Bay leaf is a kitchen essential – a spice known for its warm flavor and rich aroma. But do you know its exceptionally high medicinal properties make it a treasure for skin and hair too? Here’s all about the bay leaf benefits for hair!
Bay Leaf Benefits for Hair
Bay leaf can safely be called a miracle herb for hair health. With some amazing compounds and innate health-boosting and health-protective properties, it helps hair health in several ways:
Natural Conditioner
Although with no fat content, bay leaf still makes up for a healthy natural conditioner. Its high antioxidant content, with vitamins and essential oils, helps smooth hair and make it shiny. It detangles hair and reduces frizz, making hair healthy and manageable.
Fights Scalp Conditions
Bay leaf has antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps fight scalp conditions triggered due to fungal and bacterial growth. The compounds in bay leaves also help balance the scalp’s natural oils. This prevents both conditions of excessive dryness and oiliness, an essential for improved scalp health with reduced incidence of itchy scalp and dandruff.
Tackles Hair Fall
Increased exposure to environmental pollutants and excessive use of hair styling products make the hair follicles weak. But bay leaves are rich in compounds like vitamins A and C which are powerful antioxidants. These fight the free radicals that trigger hair fall.
Boosts Hair Growth
Bay leaves pack a rich dose of antioxidants and essential oils. These compounds work to stimulate blood circulation to the hair roots. A higher nutrient delivery to the roots ensures optimal growth. Regular use of bay leaf for hair promises a nourished scalp with a faster natural growth cycle.
How to Use Bay Leaf for Hair?
Bay leaf is a perennial shrub. The freshly picked leaves of the plant are used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and aroma. But when it comes to using bay leaf for hair, there are several ways in which they can be used:
Bay Leaf Water
This is a 100% natural hair tonic. Easy to make and use, it helps stimulate hair growth. But how to prepare bay leaf water? Boil a handful of bay leaves in water. After giving it a few gentle boils at low temperatures, let it cool down naturally. Strain the leaves and pour the bay leaf-infused water into a bottle. Use it as an after-shampoo to rinse the hair. Let it stay for a few minutes. Rinse off with plain water.
Bay Leaf Oil
Heard about bay leaf oil massage? Bay leaf oil is an effective way to correct several hair problems. Preparing bay leaf oil for hair is a DIY task. Start with infusing a handful of bay leaves in a carrier oil such as coconut, almond, or olive oil. Allow the leaves to stay in oil for a week or more. Place it in a cool, dark place for best results. Once the oil is ready for use, take a small amount in a container and heat it slightly. Massage the oil gently into the scalp and hair. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes before washing your hair with regular shampoo.
Bay Leaf Powder
If fresh bay leaves are hard to fetch, you can also prepare a bay leaf powder with dried bay leaves. Take a handful of fresh bay leaves and put them for sun drying. Once dry, crush them in a grinder to form a fine powder. Add bay leaf powder to DIY hair masks to rejuvenate the scalp and hair.
Conclusion
Bay leaf benefits for hair are real. The small leaves hold great potential to improve overall hair health. The natural properties and compounds provide much-needed nourishment to the scalp and hair follicles. When used along with other ingredients in hair mask and bay leaf oil, it gives a well-rounded boost. Use it regularly to enjoy better hair growth with improved hair thickness.
