15 DIY Ways to Improve the Health of Your Hair

One of the most frustrating – and for some people, devastating – things that can affect your appearance is the loss of your hair. Even a slight amount of hair loss can be traumatic, sending you searching for something to keep the problem from getting worse. If you’re losing more than 100 strands of hair a day, you need to take action so that you don’t eventually suffer from bald spots, or complete balding.

But, maybe you’re already taking action by using Juvetress. That’s a wise choice. But, that’s not the only thing you can do to help slow hair loss and encourage. There are plenty of things found in nature that boost your hair follicle’s health.

Let’s take a quick look at why we lose hair and then explore natural remedies that can help.

Why Hair Loss Happens

There are a lot of theories why hair loss (or alopecia) occurs. A lot of factors can contribute to this problem, actually. Nutritional problems, genetics, smoking, harsh chemicals in hair products, and certain illnesses can all play a role.

One disease that can lead to hair loss is known as alopecia areata. While it is usually limited to the scalp area, it can also cause hair in other parts of the body to fall out. Scientists haven’t determined the exact cause of the disease, but it is relatively common in people who have a family history of autoimmune illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.

People with alopecia areata typically experience the loss of hair in small patches due to hair follicles being under attack by the immune system. While alopecia areata usually doesn’t lead to complete baldness, the disease can make it almost impossible for hair to grow back in the affected areas.¹ The amount of hair loss will vary, as will the extent of regrowth that is possible.

There are several home remedies—some that originate from ancient cultures— for improving the overall condition of your hair, whether it’s dealing with alopecia areata or another type of problem. Here are just a few:

1. Chinese Hibiscus

This is a flower that contains many natural ingredients that may help people suffering from hair loss. It’s been used for many types of problems that affect the scalp, such as split ends and dandruff, and it may be able to help not only thicken your hair but also keep you from going prematurely gray.

One of the most popular home remedies for hair loss involving the hibiscus flower involves putting 10 flowers into a pot filled with two cups of coconut oil. Heat the mixture until it is slightly charred, and then strain to collect the liquid. After letting it cool, put the liquid on your head, put on a shower cap, and let it sit overnight before you wash it out in the morning. Try this a few times a week, and see if it works.

2. Aloe Vera

A lot of people know that the aloe vera plant can help nourish the skin, but it could also help stem the tide of hair loss. While it’s not completely clear why this remedy is sometimes successful, it appears that aloe vera helps to balance pH levels on the scalp and in the hair. Another reason why aloe vera sometimes works is that it penetrates deep into the scalp, potentially stimulating regrowth. The process of using it is fairly simple; squeeze the pulp from a leaf or stalk of the plant, and massage into your scalp – make sure your hair is clean before you do so. Leave the pulp alone for about 15 minutes, and then wash it out. Repeat the process three or four times each week for a couple of months, and see if it makes a difference.

3. Onion Juice

While it doesn’t sound particularly appetizing to use onion juice for anything, it could actually be one of the most effective home remedies for hair loss. Onion juice is high in sulfur, which can help reduce inflammation that can damage hair follicles. Sulfur also helps improve blood circulation so those follicles can obtain the nutrients they need to thrive. Onion juice also contains powerful antibacterial agents that can kill the microbes associated with certain scalp infections.

In fact, one study showed that nearly 75 percent of participants who applied onion juice to their scalp enjoyed substantial regrowth of their hair after applying onion juice two times a day for four weeks. Nearly 87 percent saw regrowth after six weeks, with the male subjects seeing the most benefit. Researchers stated that onion juice could be an effective therapy for lopecia areata.²

If you want to try this remedy, squeeze out about three tablespoons of onion juice and mix it with some aloe vera gel – about two tablespoons – and a tablespoon of olive oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp, and let it sit for about 30-45 minutes. Rinse, and then shampoo like normal. Try this three times a week for about eight weeks.

4. Beetroot

Beets aren’t exactly at the top of the list of most of our favorite foods, but they’re rich in several nutrients that can help improve the health of your hair, such as protein, vitamin B, phosphorous, carbohydrates, calcium, and vitamin C. The juice from the root of the beet plant can help you in a lot of different ways.

If you’d rather skip drinking the juice and concentrate on how it can help your hair, boil a few leaves of the beetroot plant and grind them up. Mix with henna to form a paste, and then apply it to your scalp. After about 20 minutes, rinse it out. You’ll probably need to do this four or five times a week to see benefits.

