AyurVita’s Origins

When was your vision of integrating Ayurvedic medicine and self-care products born?

Growing up in Jodhpur, India, we used products that were all natural. I was pretty naïve at the time and did not realize the efficacy of these wonderful ingredients. When I moved to New York, I saw that my hair and my daughter’s hair was not nearly as rich or lustrous as it was in India. I started to look at the back of the packages and could not even pronounce half the ingredient names there. That is when I realized that I do not know what these chemicals are doing. It took some time to settle here and come to this moment where we could make products. Here we are now!

What childhood memories do you have related to haircare and family traditions that inspired you to bring AyurVita to life?

My childhood memories are wonderful. They always seem so innocent, in thinking back. I remember being surrounded by neighborhood kids and aunties, who would share their home-made concoctions and other goodies. I would always want to try the different types of unique recipes internally and externally. I was always drawn to the more natural plant inspired formulas.

When you were envisioning AyurVita, did your home in Jodhpur (the Blue City) play a role?

I grew up in the inner part of Jodhpur, where the houses are all painted blue. It allowed me to dream. I felt I lived in the clouds and could let my imagination run free and wild. Of course, blue is my favorite color. The blue of my birthplace, of the sky and sea, along with the air we breathe. It is pure, but deep and meaningful on all platforms of my life.

Why is Ayurvedic hair care important to you?

Ayurveda is an ancient science from India that dates back over 3,000 years. It is used today in a very holistic manner — ingestible and topical. Heritage is really important to me. I can only imagine how our ancestors created these special formulas after endlessly trying to perfect and correct the issue or ailment. This is the best science; natural, tried, and true.

What are some of the Indian ingredients that make these formulas so unique and effective?

Oils from Neem mixed with herbs like Alma, Maki or Brahmi help stimulate the scalp and support hair health. Alma or Indian Gooseberry promotes hair growth and aids in preventing hair loss. Maka — also known as the King of Hair — helps stimulate hair growth and improves the hair’s overall structure, making it thicker, shiny, and voluminous. Brahmi absorbs excess sebum to clean an oily scalp as well as volumize hair, boost scalp health, and control odor. Another key active ingredient is Neem oil; rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids, it reduces excess sebum and reinforces the hair root, nourishing the scalp and hair to make it soft and silky.

What research went into developing the current product range, and what was the process like for you?

The process was really fun. I got the chance to make sure that the vision I had came out in all aspects of the project, from the formula and packaging to the overall experience. Step one was to go to my local market and collect the ingredients that I wanted to share with the lab. We sent these food-grade ingredients to the lab to analyze and formulate to the truest of my heritage in touch, scent, and application. I worked with our team to ensure the active ingredients in the recipes and formulas were true, natural, and superior in performance. This is how I live my life with my humble gift to pay forward — AyurVita. I humbly hope you enjoy my recipes from AyurVita...with more recipes to follow. Be well, be happy, good thoughts.