People attached particular importance to hair care in ancient times. And this is not surprising: after all, beautiful, shiny hair is a sign of the health of their owner. But nowadays, hair is exposed to a much more aggressive external effect than ever, which means they need enhanced nutrition and recovery. Today, many people are familiar with problems such as dandruff, hair loss, or weakness. To improve the hair, it is not necessary to buy professional cosmetics. In this article, we will tell you how to properly make and apply hair cosmetics with ginger at home.
What is ginger?
Pharmaceutical ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a subtropical perennial cultivated plant, currently distributed on almost all continents. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word singabera, which means horny root in translation. For the first time as a medicine and food supplement, ginger began to be consumed in the north of India in the third millennium BC. He came to Europe thanks to the Phoenician navigators in the 9th century A.D. e. from south asia. In our country, ginger appeared during the existence of Kievan Rus.
For food, medicine and cosmetic purposes, a rhizome is used, which is mistakenly called the root of ginger. This plant is no less useful for hair than for the skin, digestion, nervous system and genital area. The unique composition of ginger makes it one of the most valuable ingredients in cosmetics.
The healing properties of ginger
The use of ginger for hair is due to the presence in it of many amazing chemical compounds. The main one is scingiberen, which contributes to the acceleration of metabolism. The most useful in the product are essential oils, in the rhizome their amount reaches 3%. These oils contain a number of natural antiseptics:
- cineol;
- bisabolene;
- gingerol (gives the plant a specific taste, enhances blood circulation);
- Camphene (has antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal effects).
Ginger rhizome also contains nicotinic acid, which prevents early graying and hair loss.
In addition, ginger is rich in vitamins and minerals. Iron and magnesium improve the nutrition of hair cells. Potassium contributes to their hydration. Thiamine restores damaged hair. Vitamin A makes hair more elastic. Vitamin C strengthens and activates protective functions. Vitamin B2 optimizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Vitamin B1 prevents hair loss. Ginger also contains calcium, chromium, manganese, phosphorus, retinol, tocopherol and essential amino acids.
Due to the local irritating effect, ginger enhances blood circulation and accelerates the activity of the bulbs, which, in turn, causes active hair growth.
Ginger helps in eliminating dandruff, reducing oiliness, giving shine to dry and dull hair. Rinsing the hair with a solution of ginger juice after washing makes it silky and soft. Interestingly, the gingerol contained in ginger can make the hair a tone lighter.
Ginger also eliminates the causes of baldness such as fungal diseases, lack of nutrients, and insufficient oxygen supply to the hair follicles. Homemade cosmetics with ginger helps get rid of mycoses and seborrhea, nourishes the scalp.
Ginger is quite widely used in the cosmetics industry. Manufacturers of hair care products produce shampoos, sprays, balms and masks with essential oil and ginger extract from hair loss, dryness and other problems. Ginger extract is also found in Indian and Asian natural cosmetics. There are professional hair products with ginger.
Reviews about home masks with ginger, its juice and essential oil are mostly positive. People who used such funds noted that hair, even dyed, acquired shine, became thicker, stronger and softer, the amount of dandruff was significantly reduced, bald patches disappeared. A thorough study of numerous reviews of home cosmetics with ginger content allows us to conclude that in the absence of contraindications and precautionary measures, the use of such products gives an amazing result.
Features of using Ginger
Apply a ginger-based product so that it comes into contact with the scalp only slightly. After that, it is necessary to quickly put on a bathing cap or a plastic bag to prevent the mask from coming into contact with air, since ginger juice sticks hair when it is dried, making it sticky. It is believed that fresh ginger is more effective than dried ginger due to essential oils, but ground ginger is better washed out of the hair. Ground rhizome is sharper than fresh, so you need to use it in the preparation of cosmetics in smaller quantities. The ingredients should be mixed in a glass or ceramic bowl to prevent oxidation.
Ginger for masks needs to be rubbed and used immediately, since essential oils evaporate quickly when exposed to air. Peel ginger in the same way as carrots, scraping off the skin. Masks containing oil should be washed off with warm (but not hot!) Water with shampoo, best of all - in a bath. It is preferable to choose natural shampoos. It must be remembered that synthetic oils are not suitable for masks and can cause various problems.
Precautionary measures
Due to the unusually active effect of ginger, it is recommended to mix it with other components, carefully observing the dosage. Ginger-based masks should be applied to dirty, slightly damp or dry hair and left on the head for no more than 30 minutes, unless otherwise indicated. You can apply them once every three days for three weeks, and then you should take a two-week break.
A hair mask with ginger should cause a sensation of warmth, and there may also be a slight tingling. But wash it off immediately if you feel a strong burning sensation or itching. In case of contact with ginger juice, rinse immediately with water. Always wash your hands after contact with juice or a mask. In no case do not rub ginger essential oil or juice into the scalp in its pure form - this can cause irritation, as well as a sharp and strong increase in blood pressure.
Contraindications to the use of cosmetics based on ginger:
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- hypertension;
- fever;
- chronic forms of skin diseases;
- liver disease
- stomach ulcer;
- individual intolerance, allergy;
- taking anticoagulants, drugs that stimulate the work of the cardiovascular system or lower blood pressure;
- hypersensitivity of the scalp.
To check if you are allergic to ginger, cut the rhizome and rub the skin on your wrist or elbow. If within a couple of hours there will be no negative reaction (redness, itching, burning, rash), then there is no allergy.
Dandruff Infusion
You will need:
- 1 small ginger rhizome,
- 2 cups boiling water.
Grate the rhizome of ginger, pour boiling water and heat over low heat for 15 minutes. Cool and strain the resulting infusion, rinse it with clean hair, rinse with water after 10 minutes. After using this extract three times, the hair may become lighter, but you do not need to wash it off.
