July 10, 2023 by Revathi Naramsetty
Hair fall, alopecia or baldness, by whatever name we call it, it is always undesirable and everyone would like to stop, prevent and reverse it. Hair has an important role in maintaining the physical appearance of a person which is generally the first impression created on anyone. They also play a big role in the self-image of a person which is an important psychological aspect in anyone’s life.
Good and healthy hair can make a person look young and full of vigor while a person with baldness is often associated with old age, diseases and a dull personality. There is no denying about the importance of hair which cannot be reiterated enough and why we must care for our hair. Here we explain in detail benefits and how to use methi(1) for hair.
Causes of Hair Fall
Before discussing the causes of hair fall, it is quintessential to understand the various types of hair fall we suffer from. Hair fall is general categorized into the following types:
- Female-pattern baldness
- Telogen Effluvium (commonly called ‘Hair Thinning’)
While not all the causes for hair fall are known to humankind yet, but we can consider what we know to avoid faltering. The common causes of hair fall include:
- Various infections like Dissecting cellulitis, Fungal infections (e.g.: tinea capitis), Folliculitis, Secondary syphilis, etc. or the presence of Demodex folliculorum (a microscopic mite that eats away hair nutrition).
- Intake of various pharmaceutical drugs like those for reducing blood pressure, combating mycotic infections, diabetes or cholesterol control or heart related ailments. Administering steroids, acne medications, contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapies also contribute to hair loss.
- Treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy also cause hair loss.
- Traction alopecia is found in people who fancy ponytails, cornrows, etc. or those who pull or brush their hair with excessive force. This can also be found in those cases where we are rough while massaging the hair or are heat styling them. Compulsively pulling and/or bending the hair also cause hair-fall.
- Childbirth, surgery, poisoning or certain medical conditions can also be causes.
Although most of the causes of hair loss have been discussed now, but the diagnosis of the cause should be left to dermatologists to get to the root of the problem.
Home remedies have been helping us keep healthy since the beginning of time and since they are harmless in nature being time-tested, we can practice them for our benefit at our home, with not much expertise or experience needed in curing certain problems. They are easy to administer and the ingredients can generally be found in our kitchens, and if not then they are never far as we can find them in most stores.
Benefits of Fenugreek (Methi) for Hair
- Fenugreek (methi) contains various vitamins, minerals and phyto nutrients which are highly beneficial for our overall health.(2)
- It also contains Copper, Iron, Zinc, Calcium and other minerals beneficial for hair growth.(3)
- It also contains Lecithin which reduces hair fall, improves hair health and ensures good growth.
- Nicotinic acid present increases the hair growth and potassium prevents undesirable greying of hair.
- Thiamine, Vitamin B-6, folic acid, Vitamins A & C also ensure a healthy body and healthy hair.
- The Flavonoids present in this super healthy thing also help improving the overall blood circulation which is also beneficial to hair.
How to Use (Fenugreek) Methi for Hair
We know that Fenugreek (methi) is a powerhouse of hair health essentials, let us learn to use it to our benefit to either maintain a healthy set of hair or to stop the hair fall that has begun in many of us and do our bit to resuscitate our youthful hair. Mentioned below are uses of Fenugreek (methi) in combating hair problems.(4)
1. Fenugreek Seeds for Hair Fall
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of fenugreek seeds
- 1 cup of water
- lemon juice
Preparation time: Half day.
How to do:
- Soak cup of fenugreek seeds in water over night
- Grind the soaked fenugreek seeds until you get a smooth paste
- Add lemon juice to this paste
- Apply this paste on your hair and scalp as a hair mask
- Cover your head with shower cap and wait for 30 minutes
- Finally wash it with a mild shampoo(5)
Repetitions: Follow this process twice a week.
[ Read: How to Control Hair Fall Naturally ]
2. Fenugreek Seeds for Hair Growth
You’ll need:
- 2 table spoons of fenugreek seeds
- 1 table spoon of coconut oil
Preparation time: 5 minutes.
How to do:
- Mix fenugreek seeds with coconut oil and boil it until the seeds turn reddish
- Let cool the mixture and apply it on your hair and scalp
- Leave it over night and wash it off with a regular shampoo in the morning(6)
Repetitions: Follow this method at least 2 to 3 times in a week.
[ Read: How to Grow Hair Naturally at Home ]
3. Fenugreek Seeds for Scalp
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of fenugreek seeds
- 1 cup of water
- egg yolk
Preparation time: 12 hours.
How to do:
- Soak fenugreek seeds in water over night
- Grind the soaked fenugreek seeds until you get a smooth paste
- Add an egg yolk to the paste and mix well
- Apply this mixture on your scalp and gently massage with your finger tips
- Let sit for about 30 minutes then wash it off with normal water(7)
Repetitions: Follow this remedy twice a week.
[ Read: How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Dry Itchy Scalp ]
4. Fenugreek Seeds for Dandruff
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of fenugreek seeds
- 1 cup of water
- yogurt
Preparation time: Half day.
How to do:
- Soak cup of fenugreek seeds in water over night
- Grind the soaked fenugreek seeds until you get a smooth paste
- Add yogurt to this paste
- Apply this paste on your hair and scalp as a hair mask
- Cover your head with shower cap and wait for 30 minutes
- Finally wash it with a mild shampoo(8)
Repetitions: Apply this hair mask 3 times a week.
[ Read: 9 Best Home Remedies for Dandruff ]
5. Fenugreek Seeds for Shiny Hair
You’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds
- 2 glasses of water
Preparation time: 12 hours.
How to do:
- Soak fenugreek seeds in water over night
- Remove the seeds from water and drink the water in the morning in an empty stomach
Repetitions: Consume this water daily for few weeks.
6. Fenugreek Seeds for Split Ends
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of fenugreek seeds
- 1 cup of water
Preparation time: Half day.
How to do:
- Soak cup of fenugreek seeds in water over night
- Grind the soaked fenugreek seeds until you get a smooth paste
- Apply this paste on your hair
Repetitions: Apply this hair mask 3 times a week.
[ Read: Homemade Hair Masks for Split Ends ]
7. Fenugreek Seeds for Gray Hair
You’ll need:
- handful of curry leaves
- 1 cup of fenugreek seeds
- 1 cup of water
Preparation time: 12 hours.
How to do:
- Soak cup of fenugreek seeds in water over night
- Grind the soaked fenugreek seeds until you get a smooth paste
- Boil the curry leaves and put them in a blender add fenugreek paste and mix well
- Apply this mixture on your hair and let sit for about 30 minutes and wash it off with cold water
Repetitions: Follow this remedy at least twice a week.
Now that we know so many easy ways in which Fenugreek (methi) can help us keep our hair healthy and control hair fall, it is time to use these gems of wisdom to our benefit. Let’s do our bit to care for our crown’s jewels which play an undeniable role in making us look attractive and beautiful. So time to get into the kitchen and gift ourselves great hair.
Scientific Evidence:
- Fenugreek- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/fenugreek
- A Review on Ethnobotanical and Therapeutic Uses of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L)- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25922446/
- Effect of Fenugreek Use on Fasting Blood Glucose, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34466512/
- Fenugreek+micronutrients: Efficacy of a food supplement against hair loss- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251923543_Fenugreekmicronutrients_Efficacy_of_a_food_supplement_against_hair_loss
- A small plant with big benefits: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.) for disease prevention and health promotion- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28266134/
- Spices, fenugreek seed- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171324/nutrients
- Antioxidant and hemolytic activities, and effects in rat cutaneous wound healing of a novel polysaccharide from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27914964/
- Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27148560/
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