Hair follicles are small sacs lined with skin cells. Oil glands emit sebum into these sacs, which serves to protect and lubricate hair. Cells enter the sac and get packed together and pushed out resulting in hair. When these small sacs get loose, we suffer from hair loss and weak hair. When we lookout for hair strengthening treatments, we are actually looking up for strengthening or tightening hair follicles treatments. Here are the top remedies to strengthen hair follicles naturally:
FENUGREEK SEEDS
Soak two to three tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water for eight to 10 hours. Grind the soaked seeds to make a fine paste. You can also mix two teaspoons of coconut milk in it. Apply the paste on your hair and scalp and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before washing your hair with lukewarm water.
MASSAGE
Massage the scalp gently with coconut or almond oil every time before you wash your hair. Massaging helps improve the circulation of blood in the scalp, which in turn improves the supply of nutrients and vitamins to the hair follicles and strengthens the hair roots.
ALOE VERA
Remedy 1: Mix two teaspoons of coconut milk in fresh aloe vera gel and apply it to your scalp. Leave it on for about half an hour before rinsing it off and shampooing your hair. Repeat once or twice a week.
Remedy 2: Extract the gel from one or two aloe vera leaves and rub the gel onto your scalp. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing your hair with lukewarm water. Do this once or twice a week on a regular basis.
VINEGAR AND SAGE
Another recipe you can use to stimulate hair growth is vinegar and sage by fermenting for about a week with daily shaking to mix the two well. Once combined, mix a third of this with 3 cups of water and rinse through your hair. Vinegar has anti-bacterial properties which keeps the scalp free from infection and thereby helps in healthy growth of hair by keeping follicles from clogging.
ROSEMARY
Remedy 1: Mix two drops of rosemary essential oil in two tablespoons of a base oil such as olive, coconut, jojoba, almond or avocado oil. Apply it on your hair and massage the scalp. Leave it on for at least half an hour and then shampoo your hair as usual.
Remedy 2: You can also use rosemary water as a final hair rinse. To prepare it, steep two or three rosemary sprigs in two cups of hot water for about five minutes. If you have the dried form of the herb, boil a handful of it in water. Allow it to cool and then strain the infusion. Rinse your hair with it after shampooing.
INDIAN GOOSEBERY
Heat some coconut oil in a pan and cook dried amla pieces in it until they are charred. Strain and cool the oil. Massage your hair and scalp with it. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Do this on a weekly basis.
FLAXSEED
Soak one-quarter cup of flaxseeds in water overnight. The next morning, boil the flaxseeds in two cups of water over high heat while stirring occasionally. When it thickens to a consistency of foamy jelly then turn off the heat and strain the gel. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil to it. Allow it to cool and then use it as a hair gel. This flaxseed gel is particularly good for those with curly or wavy hair.