5. Hair Oil

Another of the more popular home remedies for hair loss involves using olive, castor, or almond oil. This will not only help condition your scalp, it will also help increase blood flow to the area and strengthen the roots of your hair. You’ll get the added benefit of feeling more relaxed.

Whatever oil you choose, mixing in a few drops of rosemary oil could help you see results faster. Simply massage the oil into the scalp once a week, and let it sit for about 30-45 minutes before rinsing.

6. Indian Gooseberry

One of the fastest home remedies for hair loss involves the use of amla, also known as Indian gooseberry. This will help infuse your scalp with vitamin C, which you need in order to ensure thick, healthy hair. There are a lot of properties in Indian gooseberry that can promote not only a healthier scalp, but also overall health. It’s not only an antioxidant, but it also exfoliates, and it fights bacteria and oxidation.

Take a teaspoon of Indian gooseberry pulp and mix with the same amount of lemon juice. Massage the mixture thoroughly into your scalp before you go to bed, then put on a shower cap. Shampoo your hair like normal when you get up.

7. Methi

Methi seeds, also known as fenugreek seeds, can be a big help for alopecia. They contain certain hormones that can promote the strengthening of hair follicles, as well as hair growth. These seeds also contain substances such as nicotinic acid and proteins that help grow hair.

Soak a cup of methi seeds in water before you go to bed and then grind them into a paste the next morning. Put the paste on your scalp, wait about 45 minutes, and then rinse. If you want to see results, however, you’ll need to do this every day for a month.

8. Coconut

Rich in fats and protein that can help strengthen follicles, coconut milk is one of the more effective home remedies for hair loss. It’s easy to make – simply grate a coconut, pour it into a pan of water, and let it boil for about five minutes. Massage the liquid into your scalp – after it completely cools, of course – and then leave it on for about 20 minutes before shampooing your hair like normal. You could also try warming some coconut oil, massaging it into your scalp, and then washing it out after about an hour.

9. Licorice Root

We typically only think of licorice as an old-fashioned candy, but licorice root can actually help prevent damage that leads to hair loss. It can soothe skin irritation, that can cause not only hair loss, but dandruff as well. Grind some licorice root (about a tablespoon) and mix it with a cup of milk and a pinch of saffron to form a paste. Apply the mixture to the areas of the scalp that are thinning. Leave the paste on overnight (again, you’ll need to put on a shower cap before going to bed), and then wash your hair like normal in the morning. You’ll need to do this at least one or two times a week for best results.

10. Flaxseeds

These are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which can play a role in stimulating hair regrowth and minimizing hair loss. You can either drink water containing a tablespoon of ground-up flaxseeds, or you can add the seeds to a soup or a salad. You can also massage flaxseed oil directly into your scalp.

11. Green Tea

Green tea is a popular drink for the health-conscious, but it may also help with hair growth. Research indicates that it can stimulate hair production by increasing the metabolism.³ You can try green tea as a conditioner a couple of times a week after you shampoo. Dip a couple of green tea bags in hot water, wait until the water cools, and then massage the solution into your scalp.

12. Garlic

Like onion juice, garlic is also high in sulfur. Crush a few garlic cloves, add two tablespoons of coconut oil, and then set to boil. Once the mixture cools, massage it into your scalp. Leave it in for about 30 minutes, and then wash your hair as normal. You’ll need to do this at least twice a week in order to see potential benefits.

13. Henna

Henna is a common ingredient in hair conditioners and hair coloring products. However, it can also be used to help with hair loss. Mix some dried henna leaves with about eight ounces of mustard oil, bring to a boil, and then strain the oil into a container. Once the oil cools, massage it into your scalp. There should be plenty left over, so pour it into a container and seal it for later use. Leave the oil on your hair for an hour or so before washing it out.

14. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice helps to clear dead cells from the scalp, opening the pores, and potentially stimulating hair growth. It’s also high in vitamin C, which helps strengthen hair follicles. Simply cut up two or three lemons, and squeeze the juice into a cup of warm water. Pour the mixture on your scalp after you’ve washed your hair, remembering to massage it in gently. Leave it on for five minutes before rinsing.

You need to be a little bit careful when using lemon juice, however. It’s very acidic, and it can burn your eyes. Don’t try this home remedy more than a couple of times a week, because it could eventually cause your hair to dry out.

15. Eggs

There are a lot of ingredients in eggs that can help strengthen your hair and keep it from falling out, such as iodine, phosphorous, sulfur, protein, and zinc. Simply mix an egg white with a teaspoon of olive oil until you get a paste. Massage the paste into your scalp, and leave it for about 20 minutes before rinsing and shampooing as normal.