6 Benefits of Turmeric for Hair (And How To Use)

Turmeric is well known for its health-boosting abilities and anti-inflammatory properties. In this article, we provide 6 examples of how you can benefit from adding turmeric to your haircare routine.

Turmeric contains anti-bacterial properties which are very beneficial to hair. Turmeric can help fight dandruff and hair loss as well as fungal infections and scalp eczema.

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is an orangish-brown or yellowish-brown spice in the ginger family.

The spice comes from the root of the plant and consists of curcumin. Curcumin is how it receives many of its benefits.

Curcumin is a polyphenol, which means it’s loaded with antioxidants and has health benefits. 

This spice is native to Southeast Asia, particularly India. Indians used turmeric in Ayurveda medicine, and the Chinese used it in traditional Chinese medicine.

In India, Indonesia, Persia, and Nepal, turmeric serves as a seasoning for savory-sweet dishes. It’s a component of curry powder. 

Initially, turmeric was for upper respiratory tract issues, joint problems, skin disorders, and digestive system health.

Today, turmeric is known to possibly prevent certain types of cancer and may help manage diabetes, among other benefits. 

The curcumin in turmeric is classified as an antioxidant — a substance that helps repair damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals occur when an atom is missing an electron.

In return, it seeks out the missing electron and damages cells in its path, increasing a person’s risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Also Read: Revealed: Can I Use Shea Butter In Hair Overnight?

6 Benefits of Turmeric for Hair 

Benefits of Turmeric for Hair 

Besides health benefits, turmeric may also benefit your hair in various ways: 

Combats Dandruff

Dandruff is a scalp condition that occurs when skin flakes off.

Your scalp may also feel itchy from dandruff. You’re more prone to dandruff if you have dry or oily skin.

The oils in your hair may attract a fungus that feasts on the oils. Your risk also increases if you have Parkinson’s or are immunocompromised. 

Fortunately, turmeric helps reduce inflammation and also has antifungal properties. Therefore, it has the potential to ease dandruff.

Prevents Hair Loss

Inflammation often plays a role in hair loss, particularly pattern baldness.

The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help to prevent some hair loss from happening. 

If you’re currently experiencing hair loss, turmeric may slow or reduce the effects.

Specifically, turmeric inhibits 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). Without the 5-AR, your hair follicles can heal. As a result, you’ll have less hair loss. 

Additionally, turmeric may inhibit dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a male sex hormone.

The DHT is known to contribute to hair loss.

If you have androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness), you’ll experience more hair growth when DHT’s function is limited.

Combats Scalp Eczema

Eczema is an issue that arises when your scalp becomes itchy and potentially red.

You may develop a rash from it and notice that the affected skin is becoming thicker.

This condition may develop as a result of genetics, which is why it tends to run in families.

Your immune system, stress levels, and environmental triggers can contribute to the onset of scalp eczema. 

Turmeric reduces inflammation to help control your eczema better. 

Fungal Infection Cure 

Your scalp can be a prime breeding ground for fungi due to its moisture content.

One of the more common fungal infections to affect the scalp is Candida albicans — a cause of yeast infections. Y

our likelihood of a fungal infection is higher if you have a health condition like diabetes.

Your diet, stress levels, and the medications you take can also increase your risk.  

Fortunately, turmeric acts as an antifungal and may stop fungal growth. 

Thickens Hair 

Even if you’re not suffering from hair loss, turmeric may help your hair look thicker.

It works by improving the health of your hair, which decreases breakage.

Additionally, this seasoning may stimulate blood flow, which can increase hair growth and reduce hair loss.

Fewer Grays/Preventing Grays

You may keep your natural hair color longer if you use turmeric on your hair regularly.

Additionally, it might help alleviate some graying. 

Your hair’s color comes from pigment cells, and these cells may eventually die, causing your hair to lack color and turn gray, white, or silver.

While genetics is a factor when you start graying, oxidative damage might play a role as well, which may stem from:

  • Pesticides in food
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Pollution
  • Emotional stress
  • Infection or illness

The antioxidants in the turmeric may prevent, repair, or reduce oxidative damage to your hair to help stop, slow, or prevent graying. 

