The better option for everyone now, because of their safety and availability is to use herbs for hair growth. There are different herbs, gotten from plants, that have many medicinal benefits. However, we have not exploited the cosmetic benefits of many of these herbs. It will surprise many people to see that the herbs they use for different medications and treatment of ailments are also useful for making the hair on the scalp grow better, prevent hair loss, and keep the scalp in a healthy condition.
Quick Facts About Some of the Best Nigerian Herbs for Hair Growth
Some Nigerian herbs for hair growth have begun to gain recognition both locally and internationally. However, many still do not know them. Some of them have been used in cosmetics for a long time, but they also have properties that make them suitable for use in improving hair growth. Some of the Nigerian herbs for hair growth include the popular neem leaves, and the less common African Sandalwood.
After reading this article, you will know the herbs for hair growth you can easily procure in Nigeria. You will also know what makes them suitable for use as herbs for hair growth, and how to use them for the purpose of improving hair growth and reversing hair loss.
Hair Growth
Hair growth is a part of the daily life of every human, although it goes unnoticed. When the human hair grows, it does so every minute, causing little unnoticeable changes to the length and mass of hair on the scalp. However, when the growth has been continuous for a while, it becomes apparent that changes have occurred.
The growth of hair in different parts of the human body takes different durations as they grow out of different types of follicle and their surroundings are different. The hair on the head, easily the most abundant in the human body, has more follicles from which it grows on the scalp than every other part. The follicles also produce more sebum than others present on the body and receives less amount of air when full. Regardless, they all follow the same three growth processes.
For good hair growth, one must have a good diet that helps to supply the right amount of nutrients, chiefly proteins, vitamins, and minerals, to the epidermal cells of the scalp, which helps to pass nutrients to the hair strands and support their luxurious growth.
However, despite the supply of nutrients and good hair growth, there is a chance of hair loss that is beyond the normal hair loss associated with the hair growth process. The hair loss we are referring to involves the unnatural removal of hair due to inadequate care and possible infection of the hair follicle or hair strands. It is characterized by the removal of a mass of hair without new growths in place. Discomfort that leads to scratching of the scalp may also occur making hair mass pull off the scalp.
Hair Loss
Hair loss sometimes occur naturally as part of the process of hair growth. When hair strands that have been growing for years have reached the third and final stage of growth, the hair follicle from which they have grown reaches a resting stage, that is, it stops the supply of nutrients to them, causing the root of the hair strands to break from the scalp and fall off, giving room for new growths after the follicle resumes work.
However, in some cases, the follicle does not resume work as it should. Instead, more hair strands are lost, and they form a patch on the head where there is no hair. This type of hair loss can be due to infection, a medical condition, or inadequate nutrient. However, they can be addressed.
Reversing Hair Loss with Herbs for Hair Growth
Herbs for hair growth helps with reclaiming your full hair by doing two things to your scalp, the seat of hair.
By Supplying the Needed Nutrients
One of the ways to reverse hair loss is to use herbs for hair growth. These herbs are rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, proteins, minerals such as zinc, iron, and others. They supply nutrients to the epidermal cells through the scalp, making the hair follicles begin to facilitate hair growth once again.
By Treating the Infection
Also, if the cause is infection, the herbs for hair growth have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and sometimes, antifungal properties that help them resolve infection issues on the scalp, returning it to its normal state of health.
The Best Nigerian Herbs for Hair Growth
Despite the hype surrounding many herbs, not all of them are effective in helping with the growth of your hair. Some are effective than others while some are outrightly ineffective when it comes to hair growth.
Here are some of the Nigerian herbs for hair growth and what they contain to help you regrow your lost hair.
Aloe Vera
Almost everyone knows the benefits of aloe vera to the skin but not half of us know that it has great benefits for the hair also. Aloe vera is rich in saponin, which makes it excellent in helping detangle hair. It is also a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb that helps to calm the scalp when applied to the head.
Extract the mucilage that lay beneath the thick covering of the aloe vera leaves and apply it to your hair to enjoy its benefits that include:
- Prevention of hair loss
- Easy hair management
- Soothing effect on the scalp
- Better hair thickness
Hibiscus
While growing, we saw hibiscus flowers as one of the most beautiful flowers. After some years, we started enjoying the drink made from the hibiscus plant, popularly called zobo. Little did we know that the drink had an effect on the growth of our hair. As one of the Nigerian herbs for hair growth, hibiscus does the following:
- Prevents dandruff
- Strengthens hair root
- Conditions the hair deeply
- Delays greying of hair
- Regulates the production of sebum
It does all these because it contains antioxidants and vitamins that aid in the healthy growth of hair. It is also rich in antimicrobial compounds that keeps dandruff off the scalp.
Hibiscus can be used for hair growth by extracting its oil, using it as a shampoo, or making a hair mask out of it when combined with Aloe Vera.
Neem Leaves
Neem leaves, gotten from neem plant, popularly called dongoyaro, is a many purpose plant material. It has been proven to be effective in controlling insects and pathogens from infesting plants due to its repellent and antimicrobial property.
It extends its efficacy in health promotion to the human hair by helping in the following ways:
- Prevents and treats dandruff
- Promotes root hair strength
- Allows more blood circulation
- Promotes hair growth
Neem leaves are medicinal and they can be used as a herb for hair growth by extracting the oil to make neem oil that can be used to rub the scalp and hair, or the leaves can be dried and ground to powder, which can then be soaked in water that can be used to wash the hair and scalp.
Henna Leaves
Henna leaves have been used to improve the appearance of women for a long time. Its leaves and stem exude a liquid that is used to draw some artistic, be it temporary, tattoos that beautify women’s hands and feet in many parts of the world. In Nigeria, it is called Laali, and it also works as an herb for hair growth. It also works as a natural dye.
- Makes the hair roots stronger
- Prevents bacterial infection from occurring on the scalp
- Works well as a shampoo
- Dyes the hair without damaging it
Henna leaves produce dyes that can turn the hair red, therefore, it can effectively mask greying hairs, and it suitable for individuals who love bright-coloured hairs.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that is commonly used in some Nigerian dishes due to its suitability for the heart. It is also used to improve the outlook of the skin by brightening the skin and improving its tone. However, it is also an excellent herb, one of the herbs for hair growth in Nigeria. It benefits the hair by:
- Stimulating the hair follicles to resume growth of hair
- Strengthen the hair, especially at the root
- Can be combined with other herbs such as ginseng to improve the sheen of the hair
Turmeric is effective in strengthening the hair and preventing hair loss while it stimulates the scalp for new hair growths, making the hair thick.
African Sandalwood
For better hair growth, stronger hair strands, healthier scalp, and thicker hair mass, one of the best herbs for heir growth to consider is the African Sandalwood. It is said that only a whiff of its scent will stimulate hair growth, talk more of consuming it.
African sandalwood:
- Promotes blood flow in the scalp
- Promotes hair growth
- Prevents microbial damage to the scalp
- Strengthen hair roots
African Sandalwood has been used as an herbal oil for hair growth for a very long time. It is usually combined with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and applied to the scalp and hair to enjoy its benefits.
Conclusion
Herbs for hair growth are not difficult to find in Nigeria. The herbs in this list are easy to come by and they have proven records for better hair performance, even in the long term. Some of them are useful as shampoos and conditioners, others can be used as essential oils.
However, you can choose to use them orally, especially when they are made into juice. Use them on your scalp sparingly and at most twice in a week, to preserve the sebum production from the sebaceous gland of your scalp.