Ginger contains antioxidants and circulatory agents that help stimulate blood circulation. This, in turn, may trigger healthy hair growth. A study conducted on people with alopecia areata found that ginger extract reduces oxidative stress and improves the rate of hair growth (1).
A study conducted in India concluded that a herbal gel containing ginger extract has the ability to promote hair growth (2).
Moreover, the active ingredient and antioxidant, i.e., gingerol, found in ginger helps relax the blood vessels and improves the circulation of blood (3). This allows for the improved nourishment of hair follicles, which may promote faster hair growth.
But, on the contrary, a study conducted on gingerol on mice found that it can inhibit hair growth (4).
As you can see, there is conflicting evidence surrounding the hair growth-promoting effect of ginger. However, ginger does offer a few other benefits for hair. Check them out in the next section.
Other Benefits Of Ginger For Hair
1. Prevents Hair Loss
Fresh ginger root contains magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins (5). These nutrients nourish your hair follicles, making them strong and preventing hair loss. It also contains essential fatty acids like linoleic acid (6). A deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid can result in hair loss (7). Thus, having ginger with this essential acid may help prevent hair loss. Furthermore, free radicals can cause hair thinning and hair loss. Ginger is rich in the antioxidant gingerol, which helps fight free radicals (8). Excess amount of DHT (a hormone) can shrink the hair follicles, which in turn, results in hair loss. Ginger has the ability to inhibit the enzyme 5α-reductase, which plays a key role in converting testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) (9). Hence, it could be an excellent remedy for those who are suffering from androgenic alopecia.
2. Controls Dandruff
Dandruff and hair loss often go hand in hand. This happens because the dead skin cells clog your follicles, leading to hair fall. Ginger has potent antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties that help control dandruff (10), (11). Ginger can be used in various forms for its hair benefits. Check out the next section to find out more.
How To Use Ginger For Hair?
While the properties of ginger make it an excellent hair treatment, there is often some confusion when it comes to what form of ginger to use in remedies. You can use ginger in the form of ginger oil, ginger juice, and ginger hair mask along with other carrier or essential oils. Using ginger in its powdered form may be a convenient option, but fresh ginger root contains more of the essential nutrients that make it beneficial for hair care. Scroll down to find out how to use ginger for its hair benefits.
1. Ginger With A Carrier Oil
Ginger, combined with the conditioning properties of olive, coconut, or jojoba oil, can nourish and strengthen your hair (12), (13). You Will Need
1 tablespoon ginger paste 1 tablespoon carrier oil (olive, jojoba, or coconut oil)
Process How Often? 2 times a week.
2. Ginger And Lemon Juice Mask
The collagen-boosting properties of lemon combined with the antimicrobial properties of ginger, work to restore the pH of the scalp while promoting hair health (14), (15). You Will Need
2 tablespoons grated ginger 3 tablespoons sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Process How Often? 2 times a week.
3. Ginger Paste For Hair Growth
Ginger paste, with its potent antimicrobial and nourishing properties, can help tackle hair fall and stimulate hair regrowth. However, limited studies are available to prove this claim. This is one of the simplest and most efficient ways to use ginger in your hair care routine. You Will Need
2 tablespoons grated ginger Water
Process How Often? 2 times a week if you have been experiencing severe hair fall.
4. Ginger And Moringa
Moringa leaves contain calcium, zinc, iron, copper, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. They are also rich in vitamins A, C, D, E, and K and other antioxidants that help keep hair healthy and free from damage (16). You Will Need
1 tablespoon grated ginger A handful of moringa leaves 2 cups of water
Process How Often? Once a week.
5. Ginger With Cucumber, Coconut Oil, And Basil Oil
Cucumber can boost hair growth, while basil exhibits anti-pityrosporum activity, which can help curb dandruff (17), (18). You Will Need
1 tablespoon grated ginger 1/2 cup chopped cucumber 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon basil oil
Process How Often? 2 times a week.
6. Ginger And Onion For Hair Growth
Onion is a rich source of sulfur, which helps in follicle regeneration (19). This mixture helps stimulate hair growth from the dormant follicles, making your hair thicker while speeding up hair growth. You Will Need
2 tablespoons grated ginger 1 grated onion
Process How Often? 3 times a week.
7. Ginger And Garlic Paste
Garlic is another ingredient that is rich in sulfur. It helps stimulate hair growth from dormant hair follicles (20). This mask also helps repair hair damage with the help of honey, coconut milk, and coconut oil. While honey conditions your hair, the coconut milk, and oil nourish the hair with essential vitamins and minerals, making it healthy and damage-free (21), (22). You Will Need
1 teaspoon grated ginger 2 teaspoons honey 2 tablespoons coconut milk 2 tablespoons coconut oil 3 cloves of garlic
Process How Often? 2 times a week. These are some simple yet effective ways to use ginger for its hair benefits. But, can you apply ginger juice to your hair daily? Scroll down for the answer!
Can You Apply Ginger Juice Daily On Your Hair?
You can apply ginger juice twice or thrice a week to reap its maximum benefits. Apply this juice to your hair and rinse it off after 30 minutes with mild shampoo for good results. Ginger is an effective remedy for hair. But does it help treat bald spots? Find out more about gingers role in treating bald spots below.
Does Ginger Help Reduce Bald Spots?
There is limited research available in this regard. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants available in ginger may aid in hair growth and improve the health of your hair. A scalp massage with ginger can help stimulate the hair follicles and further circulate the DHT away from the scalp, which causes the thinning of hair. White hair is a sign of aging. However, you may encounter graying hair at an early age due to many reasons. Does ginger help you to deal with hair graying? Find out more in the following section.
Is Ginger Good For Reducing Gray Hair?
As you age, your body is not able to produce melanin, which is responsible for your natural hair color. Ginger contains essential vitamins and minerals that are responsible for melanin production. Though it is said that it can help prevent graying at an early age, there is no scientific research to prove this claim. Though ginger is generally safe for many people, it does have some side effects that you need to keep in mind. Check them out in the next section.
Side Effects Of Using Ginger
Generally, ginger is regarded as safe for most people. But, if you are allergic to ginger, you should avoid applying it to your hair and scalp. Make sure to do a patch test (rub a piece of ginger on the inside of your elbow) and wait for 24 hours before using it on your scalp to check for any adverse reactions like itching, inflammation, redness, and burns. If you observe these kinds of reactions, do not proceed with using ginger in any form. Which one is best for hair growth – ginger or onion? Both ginger and onion may help promote hair growth. Ginger nourishes the hair follicles, while onion promotes follicle regeneration. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a combination of both may be effective for hair growth. Can I leave ginger on my hair overnight? There is no evidence suggesting a specific time to leave ginger in your hair. However, leaving it on for 30 minutes to an hour is enough.
