredients that keep the scalp clean are included, but with different inherent qualities. As for its components, it is known for containing thymoquinone, a unique aromatic compound.
Gotu Kola Oil
CICA / Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Centella Asiatica Oil
- Sanskrit Name
- Mandukaparni / Brahmi
- Nature
- Cooling / Light, mild
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↓Pitta (Fire) ↓↓Kapha (Water) ↓
- Effect
- One of the most important herbs in classical texts. Traditionally used to soothe irritated conditions.
- Main Components
- Triterpenes such as Madecassoside, Asiaticoside
- Role in this formula
- Moisturizes the scalp and prevents irritation.
Gotu Kola, known as "CICA" in skincare, has been treated as one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda for centuries. In Sanskrit, it is called "Mandukaparni," and in some regions, "Brahmi."
It is a plant with cooling properties. In recent years, its components have been studied globally and widely used in cosmetics. It can be said that this is an ingredient where tradition and modern research have remarkably converged.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil
- Sanskrit Name
- None (plant not appearing in classical Ayurveda)
- Nature
- Slightly warming / Light, smooth
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↓Pitta (Fire) —Kapha (Water) —
- Effect
- A seed oil gaining attention in the field of scalp care in recent years.
- Main Components
- Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, Phytosterols, Vitamin E
- Role in this formula
- Moisturizes the scalp, adds firmness and body to hair.
Pumpkin is a plant native to the New World and does not appear in classical Ayurvedic texts. Nevertheless, it is included in this formula because it is one of the most noteworthy seed oils in the field of scalp care in recent years. It is also widely used in supplements, and research on this seed is actively progressing.
It is an oil extracted from dark green seeds, known to contain linoleic acid and oleic acid, as well as phytosterols. It moisturizes the scalp, and adds firmness and body to hair. This oil embodies the formula's approach of incorporating newly discovered knowledge without solely relying on tradition.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening Primrose / Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
- Sanskrit Name
- None (plant not appearing in classical Ayurveda)
- Nature
- More cooling / Light
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↓Pitta (Fire) ↓Kapha (Water) —
- Effect
- Moisturizes the scalp and maintains a healthy condition.
- Main Components
- γ-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
- Role in this formula
- An oil that supports women. Moisturizes the scalp and prevents dryness.
A yellow flower that blooms at night and wilts in the morning. Native to North America, evening primrose oil is extracted from its seeds. It has long been cherished as an oil that supports women in their daily lives.
This oil is considered rare because it is one of the few vegetable oils that contains the fatty acid γ-linolenic acid (GLA). Most vegetable oils contain very little of it. It moisturizes the scalp, prevents dryness, and maintains a healthy condition.
Sesame Oil
Cosmetic Ingredient Name: Sesame Seed Oil
- Sanskrit Name
- Tila
- Nature
- Warming / Heavy and deeply penetrating quality
- Effect on Dosha
- Vata (Air) ↓↓Pitta (Fire) ↑Kapha (Water) ↑
- Effect
- Soothes dryness and coldness, brings calm. The foundation of traditional oil formulations.
- Main Fatty Acids
- Oleic acid・Linoleic acid / Antioxidant components such as Sesamin
- Role in this formula
- Highest concentration. Forms the foundation of the entire formula.
Sesame oil has long been the first oil mentioned for Ayurvedic oil massage, "Abhyanga." It is considered to have warming properties and has been used for thousands of years as a base to calm conditions prone to dryness and coldness — Vata. That is why this oil has continuously been chosen for Abhyanga.
Furthermore, this sesame oil is often the foundation for traditional oils made by infusing the power of herbs. In other words, sesame oil can be said to be the starting point of Ayurvedic oil formulations themselves.
In terms of components, it contains a balanced amount of oleic acid and linoleic acid, and is also known to contain sesamin and other antioxidant components unique to sesame. Its relatively high oxidation resistance among vegetable oils is due to this component composition.
056 Supporting Ingredients
These oils support the main ingredients and refine the texture.
| Oil | Cosmetic Ingredient Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut Oil | Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil | Cooling property. Rich in medium-chain fatty acids, compatible with keratin, the main component of hair. |
| Jojoba Oil | Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil | Strictly speaking, not an oil but a liquid wax. Has a structure similar to human sebum and is well-absorbed. |
| Sweet Almond Oil | Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil | A nourishing oil that pacifies Vata in Ayurveda. Rich in oleic acid. |
| Argan Oil | Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil | From the fruit of the argan tree, native only to Morocco. Contains Vitamin E. |
| Castor Oil | Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil | A viscous oil containing nearly 90% ricinoleic acid. Provides shine and manageability. |
| Hibiscus Seed Oil | Hibiscus Sabdariffa Seed Oil | Oil pressed from the seeds of the hibiscus flower, which is cherished for hair in India as "Japa." |
06About the Scent
The scent is composed of only five essential oils. No synthetic fragrances are used.
A deep, long-lasting woody note of sandalwood forms the core, overlaid with the dry, earthy calmness of vetiver. The vibrancy of geranium and the brightness of sweet orange are added, while lavender gently harmonizes the entire composition.
The inherent scents of ingredients like neem and black cumin have been adjusted to blend within these five. So that the moment you apply it to your scalp becomes a pleasant experience.
07Full Ingredient List
* This page introduces the traditional and cultural significance of Ayurveda and the generally known properties of each ingredient, and does not indicate the effects, efficacy, or medicinal actions of this product. Descriptions regarding the effects on Doshas are based on classical Ayurvedic texts and traditions. Any claims of effects and efficacy are limited to what is recognized for cosmetics.
