As you age, it gets more and more important to look after your hair. While you may take it for granted in your younger years, hair begins to thin and lose its lustre as a natural part of the ageing process. That’s why many people turn to herbal medicines like marshmallow root and basil. The marshmallow root benefits for hair are well-known – but why is this root so good for your hair?
From liquorice to basil, find out which other healthy hair herbs you can use to keep your locks thick and shiny.
Marshmallow isn’t just good for toasting around the campfire or adding to hot chocolate. Also known as Althaea officinalis, marshmallow root contains lauric acid, which is the fatty chain responsible for many of the health benefits of coconut products. It’s one of the reasons why coconut oil is often recommended as an at-home hair treatment.
Marshmallow root has been shown to induce the proliferation of follicle-derived human stem cells, giving it the potential to promote healthy hair growth. Lauric acid protects your roots and follicles, giving them a better chance to flourish. It can also prevent loss of hair protein, helping your strands better withstand heat and styling products.
Marshmallow root is also rich in mucilage, a thick substance made up of protein and polysaccharides. This texture makes marshmallow root an effective detangler, so you can brush your hair more easily.
Marshmallow root also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help with certain scalp conditions.
You can buy marshmallow root online or in many health food stores. To apply marshmallow root, simply boil it and add it to your normal conditioner for an easy way to boost your hair health.
Basil is usually confined to the kitchen. But this magnesium-rich herb is an underestimated and overlooked mineral that can boost hundreds of the chemical processes that occur daily within the body.
When applied to your scalp in the form of an herbal rinse, basil can strengthen the hair from the root. It also helps to reduce inflammation on the scalp as well as improve circulation within the hair follicles, helping to stimulate hair growth. It’s also been used as a treatment for dandruff. Research suggests basil root extract use can reduce hair loss by up to 26% in the first month of use.
You can buy basil oil from many health food stores and pharmacies. Massage a small amount of basil oil into your scalp to stimulate blood flow.
Lavender has been used for centuries to help soothe and calm, relieving headaches and stress. But did you know it can also be used to keep hair healthy?
Lavender oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory, as well as an antiseptic and antimicrobial substance. It can also work as a repellent for lice, ticks, mosquitos, and fleas. Research has shown that lavender oil successfully promotes hair growth in mice, paving the way for further human research into lavender as a natural hair growth treatment.
Lavender oil is readily available online or in many health food shops, pharmacies and supermarkets. Massage a few drops into your scalp to boost circulation and balance your natural hair oils.
Glycosides, triterpene saponins, and flavonoids are found naturally in liquorice root. When applied to the scalp, they nourish the area and the hair root.
Liquorice root cleanses the scalp and heals damage caused by skin conditions such as eczema and fungal infections. It’s been shown to be a powerful cleansing agent that also has the potential to treat hair and scalp problems. It can also repair damage caused by chemicals in hair dye and other products.
Liquorice root can be made into a very effective root cleanser by simmering it in water until the roots steep.
Eating a healthy diet has a big impact on the health of your hair. Like the rest of your body, your hair and scalp feed off nutrients from the food you eat, so if you are eating poorly, your hair will suffer.
Eating a healthy and balanced diet is good for your health but eating food rich in antioxidants, vitamin B, iron, zinc, protein, silica and calcium will give your hair a helping hand to grow thick and healthy. Some evidence also suggests cinnamon oil can promote hair growth and chili oil is good for hair growth [1-2].
Even with the best diets and the support of supplements like marshmallow root, hair thinning and hair loss can happen. For many people who are susceptible to pattern baldness, it’s inevitable that you’ll begin to lose hair.
Vitamin therapies, laser hair loss treatment, essential oils, and other hair loss treatments can help. Take a look at the best essential oils to stimulate hair growth without invasive treatment.
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