Garlic oil is a great natural remedy for improving hair health. It’s known for its potential to help with hair growth, dandruff, and scalp issues due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Here’s a simple recipe to make garlic hair oil at home:

DIY Garlic Oil for Hair

Ingredients:

• 5-6 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil (or olive oil, depending on preference)
• A few drops of essential oil (optional, for fragrance, like lavender or rosemary)

Instructions to prepare Garlic Oil:

1. Crush the Garlic: Peel the garlic cloves and mash or crush them to release their natural juices.
2. Heat the Oil: In a small pan, add the coconut oil (or olive oil) and heat it on low flame. Be careful not to heat it too much or it can lose its nutrients.
3. Infuse Garlic into Oil: Once the oil is warm, add the crushed garlic to it. Let the garlic infuse into the oil on low heat for about 5-10 minutes, making sure it doesn’t burn. You’ll notice the oil might take on a faint garlic scent.
4. Strain the Oil: After the oil has cooled down, strain out the garlic pieces using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. This will leave you with the infused oil.
5. Add Essential Oil (Optional): If you want a better fragrance or extra hair benefits, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, like lavender or rosemary.
6. Store the Oil: Transfer the infused garlic oil to a clean bottle or jar. Store it in a cool, dark place.

How to Use Garlic Oil:

• Pre-Application: Patch Test – Before applying garlic oil to your scalp, always do a patch test to ensure you don’t have any allergic reactions or irritation. Apply a small amount of the oil to a small area of your skin (such as the inside of your wrist) and wait for about 24 hours to check for any redness or itching.
• Gently massage the garlic oil into your scalp, focusing on areas where you want to improve hair growth or address scalp concerns.
• Leave the Oil on for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for deeper penetration.
• Shampoo and Rinse – After the recommended time, shampoo your hair as usual to remove the oil. You can follow up with your usual conditioner if needed.
• Repeat Regularly – For the best results, use this oil once or twice a week. Overuse can potentially lead to scalp irritation, so moderation is key.

Benefits of Garlic Oil

Garlic oil is packed with nutrients that can offer several benefits for your hair and scalp. Here’s how it can help:

1. Promotes Hair Growth

• Garlic contains sulfur compounds, such as allicin, which are believed to stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair growth. It can increase circulation to the scalp, improving nutrient delivery to hair roots, which can potentially lead to stronger, thicker hair.

2. Prevents Hair Loss

• Garlic is often used to prevent hair thinning and loss. The sulfur compounds help to support the production of collagen, which is important for hair health.
• The antifungal and antibacterial properties of garlic may also help reduce scalp infections, a common cause of hair loss.

3. Fights Dandruff

• Garlic has antifungal and antimicrobial properties, making it an effective remedy for dandruff. It helps to kill off fungi or bacteria that may be contributing to flaky, itchy scalp issues.
• Regular use of this oil can help keep your scalp clean and healthy.

4. Strengthens Hair

• Garlic is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, and selenium, which help in strengthening the hair shaft.
• It can reduce breakage and split ends, leading to healthier, more resilient hair.

5. Improves Scalp Health

• Garlic oil can help maintain a healthy scalp by promoting blood circulation and treating scalp issues like dryness, itchiness, or irritation.
• This also supports overall hair growth by providing a healthy environment for hair follicles.

6. Reduces Grey Hair

• Although not scientifically proven, many people use garlic with the belief that it can help reduce the appearance of grey hair by promoting healthy melanocytes, which are responsible for producing hair color.
• It may not reverse greying, but it can contribute to maintaining your natural hair color longer.

7. Adds Shine and Softness

• The oils in garlic, especially when combined with carrier oils like coconut or olive oil, can help lock in moisture, improving the texture and shine of your hair.

8. Fights Scalp Infections

• The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of garlic can help treat conditions like scalp acne or infections caused by bacteria or fungus, which might otherwise hinder healthy hair growth.