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Castor Oil for Hair Growth – The Benefits Of Using Castor Oil For Your Hair

6 Mins Read

In all the research I’ve done on various ways to stimulate hair growth and keep hair healthy, perhaps the single most interesting and unexpected finding I’ve come across is using castor oil for hair growth. This is without doubt one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to having a full head of gorgeous hair. Castor oil is considered a vegetable oil, and it’s obtained by pressing the seeds (called castor beans, even though they aren’t true beans) of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis).

The plant originates in the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, eastern Africa and India, but it is commonly grown as an ornamental plant throughout many tropical regions, especially variations with reddish leaves and flowers. It’s important to be aware that the plant and its beans constitute one of the most poisonous plants in the world. If you ate a handful of the seeds and didn’t get immediate medical attention, it could very well be fatal. The toxin it contains is called ricin, which is obviously removed from castor oil products. I only mention all of this in case you get the idea to grow your own plants and try to make your own castor oil. Don’t do it!

With that quick disclaimer, let’s get into the huge benefits you can reap by using castor oil for hair growth and health. If you’re like me, you’ll wonder how you haven’t heard of this wonder hair treatment before! Here are seven major benefits of using castor oil on your hair:

Castor Oil Hair Care

Reduces Hair Loss. With all the styling, drying, coloring and other things we do to our hair, not to mention the genetics we inherit, hair loss is an all too common and psychologically depressing occurrence for many people. Using castor oil on your scalp and hair helps protect it because of the ricinoleic acid it contains, which both protects your hair and stimulates nutrient-rich bloodflow to your scalp that keeps hair strong, healthy and intact. Ricinoleic acid makes up about 90% of castor oil, so it’s definitely one of the richest sources of this hair tonic you’ll find anywhere.

Stimulates Hair Growth. The act of applying castor oil by gently massaging it into your scalp and hair boosts circulation of blood to the scalp and hair follicles, which is essential to stimulating hair growth. But the oil itself also helps because of its high omega-6 fatty acid content, which is another important component in growing healthy hair. Well-nourished hair will be stronger, more resilient, and less prone to falling out prematurely.

Fights Scalp Infections. Various pathogenic microbes can take root in the scalp and cause all kinds of trouble, from bald patches to itchiness, all of which can stall out hair growth. Castor oil has natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and even anti-viral properties that will help wipe out any pathogenic organisms that can cause a variety of scalp and hair issues, including follliculitus, ringworm and peidra.

Controls Split Ends and Hair Breakage. Castor oils rich levels of vitamin E, amino acids, and omega-6 fatty acids help put a stop to both split ends and breakage by penetrating deep into your scalp and smoothening out rough hair cuticles (the hard, outermost part of the hair shaft).

Moisturizes and Conditions. There are omega-9 acids in castor oil that help lock moisture into both your hair and scalp, making it a surprisingly effective conditioner. Because dry scalp can lead to dandruff, making regular use of castor oil can help keep that problem under control as it moisturizes your scalp. Castor oil has the ability to penetrate dry and damaged hair to heal and restore it.

Gives Hair a Beautiful Shine and Silky Feel. By coating each shaft of hair and locking in moisture, castor oil leads to a natural luster as well as a smoother, silkier feel. Note also that castor oil tends to give hair a richer, darker hue due to its humectant effect and nutrients.

Increases Thickness of Hair. Both the omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids will help make your hair feel thicker, giving a real boost to its volume.

Heal and Regrow Eyebrows and Eyelashes. If you find yourself needing to regrow or thicken thin eyebrows, castor oil is probably your best bet. You can also use it to repair and strengthen your eyelashes as well. Use a mascara brush to apply it to your eyelashes.

How to Use Castor Oil for Hair Growth?

The first thing to be aware of is that you want to use an unrefined castor oil product because that will have many more of the nutrients that make your hair healthier.  Also know that castor oil is quite viscous, meaning you’ll find it a lot thicker and stickier than other oils, so you might consider mixing it with a lighter oil to make it easier to work with. Coconut, olive or almond oils are good choices to mix with castor oil. Choosing an oil with a pleasing odor will also make your hair smell great (who doesn’t like the smell of coconut?).

A good rule of thumb here is that the longer you’re going to leave it in, the less you should use. It’s powerful stuff, and you don’t want to overdo it. If you only use a small amount, feel freet o use it on a daily basis as an added conditioner. Leave it in a good 15-30 minutes before washing your hair with your favorite shampoo. For longer treatments, use less, massaging it into your scalp and throughout your hair in sections, then wrap your hair in a moist, warm towel for an hour. If you leave it in overnight, be sure to wear a shower cap. To reduce the messiness of the whole process, you can also try using an applicator like a hair dye dispensing bottle or brush instead of your hands. Although you won’t see substantial improvements immediately, after about a month or so of regular use, you’ll notice all of the amazing benefits of using castor oil for hair growth and health.

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Coconut Oil for Hair Growth
In Hair Growth

Coconut Oil for Hair Growth

7 Mins Read

You will never have the healthy and shiny hair of your dreams if your hair doesn’t grow properly. Hair growth is influenced by a number of factors, which include your overall health, your diet and of course whether or not you follow a good hair care regimen. If you are looking to promote hair growth, your hair care regimen must include oil application. Many people use coconut oil for hair growth. When used correctly this oil conditions, protects and moisturizes the scalp and allows the hair to grow properly.

In this article I’m going to tell you why coconut oil can help your hair grow faster, explain how to apply it to hair, and give you some general advice for using this amazing natural oil on your hair.

How Does Coconut Oil Work to Promote Hair Growth?

