As part of our series of natural ingredients that can promote hair growth, I’d like to introduce us to ginger.
Ginger is a flowering plant whose root is has been widely used as a spice and in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
It is also full of vitamins and minerals that are touted to be essential for healthy hair and body overall!
In this article, we are going to talk about the anecdotal benefits of ginger for hair. We also answer the question about if ginger promotes natural hair, and if you’re feeling brave enough: how to use it in your hair regimen!
The Benefits of Ginger for Natural Hair
Here are some of the proclaimed benefits of ginger for natural hair growth:
1. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
This means that ginger can combat any irritation or inflammation on the scalp that hinders hair growth. It can also get rid of any toxins that can cause further irritation. Ginger does this thanks to its gingerol, beta-carotene, caffein acid, and capsaicin content.
2. Encourages circulation to the scalp
Ginger is full of minerals that encourage blood flow to the scalp. And this blood carries the nutrients that are necessary for hair growth in it.
3. Combats dandruff
Ginger’s antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it a great weapon against dandruff. Ginger fights and prevents the reoccurrence of dandruff. As such, leads to an overall healthier scalp.
4. Improves overall appearance of the hair
Ginger can make the hair shinier and improve its overall appearance!
5. Can prevent hair fall
Ginger is rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that strengthen the hair strand and stop hair shedding. As such, if you’re dealing with thinning edges (read more about that here), ginger could just be the remedy your hair needs!
Does Ginger Promote Natural Hair Growth?
Many sources celebrate ginger for being a powerhouse of vitamins and nutrients that promote hair growth. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties also make it a great ingredient for maintaining a healthy scalp.
However, there is one clinical study that actually shows the opposite to be true.
The study shows 6-Gingerol (the main active component in ginger) to actually reduce hair growth!
Miao et al. actually suggest that 6-gingerol is more efficient as a hair removal drug which is why we suggest proceeding with extreme caution! (source).
How to Use Ginger In Natural Hair
If you’re feeling brave enough to try ginger for hair growth, here’s how you can use it in your natural hair.
1. Ginger oil
You can either get ginger oil by pressing the oil out of ginger or using ginger root essential oil (buy on Amazon here).
To use it in your hair: Add 5 drops of ginger oil, to 1 tbsp of avocado oil or olive oil.
Apply it to your scalp and massage for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times a week!
2. Ginger paste
To use ginger paste, blend a thumb of ginger with a cup of water and strain it through a clean cheesecloth.
This makes sure that you get all the ginger, without all the fibers that could get stuck in your hair.
Apply the ginger to your scalp, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then continue with your shampoo routine as usual.
We have a whole post on how to properly wash your hair here.
3. Ginger tea
To make ginger tea, cut a thumb of ginger into smaller pieces and add it to a pot.
Pour in a cup of water, and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, let the ginger sit in the pot until it cools. Then, strain the ginger tea out of the pot using a cheesecloth or strainer and into a spray bottle.
Spray your scalp and hair with ginger tea, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then continue with the shampoo step of your wash day.
TLDR; Is Ginger Good for Hair?
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence showing the benefits of ginger for supporting healthy hair growth. However, there is very limited clinical research on the validity of these claims. The one study that exists actually indicates that ginger is a more efficient hair REMOVER than a hair grower.
Thus, if you’re still willing to try ginger, please try it out (as oil, paste, and tea) on a small patch on your arm for a few weeks before trying it in your hair to be sure!
