I’m sure you have already heard about the remarkable ashwagandha benefits for hair, health, and skin. Ashwagandha has been used for over 8000 years as a natural remedy that can soothe scalp irritation and promote healthy hair growth.
It’s the best natural treatment for dry and brittle hair and it helps also regrow healthy and radiant hair.
So, what does ashwagandha do exactly? How can it benefit your hair? Well. In this article, I will include ashwagandha benefits for hair, what it is exactly, how to use it, possible side effects, and more FAQs.
Let’s get started…
Table of Contents
An Overview On Ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is a perennial shrub that grows naturally in subtropical areas in Africa and Asia. The word “Ashwagandha” comes from the Sanskrit language, “Ashwa” means Horse, and ” Gandha ” means smell (smell of the horse) which refers to the ability to increase strength.
It’s also known as “Indian Ginseng” or “Indian Winter Cherry” and it has been used as a natural remedy for centuries just like aloe vera and rosewater.
The powder of Ashwagandha that we use comes from its roots or leaves, it offers many benefits for health, hair, and skin.
Ashwagandha powder is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can benefit your hair and skin health significantly.
It’s been used to reduce inflammation, increase energy levels, reduce stress levels, prevent hair loss, improve sleep, and relieve anxiety.
Related: 6 Best Ashwagandha Benefits For Skin & How To Use It Right
What Are The Ashwagandha Benefits For Hair?
There are many benefits of ashwagandha for hair including:
1- Keep Your Hair Strong
Ashwagandha contains powerful antioxidants that can strengthen your hair and reduce scalp problems that weaken the hair.
A study showed that it can promote the production of a powerful antioxidant called DHEA which is a natural hormone that is already found in our bodies.
This antioxidant can fight free radicals, improve hair health, and reduce inflammation.
2- Prevent Hair Loss
This is one of the most useful ashwagandha benefits for hair as it can solve hair loss problems that many people suffer from.
High-stress levels can affect your scalp and hair health badly and cause your hair to fall out. A study showed that ashwagandha could help prevent hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.
Another study found that this plant can help boost your mood and reduce stress and anxiety levels. So it can prevent hair loss caused by stress and anxiety.
It can increase blood circulation in the scalp and transfer more nutrients to hair follicles which will reduce hair loss.
Furthermore, Ashwagandha contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals that make your hair grow healthier and stronger. And it improves the texture of your hair.
Plus, it’s been used as an effective remedy for centuries to control postpartum hair fall.
3- Improve Scalp Health
You already know a healthy scalp is the key to healthy lustrous hair, right? Ashwagandha is rich in vitamin C, iron, potassium, nitrate, and antioxidants that help reduce free radical damage, relieve scalp irritation, rebalance the pH level, and reduce inflammation and itching.
It can also improve blood circulation which will help deliver enough nutrients to your follicles and support their health.
4- Reduce Stress Levels
Several studies showed that ashwagandha lowers cortisol levels (the stress hormone) which will help relieve stress and anxiety.
Those studies found also that patients who took ashwagandha supplements experienced an improvement in sleep.
So when stress levels are reduced and you could sleep well at night, this will improve your overall health including your hair and scalp health.
5- Prevent Premature Greying Of Hair
Antioxidants in ashwagandha help combat free radicals which are reactive molecules that release oxidative stress, this causes damage to hair follicles and destroys the natural color of your hair. And it will lead eventually to premature greying of hair.
This could be one of the most important ashwagandha benefits for hair as many women suffer now from premature hair greying. It will help maintain your hair color and improve its overall health.
6- Condition Your Scalp And Hair
DHEA, the powerful antioxidant found in ashwagandha, can help promote collagen production on your scalp which will repair dry and brittle hair.
Also, the Nutrients in ashwagandha strengthen hair roots, condition your hair and scalp, and prevent damage, leaving it looking healthy and radiant.
How To Use Ashwagandha For Hair?
Due to the health benefits of ashwagandha for hair, I bet you’re dying to try it, right? But do you know how to use it properly to maximize its benefits? Here’s how:
Ashwagandha Hair Masks
- First Method: Mix 2-3 tbsp of ashwagandha powder with water to make a paste then apply the mixture to your hair from roots to tips. Massage gently and leave it for 30-60 minutes then rinse it with water.
- Second Method: Mix well 2-3 tbsp of ashwagandha powder and 1-2 hibiscus powder with 100 ml of coconut milk then apply to scalp and hair and massage. Leave it for 20-30 minutes then wash your hair with your favorite organic shampoo.
- Third method: Mix 2-3 tbsp of ashwagandha powder or ashwagandha oil and 2 tbsp of Brahmi powder with one cup of yogurt then apply the mixture to your hair from roots to tips. Leave it for 1-2 hours then wash your hair with organic shampoo.
Ashwagandha Hair Care Products
Ashwagandha is found now in many hair care products, it’s available in hair serum, shampoos, and conditioners. Those products use ashwagandha as one of the primary ingredients, you can easily find them on the market.
Oral Supplements
Many ashwagandha supplements are available on the market, you can try any of them but it’s best to consult a dermatologist before taking them.
A dosage of 300 mg of ashwagandha extract twice a day is usually safe and won’t cause reactions. It’s best to take the supplements with meals to be absorbed well.
Ashwagandha Tea
You can use ashwagandha dried roots or powder to make your tea. Add one spoon of ashwagandha powder or a couple of dried roots to the water then boil the mixture on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes. After that, strain in a cup, you can add lemon or honey to your tea.
What Are The Side Effects Of Using Ashwagandha?
Excessive intake of ashwagandha can cause headaches, stomach upsets, drowsiness, allergic reactions, and rapid heart beating.
People with hyperthyroidism should avoid ashwagandha as it stimulates the release of thyroid hormones.
People who are suffering from hypertension should not take ashwagandha supplements as it’s known to lower blood pressure.
Also, people with autoimmune conditions who take immunosuppressant medication should avoid ashwagandha as it could cause interactions.
Ashwagandha is known to improve sleep quality so taking it along with sleeping pills could lead to excessive sedation.
Furthermore, Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid ashwagandha.
FAQs:
Does Ashwagandha Help With Hair Growth?
Yes. Ashwagandha helps with hair growth as it contains powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can stimulate healthy hair growth, reduce scalp inflammation, prevent hair loss, keep hair and scalp healthy, and restore damaged hair.
How Long Does It Take For Ashwagandha To Work For Hair?
It takes at least 12 weeks for ashwagandha to start promoting hair growth and improving your hair health when taken daily.
Can Ashwagandha Cause Hair Loss?
No. Ashwagandha can’t cause hair loss. Actually, many studies showed that ashwagandha can reduce hair loss and improve scalp health as it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Does Ashwagandha Grow Women’s Hair?
Yes. Ashwagandha can help grow women’s hair as it can repair hair damage, promote hair growth, prevent hair loss, strengthen roots, and maintain a healthy scalp and hair.
Wrapping Up
If your hair is suffering lately and you wanna improve its health, using ashwagandha is one of the best remedies you should try. the Ashwagandha benefits for hair are plenty as ashwagandha can enhance your scalp and hair health, stimulate healthy hair growth, and keep roots strong.
So check the top ashwagandha benefits for hair I included above and let me if you have ever used ashwagandha before!