How to Thicken Hair With Coconut Milk, Aloe Vera, and Dr. Bronner's Soap
Turns out coconut milk doesn't just make a mean curry, aloe vera doesn't just treat burns, and Dr. Bronner's soap doesn't just smell good.
These three ingredients, when combined, have had phenomenal effects on my hair's thickness, color and overall health.
Here's the recipe: 1/4 cup coconut milk (I use organic) 1/4 cup aloe vera juice (I use George's 100% Aloe Vera Juice, and I order from Amazon) 3 tablespoons Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap (I use lavender or hemp tea tree, and I get it at my local grocery store or Target)
Here's the process: Mix all ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle. The contents will settle between uses, so shake well before applying. Spray hair, focusing on roots. Massage into scalp and enjoy the rich lather! Here's why your hair will love this: The primary ingredient in this recipe is coconut.
The first ingredient in Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap is coconut oil, and coconut milk is made out of... well, coconut. Why is this important? Coconut oil has been proven to actually regrow hair. Furthermore, I've researched what the Top 10 nutrients are that promote hair growth, and this simple recipe is packed with eight out of the top ten! Below are the top nutrients for hair. I've placed a double asterisk next to the eight that are in this recipe.
1. Protein** Our hair is about 97% protein. Therefore, foods rich in protein are literally giving us the building blocks for our hair. Without enough protein, our bodies can't replace the hairs that we naturally shed every day, and what we do make can be dry, brittle, or weak. How can we tell if we're getting enough protein? For a sedentary person, the suggestion is to have 1.2 grams per kg of body weight. For people with disease, the suggestion is 1.5 grams. And for active individuals, the suggestion is 1.8 grams. So for example, I weigh 130 pounds. My weight in kilograms is 130/2.2, which equals 59 kg. I'm a pretty active person, so I should use the 1.8 grams suggestion. Therefore, I should have 59 x 1.8, which equals 106.2 grams of protein a day.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids** About 3% of our hair shaft is made up of omega-3 fatty acids. They are also found in the skin of our scalp as well as the natural oils that keep our scalp and hair hydrated. Our body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own, so we need to get it from external sources.
3. Biotin Too little biotin can lead to hair-thinning and even loss. Because of its follicle-boosting properties, you will find biotin in the list of ingredients in many hair-thickening shampoos and products.
4. Copper** This mineral helps keep our natural hair color rich and lustrous.
5. Zinc** Like biotin, a lack of zinc can lead to hair loss. Too little zinc can also cause a dry, flaky scalp.
6. Beta-Carotene** This is an antioxidant that our bodies convert to vitamin A, which helps protect and produce the oils that sustain our scalp. Being low on vitamin A can cause itchy, annoying dandruff.
7. Iron** Iron helps carry oxygen to our hair follicles. Just as we need oxygen to breathe, so too does our hair. Breathing keeps them alive and vibrant. Too little iron, which is known as anemia, is a major cause of hair loss.
8. Folate** The supplement form of this nutrient is folic acid. When I expressed to my doctor that I was concerned about my hair thinning, she recommended I take a folic acid supplement. It promotes faster and thicker hair growth.
9. Vitamin C** Vitamin C is critical for circulation to the scalp. It supports the tiny blood vessels that feed the follicles. Too little C in our diet can lead to hair breakage. 10. Vitamin B5 Also known as pantothenic acid, this vitamin is a common ingredient in hair care products. Here's to having a good hair day!
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