  • Shields hair protein:Lauric acid, a major component of coconut oil gives the oil its protective properties. Lauric acid is a fatty acid that easily binds hair proteins thus helping in protecting roots of hair strands and preventing hair breakage. A study conducted in 2003 revealed that coconut oil can reduce or prevent hair protein loss more effectively than mineral and sunflower oils (these two oils are common ingredients of many hair care products).
  • Seals in hair moisture: Regular application of coconut oil can help you to keep your hair strong and moisturized. Coconut oil possesses the ability of penetrating the hair shaft and thus conditions your hair from within. The oil supplies enough moisture to protect your hair follicles from environmental impurities and heat.
  • Contains antibacterial and antifungal properties: Coconut oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties give the oil the ability of protecting your scalp against dandruff and lice, both of which can hinder hair growth.
  • Contains nutrients: Coconut oil is a rich source of nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin K and iron. These nutrients are essential for maintaining your hair’s shine and softness. Vitamin E is particularly effective in eradicating dandruff, which is a major cause of hair fall and hindered hair growth.
  • Improves blood circulation: Massage your scalp with coconut oil to stimulate blood circulation. Improved blood circulation to your scalp will ensure that your hair follicles receive the required amount of essential nutrients and oxygen. This will make your hair follicles healthy and promote hair growth.

How to Apply Coconut Oil

There are two ways to apply coconut oil to hair – either before or after washing:

  • People with slightly wavy or straight hai should undergo coconut oil treatment before washing their hair.
  • If you have curly or thick hair, you can apply coconut oil both before and after washing your hair. As curly hair tends to absorb oil quickly, you will not end up having greasy looking hair even if you apply coconut oil after washing the hair.

Before shampooing: First apply the oil generously to your scalp and rub the scalp gently to ensure that the oil spreads adequately to the entire area. Continue massaging the scalp for 5 minutes. Now, concentrate on your hair strands. If required you can take some more oil for oiling the hair strands. Leave the oil on your hair for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2-4 hours if you have a lot of hair breakage problems) and then wash the hair off with your regular shampoo.

During shampooing: Some people get amazing results by mixing their shampoo and/or conditioner with coconut oil (50/50 or some other ratio). Give it a try and see how it compares with using coconut oil as a pre-wash treatment. This is by far the least time consuming method, so that’s a big benefit as well.

After shampooing: Not all types of hair react well to post-wash coconut oil treatment. If you find that your hair is “protein sensitive”, it is likely to react badly to coconut oil as well, so keep this in mind. As for application, here’s what I recommend: if you have problems with split-ends or dry hair, apply a little coconut oil to the ends of your hair (up to 2-3 inches) after it has completely dried out.

Tips for Using Coconut Oil On Your Hair

While there are thousands of articles touting the benefits of coconut oil treatments for hair, very few of them provide tips to maximize those benefits and avoid any potential pitfalls. The truth is that coconut oil hair treatments are not suitable for everyone. In the next few paragraphs I’m going to give you some tips for using coconut oil, explain how it works, and help you decide whether this kind of treatment is right for you.

Q: Should I warm the oil up before applying it?

A: Due to the fact that coconut oil turns solid in lower (room) temperatures, it often makes sense to warm it up a little before use. This makes it much simpler to apply to hair/scalp. Avoid using hot oil as it can damage your skin. A simple way to prepare coconut oil for use is to fill a large bowl with boiling-hot water and then place a smaller bowl with some oil into it. Wait until the coconut oil melts and then use it!

Q: How much oil should I apply to my hair?

A: When applying coconut oil to your hair before shampooing you can use as much oil as you feel necessary. Many people dose coconut oil the same way as regular shampoo/conditioner by applying just enough to cover the scalp and full hair length.

Now, using coconut oil as a leave-in treatment after washing your hair is very different. Applying too much of it will almost certainly leave your hair looking greasy and tangled. Plus, oil attracts dust and other pollutants which can make the hair look dirty really fast. I recommend using just a tiny amount of coconut oil on the ends to help combat dryness. If you are looking for a suitable leave-in post-wash oil treatment for your hair, coconut oil is not it.

Q: What are the benefits of pre-wash coconut oil treatments?

A: Using coconut oil on your hair prior to washing is a great way to minimize damage and breakage that occurs when you wash your hair. Water has the tendency to soften our skin and can lead to the skin around your hair follicles becoming tender and prone to damage. This can lead to hair breakage, shedding and various other problems.

Luckily, since coconut oil is a water repellent, applying some of it to the scalp/hair before washing can prevent this from happening. Another thing that sets coconut oil apart from other oils is that it bonds with hair proteins with ease and can penetrate deep into the skin thanks to its light chemical properties. This creates a temporary “shield” that protects your scalp and hair from water damage.

Q: What about using coconut oil as a post-wash treatment?

A: Most people use coconut oil after shampooing to prevent split ends. Wait until the hair has dried out completely and then apply a little oil to the very ends. The oil is quickly absorbed by the hair and forms a “protective” layer shielding your hair from environmental damage.

Q: Does coconut oil really cure head lice?

A: There is a lot of evidence that coconut oil is very effective as a natural head lice treatment. For instance, one UK study found a special coconut oil + anise spray to be nearly twice more effective at eradicating head lice than any other widely used treatment today.

A commonly used (although never studied) lice treatment is to soak the scalp and hair in coconut oil, then cover with foil, shower cap or a towel. Leave it on overnight, then wash the oil out with shampoo. There’s no evidence that this treatment works, but many proponents of all-natural remedies swear by it.

If you have any questions about coconut oil for hair please ask in the comments below and I will answer them as soon as possible.

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Hair Essentials for Hair Growth, A Review
In Hair Growth

Hair Essentials for Hair Growth, A Review

4 Mins Read

If you could take most of the home remedies for hair growth and put them into a formula, you’d get Hair Essentials for Hair Growth in capsule form. It’s a shotgun approach to the most common reasons why people develop hair loss – nutrient deficiencies, high testosterone, and essential fat deficiencies.

The list of ingredients is actually quite impressive:

  • Vitamin A, C, and E at 115-117% of the estimated value for adults
  • Biotin at 350 mcg, 115% of the daily value
  • Iodine, zinc and selenium at over 100% of the daily value
  • Herbs known for their hair growth ability – saw palmetto, fo-ti, Bu-gu-zhi, milk thistle, white tea, horsetail, and Eclipta herb
  • Two amino acids cysteine and methionine
  • Essential fats from flaxseed oil and borage oil
  • Black pepper to stimulate the absorption of the herbs and other ingredients
  • Rice bran, an overall B supplement
  • MSM and collagen

This is truly a winning ingredient list that can stimulate new hair growth and thicken the strands of hairs that do grow. It can make a big difference in many people’s hair loss. I’d definitely recommend it to most patients with hair loss or those who just want a healthier head of hair.

