CURRY LEAVES BENEFITS AND USES FOR HAIR GROWTH
Curry leaves or ‘Kadi Patta’ or ‘Kariveppila’ is an often used aromatic herb in a lot of culinary preparation, especially in India. These leaves are not just used in cooking, but also have multiple uses for hair health and hair growth.
Here’s how curry leaves can benefit your hair:
- Curry leaves are rich in antioxidants and can help restore scalp health. It can also help open up the clogged hair follicles on the scalp, in turn promoting better blood circulation and improving the growth of the hair follicles right from its root.
- Curry leaves contain vitamin B which can contribute to strengthening the hair follicles and control hair fall.
- Curry leaves can help promote a natural production of melanin in the body that can help in preventing premature greying of hair.
- Curry leaves can help keep the hair moisturized and nourished, in turn promoting better hair shine and reducing hair dryness
- Curry leaves have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce scalp itching and reduce dandruff.
- Curry leaves are rich in antioxidants that are beneficial in fighting free radical damage to the hair, caused by environmental factors like pollution and over exposure to sunlight leading to dry, damaged and frizzy hair and in turn promote better hair health and hair quality.
- Curry leaves are rich in protein. This is essential as over the years, our hair succumbs to thinning and hair loss. So consuming curry leaves or using curry leaves for the hair can help reduce hair thinning.
Here are some DIY ways to use curry leaves for your hair:
Hair oil:
Ingredients:
1 cup of curry leaves
300 ml coconut oil
1 tbsp water
Method:
In a mixer blender, with one tablespoon of water, coarsely grind the curry leaves (after the leaves have been rinsed under water and pat dried). Pour 150 ml of oil in the heating pan and place on low flame, until it heats up slightly and then add the coarsely ground curry leaves into it and let it boil on low flame for 8 to 10 minutes until the curry leaves’ essence has got infused into the oil (stir every two minutes) and then turn off the flame and let it sit for an hour before straining into a container. Add the remaining 150 ml coconut oil to this curry leaves oil and stir gently and it is ready to use.
For application: Partition your hair and apply this oil all over your scalp and hair evenly and gently massage it in. Tie your hair into a loose bun and let it sit for half an hour to one hour before you can rinse it off using a mild shampoo and conditioner.
Hair mask:
Ingredients:
1 cup curry leaves
3 tbsp yoghurt/curd/dahi
Method:
In a mixer blender, grind the curry leaves along with the yogurt, until it becomes a fine paste, pour into a bowl.
For application: Partition your hair and apply this mask all over your scalp and hair evenly and gently massage it in. Tie your hair into a loose bun or put it up into a shower cap and let it sit for half an hour to one hour before you can rinse it off using a mild shampoo and conditioner.
curry leaves shampoo:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup curry leaves/approximately one handful
1 cup of water
1/2 cup castile soap or baby shampoo
Method:
Soak curry leaves in water overnight, strain the leaves and add the water to a jar, add in the castile soap and use this to wash your hair.
You can also consume curry leaves to enhance its effects to promote better hair growth and enhance hair health, from within!
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Here’s a recipe to make curry leaves tea at home:
Ingredients:
1 glass of water
10 – 12 curry leaves
1 tsp lemon (optional)
Honey to taste (optional)
Method:
In a vessel, boil one glass of water and curry leaves and let it keep boiling for around 2 minutes or until the colour of the water begins to change. Turn off the flame and let it sit for around 2 minutes before straining into a glass. You can add the lemon and honey, if you wish to add some more flavour to the tea and it is ready to consume.