Nature is the most amazing and purest source of beauty. The countless bounties it holds for us are truly mind-blowing not only in terms of medicines but also cosmetics and beautification. Herbs, shrubs, and spices are some of the genuine examples. They are used for a variety of health benefits and are also widely used for hair care. In this article, we’ll unfold some of the best herbs for hair growth and spices for hair care and maintenance.
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How Do Herbs Help Your Hair?
Herbs help our hair in countless ways. There have been a number of researches to test the effects of herbs on hair health and most of them confirmed the anticipated benefits. Some herbs stimulate hair follicles and increase their size, while others might regulate the activity of 5a reductase enzymes to treat alopecia and other ailments including dandruff, and dryness. Some herbs improve blood circulation which improves hair growth and thickness.
Although herbs and spices for hair growth might be a little slow, they are the safest and the most reliable alternative to expensive hair treatments.
Types Of Herbs That Can Improve The Health Of Your Hair
All over the world dozens of herbs are used for better fair health, but do you think they all originated simultaneously at one place?
No!
Herbs for hair are divided into three categories -Ayurvedic, African, and Chinese. Each of these categories has its own approach in identifying the problem, anticipating the solution, and testing them to confirm the results. However, the best feature they all have in common is the ability to be grown indoors. Hence, if you do not have a backyard or a garden, you do not have to give up on any of these herb types -and well you always have the option to buy them from the market as most of them are easily available.
Below are the details of all these three types of herbs.
Ayurvedic Herbs
Ayurveda is the conventional Indian system of medicines that originated around 500 years ago in the country. It aims at achieving a healthy life by maintaining a balance between your body, mind, and the environment.
According to this school of thought, the hair is directly linked to your gut, nervous system, and bone tissue. Thus, anything wrong with these parts ultimately affects hair health. Below in this article, we have discussed some well-recognized and effective ayurvedic herbs for hair growth that you can consider growing at home.
African Herbs
It wouldn’t take rocket science to understand that the herbs that grow in Africa are termed as African herbs. These herbs include basil, lavender, thyme, and the others discussed below. These herbs are native to the Mediterranean and the surrounding regions. The best part about these herbs is that they can easily be grown indoors. Moreover, African herbs are famous for giving us thick and healthy hair growth.
Chinese Herbs
Chinese herbs are the ones developed from the extensive branch of Chinese medicine. Mint, thyme, and sage are Chinese herbs that grow perfectly indoors. They can be used in a variety of ways – for instance, can be used to make organic shampoo or conditioner. They can also be used to make hair masks. Chinses herbs are particularly famous for their hair darkening property that prevents premature grey hairs.
Herbs That You Can Grow Yourself For Hair Care
With extended distribution channels and increasing demands, herbs are now easily available in most parts of the world. However, if you have trouble finding them from the market you can grow them on your own. Below are some super effective herbs for hair growth that can be grown indoors.
1. Basil
For its unmatchable healing properties, basil is widely used in herbal hair care products and therapies. It rejuvenates the scalp, cools it down, and fight dandruff. Dandruff is one of the biggest causes of hair fall in people otherwise not suffering from any chronic ailment. However, dandruff does not directly affect hair fall. It causes itchiness which leads to scratching and ultimately results in weakening the hair follicles.
To fight this brutally strategic culprit, basil has proven to be extremely effective. It completely clears away any traces of dandruff, giving you healthier and thicker hair. Not only that, but basil also stimulates speedy hair growth. Massaging basil oil onto your scalp increases blood circulation that in turn improves hair follicles and contributes to better hair growth.
2. Chamomile
Chamomile is a perennial herb with exceptional soothing and antioxidant properties. It is an ultimate herb to treat inflammation, oxidative stress, and aging. For its anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used in the prevention and treatment of various scalp conditions like dermatitis, itchy and scaly scalp, psoriasis, etc. A thorough rinse of the cooled chamomile tea can ensure shiny lustrous hair with thicker hair strands.
Chamomile also detoxifies the scalp and removes it from any toxins that might affect hair growth which supports the regeneration of hair follicles. Belonging to the family of daisies, chamomile has a pleasant fragrance that is way better than the smell of egg. Plus, it can also be consumed in the form of tea which also helps prevent hair thinning and hair fall. It can also be used as a hair conditioner that retains hair moisture for a long time.
3. Lavender
Lavender offers you the best herbal hair care treatment for baldness. The oil extracted from this herb has potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties that ensure thicker and healthier hair. They kill bacteria or parasites, like lice, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes, that might damage your hair and hinder its growth and prevent its reoccurrence. The anti-inflammatory properties keep your scalp smooth and calm and treat those itchy patches that develop a rash and become painful. in some cases, redness and skin flaking have also been observed. These symptoms might seem temporary but they can lead to serious diseases like dermatitis. However, with lavender, you can control this condition in its initial stages.
