Ginger for hair - Dream sship

Ginger is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and energizing effect on our body ¹ , however many people do not know that it is also anexcellent hair remedy. If you are a lover of this tuberous root and you are used to having it at home, keep reading below and discover how you can use it to show off strong, healthy and hydrated hair.

Benefits of ginger for hair

The main advantage of ginger is that it allows us to attack several problems at the same time . In general, it has been observed that:

Combat hair loss
Promotes better blood circulation
Accelerates hair growth
Relieves scalp irritation
Nourishes and strengthens the hair fiber
Delays the appearance of gray hair
Moisturizes very dry hair
Fight excess fat
Helps control dandruff

Thanks to its natural properties , ginger can offer us all these benefits, strengthening our hair health and helping us see results faster than we imagine. Let’s see in detail some of its most recommended uses :

See later:

For hair growth

Ginger is undoubtedly one of the best natural ingredients you can use to promote hair growth. Its main active compounds, gingerols, are known to help relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation to all parts of the body.² , including the scalp. This contributes to abetter nutrition of the hair follicles, and therefore, to a greater growth of the hair.

Gingerols also have an antioxidant effect, hence they help neutralize the action of free radicals and prevent damage to hair follicles and strands. In many cases, this is the reason why hair grows slowly or breaks easily.

Likewise, ginger root helps to treat different inflammatory conditions that affect the scalp and prevent hair from growing normally, for example seborrheic dermatitis, ringworm of the scalp, psoriasis, among others.³.

For graying

While this can be considered a normal effect of aging ( also related to genetics ), many people, especially women, do not feel comfortable with the appearance of gray hair. If this is your case, you should know that ginger is a good remedy for gray hair . Some recognized naturists and authors⁴ ensure that their frequent use helps to reverse the graying process and returns part of its natural color.

An effective way to use it is to prepare a mixture with ½ teaspoon of ginger essential oil, ½ teaspoon of lavender essential oil, and 5 teaspoons of sesame oil; Add all the ingredients to a clean glass jar and shake to combine well. Then apply a small amount of this mixture on the roots of the hair, leaving it to act for 20 minutes before shampooing. It can be repeated daily, as long as it does not cause irritation to the scalp. People with sensitive scalps should decrease the frequency to 2-3 times a week.

Note : The remaining mixture can be stored in a cool, dark and dry place for 60 days for later use.

Another option is to grate several pieces of ginger and mix the grated with a little milk until it forms a thick paste. It is then applied to gray hair, left on for 10 minutes and rinsed with plenty of water, repeating the process once a week.

Interestingly, there are also people who use ginger to lighten their hair . Applying ginger masks frequently, or rinsing your hair with an infusion of fresh ginger, can slightly lighten its natural tone.

For dry hair

When your hair is too dry, it is important to find products that nourish and soften it, since otherwise it becomes brittle and breaks very easily. For those cases it is highly recommended to use ginger, especially in the form of a mask. Its vitamins, minerals, oils and other active compounds make it an excellent conditioner that helps hydrate dry hair, adds shine and prevents breakage.

It is generally recommended to mix fresh grated ginger with a moisturizing oil , such as jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, or argan oil. Its use is very simple:

Mix the ingredients (ginger + oil of your choice) until you form a creamy paste.
Apply it on the scalp and spread it towards the ends.
Roll your hair up and cover it with a shower cap.
Let it rest for 10 minutes.
Rinse and wash your hair as usual, preferably with a moisturizing shampoo.

For oily hair

At the other extreme are people who have too oily hair, however ginger is also very useful in those cases. A very popular remedy to combat excess oil on the scalp is to mix ½ cup of sago root powder (maranta) with 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger (or 10 drops of ginger oil). The mixture is placed in a container designed to sprinkle, so that we can easily apply it on the roots.

Divide the hair into sections and sprinkle this powder until it covers most of the scalp; Massage with your fingertips so that the ginger and sago powder absorbs all the oil, then leave for several minutes before styling or washing. The result will be cleaner, silkier and drier hair. Depending on how oily the hair is, this can be repeated every day or 3-4 times a week.

For hair loss

Another well-known benefit of ginger is that it helps prevent hair loss. The fresh ginger tuber is rich in essential vitamins and minerals (magnesium, potassium, phosphorus) that serve to nourish the hair follicles, making them stronger and resistant to hair loss.

Likewise, the antimicrobial properties of ginger ⁵ help fight dandruff, a common cause of hair loss. Applying ginger masks to the scalp 1-2 times a week is a good alternative to eliminate dandruff, drag dead cells, fungi, bacteria, andstop alopecia in a natural way.