What I like best about it is the choice of herbs used in the formula. Saw palmetto can decrease the influence of high testosterone levels on the hair follicles. Testosterone can increase hair loss, so if this is one of the reasons for your hair loss, you want to make sure that it is addressed. Fo-ti has been used for hair growth and also to reverse gray hairs. No one wants new hair growth that is all gray! If this herb can help at all, put it in the formula! And that’s exactly what the company that makes Hair Essentials for Hair Growth has done.

Horsetail is known for its high silica content. Silica is what makes hair strong and resilient and prevents it from developing split ends. You want the hair you are growing to be strong! And the herb Eclipta alba has had the best success of any herb in growing hairs. In one study this herb increased hair growth by 46%.

Herbs fill in gaps in the body’s metabolic pathways that vitamins and minerals can’t fill. That’s why I’m so glad that this formula has included seven different herbs. The milk thistle is known for its effect on the liver. Milk thistle isn’t really considered an herb for hair growth but it supports liver functions and this comes in handy when someone might have high testosterone levels or high heavy metals. If cadmium levels are high, it can lead to hair loss, and if milk thistle is cleansing the liver of cadmium, you have another benefit from this product.

It is true that Hair Essentials for Hair Growth is missing a few ingredients that can affect hair growth. If someone has an iron deficiency, which is easily tested for by the doctor, it can seriously interfere with hair growth and cause hair loss. There’s no iron in the Hair Essentials for Hair Growth formula. So you may want to get tested first to see if you’ll be needing any extra iron.

Not including iron in the formula is understandable, as there has been a fear promoted by some media reports and health experts about iron toxicity. Although most people are low in iron anyway, the myth circulating the internet is that iron causes free radicals in the body. The truth is that this doesn’t happen that often. Iron deficiency is more common, especially in menstruating women. Another myth could conceivably contribute to why people are low in iron is not to eat any red meat because it’s bad for you. We all need iron. Like other nutrients, we need it in small amounts no matter what.

Another thing missing from the formula is folic acid, which causes hair loss if you have a deficiency. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins. Other B vitamins include vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B12, biotin, choline, and inositol.

You may want to take a separate folic acid supplement of 5 mg a day to supplement when using this supplement. But remember that if you increase the level of one B vitamin in the diet, you must increase all the others, too to prevent a deficiency. With Hair Essentials for Hair Growth supplement, you’d have to take a separate B complex vitamin to make sure you are getting everything you need without creating imbalances in the B vitamins.

Overall, I give the Hair Essentials for Hair Growth supplement product a high rating. Most people start noticing a difference in their hair growth in the first 3 weeks.

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Castor Oil for Healthier Hair
In Hair Growth

Castor Oil for Healthier Hair

7 Mins Read

Hair oils are incredibly popular these days and castor oil specifically is one of the most commonly used oils right now. Many people believe castor oil to have countless benefits such as increased hair growth, thicker and stronger hair, and that it can even make your hair darker.

In this article, I’m going to take a closer look at castor oil benefits and try to find out whether it can really help with hair growth and thickness. Continue reading or jump straight to the sections about hair growth, hair darkening and other castor oil benefits or how to apply castor oil.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a very thick vegetable oil that is extracted from castor beans (which are not real beans, actually) that are part of a plant that grows in India, China and parts of Brazil. This oil is used in a variety of industries and is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and laxative effects. That’s right, I said laxative, as in it can cause digestive problems, diarrhea and nausea in some individuals (but only when used in very large amounts or ingested). Castor oil has a very low molecular mass which allows it to penetrate deep into the skin.

The American Cancer Society notes that castor oil should never be used by women who are pregnant or suffer from chronic digestive problems. Under normal conditions castor oil is considered to be completely safe and should not cause any issues.

Castor Oil for Hair

Castor oil, just like many other oils, is often used as a leave in scalp and hair treatment. Just like with coconut oil, not all types of hair and scalp like castor oil and the only way to find out whether it will work well for you is to give it a shot. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using castor oil for hair.

Castor oil for hair growth: While many articles online claim that using this oil regularly can help to speed up normal hair growth and even spur new hair growth, there is no scientific evidence whatsoever showing that castor oil has a direct influence on how fast hair grows. This doesn’t mean that using castor oil to help with hair regrowth is pointless, though.

Now, a lot of times slow hair growth happens due to issues with the scalp or the fact that hair strands grow weak and break off early. Another common factor is improper use of hair care products or bad hair care in general. Since castor oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, applying it to your scalp can help treat dandruff, flaky scalp, dryness, and itchiness. There are no guarantees that it will work for you though, but it is definitely worth trying, especially with so many people reporting amazing results when using castor oil.

Another (indirect) reason why using castor can help with hair growth is improved blood circulation in the scalp due to stimulation with fingers when applying the oil. It is well known that scalp massages are good for hair health and the process of applying castor oil (or any oil for that matter) to the scalp is like a mini-massage.

Castor oil for hair darkening: Some people say that using castor oil can make hair darker. While there is no scientific evidence of this, I have actually seen this happen (although the effect was very small and temporary) so there’s definitely something to it. Most experts believe that since castor oil is extremely thick, it actually coats the hair and makes it look slightly thicker and darker than usual. This effect is temporary, because natural hair color is not changed. So, if you have blond or light colored hair, keep this in mind when using castor oil. And again remember that the darkening effect is very, very mild and might not really be noticeable at all in some cases.

Castor oil for thicker eyebrows/eyelashes:
This oil is commonly used to make eyelashes appear thicker and grow longer. While I don’t believe that it can actually make eyebrows/eyelashes grow faster or longer, it can definitely add some (temporary) thickness and make them look darker and “fuller”. Some beauty experts say that castor oil used on eyebrows kills off bacteria that hinders hair growth and can actually help increase length and stop shedding.

