Amla oil – This vitamin C-rich oil is one of the most popular for stimulating hair growth and remedy a dry, itchy scalp. It is a key ingredient in Ranavat Mighty Majesty Fortifying Hair Serum, which is also infused with a high concentration of oleic acid, jasmine and sunflower oils.

Ashwagandha – An Indian adaptogen that has regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s renowned for thickening the hair. You can find it in Fable & Mane HoliRoots Oil, a prewash treatment laced with ashwagandha, as well as circulation-boosting dashmool and castor oil.

Castor oil – has long been used to help reduce inflammation on the scalp and encourage hair growth.

Dashmool – This oil is known to encourage good circulation on the scalp and can be found in the hand-blended Mauli Grow Strong Hair Oil alongside, alma and bhringraj, which Anita says is “excellent for hair growth”.

Bhringraj – Rich in plant nutrients and minerals – including iron, magnesium and potassium – which all help with hair health and growth, it is one of 13 botanical extracts in Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Scalp And Hair Oil.

How to do hair oiling correctly

As with so many ancient rituals, take your time with the process. For the Mehtas, the ritual of ‘abhyanga’ – self-massage as an act of self-love in Sanskrit – involves starting with the energetic point on the top of our head, a.ka.a the crown chakra.

“By beginning your head massage at the crown, you will alleviate stress and tension from the roots,” says Akash. “A herbal hair oil with adaptogens calms down your nervous system and an oil head massage stretches the hair from the root in order to produce thicker individual strands.”

Begin by warming a few drops of oil in your hands and placing them on the crown of your head, on dry hair. From there, massage into the scalp and use the remainder of the oil to brush through the ends with your fingers.

According to Michelle, it’s best to hair oil before taking a shower or before bed at night to give strands much-needed nourishment. And for best results, leave the oil overnight and wash it out the next morning.

Hair oiling isn’t the first time Indian culture has been appreciated in the West and it certainly won’t be the last. There’s yoga, which has become one of the most popular forms of modern exercise (many classes often end with chanting the traditional Sanskrit word ‘namaste’, which means ‘I bow to you’).

Ancient Indian culture has made it to our local coffee shops, too, with the hugely popular turmeric latte. Did you know it’s been prescribed as a healing, anti-inflammatory remedy in India for centuries?

So, yes, the hair oiling ritual may be trendy for now, but it’s a trend with centuries of first-hand practice behind it. I’m glad it’s a ritual finally being celebrated globally.