Have you ever witnessed the stunning bloom of English lavender in the summer?
Its vibrant purple flowers create a breathtaking display that lasts for one to two months, fading away until the next blooming season returns.
Imagine if our hair followed a similar cycle, showcasing one brilliant display before it all fades away. Fortunately, that’s not the case.
Our hair undergoes a growth cycle characterized by a lengthy growing phase, lasting anywhere from three to seven years. Thankfully, most of your hair is in this growth phase, with only about 10% in the telogen phase, preparing to shed.
When this balance is disrupted—when hair loss exceeds new growth—it can indicate an issue.
Changes in the hair growth cycle can result from various factors, including stress, illness like COVID-19, vitamin deficiencies, rapid weight loss, or even unsuitable hair products.
The encouraging news is that once you identify the cause and adopt a healthy diet while avoiding unnecessary worries, your hair can revert to its normal growth pattern.
However, this recovery process may take time, and you might want to explore the benefits of herbs and botanicals to stimulate hair growth and minimize shedding.
So, which herbs can encourage growth? Here are three healing herbs to consider:
- Green Tea
- Neem
- Peppermint
1. Green Tea for Hair Growth
While I’m not particularly fond of drinking green tea, I do enjoy rinsing my hair with it. I’ve noticed a reduction in hair loss and a boost in thickness and strength.
So, what makes green tea beneficial for hair?
Green tea is packed with two remarkable compounds: catechins and caffeine. These ingredients extend the anagen (growth) phase and stimulate dermal papilla cell growth in hair follicles.
In essence, green tea can help decrease shedding while enhancing the length and strength of your hair.
Additionally, green tea boasts impressive antioxidant properties, which combat free radicals that can harm hair follicles and disrupt the growth cycle.
How to Use Green Tea for Hair Growth:
Ingredients:
- 1 green tea bag or 1 teaspoon loose tea
- 2 cups hot water
Instructions:
- Place the green tea in a pot or jug.
- Pour hot water over it, cover, and let it steep until cool. Strain the tea for use.
Application:
Use the green tea as a final rinse after shampooing. Pour the green tea over your hair and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing.
For more tips on using green tea for healthy hair, check out additional resources.
Next, let’s explore the healing properties of neem…
2. Neem Leaves for a Healthy Scalp and Hair
Neem is a remarkable natural healer, known for its anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities.
This makes it effective against a range of skin and scalp issues, such as dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis. Stress and illness can exacerbate these conditions, affecting your scalp and hair follicles.
Using neem can naturally heal your scalp, promoting healthier hair growth in the process.
How to Use Neem:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried or fresh neem leaves
- 2 cups hot water
Instructions:
- Place neem leaves in a pot or jug.
- Pour hot water over the leaves, cover, and let it steep until cool. Strain the neem water for use.
Application:
Use the neem-infused water as a final rinse after washing your hair. Pour the neem water over your hair and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing.
Your hair will gain more shine, luster, and softness, as neem water also acts as a natural conditioner.
You can also consider incorporating neem oil to promote a healthy scalp and hair.
Finally, let’s talk about peppermint…
3. Peppermint for Thicker, Denser Hair
When you think of peppermint, you might envision its refreshing scent and the tingling sensation it provides on the skin. However, we’re interested in its potential to promote hair growth.
Research on mice has shown that peppermint oil enhances blood circulation to hair follicles and can help shift follicles from the telogen stage (ready to fall out) to the anagen stage. Consequently, hair may grow thicker and longer, and the number of active follicles can increase in treated groups.
Although this study was conducted on mice, many anecdotal reports support peppermint oil’s hair growth benefits. It is also soothing for irritated scalps.
How to Use Peppermint for Hair Density:
Ingredients:
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions:
- Mix the two oils together.
Application:
Massage the oil blend into your scalp and along the lengths of your hair. Let it sit for about an hour (or overnight if possible), then wash as usual. Repeat this treatment once or twice a week.
Note: You can also prepare a peppermint tea rinse. For this, you’ll need one peppermint tea bag and 2 cups of hot water, following the same method outlined for green tea and neem leaves.
Things to Keep in Mind
If you’re trying any of these herbs for the first time, perform a patch test on your forearm to check for any allergies or sensitivities before applying to your scalp.
In Summary:
Increased hair shedding can result from stress, illness, vitamin deficiencies, rapid weight loss, or unsuitable shampoos. You can utilize herbs to support healthy hair growth, such as green tea for reducing hair loss, neem leaves for addressing scalp issues, and peppermint combined with coconut oil for enhanced hair density.
