Onions, normally seen as a humble kitchen staple, may have uses other than simply adding flavor to our food. It might sound surprising, but onion juice is also a home remedy for hair loss.
Hair loss is very common and may involve bald patches, complete baldness or gradual thinning.
One home remedy many people may not have heard of is onion juice.
Fast facts on onion juice for hair loss:
Onions contain certain minerals, which may be good for the hair.
Anyone allergic to onions should not use onion juice on their hair.
If the smell is too much to stand, adding a little lemon juice or rose water helps.
Although a popular home remedy, more research is needed to conclude if onion juice works as a hair loss treatment.
The use of onion juice for hair regrowth has not been extensively researched.
One small study published in the Journal of Dermatology indicated that applying onion juice to the scalp might help hair regrow in some people.
The study involved participants who had alopecia areata, which is a non-scarring, patchy form of hair loss.
Researchers found that hair growth started after 2 weeks of using onion juice, which was applied to the scalp twice daily.
Almost 74 percent of participants had some hair regrowth after 4 weeks, and at 6 weeks about 87 percent experienced hair regrowth. Both males and females participated in the study and the hair regrowth was higher among males.
Although the study did indicate positive results, it was small with only 38 participants.
Nutrients in the onion juice applied to the hair may nourish the hair follicles, which might increase volume, shine, and improve hair strength. The extra nutrition may also minimize breakages and thinning.
As well as conditioning, using onion juice may also promote new hair growth in some people.
The reason onion juice may help improve the health of the hair may be due to the following:
Dietary sulfur
One theory on how onion juice can help hair regrowth is that onions contain dietary sulfur.
Sulfur is one of the most common minerals in the body. It is needed for adequate production of enzymes and proteins. Sulfur is also found in keratin, which is one of the components of hair.
The sulfur in onion juice may provide the hair with the nourishment it needs to grow. It may also increase the growing phase of the hair.
Anti-microbial properties
Onions have anti-bacterial properties, which may help fight scalp infections.
In some cases, a scalp infection can contribute to hair loss. A healthy scalp is more likely to have strong hair follicles.
Antioxidants
Onions contain antioxidants, such as flavonoids. Antioxidants are believed to protect the body from free radicals.
Free radicals are thought to contribute to the aging process. For example, free radicals may destroy the hair follicles and lead to thinning and loss of the hair.
Cancelling out or decreasing free radicals may reduce damage to the hair follicles.
Application
For those who want to try using onion juice to improve hair health or promote regrowth, the process is simple.
To make onion juice, people should follow these steps:
Peel about four onions and chop them into small pieces.
Extract the juice out of the onion by either squeezing it or using a juicer.
Another option is placing the onion pieces into a blender and blending into a paste. Place the paste in cheesecloth and squeeze all the juice out.
Apply the juice to the scalp or the hair roots.
A few drops of essential oil may also help decrease the potent odor of the juice. Peppermint, lavender, and rosemary essential oils can be good options to dilute the smell.
Currently, there are no commercial products, such as shampoos, that contain onion juice.
However, commercially prepared onion juice and onion liquid extract are available for those who do not want to make their own.