Flaxseeds have been used since centuries for nutrition and health problems. But, did you ever know that this kitchen ingredient can promote the growth of your hair like never before? Rather than going to a salon and doing expensive hair treatments that are so full of chemicals, consider using flaxseeds. Have a look at these amazing benefits of flaxseeds for hair growth.
Benefits of Flaxseeds For Hair Growth
- Strengthens your hair from within
Being a great source of both soluble and insoluble fibres, flaxseeds help in strengthening your hair from within. It increases blood circulation in your scalp, thereby promoting hair growth and preventing hair breakage.
- Protects your hair from thinning
Factors such as hormonal imbalance, menopause, etc. can cause hair thinning. However, lignin, a fiber-like organic substance found in abundance in flaxseed, acts as an antioxidant. This prevents both hair fall and thinning caused due to hormonal problems as well as the normal aging process of your hair cells.
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Flaxseeds are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that promote hair growth. These fatty acids help in nourishing your follicles as well as hair shafts and makes them less prone to damage. It makes your hair grow stronger, healthier, and also improves hair elasticity.
- Loaded with vitamin E
Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin E is considered as one of the best vitamins that helps in healthy hair growth. Fortunately, flaxseeds are loaded with vitamin E. This vitamin improves the efficiency of capillaries, thereby promoting blood circulation. It also prevents hair damage and premature graying.
- Keeps your hair conditioned
Flaxseeds are a great way to condition your hair. They help to make your hair silky, smooth, and manageable. Also, this super ingredient binds moisture to your hair shaft, controlling problems such as frizzy hair, dryness, breakage, and split-ends.
Other than these five benefits of flaxseeds for hair growth, they also help to reduce scalp inflammation. It reduces infections such as dandruff, cicatricial alopecia, itchy scalp and many other problems related to your scalp. The omega 3 fatty acids present in flaxseed prevents the flakiness in the scalp, thereby creating a healthy environment for new hair strands to grow. Flaxseeds also reduce free radical damage, thereby protecting both your hair and scalp from external aggressors.
If you have any queries regarding the benefits of flaxseeds for hair growth, it is always recommended to talk to an expert doctor. You can also consult a doctor online, anywhere, anytime.
Read: Foods And Herbs That Can Increase Hair Volume
How to Use Flaxseeds For Hair Growth?
To reap the benefits of flaxseed for hair growth, you can either use it directly to your hair or add them in your diet. However, if you prefer adding flaxseed directly in your hair, you are not supposed to add whole or crushed flaxseeds — instead, use them in the form of oil or gel.
Flaxseed hair oil
Take two tablespoons of flaxseed oil in a bowl and heat it for a few seconds until it becomes slightly warm. Then, massage this oil thoroughly into your scalp for about 15 to 20 minutes. Take a towel and dip it in hot water. After that, wrap your hair using that towel and wait for 30 minutes. Wash your hair using a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
You can do this twice or thrice a week for best results.
Flaxseed hair gel
Take one-fourth cup of flaxseed, two cups of filtered water, and one tablespoon of lemon juice. In a vessel, add the water and flaxseeds. Let it boil until the liquid starts to get thick. Then, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to this mixture and stir it well. Once the liquid reaches a gel-like consistency, turn off the heat and let it cool. After that, strain this mixture and collect the gel. Style your hair every day using this gel, or you can also use it on your scalp to boost hair growth.
Flaxseed and diet
Having two tablespoons of raw flaxseed whenever you feel like having a snack is one of the best ways to include flaxseed in your diet. You can also sprinkle a spoonful of flaxseeds in your salads or over stir-fried veggies.
Also, grinding flaxseeds and adding them in your smoothies, cookies, or whatever you eat or drink works well to speed up the process of hair growth.
Read: Beauty Tips for Flawless Skin and Hair
Potential Side-Effects of Flaxseed
- Increased level of estrogen that can adversely affect a fetus if you are pregnant.
- Gastrointestinal side effects, including abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and gas.
- Increased the risk of prostate cancer.
- Lowers blood pressure
- Skin sensitivity
- Drug interactions
Due to all these reasons, before taking flaxseeds, consider talking to a doctor.