Thick, long and lustrous hair is one of the most visible trademarks of a beautiful woman. A woman with thick and long tresses always creates a favourable impression on one’s mind. For many centuries, people in the world have searched and tried different home remedies for hair growth. The Egyptians were famous for their “fig oil” and “castor oil” treatment, while the Greeks and the Romans used the exotic “olive oil” and “rosemary “treatment to boost their tresses. Do you know of the little secrets that we Indian’s found centuries back to our hair healthy and long?
Before we get into that do you know why hair growth reduces after a period??
Each of our hair strands go through three stages in its entire lifecycle- the Anagen stage, the Catagen stage and the Telogen phase. During the middle age i.e. around 30 years onwards, the hair growth starts slowing down due to the hormonal imbalances, improper diet and excessive stress.
In this article I will discuss about the various natural and Indian home effective remedies for hair growth, various oils that are helpful and most importantly the diet, which will help you to get rid of your hair fall problems.
Effective Indian Home Remedies For Hair Growth:
Why waste thousands of rupees on expensive treatments, when you have effective homemade remedies for hair growth available at the snap of your fingers. These home remedies are cost effective, easy and has no side effects. However one has to be patient and be regular with their application.
A. Kitchen Ingredients: Try the following effective home remedies for hair growth
1. Onion juice:
This is the oldest and the most efficient home remedy for hair growth. Onion juice is rich in sulphur, which boosts the production of the collagen tissues and thus helps in the re-growth of hair.
You can use red onions or shallots by chopping it into small pieces and then squeezing out its juice. Then apply it on your scalp and keep for 15 minutes. Finally rinse off with a mild shampoo. Here is an excellent post on how onion helps hair growth.
2. Apple cider vinegar:
This vinegar gently cleanses the scalp and maintains the PH balance of the hair, thus accelerating hair growth. Use the apple cider vinegar as a final rinse after shampoo to get healthy and shiny hair.
3. Egg mask:
Egg has been used since ancient times for combating hair loss. It contains high levels of proteins which help in the formation of new hair. It is also rich in sulphur, zinc, iron, selenium, phosphorous and iodine.
[ Read: Egg For Hair Growth ]
In white of an egg, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and honey and mix it well to form a smooth paste. Apply all over the hair and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water and shampoo it off. Not just for hair, you can use egg masks to get glowing skin too.
4. Fenugreek:
This is another widely used hair fall treatment as fenugreek accelerates hair growth and protects the natural colour of your hair. Take 1 teaspoon of the fenugreek paste and add 2 teaspoons of coconut milk. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo. Here is an excellent post on beauty benefits of fenugreek.
5. Potato juice:
This is a secret remedy as most of the people are not familiar with the hair growth properties of potato juice. Simply apply the potato juice on the scalp and leave it for 15 minutes. This can also be used if you’re suffering from “alopecia- thinning of hair”. Potato is also good for using as face packs too.
6. Henna pack:
Henna is the best natural conditioner which transforms dull and dry hair into smooth and shiny hair and also adds a colour to them. It also promotes hair growth by strengthening the roots of the existing hair.
Make this pack by mixing 1 cup of dry henna powder with ½ cup of yoghurt and apply all over the hair. Leave the pack until it dries off completely and wash off with a mild shampoo. Here are 3 more henna hair packs.
7. Cayenne pepper:
This special pepper stimulates hair growth and prevents thinning of hair. Mix 1 teaspoon of pepper powder with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and apply on the patches. Wash off with cool water.
8. Coconut milk:
Coconut milk is rich in proteins, iron, potassium and essential fats. It reduces hair shedding and breakage. So if you want to experience healthy and damage free hair, use coconut milk. Extract the milk of a coconut and apply on the targeted areas. Keep it overnight and rinse off with cool water the next day. This is the most effective hair growth treatment. Here are more benefits of coconut for your hair.
9. Green tea:
As you all know that green tea is rich in anti oxidants which prevents hair loss and boosts hair growth. Apply warm green tea all over your scalp and leave it for an hour. Rinse off with cool water. Here are more benefits of green tea.
Green tea contains polyphenols, Vitamin E & Vitamin C which boost hair lustre and it also inhibits the growth of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which hinders hair growth.
10. Indian gooseberry (amla):
Everyone is familiar with the magical properties of amla. It is the powerhouse of antioxidants and vitamin C. Amla promotes healthy hair growth and also improves the pigmentation of the hair. Mix 2 teaspoons of amla powder or juice with 2 teaspoons of lime juice. Apply this on the scalp and let it dry. Rinse with warm water. Here is how Amla helps hair growth.
11. Cumin seeds:
Cumin seeds can be soaked in the olive oil or castor oil overnight, and then can be applied on the targeted areas. Wash after 15 minutes with a mild shampoo.
12. Peppercorns:
The use of black peppercorns is prevalent in the ayurvedic medicine. Blend 2 teaspoons of peppercorns with half a cup of lime juice to form a smooth paste. Apply on the roots and cover your head with a warm towel so that it penetrates well. Rinse off after half an hour.
[ Read: Ayurvedic Medicine for Dandruff ]
13. Hibiscus flower:
Hibiscus is truly the “flower of hair care”. This flower is used for curing dandruff and enhances the hair growth. It also thickens the hair and prevents pre mature ageing. Make a paste of the hibiscus flower with coconut oil or sesame oil and apply on the hair. Rinse with a mild shampoo.
14. Garlic:
Garlic is widely known for reducing the shedding of hair. It also boosts the regeneration of new hair and promotes the scalp circulation. Boil a few cloves of crushed garlic in olive oil or coconut oil and then apply it on the roots of the hair follicles. Use this treatment thrice a week. Here are some more beauty benefit of garlic.