Do note that castor oil should not be allowed to get into your eyes! Use very little oil and apply it carefully.

Castor oil for hair shedding and itchy scalp: Some people say that castor oil stops hair shedding and can cure various conditions that cause itchy scalp and dry, flaky skin. Others have tried using castor oil but had to stop due to increased shedding. This just goes to show that everyone’s scalp is different and there’s no way to tell exactly how your hair/scalp is going to react to castor oil without giving it a try.

How to Use Castor Oil On Hair

The process of applying castor oil to scalp/hair is very simple. Do remember that most people use it as a leave in treatment for scalp and hair strands. Castor oil is rarely applied to hair length/ends. Here are some tips to get your started:

  • Castor oil is very thick. Applying it undiluted can be problematic – you should either get your scalp/hair wet before using the oil or mix (50/50) castor oil together with a different oil such as coconut, avocado or almond. This will make it easier to spread the oil out nicely and should help to prevent buildup.
  • Castor oil doesn’t smell nice. Add a few drops of rosemary, peppermint or a similar essential oil to help with the smell.
  • Use very little oil. When applying castor oil to your scalp you should avoid overuse to prevent having to deal with greasy hair afterwards. Plus, if you put too much of it on your head, it can be very difficult to wash out!
  • Spread it evenly. While many people like to use a dropper bottle to drop oil directly onto the scalp, I prefer using my fingers instead. Put your castor oil mix into a small bowl, dip your fingers in the oil and then apply it gently to your scalp. This may not seem like a big deal, but it does help to reduce problems with greasy/oily hair post-treatment.
  • Warm it up. If the oil feels extremely thick you can warm it up a little to make it more fluid. Don’t microwave it though – fill up a bowl with hot water, then add a smaller bowl with some castor oil into it and wait 2-4 minutes.
  • Shampoo or conditioner? If you find that your regular shampoo just doesn’t get all of the oil out of your head, try using a conditioner instead (and skip the shampoo). Apply some conditioner to your head/hair, wait for 10-20 minutes and then wash it out.
  • How long? Leave the oil in for at least 30 minutes and then wash it out. Some people like to leave castor oil in overnight which is also fine. I don’t think that going any longer than 2-3 hours has any added benefit, but choose whatever method is the most convenient for you.
  • How often? Just 1-2 treatments per week should be enough to see good results. Give it about four weeks and if you aren’t seeing an improvement in how your scalp/hair feels – try something different.

As you can see, castor oil is a superb scalp treatment that you should try at least once, especially if you have problems with itching, dry scalp and shedding. Just remember this:

  • Dilute the oil using coconut, almond or some other oil. Use very little oil.
  • Add several drops of your favorite essential oil (rosemary, peppermint) to make it smell better.
  • Warm it up a little (don’t microwave!).
  • Apply it evenly to your scalp and leave in for at least 30 minutes.
  • If shampooing doesn’t get it all out try using a simple, cone-free conditioner instead.

That’s it! Let us know how it goes and feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

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In Hair Care

Jojoba Oil for Hair: Benefits and How to Use It

4 Mins Read

Jojoba oil is commonly used in various skin and hair care products, including shampoos, moisturizers, and even makeup removers. When it comes to using jojoba oil on hair, most people use it as a carrier oil, which means that it “carries” other oils (such as essential oils) and improves absorption into the scalp. Let’s have a closer look at the benefits of using jojoba oil for hair.

What Is Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba oil is extracted from the seeds of a plant called simmondsia chinensis, which is commonly known as the jojoba plant. This oil is considered to be “universal” in a sense that most users should not experience any side effects when using it as a pre-shampoo or leave-in treatment (unlike other oils that can make hair brittle and extremely dry). With that said not all types of hair like jojoba oil and you should experiment with very small doses to start with.

Many articles claim that jojoba oil is best suited for thicker hair while other oils, such as almond, are better for thinner hair types. I believe this to be false, because I’ve seen many cases where people with extremely fine hair use jojoba oil with amazing results. Other common complains include:

  • Jojoba oil smells like “burnt wood” or “bacon”: Not true, although some types of jojoba oil seem to have a very weak smoky scent to them. Pure jojoba oil has virtually no smell at all.
  • Jojoba oil can make hair fall out/shed more than normal: Maybe if you use way too much of it. In general, however, most cases of hair shedding are caused by other ingredients (such as petroleum products) found in commercial oils. Don’t be fooled by the label on the bottle – always read the ingredient list!

The structure of jojoba oil is similar to that of sebum, which is a natural moisturizer produced by our skin. This makes it a superb face moisturizer (when diluted with water), as well as a good way to treat dry scalp/hair.

How to Use Jojoba Oil

Just like any other oil, jojoba can be used in a variety of different ways. I’ll describe some of the most common methods below.

Jojoba as a leave in treatment: This basically means applying some jojoba oil (often mixed with essential oils) to your scalp before washing your hair. Some people leave this mix in for about 20-30 minutes and then wash it out, while others prefer to soak their scalp/hair in oil overnight and wash everything out in the morning. Experiment to see what works best for you!

Jojoba oil mixed with shampoo or conditioner: A very popular technique which is somewhat similar to mixing coconut oil with shampoo. The only difference is that jojoba oil comes in liquid form and doesn’t need to be melted before use! Mixing jojoba oil with conditioner instead of shampoo can often produce much better results – give it a try!

Using jojoba oil after shampooing: This technique doesn’t work for everyone, because jojoba oil is quite heavy and using too much of it will leave your hair looking greasy. Normally, just 1-2 drops of jojoba oil applied to the ends of damp/drying hair should be enough to provide long-term protection from breakage and dryness. If your ends feel somewhat “crunchy” after applying oil, it means that your hair simply doesn’t like this type of oil.

Remember that everyone’s hair is different and the only way to find out which oil suits your hair is through experimentation! In general however, I find that jojoba oil works well in places where coconut oil doesn’t. For example:

  • If your scalp doesn’t like coconut oil treatments, try jojoba + essential oils instead.
  • If your lengths can’t stand jojoba oil (look greasy and dry), try using a little coconut oil instead.
  • Many people find that jojoba oil works best when applied lightly to the very ends while they are still wet after washing. In some cases however, this can make the ends feel dry and crunchy. If this happens – try using coconut oil instead.

