As more women join the natural hair trend, more organic products for natural hair treatment are also being introduced to the market.
Incidentally, most of these products are imported and are quite expensive, thereby, discouraging a lot of women willing to join the natural hair train.
But luckily, there are cheaper homemade products to achieve the same effect for natural hair as the imported and expensive ones would. Afterall, the major challenges for most women keeping natural hair are stunted growth and texture of their hair, and the available homemade products can take care of these challenges.
Interestingly, these homemade products are derived from popular food materials in and around our homes. Some of them may sound unbelievable but they work like magic according to testimonies of women on natural hair.
Below are some of the products and method of preparation and application culled from several sources including Facebook page of Natural Hair Babes:
- Carrot
- Avocado pear
- Sorrel flower (Zobo leaves)
- Onions
- Rice
- Okra
1.Carrot
Carrot is a natural source of vitamins A,E and beta-carotene and it offers much needed moisture to dry scalp.
Carrot oil, produced from frying grated carrots with coconut oil, stimulates growth of new cells which also aids healthy hair. It moisturises dry scalp and improves blood circulation which promotes hair growth.
Method
- Wash carrot and grate
- Place a pan on fire (low heat)
- Pour your coconut oil and grated carrot into the pan
- Allow to simmer until the oil turn light orange.
- Turn off heat and sieve out oil for use.
2. Avocado pear
Hair loss issues can be treated using avocado oil. Oil extracted from Avocado pear rejuvenates and moisturises the scalp.
Avocado oil is obtained from the fatty flesh of avocado.
Method
- Get three to five avocados
- Peel the flesh and remove the seed inside.
- Cut and pour into a blender and blend till it is smooth
- Pour blended avocado into a dry pan or pot and allow to fry until it’s almost brown. The avocado produces its own oil.
- Use filter cloth or handkerchief to squeeze fried avocado to extract the oil.
3. Sorrel flowers (Zobo leaves)
Sorrel flowers contain vitamins & anti-oxidants that improve scalp and hair health. Sorrel leaves mixed with coconut oil increase hair growth and at the same prevent dandruff and premature greying.
Method
- Grind a cup of fresh or dried zobo leaves and mix with a cup of coconut oil.
- Apply mixture to scalp and hair regularly.
For best results, allow mixture to soak into scalp and hair for at least two hours before washing.
4.Onions
Onions are cost effective way of ensuring that your hair gets the nourishment it needs. Its juice, when extracted can be used to treat acute hair loss and promote hair growth.
Onions are high in sulfur content. It has anti-bacterial properties that help in preventing infections on the scalp.
Method
- Peel three of four onion bulbs and cut into smaller pieces
- Pour into a blender and blend
- Pour blended onions into a sieve to extract the juice.
- Apply juice on your scalp and massage gently
- Leave for at least 30minutes or more
- Rinse with a mild shampoo.
- Do this thrice in a week within one or two months for good result.
5. Rice Water
Rice water can be gotten in two ways – boiling rice without salt and extracting the excess water or soaking rice for 30 minute before extracting the water.
Rice water detangles hair and makes it smoother and stronger.
Method
Process for soaked rice
- Measure a cup of uncooked rice in a bowl
- Add three or four cups of water to the rice
- Leave to soak for 30minutes
- Strain the rice water into a clean bowl.
Process for partly boiled rice
- Measure a cup of uncooked rice in a bowl
- Add three or four cups of water to the rice
- Cook the rice without salt
- Strain the water into a clean bowl
How to use rice water
- Wash hair with shampoo
- Rinse with clean water
- Massage the rice water into hair and scalp
- Leave it for 20 minutes
- Rinse hair thoroughly with water
6. Okra
Okra can help you boost hair growth, make it healthy and shiny. It can be used for moisturising a dry scalp and getting rid of dandruff.
Method
- Take a few pieces of okra, like 4 or 6 depending on the length and thickness of your hair
- Slice the okra horizontally
- Pour water into the pot and add the okra
- Cook on low heat, till it becomes sticky like gel and turn off the heat
- Let the mixture cool for a few minutes
- Strain out the water
How to use okro
Massage okra gel into your scalp and rinse thoroughly after few minutes
Okra can also be used as a styling gel or leave-in conditioner.
