Navya Naveli Nanda says nani Jaya Bachchan had hair down to her ankles in her youth. ‘Guddi’ star reveals 5,000-year-old beauty regimen: ‘We had no shampoo…’

Jaya Bachchan grew up in a time when shampoos were not prevalent, and she had to rely on her family’s ubtans to take care of her hair and skin. In an interview with her daughter, Navya Naveli Nanda, and her daughter, Shweta, the veteran actress opened up about beauty tips she followed in childhood. She recalled how her nani (grandmother) used a mixture of wheat, malai, and haldi to get rid of dead skin cells for them. “The skin came out looking black,” she recalled.She reminisced about how she grew up in an era where shampoos were a luxury, and she and her sisters used Sunlight soap (a brand used to clean clothes). Navya remarked that the actress had hair down to her ankles in her youth.

Jaya also revealed that, like all Bengalis, she too used coconut oil with curry leaves and methi on her hair.

Power Of This Mix For Hair Problems

Coconut oil contains lauric acid along with several beneficial fatty acids, allowing it to move into the hair fibre instead of merely coating the surface. This can help minimise the loss of hair proteins, retain moisture, nourish the scalp, and reduce the occurrence of split ends. As a result, hair may feel softer and smoother and appear more lustrous.


Curry leaves provide antioxidants, beta-carotene, and various amino acids that may help support stronger hair roots. They are also traditionally used in hair care to address premature greying and reduce excessive thinning and shedding.

Fenugreek, commonly known as methi, contains protein and nicotinic acid, nutrients associated with maintaining scalp health and supporting hair growth. Its use may help ease dandruff, calm scalp irritation, and contribute to thicker, healthier-looking hair.

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The concept of using oil to nurture hair is more than 5,000 years old in India, as per Ayurveda Hub. The first mention of using oil for hair was found in the Charaka Samhita, which described the ritual as "dinacharya", or a daily regimen. “One who has got his head daily well oleated alleviates headache, premature greying, and alopecia, while strengthening the cranial bones significantly. Hair roots become stronger, senses become clearer, the facial skin becomes smoother, and the person gets sound sleep and happiness,” wrote Maharishi Charaka in the 1st century CE.

Onion Juice To The Rescue

Shweta recalled how her mother often used onion juice on her hair, and it smelt pungent. According to a Healthline report, research suggests that onion juice may offer several potential benefits for people experiencing hair thinning or hair loss. One reason is its naturally high sulphur content, a mineral that plays an important role in the body.

Sulphur is present in amino acids, which serve as the building blocks of proteins. Hair itself is largely made up of protein, particularly keratin, a protein that contains substantial amounts of sulphur and is essential for maintaining healthy, resilient strands.

Applying onion juice directly to the scalp and hair may therefore supply sulphur locally, potentially supporting stronger, fuller-looking hair while encouraging new growth. The sulphur present in onions may also contribute to collagen formation, which is important for maintaining healthy skin cells and supporting the hair-growth process.

Another proposed benefit is improved blood circulation. When onion juice is massaged onto the scalp, it may help increase blood flow around the hair follicles. Better circulation could provide follicles with improved access to oxygen and nutrients, potentially creating conditions that support healthier hair growth.

Mustard Oil Skin Spa

Navya recalled how her nana (Amitabh Bachchan) often used mustard oil on her skin. Jaya explained that putting mustard oil on the skin is a common habit among people from UP. Shweta joked that if there were a UPite and a Bengali under the same roof, mustard oil would be used as a moisturiser and to cook food at the same time.

According to a Healthline report, using mustard oil on skin can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines.