Onion is a popular folk remedy for hair loss. It is a tried and tested product, having been used for centuries not only for its potent hair strengthening properties, but also for other medicinal purposes. In fact, physicians in the Middle Ages prescribed onions to counteract snake bites, earaches, headaches, and hair loss.
High Sulfur Content of Onion
Onion is useful against hair loss because of its high sulfur content. Sulfur is known as the "healing mineral" since it has the ability to stimulate blood circulation and reduce skin inflammation. It is also called the "beauty mineral" because it is vital in the development of collagen, which is the major protein in our skin that gives it durability and smoothness. It also keeps our hair and nails in top condition. These properties of sulfur thus mean that the right amount of sulfur levels in our body can aid in reducing hair loss and encouraging hair regrowth.
To spot sulfur deficiency, watch out for dry skin, weak nails, and brittle hair. Other signs may include allergies, unusual fatigue, headaches, diabetes, and sore muscles and joints. If we do not maintain a proper diet, then chances are our body is not getting enough sulfur that it needs. As a matter of fact, scientists believe that chemical pesticides and fertilizers exhaust the soil of sulfur and this affects the sulfur content of plants being grown in that soil. Moreover, processed foods have been found to contain smaller amounts of sulfur because the mineral has been destroyed in the process. Sulfur cannot be manufactured by the human body, so it must be gotten through other ways, such as eating sulfur-rich foods and taking supplements.
Apply Onion Directly on Scalp
For hair loss sufferers, the easiest and cheapest way to benefit from the hair strengthening qualities of sulfur is through the application of onion extract directly on the scalp. A study published in June 2002 in the Journal of Dermatology talks about the efficacy of topical onion extract against alopecia areata, better known as hair loss. As much as 73% of the persons who used onion juice experienced some form of hair regrowth. The variations of treatments that were used in the experiment are the following:
(1) Chop a medium-sized onion into small pieces and add it to one cup of rum. Let it sit for 24 hours. Strain the mixture using a sieve and massage the remaining liquid solution onto your scalp.
(2) Mix half a cup of chopped onions and half a cup of dried stinging nettle. Add enough vodka to cover the onions and nettle. Let the mixture sit for a few days. Strain the mixture using a sieve and apply the liquid to your scalp.
(3) Mix a quarter cup of onion juice with a tablespoon of raw honey. Massage this mixture onto your scalp daily.
Other Onion Treatments
Other onion treatments recommended by alternative medicine experts include rubbing a slice of onion directly against the scalp before applying honey over it. This should be done twice a day. Another example of a remedy is in the form of a hair rinse. Put 2 ½ cups of brown onion skins in a quart of boiled water and let it sit for 50 minutes. Wash and shampoo your hair as usual, then dry it with a towel. Rinse it several times with the onion skin mixture before washing it off with water.
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