Garlic For Hair Growth?

Garlic is up there on my list of favorite ingredients. Whenever I’m cooking a recipe that calls for garlic, you can bet I’m going to double the amount. I’m always looking for more ways to add the ingredient into my life, so I’m definitely intrigued by the concept of garlic for hair growth. According to Leyla Milani from vitamin company HAIRtamin, garlic’s a powerful antioxidant that has been used for centuries as both food and medicine. In fact, it’s often referred to as “nature’s antibiotic.” It contains compounds—namely allicin—that play an important role in fighting harmful viruses and bacteria.

Garlic is a traditionally used ingredient in the kitchen as it adds a distinctly strong flavour to the dish. Not only this, it is known to have medicinal properties that help heal various ailments. This wonder ingredient is more than just a flavour adding agent and medicine; it is known to be an excellent hair care ingredient. For all you people dealing with hair loss, garlic is the solution. Hair loss is essentially unnatural; it’s a sign of a deficiency or imbalance in the body. What is it that garlic has, which makes it an excellent hair growth natural ingredient? Let’s find out.

According to a study published in the Indian journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, application of five percent gel to areas where hair loss had taken place led to hair regrowth in the previously bald areas of the scalp, reduction in size of bald patches, and higher hair count numbers. As per the study, the sulphur and selenium contained in garlic can help fortify the structure of the hair shaft. Basically, it doesn’t only help re-grow hair, but also strengthens the existing hair.

Is garlic good for hair?

Short answer, yes. Used topically or as a part of your diet, garlic has properties that may help with hair growth, but more research is needed. Here are benefits that might help with hair growth:

• Some of garlic’s nutritional benefits may extend to your hair. Raw garlic is high in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins B-6 and C, manganese, and selenium — all of which promote healthy hair.
• Natural antimicrobial and antifungal properties found in garlic may also contribute to the benefits for hair, as these properties can help kill bacteria and fight germs, keeping you and your scalp healthy.
• A 2016 study found that garlic protected keratinocytes from UV damage and showed promise as an anti-aging material. Keratinocytes are skin cells that produce keratin. These cells are on the outer layer of your skin, including the skin on your scalp, and in your hair follicles.
• A study published in 2007 found anecdotal evidence that participants with alopecia areata who applied garlic gel to bald spots on the scalp may have improved their hair regrowth.

Though the research is promising, more scientific evidence is needed to verify the benefits of garlic for hair.

Benefits of Garlic for Hair

Not only is garlic a great ingredient for you internally, but it also has some fantastic scalp and hair health benefits. It has antimicrobial properties that are good for the scalp; it’s rich in nutrients like calcium, zinc, and selenium, which are trace minerals found in hair that contribute to hair health; and it has bonus traits have a huge boost to your hair’s health.

• Anti-microbial: Components of garlic have been shown to have antiviral and anti-fungal properties, making it helpful for the scalp’s viral or fungal infections.
• Minimizes dandruff and stimulates hair growth: Applying garlic powder to the scalp leads to increased skin perfusion (or blood circulation in the scalp). These results may indicate that the increased blood flow in the scalp could lead to increased hair growth.
• Rich in sulfur: A necessary element in keratin production. Keratin is the protein that makes up 90% of the hair fiber.
• Natural DHT blocker: DHT is believed to be the culprit to androgenic hair loss or genetic hair loss.
• Protects from sun damage: A 2016 study demonstrated that the antioxidants in garlic might have the ability the protect against ultraviolet damage.
• Effective against hair loss: Another study found that topically applying garlic to the hair twice a day for three months might help reduce the risk of hair loss associated with alopecia.

Hair Type Considerations

King recommends using garlic for anyone suffering from alopecia areata. “With betamethasone, garlic gel can be used as an adjunctive topical therapy for alopecia areata,” she says. Hill emphasized that the use of plant-based tinctures and oils topically are purely anecdotal, and there are few studies that have shown promising results incorporating garlic into a scalp and hair care regimen. More studies are required for the concept to be fully accepted into the scientific community. “With that being said, there have been successful trials of women experiencing hair growth when applying garlic oil directly to their alopecia areata, or hairless patches,” Hill says. She also highly recommends consulting with your medical professional before taking an oral dietary supplement or introducing any new natural raw ingredient into your hair regimen.

If you’re looking to get the benefits of garlic for hair through internal methods, IMMUNEtamin from HAIRtamin is a synergistic blend of 18 potent, immune-boosting ingredients meant to defend, protect, and nourish the body year-round; deodorized garlic is one of those powerhouse ingredients. For our bodies to truly receive the full medicinal benefits of garlic, it may have to be eaten raw and crushed fresh, and no one (for the most part) wants to go around smelling like garlic all day.

How to Use Garlic for Hair

Hill recommends garlic as a pre-shampoo scalp treatment rather than as a hair fiber treatment. Apply garlic oil or a garlic-infused oil to the scalp, like
Belle Bar Organic’s Onion & Garlic Thickening Ayurvedic Herb Hair Oil ($27) or Dr. Christopher’s Oil of Garlic, which has tea tree oil and is gentle enough for frequent use (it’s easy on the olfactory system, too). Customizing garlic oil with essential oils and a carrier oil like jojoba or avocado oil is also an option for those who enjoy the process of creating their own blends.

Massage in the oil, allowing it to penetrate for at least 20 to 35 minutes, and follow it up with a shampoo and conditioner. For finer hair textures, you may require two shampoos to ensure the oil has been completely removed from the scalp. But tread lightly with garlic oil: garlic is highly concentrated, and the frequency of use will be dependent upon the severity of the scalp condition. “For someone who has a mild case of dandruff or itchy scalp, weekly may suffice, but for someone who is managing a moderate-to-severe case, they may need to use a garlic pre-shampoo treatment before every shampoo,” says Hill.

Here are a few other ways to use garlic for hair growth:

1. Garlic and honey for hair growth

Add minced garlic and honey in a bowl and mix them well. Apply this paste on your hair and scalp and leave it for about 30 minutes or more. Rinse it well with running water.

2. Garlic and coconut oil to combat hair loss

Mix the minced garlic with mildly warm coconut oil. Massage the mixture into the scalp and hair and leave it for about 30 minutes before washing it off.

Note: Using only garlic can be irritating to the skin as it packs a strong punch. Therefore, it is imperative to add something with it to reduce the chances of skin irritation. Also, do not use garlic essential oils.3. Garlic oil or garlic infused oilWe are not talking about garlic essential oil here, but garlic infused oil is completely different and much effective than essential oil. You can add garlic in any of the oils like olive and coconut oil and leave it overnight and apply the other day. You can also make garlic oil at home.4. Garlic and ginger for hair growthCrush the garlic and ginger and blend them in to a paste. Now heat the paste in some carrier oil. Once the pulp starts turning brown, turn off the heat. Once the oil has cooled down, discard the pulp. Take the leftover oil and massage it on your scalp for 15 minutes. Now, cover the length of your hair in oil and sit for about 30 minutes before washing it off. How to make garlic oil at home for hair growth?Preparing garlic hair for growth at home can is an easy process. All you need to do is to mince a few cloves of garlic in either olive oil or coconut oil, depending on which one suits your hair. Now put it in a mason jar and store in a cool and dry place for at least a week. After a week’s time, you can use it on your tresses and watch garlic oil do wonders.

Facts About Garlic

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Can garlic cure baldness?

Garlic is effective against hair loss. A study found that topically applying garlic to the hair twice a day for three months might help reduce the risk of hair loss associated with alopecia.