You probably use onions regularly in the kitchen. However, while they are a tasty, nutritious addition to many dishes, they offer even more benefits.
Surprisingly, studies show that onions may be excellent for hair care, helping to reverse graying and improving overall hair growth. In fact, onion juice has been used for decades to treat these hair care issues.
How Does it Work?
Onion juice addresses these hair problems by offering better circulation and nourishment to hair follicles. The juice kills parasites and germs as well, making it an excellent treatment for certain fungal infections.
By treating fungal infections and killing bacteria, it may be able to prevent hair loss. Since onions have a high concentration of sulfur, the sulfur helps regenerate hair follicles and works to reduce inflammation of the scalp.
Pseudocatalase Study
Recently, a new study looks at pseudo-catalase, a topical compound that showed excellent results when used for treating gray hair and thinning hair. The study showed that the cream worked by targeting the cause of these hair issues.
Studies showed that hydrogen peroxide buildup and a decrease in catalase, a natural antioxidant, was the cause of graying and thinning hair. Hydrogen peroxide accumulation usually affects the hair follicles, causing oxidative stress that leads to thinning, graying hair.
Not only was catalase used in this breakthrough topical cream, but it is also found in onion juice. In fact, onion juice acts much like this cream when used on hair, helping to reduce hydrogen peroxide buildup and increasing catalase levels.
Onion Juice for Hair Loss and Greying Hair
When a buildup of hydrogen peroxide occurs in the hair follicles, it causes oxidative stress resulting in graying and thinning hair. When onion juice is applied it increases the level of catalase on the skins surface, which reduces the buildup of hydrogen peroxide. Studies show it only takes a few weeks to see the results.
Onion Juice Studies
If you begin using onion juice, you should notice results after a few weeks of use. In fact, the Journal of Dermatology published a study that showed that 74% of those with alopecia areata saw improved hair regrowth after using the onion juice for four weeks. After six weeks, that percentage went up to 84%.
There are 3 Ways You Can Make Onion Juice:
While it’s possible to purchase onion juice, you’ll get better results if you make fresh onion juice yourself. When making the juice, avoid making too much, since fresher juice is more potent, offering better results.
? Juicer – One way to make onion juice is to simply peel an onion and place it in your juicer. You’ll have onion juice in no time.
? Blender/Food Processor – You can also use a food processor or blender to make the juice by cutting the onion into sections and then processing. It’s best to strain this mixture to ensure you only have the juice left.
? Grater (Recommended) – It’s also possible to use a grater to make your own onion juice. Over a dish, grate two onion halves, and then strain away the onion pieces so you are left with only the onion juice.
UPDATED:
The technique you use to get the juice from the onion matters!
Don’t use a blender, use a grater instead. Take the grated onion and strain it with a spoon, pressing the rounded face against the mush to press out the juice. This stops the “onion dandruff” effect and is easier to wash out, rather than pulling out clumps of onion from your hair in the shower.
EXTRA TIP:
Add castor, coconut, almond and olive oil to the mix too. I used a teaspoon of each.
How to Use Onion Juice for Hair
Before you apply the onion juice, test it on a small area. It may be too strong for you, or in some rare cases, you could have an allergy. Water down the juice if you need to.
- To get the best results, the juice should be applied to the scalp daily. Massage into the scalp, which ensures maximum absorption while stimulating your hair follicles.
- The juice should be left on your scalp for 30-60 minutes. While the smell is pretty strong, the juice offers excellent results.
- Since you probably want to avoid smelling like an onion, use the juice application at night, then shampoo your hair before you hit the sheets to remove the smell.
How to Get Rid of the Smell of Onions?
- Preparing the masks with onion you need to filter carefully the onion juice from small particles, as it is the main cause of bad smell.
- Rub the masks into the roots and scalp directly, rather than distributing the entire length of the strands.
- Rinse the head after washing off the mask with orange or lemon juice (2 tablespoons per gallon of water). Or apple cider vinegar, pre-diluted with water in proportion 2 tablespoons of vinegar for 0,5 liter of water.
- You can lessen the odor by adding a mixture of banana pulp ( or essential oil of ylang-ylang, rosemary, lavender, tea tree oil (a few drops)) directly to the masks.
- add some lemon juice, rose water and 1/2 juice of an orange because it really gets rid of the smell.
Have you ever tried this natural hair remedy? Would you be willing to look over the smell to achieve thicker or longer hair?
Hi
Thanks for your tips. I am 20 and my hair is turning grey already. Will applying onion juice reverse grey hair or only prevent further grey hair
Have you tried boiling the onion with garlic in water. Then use the water to massage on hair?
sir i am 23 year old my black hair turn in to grey and i use hair colour .is onion juice work.
is it effective or not
Hi , thanx for ur blog i regularly follow it. Jst a query is ok to mix onion juice n fenugreek mixture for hair?Since i live in a very cold weather …. its not possible for me wash hair more than once in a week.
I hv dry n frizzyhair n it takes atleast a day to get back to normal look n Also hairwash makes me drousy so i jst tend to avoid it .Thanx in advance.
Hi , thanx for ur blog i regularly follow it. Jst a query is it ok to mix onion juice n fenugreek mixture for hair?Since i live in a very cold weather …. its not possible for me wash hair more than once in a week.
I hv dry n frizzyhair n it takes atleast a day to get back to normal look n Also hairwash makes me drousy so i jst tend to avoid it .Thanx in advance.
Hi- did you see your grey hair reverse to black after 3 months? honest answer pls!
I have grey beard my age is just 27year if a apply union juice regular to my beard is it possible I will turn back my beard black ..
hi Mandeep,
I’ve never tried this on my own since I have no beard like guys do (I’ve only tried this mixture on my pre-mature gray hair), but you can try it and see how it works.
Calleigh
Did it work and how Long does it take to show results
hi Nida,
It depends on every situation, continue doing it regularly for 2 months and see how it works for you. I remember my FIL has been using this method and I don’t see any white hair on his head though he’s already 75.
of course it depends on the person. Was curious if it worked for YOU??? Or anyone else?
I hv used onion juice before n it was very helpful. Hv started using it again due to hairloss but the smell the onion leaves in your hair is yuk….very difficult to get rid of the smell.
@Jeanne Ross,
To get rid of the onion smell, you can add some lemon juice, rose water and 1/2 juice of an orange because it really gets rid of the smell.
Thx for this excellent tip.it works
Thanks a lot for your valuable information