Good luck and don’t forget to report back with your results!

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In Hair Care

Herbs for Hair Growth

6 Mins Read

If you want your hair longer, there are several options. You could go to a medical doctor and go home with a prescription medication such as Minoxidil, and then deal with side effects as they arise. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that allows more oxygen, blood and nutrients to get to the hair follicle.

You could improve your diet on your own and hope that this change makes a difference. You could be more proactive about your nutrition and see a nutritionist who can give you a plan to correct any vitamin and mineral deficiencies. You could also take herbs for hair growth.

When you consider all three of these methods, the one solution that has stood the test of time is using herbs for hair growth. The interesting part is that science hasn’t kept up with research on herbs over the years. Science has lagged behind and now medical doctors tell you there’s not enough research on herbs for hair growth to recommend them. You will have to determine whether or not there is enough research or not yourself.

How Herbs for Hair Growth Work in the Body

Herbs for hair growth are quite interesting because they work via one of a few different mechanisms. They may:

  • stimulate hair follicles to grow
  • have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitical activity that eliminates the ‘bug’
  • on the scalp causing hair loss
  • decrease high levels of testosterone that increases hair loss
  • decrease effects of stress which deplete necessary nutrients to keep hair growing
  • restore female hormone levels
  • provide active vitamins and minerals that are necessary for hair growth
  • provide medicinal constituents not necessarily known for hair maintenance,
  • synthesis and hair growth

Red Korean Ginseng: One of the Herbs for Hair Growth

Before you give up on herbs for hair growth, you have to read about what happened when scientists compared the effects of corticosteroids on hair growth and density against effects from Korean red ginseng.

If you love using natural remedies, this study will be one more piece of evidence that what you believe in is correct. The study followed people with alopecia, a type of hair loss, who were in their 30s for 12 weeks. Fifty people were divided into two groups of 25 individuals. One group was given corticosteroids as treatment since alopecia has an autoimmune component to it. The other group was given cortiocosteroids plus ginseng. Both groups received treatment for 12 weeks. The goal was to see who had the best hair growth.

Here’s a table of the results:

Types of Treatment #Patients #Hairs Hair Density
Before After Before After
Corticosteroids + Ginseng 24 44 cm2 101 cm2 0.062 0.085
Corticosteroid 24 40 cm2 91 cm2 0.058 0.078

Korean red ginseng is known for its ability to prevent hair loss and make hair grow. And according to this study, it did – although researchers said that statistically, there wasn’t a difference in the results of the two groups.

The researchers concluded that Korean red ginseng can improve hair regrowth in those with autoimmune causes of hair loss. They proposed that the reasons why it worked so well was because the herb contains medicinal components called ginsenosides that are known to be anti-inflammatory and anti-allergies.

Fo-Ti: Affects Hair Regrowth Via Interfering with Testosterone

While you’re using Red Korean ginseng for hair growth, you may also want to check out the herb Fo-ti. As many women in menopause produce less estrogen, their testosterone levels may increase. High levels of testosterone are sometimes associated with hair loss. It’s one of the hormonal disruptions that can be related to hair loss.

Fo-ti has been known by herbalists for centuries to turn restore the original color of gray hair over time, and recently, has been found to have estrogen activity. Thus for those women who don’t want to take hormone replacement therapy, the herb fo-ti can provide three benefits all at one time:

  • Eliminate the gray hairs
  • Provide more estrogen
  • Reduce the testosterone levels in the body

Fo-ti provides about 1/300th of the activity of 17-beta-estradiol, according to researchers at the University of California in San Diego. (Source: Jour Clin Endocrin Metab 2003,88(9):4077-79.)

Eclipta alba: Another of the Herbs for Hair Growth

An Indian herb called Eclipta alba Hassk is known in that country as one of the herbs for hair growth. Research on rats confirmed the legends about this herb. When a water extract of the herb was incorporated into an oil cream base and applied topically, the researchers might have been surprised about the results. Compared to Minoxidil, Eclipta alba worked twice as fast! The herb initiated hair growth quickly. Even the time for completed hair growth was significantly less. This herb for hair growth grew 46% more hair than Minoxidil. (Source: Arch Dermatol Res 2008 Aug; 300(7):357-64.)

Chinese Herb Extract Dabao Acts as a Hair Restorer

Dabao is used in China to grow hair in those with alopecia androgenetica. In a randomized, double-blind study with 396 volunteers, Dabao grew 24 more hairs in a 5 cm squared area.

That’s quite a bit, considering the placebo group only had 109 hairs; it comes out to about 22% more hairs. When the volunteers had to rate their results, 42% of the Dabao group were happy with their results, compared to 37% in the placebo group.

(Source: J Clin Epidemiol 1991;44(4-5):439-47.)

Chinese Ginseng Works Too

Panax ginseng is not the same herb as Korean red ginseng. They are two separate plants. Besides Korean ginseng helping improve hair growth, Panax ginseng does so too. Radix panax ginseng is widely used in China for alopecia (hair loss).

In one study using a slightly different plant, Fructus panax ginseng was tested to see whether or not it also might grow hair in mice. It did. A topical application of the new herb lengthened the amount of time that the hairs stayed in their growth phase and enhanced growth of the dermal papilla cells compared to the placebo of Minoxidil.

(Source: J Ethnopharmacol 2011 Nov 18;138(2):340-4.)

Rosemary Extract: Another Herb for Hair Growth

A 6-inch branch of rosemary from your herb garden made into an extract may also be one of the herbs for hair growth you use.

In a Japanese study reported in the Phytotherapeutic Research journal, scientists tested a topical preparation of rosemary extract on mice that lost hair due to high levels of testosterone.

The rosemary extract promoted hair growth and the dosage of the extract determined how much testosterone 5-alpha-reductase was inhibited. An 200 mcg/ml rosemary extract inhibited testosterone enzyme by 82.4% while an500 mcg/ml rosemary extract inhibited testosterone enzymes by 94.6%. (Source: Phytother Res 2013 Feb;27(2):212-7.)