To strengthen hair

Ginger also contains fatty acid chains, such as linoleic acid, that help nourish the hair fiber , keeping it healthy and strong. A very simple way to strengthen hair is to mix water with ginger powder in a spray container, shake well to dilute, and apply to hair for several minutes before washing. Another option can be to add the ginger powder directly to the conditioner that you use after each wash, leaving it to work for at least 10 minutes.

After a while you will notice that you have stronger, voluminous hair, free of dandruff and with fewer split ends.

How to prepare ginger for hair

When it comes to using ginger as an ingredient in home remedies for hair, one of the frequent questions is whether ginger root is more effective than ginger powder . Using ground ginger may be the most convenient option, however the fresh root contains more nutrients and essential oils, hence it is considered the most beneficial option. In addition to this, some powdered ginger products may contain coloring agents that cause undesirable changes in hair color.

With this in mind, let’s see how the simplest and fastest ginger mask is prepared to strengthen your mane, keep it hydrated, free of dandruff, and boost its growth.

Basic Recipe: Ginger Paste for Hair

Cut and peel a piece of ginger root, enough to make 2 tablespoons of zest.
Then add 1 tablespoon of water and stir to form a light paste (add a little more water if necessary).
Apply this paste all over your scalp and let it sit for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
After that time, rinse with plenty of water and wash the hair lightly with a mild shampoo. Repeat the procedure 2 times a week, especially if you are experiencing severe hair loss, if you have oily, dry hair, or if you notice that its growth is very slow.

Thanks to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and nourishing properties , this ginger paste is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep long hair healthy, voluminous, and dandruff-free.

Ginger oil massages

Likewise, ginger oil can be used , an option to make the most of the natural oils of the tuber. If you want to know how to make ginger oil for hair, you just have to follow the instructions below:

Rinse several pieces of fresh ginger root (with peel), about the equivalent of 1 cup.
Drain and air dry for several hours.
Pour ½ cup of olive oil or coconut oil into an oven safe container; cut and grate the ginger pieces.
Now add the grated ginger to the oil and take the container to the oven to cook over low heat (150 degrees Fahrenheit) for 2 hours.
After that time, remove the mixture from the oven, let it cool and filter it to extract the remains of the ginger.
Transfer the resulting oil to a small glass container, cover tightly, and store in a cool, dry place.

This ginger oil can be applied by massaging the scalp and the entire hair fiber, or used as a substitute for fresh ginger in the preparation of masks. Its main benefits are the elimination of dandruff and excess oil, the stimulation of growth, the prevention of alopecia and the strengthening of damaged hair.

Ginger in shampoo

Another much simpler alternative can be to use ginger for hair mixed in the shampoo , but in this case grated ginger is not recommended, but cut into thin slices, in oil or powder. All you have to do is move a certain amount of your regular shampoo into a new container and add several slices of peeled fresh ginger ( it can be substituted for 1 teaspoon of ground ginger or 10 drops of ginger oil ); Let it sit for at least 2 days so that the ginger compounds are released into the shampoo and have a greater impact on your hair.

Ginger hair masks for extra long, silky and voluminous hair

Cinnamon and ginger

Like ginger, cinnamon stimulates blood circulation in our body ⁶ . This causes agreater blood flow to the hair follicles, and therefore, a greater natural growth of the hair fiber. A good way to combine the benefits of cinnamon and ginger for your hair is to prepare a homemade paste by mixing grated ginger with ground cinnamon; It is applied to the scalp, massaged with the fingertips to penetrate, and left to act for several minutes before rinsing with plenty of water. Repeating this process at least 1 time a week accelerates hair growth and helps prevent hair loss. Read more on:Ginger and Cinnamon for Hair

Ginger and aloe

This is one of the most used combinations to hydrate, shine and improve the appearance of gray hair . All you have to do is mix 1 tablespoon of pure aloe vera gel with 5 drops of ginger juice to form a light mixture. Then apply it on the scalp and massage with circular movements; let it sit for 30 minutes and then wash as usual with your usual shampoo.

Ginger and honey

The mixture of ginger with honey is excellent for hydrating dry hair, strengthening, accelerating growth, eliminating bacteria and other germs from the scalp ⁷ , and even to lighten hair naturally; Honey contains an enzyme known asglucose oxidase, which is capable of releasing hydrogen peroxide when it remains on the hair for a long time.

Both ingredients (honey and grated / powdered ginger) can be combined and applied in the form of a mask, leaving it to act for 15-20 minutes before removing with plenty of water and shampoo. Its frequent use will help you show off nourished, shiny and long hair, as well as an infection-free scalp.