Oil masks
You will need:
- 1 part finely grated ginger or ginger juice (or 1/2 part dried ground ginger),
- 1 part warm natural vegetable oil.
Combine ginger and butter until smooth. Apply the mixture with your fingers on the scalp. Pouring an oil mask on your hair is not worth it: then it will be difficult to wash off. After application, a sensation of warmth should appear. After an hour, wash your hair. Apply the mask 1-2 times a week for the best result.
Using a mask with sesame oil or jojoba oil allows you to achieve rapid hair growth. A mask with sunflower or coconut oil helps prevent and heal dryness and alopecia, as well as eliminate dandruff (if coconut oil is hard, melt it in a water bath). Avocado oil and olive oil provide both effects.
Oil masks are applied before shampooing, on dry, dirty hair. Before this, they must be thoroughly combed and a head massage is done. You can use darsonval.
Almond Oil Hair Loss Mask
You will need:
- 1 part ginger juice
- 1 part warm almond oil.
Grate the ginger rhizome and squeeze the juice out of it with a piece of gauze. Mix it with almond oil and apply to the scalp. Massage your head with a wide hair brush. Apply almond oil along the entire length. Leave on for 30 minutes, then wash your hair.
Repeat this procedure every 7 days. The effect becomes visible after 4-5 applications. Hair becomes shiny and soft, stop falling out.
Banana nourishing mask (suitable for colored hair)
You will need:
- 4 tablespoons homemade kefir,
- 1 tablespoon of ground dry rhizome of ginger,
- 2 drops of lemon juice (with increased oily skin - the same amount of lemon essential oil),
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of liquid honey
- 1 yolk.
Mix all the ingredients well. Set aside part of the resulting mixture, add half of the banana, crushed into pulp, and 1 raw yolk in the remaining mass. Apply a warm mask to your scalp. Put the laid-off part of the mask, without banana and eggs, onto the ends of the hair. Wrap the hair in polyethylene, wrap a towel on top. After half an hour, rinse your hair with water with shampoo, and then with a cool solution of apple or wine vinegar (2 tbsp. L vinegar and 2 drops of ginger oil in 2 liters of water).
Mask for split ends and damaged hair
You will need:
- 1 spoon of honey
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil,
- 2 tablespoons of ginger rhizome juice,
- 1 yolk.
Mix all the ingredients in a homogeneous mass and thickly coat it with hair along the entire length. Wrap your head in polyethylene, wrap with a towel. After about 20 minutes, rinse off the mask. This mask can also be used as a tool with ginger for hair growth. Reviews indicate that its use allows you to make hair soft and crumbly.
Mask with aloe juice against alopecia
You will need:
- 25 g of liquid flower honey,
- 1 teaspoon fresh juice of two year old aloe,
- 1 spoon of refined cosmetic burdock oil,
- 1/2 spoon of any brandy,
- 1/2 tablespoon finely grated rhizome of ginger,
- 1 yolk.
Heat the honey lightly and then mix it quickly with the rest of the ingredients. Apply the mask to the scalp. Put on a bathing cap or wrap hair in cling film and leave the mask for 50-55 minutes, then wash your hair. Use this mask once a week, with active hair loss - once every two days.
Mask for hair growth with ginger and aloe vera gel
You will need:
- 2 parts ginger juice
- 3 parts aloe vera gel,
- 1 part liquid coconut oil.
Mix all the ingredients. Apply the mixture on the scalp and on the hair along the entire length. Wrap your head in tape, then in a towel. Wash your hair in an hour.
Ginger in tandem with aloe vera even better normalizes the production of sebum, which is explained by a large amount of vitamin A. Coconut oil has a moisturizing and nourishing effect.
Ginger Hair Oil
As already mentioned, the most valuable component of ginger rhizomes are considered essential oils. All minerals, trace elements and rare vitamins are concentrated in them. Ginger hair oil has a range of effects:
- antibacterial;
- antifungal;
- regulatory (normalization of sebum production);
- nourishing;
- tonic;
- moisturizing;
- stimulating.
Ginger oil is an effective therapeutic and prophylactic agent against itching, alopecia and dandruff due to anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. To achieve a beneficial effect, add 4 drops of oil to 15 g of your favorite balm or shampoo. So you can achieve shine, accelerated growth and strengthening of hair, as well as the disappearance of the cut ends.
If you use ginger essential oil to make a hair mask, then more than ten drops of oil should not be added to it. It is not recommended to add it to mustard or pepper masks. Better to use shikakai, vegetable oils or henna.
Ginger essential oil can be purchased at pharmacies and aroma salons. Pay attention to the packaging: if it has the inscription Zingiber Officinale on it, then the product is natural. If you have any allergies, it makes sense to also study the composition. Ginger allergy is a rare occurrence, but pharmacy oil contains diluents that can trigger unwanted reactions. Most often, patchouli and peanut butter are allergic.
Ginger essential oil evaporates quickly in air, but it dissolves well in fats, while maintaining its beneficial properties. Therefore, it can be harvested independently. To do this, take a glass jar, pour in it odorless vegetable oil (for example, corn or olive) and put in it a finely chopped ginger rhizome. Next, you should insist the mixture in a dark place for three weeks, and then strain into a clean, dry bottle. The product thus prepared can be stored at a temperature of +2 ... + 4 º for up to six months and used for cosmetic purposes.
Of course, ginger is a real find for hair. But for the result from the use of caring cosmetics to be achieved as quickly as possible, and to stay as long as possible, you need to take care of your hair in other ways. All factors are important: nutrition, external influences, sleep and wakefulness, emotional background. In order for curls to always please you with their beauty, you should avoid stress as much as possible, get enough sleep, walk in the fresh air, choose a diet according to your hair type, and also properly wash, dry and comb them.