Have you ever wondered about the secret behind your grandmother’s long, silky hair? Wish you could inherit that mane from her? Your dreams are about to come true! The magic ingredient to attain shiny, black hair is right in your garden. Yes! You guessed it right! It’s Hibiscus! Using Hibiscus for hair is one of the proven remedies practised in the ancient Ayurveda.
Apart from its bright flowers, even the leaves and parts of the plant are used in different ways to tackle many hair woes. From dryness to split ends and greying to hair fall, you have a complete hair care solution in the form of Hibiscus. In this article, we shall help you learn the benefits of hibiscus, along with some easy ways to use it on your hair.
[ See More: Home Remedies For Hair Fall Control ]
What Are The Benefits Of Hibiscus for Hair?
Hibiscus is one of the commonly found plants in many Indian households. It is easily available and economical compared to the exotic herbs used in hair products. Here are some of the noteworthy Hibiscus benefits for hair:
- Repairs Hair Damage: One of the key contributors to hair fall is damaged hair. Hibiscus is enriched with amino acids, which can rebuild the surface of your hair and restore its lost glory.
- Smoothens Hair: Hibiscus is a natural conditioner, which can reduce dryness and hydrates your hair. Being nutrient-rich, this agent also helps in the production of Keratin to reduce frizz and split ends.
- Treats Scalp Problems: Along with treating your hair, Hibiscus also nourishes your scalp. It works as a natural astringent, which balances the pH of your scalp. It controls excess oil production and prevents dandruff and other scalp infections.
- Promotes Hair Growth: Hibiscus is known to stimulate even dormant hair follicles and promote hair regrowth. Using this herb regularly can prevent baldness and make your mane voluminous.
- Delays Premature Greying: Loaded with antioxidants and other agents, Hibiscus can improve the production of Melanin, which is responsible for the darkening of hair. Applying hibiscus oil or mask can reduce greying of hair and restore its natural colour.
How to Use Hibiscus for Hair Growth:
Below we have some hair packs that are very helpful for healthy hair and hair growth.
1. Hibiscus Oil for Hair Growth:
One of the many ways to use Hibiscus flower for hair is in the form of oil. Hibiscus oil can replenish your scalp and facilitate good blood circulation. It also strengthens your hair follicles from within and makes your hair healthy and bouncy. Here’s how to use hibiscus for hair loss reduction:
Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Flowers – 7
- Hibiscus Leaves – 7 to 8
- Coconut Oil – ¾ Cup
Preparation Time: 15 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Grind 6-7 hibiscus flowers and an equal amount of leaves.
- In a small deep pan/ container boil about 3/4th cup of Coconut oil.
- When the oil is very hot, add the grinned mixture to it, cover with a lid and put the flame off.
- Let the oil stay covered until it cools.
- Store the cooled oil in a glass container.
How to Apply:
- Apply use warm/cooled oil on the scalp and cover with a towel for half an hour.
- Wash using hibiscus shampoo or any mild shampoo.
How Often Should I Do This: Twice a Week
Precautions: The oil loses its potency over a period of time. So, it is always advisable to prepare it in small batches for maximum efficiency.
2. Hibiscus Hair Masks for Hair:
There are two popular masks with hibiscus leaves for hair growth and oily scalp reduction. Let us discuss each of them in detail.
- Curd and Hibiscus Hair Mask:
Mixing hibiscus with curd acts as a wonderful conditioner to your hair. While hibiscus leaves treat smoothen your hair and repair the strands, curd can gently cleanse your hair off itchy, flaky scalps. Together, these agents make your hair shiny and irresistibly glossy.
Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Leaves – 1 cup.
- Curd – ½ Cup.
Preparation Time: 15 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Grind hibiscus leaves with little water into a smooth paste.
- Mix the paste in half bowl unsweetened curd.
How to Apply:
- Apply evenly to the roots of your hair and leave for one hour.
- Rinse using warm water and use a mild shampoo.
How Often Should I Do This: Once a Week.
Precautions: This mask may not work for oily scalp and can make it even more greasy.
- Amla and Hibiscus Hair Pack:
Amla is a renowned elixir for hair. Along with strengthening the roots, this ingredient also reduces premature greying of hair and control hair loss. Combining this with hibiscus can improve the health of your hair and enhance the growth rate. It can also control the production of excess sebum on the scalp. Check out this recipe of Amla and hibiscus leaves for grey hair treatment:
Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Leaves – 1 cup.
- Amla Powder – 2-3 spoons.
- Water – As needed.
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Take 2-3 teaspoons of amla powder.
- Add an equal amount of grinded hibiscus leaves paste to it.
- Mix thoroughly to form a smooth mask.
How to Apply:
- Apply evenly to the roots of your hair.
- Leave on for 30 minutes.
- Rinse using warm water and use a mild shampoo.
How Often Should I Do This: Once a Week
Precautions: No known side effects of this treatment.
3. Hibiscus Leaves Shampoo:
Most of the drugstore shampoos are loaded with chemicals which can damage your hair. Hibiscus can cleanse your hair like any shampoo, without the worry of side effects. Apart from making your scalp squeaky clean, it can also condition your hair and promote growth.
Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Leaves – 10-12 Leaves.
- Water – As needed.
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Wash and clean 10-12 leaves of hibiscus.
- You can even add flowers if they are available
- Blend them with little water into a smooth, sticky paste
How to Apply:
- Use it as a regular shampoo.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
How Often Should I Do This: Twice a Week.
Precautions: Washing off the paste from hair may be difficult.
See More: Folic Acid Benefits For Hair
4. Hibiscus Hair Conditioner:
Deep conditioning is one of the many hibiscus flowers uses for hair. Here is a DIY conditioner recipe which not only does this soften your hair, but also offers many therapeutic benefits. Hibiscus paste penetrates deep into the roots and boosts Collagen production with its Vitamin-C rich profile. Regular usage can improve the growth of hair.
Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Flowers – 7-8
- Water – As needed
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Grind 7-8 hibiscus flowers with just enough water to make a thick paste.
How to Apply:
- Wash your hair with a shampoo.
- Apply this paste as a normal conditioner.
- Leave it on for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often Should I Do This: Twice a Week.
Precautions: Maybe slightly difficult to wash off the product completely.
5. Hibiscus and Onion for Hair:
Stop hair fall immediately with Hibiscus and Onion mask. growth is well known to us. Adding onion juice can increase the antioxidant percentage in your hair. Rich in sulfur, Onion juice can minimize the risk of baldness and thin. It can even fight bacterial infections and aid in healthy growth. Here’s how to use hibiscus flower for hair:
Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Flowers – 7-8
- Raw Onion – 1
- Water – As needed
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Grind Hibiscus flowers with raw onion to form a smooth paste.
- Add little water if required.
How to Apply:
- Apply the mask on the roots and hair.
- Leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with normal water.
How Often Should I Do This: Once every fifteen days.
Precautions: Onion juice may irritate sensitive scalps.
6. Ginger and Hibiscus Leaves:
If you have always dreamt about a thick, dense mane, Ginger and Hibiscus is your ultimate rescue. Both the ingredients are known for their benefits in promoting hair growth. By massaging the mixture of these agents, the follicles get activated to allow spurts of new hair. Using it over a period of time can offer coverage to your scalp.
Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Flowers – 7-8
- Ginger Root– 1 Big
- Water – As needed
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Grind Hibiscus flowers with ginger to form a smooth paste.
- Add little water if required.
- Ensure there are no lumps or big particles.
How to Apply:
- Apply the mask on the roots and hair.
- Leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with normal water.
How Often Should I Do This: Once every fifteen days.
Precautions: Ginger may irritate bruised, damaged scalps.
7. Hibiscus and Curry Leaves:
Curry leaves are an instant remedy for many hair woes. Adding them to hibiscus can darken your hair and make you look younger again. This mixture also nourishes your scalp and provide all the essential nutrients for boosting hair growth. It can even combat dryness, damage and frizz. You can alternatively use hibiscus powder for hair growth, instead of Hibiscus leaves.
Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil – 2-3 tbsp.
- Curry Leaves – 1 Cup.
- Hibiscus Leaves – 1 Cup.
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes.
How to Prepare:
- Grind Hibiscus and curry leaves to form into a smooth paste.
- Add this paste to lukewarm coconut oil.
- Mix well.
How to Apply:
- Apply the mask on the roots and hair.
- Leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with normal water.
How Often Should I Do This: Once every week.
Precautions: No known side effects of this treatment.
Additional Tips to Use Hibiscus for Hair:
Along with the above-mentioned methods, you can even try the following recipes with Hibiscus to treat different problems:
- Anti-Dandruff Treatment: Mix Hibiscus leaves with soaked fenugreek seeds. Blend into a smooth paste and add a few spoons of sour curd. Apply it all over your scalp and leave it for an hour. Wash off with a mild shampoo. Use it regularly to say goodbye to dandruff.
- Dry Hair Remedy: Treat dry and brittle hair with Hibiscus and Coconut milk mask. Just add the paste of Hibiscus flowers with coconut milk and honey. Apply it like a hair mask and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash off with water to reveal smooth, strong hair.
- Oily Scalp Treatment: If you are suffering from the greasy scalp, try this Hibiscus and egg mask. Mix 2 egg whites with 3 tbsp of crushed hibiscus flower paste. Apply it on your scalp and leave for half an hour. Rinse with normal water. This mask balances the pH of your scalp and clears your pores of excess oil.
- Anti-Bacterial Infections: Keep your scalp free from bacterial infections with neem and hibiscus. Add neem juice, lemon juice with hibiscus paste and apply it on your scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water.
- Hair Growth Tonic: Mix hibiscus leaf paste with almond oil into a smooth paste. Apply it on your scalp and massage well. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Hibiscus is one of the best gifts of nature to mankind. It’s important to hair and beauty has long been recognized by many brands and use it as a key ingredient in their products. However, readymade products are not free from chemicals and hence it is best to go natural. Just grow a Hibiscus plant in a pot or soil and use fresh flowers and leaves for your treatments. If you have used any of these DIY treatments before, do let us know in the comments section!