Ginger and onion

When it comes to strengthening and stimulating hair growth, the combination of ginger and onion can make a huge difference. In addition to the benefits of ginger, onion is ideal for promoting follicle regeneration due to its high sulfur content . The potency of the active compounds in this blend helps stimulate hair growth from dormant follicles, making hair thicker, longer and fuller.⁸ . In fact, many people use to put onion and ginger in shampoo to combat alopecia.

The following preparation is a very simple and effective way to obtain all its benefits; you will only need:

2 tablespoons of grated ginger
1 grated onion

Steps:

Place the grated onion and grated ginger inside a clean cheesecloth.
Wrap and squeeze to extract the juice from this mixture in a container.
Apply it to the entire scalp with the help of a cotton ball and leave it on for 20 minutes before washing the hair.
You can repeat this home treatment up to 3 times a week to see faster results.

Garlic and ginger

Like onion, garlic is also a bulb rich in sulfur compounds, hence it stimulates hair growth from dormant hair follicles. Likewise, it has been observed that its compounds control the proliferation of fungi and protect the keratin-producing cells in the scalp.⁹ ¹⁰

An effective and safe way to use it is to mix 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, 2 teaspoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 2 minced garlic cloves into a paste; Then the hair is divided into sections and the regenerating mask is applied to the entire scalp, gently massaging with the fingertips. Let it rest for 30 minutes and finally the hair is thoroughly shampooed. The general recommendation is to repeat the procedure 1-2 times a week.

Another option could be to add slices of garlic and ginger into the shampoo that you use regularly, so that the active compounds are released directly into the product.

Apple cider vinegar and ginger

Ginger is often combined with apple cider vinegar to nourish, make hair grow faster or to lighten its color without the use of bleaching chemicals. Apple cider vinegar is highly valued for its antifungal properties¹¹ , anti-inflammatory and alkalizing; It is ideal for fighting dandruff, oily hair and scalp infections.

Vinegar and ginger rinse for clean, shiny and sebum-free hair

Ingredients:

Ginger powder
Apple cider vinegar (preferably unfiltered)
Distilled water

Instructions:

In a bowl add 50 ml of vinegar, 50 ml of water and 2 teaspoons of ground ginger.
Shake the mixture well so that the ingredients are integrated.
Move the container to a dark corner and let it rest for about 1 week. Shake every so often.
After a week, the infusion will be ready to apply to the scalp. It is recommended to apply first to the scalp and then spread it from the middle to the ends of the hair. Let it rest for 10 minutes and proceed to rinse and wash as usual.

Ginger and lemon

The antiseptic, alkalizing and antioxidant properties of lemon combined with the antimicrobial and stimulating properties of ginger make a perfect match for restoring the pH of the scalp , promoting hair growth and fighting dandruff. However, one of the main uses of this combination is the natural lightening of the hair, especially during the summer.

The typical ginger and lemon mask is prepared with:

2 tablespoons of grated ginger
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon of lemon juice

All the ingredients are mixed until obtaining a fine paste; applied to the scalp and spread throughout the hair; it is left to act for 30 minutes and is finally rinsed off before shampooing. The treatment can be repeated 2 times a week.

Note : In addition to the above combinations, other popular mixes are ginger hair with moringa , coconut oil , olive oil and argan oil .

These home ginger treatments are not only quick and easy to use, but also very inexpensive compared to commercial masks. As if that were not enough, the results are usually surprising, unlike so many products that seem to have no effect, neither in the short nor long term.

It may interest you: Where to Buy Ginger? Good Quality and at the Best Price

Contraindications and possible side effects

Although in most cases ginger can be used safely to improve hair health, it is important to note that some people may experience mild side effects when exposed to ginger frequently.

First of all, its use is contraindicated in people who have a known allergy to ginger , both for its internal and external use.

People who have very sensitive skin can develop some irritation, redness, inflammation and flaking on their scalp, especially when not enough time is allowed between applications. ¹² ¹³

With this in mind, the main precautions when using ginger for hair are:

Apply the ginger mask first to a small patch of skin to check for allergies or other adverse effects.
Always combine ginger with another less aggressive ingredient, for example honey, aloe vera, coconut oil, etc.
Do not use it more than 3 times a week.

References:

Louise Hammond

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My name is Louise Hammond, and I am the creator of this website, a place to find information about tubers, bulbs and medicinal roots. In Dreamsship.com I show the properties, benefits, characteristics, photos and images, ways of growing and how to make delicious meals from starchy vegetables.