Long, soft, and shiny are the hair conditions that women desire. However, this is often just wishful thinking because there are various problems that could occur, such as dandruff, loss of hair, oiliness, and others.
Cinnamon or Dalchini is a spice obtained from the inner bark of the tree of the genus “Cinnamomum”, as previously explained in the health benefits of cinnamon for fertility. it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including colds and indigestion.
This fragrant spice contains calcium, fiber, iron and manganese that are essentials for skin healing. However, it turns out that only a few people already know that this fragrant spice also has properties to heal various hair problems.
Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used spices in the kitchen, but it has a lot more than just a delicious taste. Not only finding the health benefits of cinnamon for high blood pressure, you can also gain so much for your hair. Feel interested to learn more about its benefits? Let’s take a look below.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon for Hair
- Accelerate Hair Growth
A study from the Department of Dermatology, the University of California in 2019 found that cinnamon can accelerate hair growth. This property comes from procyanidin, a content in cinnamon, which can also be found in the health benefits of drinking okra water.
Not only that, laboratory tests from Udayana University researchers in Denpasar in 2018 also found that cinnamon extract oil had the power to increase the hair density of mice. In fact, its effectiveness resembles that of using 2% minoxidil topically or topically. However, further research is still needed on its effectiveness in humans.
- Prevents Dandruff
According to a 2013 study from a research team from India, it was found that cinnamon has antifungal properties. The researchers found that the ingredients in it can fight Malassezia, a type of fungus that causes dandruff.
This means that cinnamon can be a natural treatment for cinnamon. However, further research is needed to prove this.
- Prevents Hair Loss
One of the reasons for this is that the hair follicles do not get enough blood flow. Every hair follicle needs blood and nutrients to grow optimally.
Interestingly, the content of cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon has also been shown to prevent hair loss, according to a study by a team from Udayana University in Denpasar published in the Indonesian Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine.
The main reason is that this content can improve blood circulation around the scalp. Thus, this effect can also prevent loss in elderly people. However, you can also try a different approach by having the health benefits of aloe vera for hair, which is more common to find.
- Makes Shiny Hair
Apart from strengthening the hair follicles, cinnamon also functions to add to the hair’s natural shine. It’s easy, just mix cinnamon powder, olive oil, and honey and apply to hair as a natural hair mask that is left for 1 hour.
Once done, simply wash your hair with warm water.
- Clean the Scalp
Make a natural hair scrub to clean the scalp, from a mixture of 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon honey, and 60 milli (3 tablespoons) of warmed olive oil.
Apply to the scalp, massage the scalp slowly and regularly. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then just rinse your hair thoroughly as usual with shampoo. If cinnamon isn’t around, you can use the health benefits of jojoba oil for hair instead.
Notable Side Effects
It should also be considered that the use of cinnamon in the form of oil or powder can have side effects on the skin. In fact, there is also the possibility of a cinnamon allergy.
Some of the possible side effects include:
- Skin irritation
- Reddish skin
- Rash
- Burning sensation on the skin
- Chemical burns due to prolonged exposure
To avoid side effects, always do a patch test first. The trick is to apply a little on the inner elbow, then wait for the next 24-48 hours. If there is a negative reaction, stop using it.
In addition, if the cinnamon oil used has a high concentration, it can also be mixed with other oils. Always use caution when using cinnamon because the reaction from consuming cinnamon in cooking can be different from when it is applied directly to the skin.
Best Way to Use Cinnamon for Your Hair
There are several tips on using cinnamon to both treat or styling your hair. You can use this mixture of cinnamon powder and olive oil for hair care. Now what you do is to mix one tablespoon of cinnamon and combine it with 4 teaspoons of olive oil. Then apply it on the scalp and hair thoroughly, and just let it be absorbed for 10-15 minutes, then rinse.
Honey is rich in benefits. In addition to boosting immunity, honey can also treat itching and inflammation that occurs on the scalp. Mix some ground cinnamon and honey. do not add water as this will only make it too watery. After that, apply it gently on the itchy area, then wash it off with lukewarm water.
A mixture of cinnamon powder and lemon juice is suitable for those of you who have dandruff problems. Mix ground cinnamon with 3-4 teaspoons of lime. Apply it on the scalp and hair. Let stand for 10 minutes then rinse.
Cinnamon oil is very beneficial in dealing with hair loss, this is because cinnamon oil has benefits for hair growth. Apply on the scalp, let stand for 10 minutes. During that time, massage gently so that more oil is absorbed into the scalp