There are dozens of other herbs that have been used as herbs for hair growth over the centuries. These are only some of them!

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Review: Wild Growth Hair Oil

5 Mins Read

There aren’t very many good solutions for black hair but Wild Growth Hair Oil is a solution.

I like to think about products in two ways: is it scientific enough to work, and did it work. After that, I ask what’s in it and is it natural or does it contain any ingredients that might harm me.

The Wild Growth Hair Oil contains a lot of natural ingredients such as oils and vitamins that are good for the scalp and hair.

After looking at the ingredients of Wild Growth Hair Oil, it’s easy to see it as a nutrient formulation for hair. It has three different types of healthy oils in it: olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.

For centuries, women have used oils on their hair and body as a luxurious way to soften the hair and skin. Even the girls preparing to be queens used rituals that included oils like jojoba and coconut oil. The king had to have a queen who had soft smooth hair!

After all, everyone knows that the softer your hair and skin is, the more approachable you look. So these primary ingredients have a history of use by smart women who lived decades or centuries before us.

Brand: Wild Growth Oil
Contains: 4 Oz 100% Natural Ingredients

Price: Between $8 and $10

The vitamins in the Wild Growth Hair Oil include vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, and choline. Some of the latest research studies on animals are discovering that vitamin D is important for hair to grow. This vitamin is in this formula. Surprisingly, you won’t find vitamin D in a lot of other hair growth formulas on the market.

Vitamin E and A have been used in topical ointments for years for skin (and scalp). They may help with cell differentiation and cell growth, too.

The product also contains some minerals and other plant substances such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium and chlorophyll. These are as natural as you can get. Magnesium and phosphorus don’t really have any link to hair growth; however, the product formulators must have a reason for why they are included in the product. Of course, magnesium and phosphorus are natural minerals so they wouldn’t harm you in any way.

Iron deficiency is linked to hair loss and there may not be any research supporting the use of topical iron for hair loss, but nevertheless the product works. Chlorophyll is an oxygenator of cells, so the topical application of it may assist in oxygenating the cells of the scalp and bring in more blood flow. This is part of the reason why Minoxidil works – it brings in additional blood flow to the scalp, reports the researchers.

Products always depend on their ingredients so if they use high quality natural ingredients, you can expect good results. Because of the hundreds of good reviews about this product, we can surmise that the ingredients are high quality; otherwise, there would be a lot more negative reviews.

Some of the other ingredients are found in foods, like the squalene, terpenoids (found in herbs), oleuropein, and pinoresinol (in pine). There is natural fragrance and natural color added to it, so it’s possible that someone who is sensitive to a lot of things can be sensitive to it. This might result in itching but most people shouldn’t experience this.

The beauty of using oil like this is that it can relax those natural curls you may have while it heals the scalp. With the high level of nutrients for the hair, Wild Growth Hair Oil can provide the ideal conditions for your hair to grow. That’s step 1 for what to do to grow hair. Step 2 is simply to keep applying the product regularly.

What’s pretty awesome is that you can replace a hot oil treatment with the Wild Growth Hair Oil. At first, I thought other people were fibbing about the growth of their hair and then I figured out how they were getting such good results. It’s obvious. The oil relaxes the hair, straightening it. When you straighten out a curve, you get greater length fast. It makes perfect logical sense.

Wild Growth Hair Oil can make your scalp and hair come alive. People will see your hair shining and looking its best and know your hair is healthy.

You don’t have to use a whole lot of the oil to get results. In fact, if you use too much, your hair will be dripping, so just use enough to get the results. You can use it after shampooing and conditioning. I know some people don’t like the smell of it and I think if the smell is that horrendous to them, there’s a reason for it so they shouldn’t use it. (kind of like dating – you wouldn’t date someone who didn’t smell right, would you?)

Anyway, I give the product a 4.4 out of 5 just because it works and contains all the natural ingredients that create the right conditions so your hair can grow. You don’t ever have to worry about using something that’s bad for your body with Wild Growth Hair Oil.

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5 Ways to Give Yourself Natural Highlights

5 Mins Read

People love to change their hair color. And why not? There’s not much more fun than switching up your look. One of the easiest ways to start that new look is by highlighting your hair. Millions upon million of people use highlights, but most use them wrong.

Use highlights wrong, you ask? You’re probably imagining how easy it is to highlight your hair, and you wouldn’t be wrong.

However, chemical highlights actually damage otherwise gorgeous hair. Getting those light tones will dry out your hair and cost you your radiant glow.

Though this doesn’t mean highlights are always bad. Natural highlights provide a way to dye your hair without risking damage.

With a little out of the box thinking, you can have your hair looking fantastic and healthy in no time.

Natural Highlights Tip #1: Lemon Juice

You might have heard of this one, and for good reason. Using lemon juice to highlight your hair is a safe, effective way to lighten up your look.

The lightning works by opening your hair cuticles and lifting out your natural pigment. It won’t take you from brunette to blonde, but it will make your hair several shades lighter.

  • Start by juicing fresh lemons into a bowl. Remember to remove the seeds! Next, dilute the juice with an equal part water.
  • Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well to make sure the juice and water blend.
  • Finally, spray the parts of your hair that you want to highlight and get ready to sit outside in the sun.

Let the mixture dry in the sun for 30 minutes, and as the mixture dries your hair will lighten.

The more lemon juice you add, the lighter your hair will get. Likewise, the stronger the original mixture the lighter your hair.

#2: Chamomile

Chamomile tea is more than just a tasty drink. Boil up some tea leaves and after a little while you’ll be ready to highlight.

Sounds weird? Well, it only is if you focus on running tea through your hair. Think of it as “normal” highlights and you won’t think twice about it.

  • Start your chamomile highlights by boiling several leaves or tea bags. You’ll want the tea extremely strong; so shoot for much stronger than you’d drink.
  • Next, wash your hair. The chamomile penetrates your hair much better without contending with your natural body oils.
  • Now you need to apply the tea to the specific hair you want highlighted. You can use it liberally and highlight your whole style, or apply in a pattern.

