Honey as you may know, is a sweet food substance which is loaded with minerals and vitamins and as much as it is sweet to the taste, good for our bodies, it is also very good for our skin, scalp and hair when applied topically. When I did a “yoghurt and honey conditioner” for my hair and later posted on the benefits of yoghurt for our hair, I said I would also write on the benefits of honey so here goes.
Laden with minerals such as copper, iron, manganese, calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphorous also vitamin B and C, honey is very potent in reducing dandruff, stimulating the hair follicles to remedy baldness or excessive hair loss and moisturizing the scalp and hair to prevent breakage. This is so because these minerals and vitamins, although in small quantities, combined make honey a strong antioxidant, germicidal and fungicidal.
High concentrations of free radicals or oxidants in the body may lead to hair loss and that is where hair loss remedies that have antioxidant properties like honey and black or green tea come in because they reduce the number of free radicals present in the body, thereby reversing their effect which may mean less shedding of hair. Hair loss may also be a result of infection of the scalp or excessive dandruff and in both cases, honey is useful in reversing this as it is a natural germicidal and fungicidal giving you a healthy scalp, always a good start if you want a healthy mane of hair.
How can I apply honey to my regimen you may want to ask? Well I already anticipated that question and here are a few ways you can apply it to your hair.
- You can add honey to full cream plain yoghurt and apply it to your hair and scalp to treat dandruff and for your hair to retain more moisture and shine.
- For stimulating the hair follicles in case of balding or alopecia, mix 1 tbs honey and 1 tsp ground cinnamon and massage it to your scalp. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes then wash it off. You can do this about 3 to 4 times a week.
- Mix 3 tbs honey with 2 egg yolks and apply to your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for about 30 minutes and then wash it off. This will help to rejuvenate dry and dull looking hair.
- Honey and jojoba oil or coconut oil or olive oil in equal amounts applied to hair may increase the health of your hair, making it strong and less prone to breakage
- For dandruff, you can also add 2tbs onion juice to 1 tsp honey and massage onto the scalp. This is best applied at night and then washed off in the morning. Do it every night for about a week for best results.
- You can also add honey to your regular conditioner for that extra benefit from conditioning your hair. This increases moisture and shine to hair.
I have used some of the remedies above and there is nothing to lose from trying any of them. As I always say, we are all different and so is our hair. Your hair may respond differently but I can assure you of no adverse side effects. So go on, try using honey and please tell us of your experience. You can also use honey as a face mask and to treat chirped lips especially in winter when nothing seems to work. Honey really has helped me in so many different ways and I always make sure I have some in the kitchen because it is part of my life.
Till then, happy holidays to you all.
Be blessed
sources: livingsrong.com, organicfacts.net