A good lavender oil massage stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, supports follicle regeneration, and strengthens hair strands. It also contributes to promoting and balancing natural oil production which keeps your hair nourished and healthy.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is one of the most effective herbs for hair care. It has been aiding hair loss prevention for hundreds of years. It’s been noticed that its hair care properties enhance when used with olive oil.
Its effectiveness against hair thinning and balding are unmatchable. Rosemary’s most prominent benefit is to slow down aging. It prevents premature grey hair and ensures lustrous hair for a long. The nourishment it offers to your hair follicles keeps them moisturized and healthy.
5. Sage
Sage oil is rich in essential nutrients that support hair growth, including potassium, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Such an amazing composition helps it maintain a healthy scalp and hair which ensures better hair growth in the long run.
Its antioxidant properties fight bacteria and prevent the chances of oxidative stress. If these factors are not controlled timely, they can develop into serious issues ultimately leading to baldness. The best part about sage is its penetration capability. It absorbs deep in the scalp and makes sure to nourish every inch of it. Such improve penetration delivers the nutrient directly to the hair follicles and exhibits instant results.
It also helps to retain moisture, preserving your hair’s shine and smoothness. Another significant feature of sage oil is its ability to slow down aging by preventing premature grey hairs.
6. Calendula
Calendula, also known as garden marigold or pot marigold, works wonders on your hair. It’s been in use since the 12th century and has only gained more popularity over time. Several brands are working out ways to incorporate this amazing product of nature.
Calendula is essential to maintain a healthy scalp without any traces of dandruff. Its excellent skin rejuvenating properties stimulates the growth of hair follicles which improves hair growth. The antioxidant properties safeguard the scalp from oxidative stress caused by free radicals which can lead to unfavorable skin and hair conditions.
With such exceptional properties, calendula exhibits equally amazing results on all skin and hair types. Not only does it restore your hair, but also adds shine to it and give them a warm natural highlight.
7. Parsley Leaf
Parsley is not new to our diets, but it might be new to your hair care routine. Parsley has fantastic hair growth potential that is hard to find in any other plant. Thus, no matter how you consume these beautiful green leaves your hair will definitely benefit from it. for quick results, it is better to go for a topical method as it will allow the nutrients to deeply penetrate your scalp and heal it of any deficiency.
The main component that grants parsley its hair growth property is apigenin which is an antioxidant that regulates the gene causing the hair loss. The nutrient-rich leaves of parsley contribute to better hair growth. Rubbing powdered parsley can improve blood circulation for healthier and thicker hair.
It can also be used in the treatment of itchy scalp and dandruff with deeply conditioning your hair for a gorgeous shine and smoothness.
8. Thyme
Thyme is a common ingredient in most hair care products. It helps to fight even the most severe dandruff and maintain scalp health for better hair growth. This property of thyme is largely attributed to the anti-inflammatory components of the herb that nourishes a favorable hair growth condition ad reduces the chances of dandruff. It also protects your hair from external damage and boosts the growth of hair follicles.
9. Peppermint
Peppermint oil is among the oldest hair care therapies. Its amazing antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties have made it one of the most widely used herbs. These properties enable it to fight rough, itchy, and scaly scalp -one of the biggest causes of hair fall.
It is super efficacious in the regeneration of hair follicles which contributes to treating hair loss and boosting hair health. When massaged properly, it improves blood circulation which in turn strengthens hair strands and deepens the hair roots.
10. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is well known for its skin benefits, but its hair benefits will surely blow your mind. Be it the most severe dandruff or the roughest hair on earth, aloe vera will surely bring it in the best of its shape. It nourishes your scalp and promotes the growth of hair follicles for better hair growth. With regular use of aloe vera, you’ll almost instantly see thicker, shinier, and smoother hair.
Aloe vera also fights inflammation and calms your scalp to treat itchy and flaky patches. It cleanses your scalp better than most shampoos claiming to do so. This prevents the growth of bacteria or other parasites.
With deep nourishment, it promotes sebum production to maintain the natural oil content of your hair in its required amount. This helps retain moisture and keeps your hair shiny.
Conclusion
Hair is a part of your body and must be taken care of like any other part. You must be very careful about the type of products you apply to it and the ingredients it holds. The safest way to improve your hair health is natural herbs and spices that stimulate hair follicles, retain moisture, fights inflammation, and whatnot. You can pack several blends to topically apply the herbs or consume them in your diet. Either way make sure to stick to your routine until you see results because although they might affect you a little slow, they are worth it.