Either way, you’ll need to sit in the sun (yes, again) to achieve the full highlighting effect.

#3: Henna

Yes, the same henna that people use to give themselves temporary tattoos can also highlight your hair.

Henna leaves your hair a different shade of red, depending on your starting color. Blondes should expect brighter highlights, while those with darker hair will see muted reds.

The reason this works is the lawsone in henna leaves. Lawsone binds to the protein in your hair shaft and imparts its natural red color.

  • Start by adding 3 tablespoons of henna powder to a 1/2 cup of boiling water. Mix the henna through until the mixture is free from lumps.
  • Let this mixture stand for 12 hours. After resting, apply the mixture to your hair as needed. Let stand again, this time for 2-3 hours.
  • Finally, wash the mixture out and style your hair like normal. You should see red highlights wherever you applied the henna.

#4: Cinnamon

Highlighting your hair with cinnamon results in a similar color as henna. You’ll end up with highlights that are colored, well, like cinnamon.

Again, depending on your hair color the results will vary. Blondes will see a more striking amber, golden color, while darker hair highlights to an auburn, rust color.

  • Prepare your mixture by combining enough cinnamon to make half a cup of conditioner into a thick paste.
  • Apply the paste into your hair however you want your highlights arraigned. Aluminum strips work well to keep highlights straight and orderly.
  • Let the conditioner and cinnamon mixture rest in your hair at minimum 3 hours, or for best results overnight.

Wash out the mixture when you’re ready and style your hair like normal. As a bonus, the antioxidants in cinnamon will leave your hair silky smooth.

#5: Honey & Olive Oil

Our last recommendation for natural highlights is utilizing honey and olive oil. The mixture will produce lighter highlights across all hair colors.

This works because of the enzyme glucose oxidase that produces hydrogen peroxide. Anyone familiar with hydrogen peroxide knows it bleaches everything.

  • Start the process by mixing 1/4 cup warm honey and 1/4 cup olive oil. The oil will help the honey spread easily through your hair.
  • Stir the mixture until it’s smooth and apply it to the hair you’d like highlighted.
  • Let your hair stand for 30-60 minutes, and then work the honey into your hair vigorously for the last five minutes.
  • Wash the mix out taking care to ensure you get all of the oil out of your hair. And voila! Another case of easy natural highlights.

To Conclude

Choosing natural highlights over chemical based lightening products will not only save your hair from harsh chemicals, but also change your look for the better. Any of the materials on our list are easily and cheaply available. In fact, you’ll probably save money using our natural highlights alternatives.

It’s always important to ensure your hair stays as healthy as possible. After all, you only get one chance at beautiful hair. If you’re trying to style your hair without causing it damage, check out our reviews of vitamins essential for hair growth.

Our website is dedicated to making sure you’re choosing from only the very best in hair care products. Choose the wrong product, and you could end up inadvertently damaging your hair. That’s why we make it our goal to inform everyone about not only what’s good for your hair, but also what’s safe for your hair. We have the tips and tricks the salon won’t tell you!

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What Is Seasonal Hair Loss And How To Prevent It?

5 Mins Read

Sudden hair loss of any kind is enough to freak you out a little bit. You start wonder “Why me,” but the truth is, it happens to more women than you think.

We automatically think life is over when we start noticing that we’re losing hair. When you start to see me a few more hairs left on your pillow or in your brush, but nothing in your life has changed, it could be seasonal hair loss.

Seasonal hair loss is almost always temporary, but it can really catch you off guard if you don’t know much about it. To understand it better, let’s compare the different types of hair loss.

Standard Hair Loss

Everyone’s hair sheds. It’s just usually not noticeable enough to become an issue. Our hair growth cycle makes sure that at any given time, more hair is growing than is falling out.

A person with healthy hair can expect to lose up to 100 strands of hair per day. Sounds like a lot, but it’s not noticeable. When your hair growth cycle is working properly, around 90% of your hair is growing, and only 7% is resting (and shedding).

As long as you’re seeing a consistent amount of hair left on your brush, you shouldn’t worry. It’s a natural part of the hair growth cycle. But when you start noticing more hair being left behind, it’s time to take a step back and see if something else could be going on.

Seasonal Hair Loss

Seasonal hair loss is also natural, but it’s caused by different factors. As you can imagine, scientists have been researching hair and its role for a long time.

Some time ago it was discovered that only reason we evolved to have hair on our scalp was to protect it from a harsh summer sun. When the sun was less intense (the cooler seasons), the hair wasn’t needed to protect the scalp.

That’s why the two most common times for seasonal hair loss are late summer and late winter. Those are the times when the weather is changing the most. Your hair is simply reacting.

How to Slow Down Seasonal Hair Loss

Seasonal hair loss is not something that you should worry too much about. If you know there are no other signs that it could be a more serious form of hair loss, you don’t need to change much in your routine.

That being said, there are a few easy ways to help your hair grow thicker to possibly fight the effects of seasonal hair loss. Here are two ways to do it:

1 – Use Fewer Styling Products

Styling products make your hair look great, but sometimes at a cost. You may not notice it, but sometimes you don’t wash out all of the product. If there is residue left from your styling products, they could be clogging your hair follicles which can cause serious damage.

Use lighter products, and make sure that you’re using organic whenever possible. Many of the organic formulas include all-natural nutrients that will help your hair grow and keep the area clean.

2 – Try Looser Hairstyles

Keeping your hair pulled too tight is bad for your follicles. If you’re noticing hair loss and like wearing tight ponytails or braids, try switching it up until you see an improvement in your hair.

Wearing these types of hairstyles too often will damage fragile hair and it might even cause your damaged follicles to get mixed up with healthy hair. This can cause even more hair to fall out. Wear your hair down to avoid this.

3 – Reduce the Friction

If you’re seeing more hair than normal in your brush or on your pillow in the morning, that’s a sign that you need to try and reduce the amount of friction. Too much rubbing around through the night can pull out damaged strands and tangle healthy ones.