Also Read: 4 Amazing Benefits Of Using Chamomile For Hair

How Can You Add Turmeric to Your Hair Routine?

Add Turmeric to Your Hair Routine

Turmeric can be applied topically or taken orally.  

Turmeric and Olive Oil

Mix turmeric with olive oil and apply it to your scalp regularly. You massage the oily mix directly on your scalp and allow it to set.

Generally, you should leave it on your head for 45 minutes. 

Be sure to wash the oil out of your hair completely to avoid your hair looking greasy. With this method, you wash and condition your hair like you usually would.

You may also use this method to relieve itchiness and treat fungal scalp infections.  

Turmeric and Egg Yolk

Another turmeric and hair care solution is mixing the seasoning with egg yolk.

The yolk acts as a binding agent for turmeric.

Moreover, the egg has health benefits for your hair since it has biotin, folate, and vitamins E and A. Your hair becomes more resistant to damage when you use the egg yolk.

Additionally, it may help hydrate hair, so it doesn’t look as dry and brittle and could increase hair growth. 

When you combine these two super ingredients, you’ll benefit from both.

Once made, coat your scalp and hair in the mixture and leave it in for about 30 to 45 minutes. 

Then, wash and condition like usual.  

Turmeric Tea

Ingesting turmeric isn’t as effective for hair growth as topical administration, and it won’t treat itchiness.

However, it could still help. To make tea, you add the spice to boiling water.

Then, you add milk or sugar as desired.  

Cook With Turmeric

Once again, ingesting the substance won’t help with all hair issues, but you can still benefit from it in this way.

Start eating curry more often or use turmeric in a rub. 

Turmeric Supplements and Other Products

Since turmeric is widely recognized for its health benefits, you can find supplements that contain turmeric.

In fact, you can find turmeric in capsule, gummy, or tablet form.

You can also find turmeric in some hair care products.

DIY Turmeric Recipe

DIY Turmeric Recipe

Turmeric is a relatively inexpensive spice that you can purchase at local superstores and grocery stores.

You may use it to make your own hair masks and treatments. Here are two examples: 

Turmeric, Milk, and Honey

Ideally, you should use whole milk because it nourishes your hair the most.

But, if you have thinner hair, you may want to choose low-fat milk.

For this recipe, start with two tablespoons of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of honey.

Then, you add in milk to form a paste. You apply this solution to your hair for 20 minutes and then rinse it out. 

The honey helps moisturize and add shine to your hair, while the milk soothes frizzy hair by providing hydration. It’ll help with dryness in general. 

Turmeric, Curd, and Honey 

For turmeric and hair growth, use a half-cup of curd and a few teaspoons of turmeric. Add a teaspoon or two of honey.

Finally, combine these ingredients to form a hair mask.

Apply it to your hair and allow it to rest there for at least 30 minutes. This mask will help hydrate your hair and encourage hair growth.

Additionally, you can reduce your risk of a scalp infection by keeping your hair moisturized with these ingredients. 

The curd acts as a binding agent. It also has a high acid content and contains nutrients, such as vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, protein, and calcium.

These nutrients can help strengthen hair and increase its health. 

As mentioned before, honey helps with hydration. 

Any Side Effects to Using Turmeric?

Turmeric is well-tolerated by most people and is not known to cause many issues.

Using Turmeric Orally 

However, some people may experience digestive issues when they eat or take turmeric as an oral supplement. Possible issues include the following:

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Acid reflux
  • Dyspepsia
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Stomach ache
  • Yellow stool

For this reason, people with liver disease, bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, or gallstones shouldn’t use turmeric orally. 

Using Turmeric Topically

When used topically, a person could develop dermatitis. With this condition, the individual may have itching, stinging, burning, inflammation, or flushed skin. 

Generally, the side effects of turmeric are temporary and will subside when you stop using it.  

Turmeric and hair care can go together, but you may want to use it on a small spot on your scalp first.

For this, you let the concoction rest on your scalp for 30 to 40 minutes.

Then, you examine the area for a reaction. If you don’t have a reaction, it’s more than likely safe for you to use it.  

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