Who doesn’t dream of having long, lustrous locks like that of princess Rapunzel? Let’s face it, all of us have spent hours together on the internet looking for solutions to solve all our hair problems. Hair loss is a very popular problem that concerns both men and women. According to the American Academy of dermatology, on an average, a person’s hair grows about half-inch per month, which amounts to 6 inches per year but it never feels like you’ve achieved all 6 inches, does it?
Well, several reasons could explain the variations:
- Age
- Diet
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Use of heat styling tools
- Use of hair dyes
- Side-effects caused due to medication
- Alopecia and various other health conditions
In such instances, onion juice could prove to be very beneficial in maintaining hair health. Although not a very popular form of home remedy, this elixir could prove to be an inexpensive, reliable and effective method to control hair fall. The popular pantry staple responsible for enhancing the taste of food belongs to the family of genus allium. It is very rich in Sulfur, It is essentially one of the nutritional elements that our body needs. Amino acids consist of Sulfur which is a component of protein. To grow stronger hair both protein and keratin which are essentially rich in sulfur are required. Thus, direct application of onions onto the scalp and hair will promote hair growth. Various other factors as to why onions have proven to be so effective are as follows:
- Onion juice promotes the production of collagen, this helps stimulate hair follicles and boost hair growth.
- Increase of blood flow to the hair follicles caused by massaging onion juice onto the scalp, in turn, promotes blood circulation leading to an improvement in the growth of hair.
- Its antibacterial properties help with the treatment of lice and eliminate further lice infestations.
- Its antifungal properties help in treating scalp infections and further restore the lost nutrients from the scalp.
- The antioxidants within the onions can battle premature greying and also delay in greying of hair.
- Regular application of onion pulp or juice will add volume and restore your hair’s natural shine.
- This sulfur-rich vegetable is also good at fighting against dandruff, minimize breakage, thinning of hair and thus, prevent hair fall.
Not a lot of research is conducted on the effectiveness of the onions concerning hair loss. According to a study published by the journal of dermatology, an experiment was conducted to test the effectiveness of topical crude onion juice as a treatment for Alopecia areata. The participants were divided into two groups consisting of both sexes, male and female. The first group was treated with onion juice and the second group was treated with tap water for 2 months. The treatments were advised to be applied twice in a day. As a result onion juice proved to be an effective treatment as compared to tap water. Also, it was seen that the growth of hair was very significant in male participants as compared to female participants.
Generally, the application of onion juice is safe on the skin but it is important to get your facts straight before putting it to a test:
- Some people might experience allergic reactions like itching and redness. In such cases, a mixture of aloe vera or coconut oil could solve the issue
- In certain cases, onion juice could prove to be sensitive to some types of skin due to the interactions with certain medications being consumed.
There are various methods you can employ to derive maximum benefit from onions. The list goes as follows:
Onion juice
With the help of a juicer, blend the chopped onions without using water. Then use a sieve to extract the juice. With the help of a cotton pad, dab the juice onto your scalp and give it a good massage. Leave it for about 30 minutes to 1 hour and wash it with a mild herbal shampoo.
Coconut oil and onion juice
Combine coconut oil and onion juice. One tablespoon of each and massage it into your scalp. Leave it for an hour and wash it with a mild herbal shampoo. The fatty acids present within the coconut oil will help combat fungus and bacteria.
Olive oil and onion juice
Olive oil consists of properties that can effectively combat dandruff. A mixture of one tablespoon of each will leave your hair feeling shiny and silky.
Eggs and onion juice
Whisk two tablespoons of onion juice and one egg into a smooth mixture. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and along the length of your hair. An essential oil can also be included in the mixture to combat odour. While the eggs nourish your hair the onion juice will help stimulate your hair follicles. Repeat this hair mask process every once a week for best results.
Fenugreek seeds and onion juice
Mix crushed methi powder and onion juice in a bowl along with honey. Apply the mixture on your entire scalp and leave it overnight. A tablespoon of olive oil can also be included in the mixture. The protein content in fenugreek seeds will keep your scalp and hair hydrated and avoid dryness.
Garlic juice and onion juice
Using blender extract onion and garlic juice. Combine the two, a tablespoon of each and apply it into your scalp. Garlic is rich in calcium and zinc. Garlic along with onion can increase the rate at of your hair growth.
Rum and Onion Juice
Take one medium-sized onion and finely chop them. Soak them in a bowl of six tablespoons of rum and leave it overnight. Massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it for about 30mins. Rinse your hair using a mild shampoo. For best results implement this process twice a week
Here is a list of ways you can combat the overpowering smell from the onion juice:
- Shampoos that contain citrus fruit flavours can be used to eliminate the pungent smell.
- The essential oil of your choice like Orange, Lavender, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, grapefruit etc. can be included along with the hair masks.
- Water infused with either rosemary, cinnamon or mint leaves can be used as a last rinse.
- Apple cider vinegar mixed with a cup of water can also be used as a last rinse to remove the pungent smell.
- Lemon juice mixed along with onion juice can also help combat the smell to a certain extent.
Onion juice is natural, effective and an inexpensive method of home remedy for getting back that luscious silky hair. If you don’t mind the smell or didn’t sustain bad skin reactions you can keep the juice overnight. Do implement this in your hair care regime for longer and stronger hair.