The two easiest ways to reduce friction are replacing your cotton pillowcases with satin (or sateen) and swap out your cotton towels with microfiber. Two small investments that will absolutely reduce the amount of hair that falls out during this time of seasonal hair loss.

4 – Stick to Your Regimen

It’s never a good feeling to see your hair fall out, but in the case of seasonal shedding, it’s important not to overreact. Understand that it’s a natural process. Rather than running to the store trying to find a product that will stop any more hair from falling out, sometimes all it takes is a re-commitment to your normal routine.

Things like drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and keeping a balanced diet can be far more effective than introducing new products into your hair care routine.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you are ever unsure about what’s going on with your hair, please don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. Even if you’re almost positive that it’s just seasonal hair loss, it never hurts to check in and make sure everything’s working correctly.

While you should stick to a routine that’s been working for you, it may be worth looking into a daily hair growth vitamin that can give you an extra boost. An all-natural vitamin with ingredients like iron, biotin, and vitamin C and E is relatively inexpensive and can improve your overall hair health in just a few weeks.

Keep up a strong routine so that when seasonal shedding is over, you can kick-start your hair growth into high gear.

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8 Tips to Maintain Your Long Straight Hair

6 Mins Read

Is there anything more stunning than long, luscious locks? Throughout history, the world’s most beautiful women have been portrayed in art and fashion with flowing manes of long straight hair.

But, as most of us know, that can be a hard look to achieve. While some are blessed with naturally healthy hair, most people need to put a bit of effort into getting the best results.

Helpful Tips For Long Straight Hair

Keeping long straight hair healthy and shiny does take a certain commitment. It takes longer to wash and dry, and can be prone to problems if left unkempt.

The good news is that there are some easy tips you can follow to bring back health and shine. This helpful information will also be helpful if you are only just starting to grow your hair out.

1. Avoid Over-Washing Your Hair

One of the most important things to learn about long hair is that you shouldn’t over wash it. If you’ve been used to short hair, the temptation is to shampoo it every time you get in the shower.

If you do that with long hair, you risk drying it out, which will lead to breakage and split ends. If your hair feels brittle, and breaks easily when you brush it, that’s probably the cause.

2. Choose The Right Hair Brush

Talking about brushing your hair, the type of brush you choose will also make a big difference to the look and feel of your hair. Your best choice is a brush specifically designed for long hair, made from wood and bristles.

Your brush should be quite soft and you should always brush your hair slowly and gently. Long hair can be prone to knots and tangles but being rough isn’t the answer. The best way to detangle your hair when wet, is with a wide toothed comb.

3. Keeping Your Cool

Long straight hair can also be damaged by excessive hairdryer use. Understandably you will need to blow-dry your hair sometimes, to keep it straight and shiny, but here’s some helpful advice.

Before you start blow-drying your hair, it’s best to apply a heat-protectant product. And try and avoid using the highest heat setting. The ‘cool’ setting will dry your hair just as well, without causing as much damage.

The same rules apply to any hair styling appliance that uses heat. Always protect your hair first and choose products recommended for long hair.

4. Avoiding Breakage

You might not know it, but drying your hair with a normal towel can also cause damage. A rough dry towel can damage the hair shaft, causing breakage.

The experts recommend using a microfiber towel and just blot and squeeze the hair dry, rather than rubbing it.

For much the same reason, many people swear by using only satin or silk pillowcases, as they believe cotton is too dry for both your hair and your skin.

Whenever possible, allow your hair to dry naturally. And if you’re not going out, set aside a few hours to apply a hair treatment. The longer you can leave it on, the better.

5. Natural Oils For Shine And Growth

Some of the best hair treatments are made from natural oils – and different oils suit different purposes. For example, olive hair is excellent for hair growth. You’ve probably seen pictures of those ancient Egyptians, with their shiny, long straight hair? Well, their secret was olive oil.

Another natural oil that comes highly recommended for hair growth is coconut oil. This will also protect and moisturize your hair and scalp. It is also antibacterial, making it great for dandruff.

As with any natural oil treatment, the best way to use it for long straight hair is to apply it before shampooing. Take time to massage it into your scalp and hair, and then leave it for at least 30 minutes. Two to four hours is better.

6. Choose Your Shampoo Carefully

Then simply shampoo and condition your hair as normal. Remember, the type of shampoo and conditioner you choose will also make a big difference to the health of your hair.

There are certain ingredients you really don’t want to see on your shampoo bottle, such as sulfates, formaldehyde, parabens and propylene glycol. These chemical-based products can cause dryness and damage to your hair and certainly won’t do any good.

Instead, choose shampoos that contain natural ingredients, like nut and seed oil. Acidic ingredients are good, too, to give you the right pH balance. That’s why rinsing your hair in apple cider vinegar will leave it super shiny!

7. Essential Herbs And Vitamins

In fact, there are quite a few home remedies you can use to improve the condition of your long straight hair. Silica is a very important ingredient for hair growth and that can be found nettles. If you can’t find the real thing, try taking silica capsules.

The herb ginkgo biloba is also excellent for hair growth, as it boosts blood circulation to the head and scalp.

Now, we’ve talked a lot regarding what to use ON your hair, but there is another really important aspect to achieving those luscious locks. And that’s what we put inside our bodies.

Just as it affects our general health, what we eat also has a big impact on the health of our hair. We’ve already talked about silica, which is excellent for hair and nails, but there are some other vitamins you need, too.

8. Avoiding And Treating Hair Loss

The best four vitamins for hair growth are biotin, folic acid, vitamin D and the B Complex vitamins. Vitamin D is one of the most under-rated vitamins. For example, if you’ve been experiencing hair loss, that could be due to a vitamin D deficiency.

Hair loss can also be caused by stress, grief, illness or by eating the wrong diet. Pregnancy, too, can cause your hair to fall out. But before you panic, hair loss can often be short-term and can be treated with the right vitamins and products.

Grow Your Best Hair Ever

If you do have long straight hair and you want to keep it looking good all year round, it will require a little work. But nobody ever said beauty came easily, right?

The good news is that whatever you do to improve your hair, will most likely be beneficial to your general health and wellbeing, too. So for your best hair ever, take those first steps today.

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