15. Vitamin E oil:
Vitamin E oil is rich in anti oxidants thus it helps to fight away the free radicals. It helps in increasing oxygen in the body and thus increases the blood circulation in the scalp. Massage the vitamin E oil onto the scalp and leave it overnight. Wash off with a mild shampoo the next day for soft and smooth hair.
Regular massage with the essential oils promotes hair growth, reduces hair fall and split ends and makes your hair soft and smooth. After massaging your hair with any essential oil, wrap your head with a hot water towel or a shower cap. This allows the pores of the scalp to open up and helps the oils to penetrate into the scalp better. It also stimulates the scalp and improves the blood circulation which boosts the hair growth. Regular application of the hot oil treatment also reduces dandruff and gives you a pretty and shiny hair. Here is a post on how Vitamic E helps hair growth.
A massage with Vitamin E oil on hair increases blood circulation and boosts oxygen supply to the scalp thereby inducing hair growth.
B. Home Remedies For Hair Growth For Women: Essential Oil Treatments
16. Coconut oil:
It is the best natural conditioner for hair which has been used since centuries. Rich in proteins and potassium, it keeps the scalp healthy; promotes the growth of new hair and repairs damaged hair. It is also used to reduce dandruff, hair breakage and hair loss. Coconut oil is also used as pre conditioning hair treatment for damaged hair. It acts as a moisturiser and strengths the hair shaft from the root, thus preventing breakage. It keeps the scalp nourished and moisturised. Use coconut hot oil treatment for effective results.
17. Rosemary oil:
One of the best oils to reduce hair loss, rosemary oil is prevalent in the Middle East countries. It is prepared from the distillation of the rosemary herb. Rosemary oil increases the cell division and expands the blood vessels, thus stimulating the blood circulation. It increases the hair growth and also acts as a hair tonic.
You can use rosemary oil by mixing it with your shampoo or conditioner. You can also massage your scalp with it by combining it with other essential oil like olive oil or tea tree oil. Learn how Rosemary oil helps hair growth.
18. Sage oil:
Along with treating the hair loss, sage is also used for treating acne, wrinkles and digestive disorders. You can use sage oil by either combining it with apple cider vinegar or with other essential oils like the rosemary oil.
19. Lavender oil:
Lavender oil is widely used for curing “alopecia- thinning of hair and hair loss in patches”. Apart from the hair growth, it also reduces sleeplessness and stress, hence lavender oil is often used in majority of the spa treatments. Prepare an essential oil mixture by adding lavender oil, rosemary oil, thyme oil and jojoba oil by equal proportion. Apply on the scalp and wrap with a shower cap. Rinse after an hour.
20. Jojoba oil:
Jojoba oil is known for its moisturising and hydrating properties. Jojoba oils stimulates hair growth by improving the blood circulation and moisturising the hair follicles. It also repairs dry and damaged hair.
21. Flaxseed oil:
Flaxseeds are a rich source of essential fatty acids which helps to transform dry, damaged and brittle hair to healthy and shiny hair. The omega 3 fatty acids in it promote healthy hair growth. Include flaxseed oil supplements in your daily diet or use it with the combination of other essential oils. Learn more about flax seeds here.
22. Olive oil:
Every beauty enthusiast is familiar with the health and the beauty benefits of the olive oil. Olive oil is used in face packs, face masks, scrubs, body oils, hair tonic etc. It helps preventing as well as curing hair loss by stimulating the formation of new hair. Regular use of olive oil prevents the formation of DTH hormone and thus facilitates hair growth. Rich in anti oxidants, it is very beneficial for overall hair health. Olive oil also acts as a natural conditioner by making the hair soft and silky. Here is an excellent post on olive oil.
Include olive oil in your daily diet or use it as a pre shampoo treatment. You can also mix it with lavender, sage and rosemary oil for hot oil treatment.
C. Diet For Hair Growth:
A few dietary modifications are very important for stimulating the process of hair growth and it also prevents hair loss. Abolition of junk and processed food, aerated drinks, smoking and drinking is very beneficial for your body and the scalp health. Include vitamin and mineral rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, carbohydrate, omega 3 fatty acids and protein rich food in our diet as they are rich in “phyto- nutrients” which are beneficial for hair growth.
Below are the lists of some foods which you can include in your daily diet!!!
23. Protein rich foods:
Our hair is made of a special protein called the “keratin”, thus we should have a protein rich diet. Include eggs, chicken, tofu, soybean; kidney beans etc in your diet as they the richest source of proteins for Hair. They promote the growth of new hair and make your hair shiny and smooth.
Hair strands are composed of proteins. Hence to boost hair growth, be sure to take in plenty of protein rich foods.
24. Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is beneficial for hair growth, but too much of it can cause hair loss. Mango, papaya, orange, prunes, carrot etc have high contents of vitamin A. Here is an excellent post on how vitamins help hair growth.
25. Vitamin B:
It stimulates the production of haemoglobin in our blood which acts as the oxygen carrier and thus increases the blood circulation in the scalp. Include potato, banana, chicken, oatmeal, fish and beans in your diet.
26. Vitamin C:
It helps in the collagen production and fights off the free radicals in the skin. Do not forget to include lots of citrus fruits like amla, orange, kiwi, guava etc.
27. Vitamin E:
The scalp capillary function is stimulated by the intake of vitamin E in your diet. Thus it increases the blood circulation and promotes hair growth. Cereals, sunflower oil, soybean oil, tofu etc contain vitamin E.
28. Green Vegetables
Have lots of dark green vegetables as they contain iron, and fish as it’s a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, also nuts.
Try these effective Indian home remedies for long hair growth. If you like this, you will love our post on long hair tips.
