One of our earliest memories is sitting with our mothers and grandmothers for hair wash day, they would pamper us with all-natural ingredients from the garden to keep our hair long, strong, and shiny. The benefits of natural hair care ingredients are timeless.
Our ancestors identified various natural hair cares to help achieve thick and strong hair. Among these various hair care heroes, the benefits of hibiscus, Methi and Amla cannot be understated. These ingredients are present in shampoos and conditioners to access their time-tested benefits in a modern form; with a host of essential nutrients and natural goodness, learning about the benefits of hibiscus, Amla and Methi is sure to help you in your quest to maintain your tresses..
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a well-known plant in Ayurveda for hair care. It nourishes and conditions hair while also restoring the softness of your strands, resulting in less hair fall. Hibiscus is good for hair since it naturally seals moisture in the shafts and makes it smooth and silky. Some of the other benefits of hibiscus are:
1.Promotes hair growth
If you are worried about the strands on your comb after every time you brush your hair, then hibiscus is an ingredient you need. Hibiscus is rich in amino acids- amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and play a vital role in absorption of nutrients in the body which aids in hair growth.
Amino acids are used to make a protein called Keratin that makes up our skin, hair and nails. It is a protective protein that maintains the strength and shine of our hair. Also makes the hair strands thicker. Compared to salon keratin treatments, hibiscus petals and leaves are natural sources of keratin which strengthen the hair.
2.Deeply Conditions Dry Hair
Chemical shampoos often strip your hair and leave it dry; High amounts of mucilage in hibiscus flowers and leaves are natural and gentle conditioner that helps to nourish hair, seal its moisture content to remain soft and hydrated..
3.Protects Hair From Damage
Hibiscus protects the sensitive skin of your scalp and hair from harsh environmental stressors like pollution , UV and UVB rays.
4.Prevents Oily Scalp
Oily scalp can cause dandruff. Hibiscus is a natural astringent to control oil secretion by the sebaceous glands on the scalp. This keeps your scalp healthy and dandruff-free.
5.Helps Prevent Premature Greying
From ancient times hibiscus leaves and flowers have been used as a natural hair dye to turn gray strands into lustrous black locks. Loss of Melanin, which is present in every hair follicle, causes the hair to lose its color- and to turn gray. The flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamins present in hibiscus produce melanin which gives your hair a rich dark color while simultaneously nourishing it.
Amla
Amla or Indian gooseberry, has been used for millennia to treat common ailments and boost immunity. As it is rich in nutrients, it has been used for varieties of home recipes to nourish hair, skin, and overall health. Its leaves contain therapeutic properties and the fruits are a rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants and nutrients.
For generations, Amla fruits have been consumed and used to make tonics, oils and other products that promote good health. Various studies have demonstrated the potential antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties present in Amla.
Some of the benefits of amla for hair:
1.Prevents Hair Loss
Amla is an effective ingredient to combat hair fall- both in terms of weak, brittle hair. Amla is rich in vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and amino acids which promote blood circulation throughout the scalp and enhance keratin in the hair. Vitamin C in Amla helps to create protein collagen which increases hair growth. Powerful antioxidant in collagen helps fight the damage caused by free radicals such as stress, air pollutants or poor dietary choices.
2.Protects Hair From Damage
Amla acts as nature's sunscreen for your hair! Amla is rich in tannins and calcium. Tannins are a natural vegetable source of polyphenol- a chemical that binds to keratin proteins in the hair, thus helping them remain in the hair structure and adding to the strand's strength and shine.
3.Helps Fight Dandruff
Vitamin C in Amla is the star ingredient. It maintains scalp health by reducing hair fall and dandruff. Vitamin C helps to absorb nutrients and clarify the scalp by acting as a gentle chemical exfoliant -removing the buildup of dirt and grime on the scalp.
4.Reduces Frizz
Amla is rich in Vitamin E, which is a great conditioner for the hair. It helps reduce frizz in hair strands, leaving hair smooth and silky. As it replenishes hydration to the hair and locks in moisture, which ensures it is manageable and tangle-free.
Methi
Methi or Fenugreek, is one of the world's oldest medicinal herbs. Used in both kitchen pantries and medicine cabinets around the world as a staple cure for various ailments. It is usually consumed in powder or seed form.
Fenugreek seeds are rich in folic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin K and Vitamin C. Also high in iron and protein, and contain active phytochemicals such as flavonoids and saponins which contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Some of fenugreek’s benefits for the hair are:
1.Fights Dandruff
Fenugreek is rich in saponins- saponin is an antibacterial compound that helps unclog your hair follicles so your scalp is fresh and clean, encouraging hair growth and slowing hair loss. As saponins help clear build up from the scalp, they also help in the fight against dandruff.
2.Helps With Hair Fall
It has a special blend of plant compounds, such as flavonoids and saponins, and these chemicals promote hair growth because of their anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Fenugreek powder can reduce shedding by lowering inflammation in the hair follicle, which is the cause of some types of hair loss.
3.Rejuvenates Damaged Hair
Fenugreek aids the damaged hair shafts caused by dehydration, heat styling, chemicals, UV damage, or color treatments. It promotes thicker hair growth by improving cuticle integration in the hair shaft. Moreover, Fenugreek has a mucilaginous fiber that absorbs a lot of water that preserves the moisture barrier in your hair strands which results in improved shine and a softer texture.
4.Prevents Premature Greying
Potassium in Fenugreek seed contains Potassium and lecithin. Potassium prevents hair from graying prematurely and lecithin nourishes the hair. Also, when combined with Amla, is a great home hair pack for dark, lustrous hair.
In today's times, when there are a plethora of stressors and pollutants that damage our hair; natural ingredients can help replenish our tired tresses. Including it in our diet as well in our regular hair care routine by buying products that contain them as a key ingredient is the best way to get healthy, lustrous hair.