Often a companion to more prominent flavors such as cinnamon and nutmeg, cloves are the hidden warm flavor in many fall spiced treats and drinks. But does clove work wonders for your hair too?
Native to Indonesia, cloves have been used in traditional and folk medicine for centuries to treat many digestive ailments and to aid in dental care. It is essential in many Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic treatments because of its antiparasitic, antiparasitic, and antioxidant properties.
Unopened buds of cloves, clove tree in the family Myrtaceae, has an influential history dating back to 300 BC, which has been the cause of many conflicts and expeditions between traders. Widely sought after for flavor and medicinal purposes, modern research confirms clove’s well-regarded benefits and its wide range of uses related to human and animal health, cosmetics, fragrance and food industries.
- Rebecca Marcus, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD.
- Carlie Saint-Laurent Beaucejour, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Educator and Founder of Crave with Carlie.
- The many health benefits of cloves are obvious, but are there potential benefits for hair? I asked Carly Saint Laurent Beausjure to find out.
Learn more about clove benefits for hair and scalp
boosts your overall health
Many of the benefits cloves provide for your hair are a result of the benefits cloves provide for your general health, so we begin this list of benefits by explaining why cloves are so beneficial to your overall health. “The potential benefits of consuming cloves are indirect and are exerted through their contribution to overall health,” explains Marcus. It is a dietary source and may help improve overall health by counteracting some of the negative effects of oxidative stress. If you have healthy hair, chances are your hair will be healthy too,” says Marcus.
According to Saint-Laurent Beaucejour, cloves contain eugenol, a phenolic compound that provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its antioxidant properties. “Clove can help slow the progression of certain cancers and improve insulin resistance and heart health,” she adds.
improve circulation
Cloves indirectly help boost hair growth by improving circulation in the scalp. Healthy oxygenated blood flow is believed to provide a healthy foundation for new hair growth, so many popular hair growth and regeneration treatments and techniques are designed to increase circulation in the scalp. It is intended for
While there are many benefits to increasing your intake of vitamin K, there are some medications and conditions that can be adversely affected by it. Cloves should be avoided if you are taking blood-thinning medications. “Always consult your healthcare provider before adding or changing any supplements, herbs or spices.”
May help hair grow
According to Saint-Laurent Beaucejour, cloves can help hair grow because they contain beta-carotene, which promotes cell growth, and vitamin K, which promotes blood circulation. It’s important to emphasize that these benefits are indirect. Marcus cautions that ingested cloves have not been scientifically shown to have a measurable effect on hair growth.
That said, Marcus adds that animal studies have shown that applying clove oil topically to the skin increases hair growth in rabbits. It advocates using the therapy to treat hair and scalp ailments.
strengthen hair
Hair breakage is one of the main causes of hair loss and can be caused by factors such as heat damage, bleaching and stress (such as harsh hairstyles and vigorous brushing). Cloves contain the micronutrient manganese, which helps prevent breakage. Saint Laurent Beausejour says it strengthens hair strands and protects them from damage.
Saint-Laurent Beaucejour says cloves also help prevent hair from turning gray due to its antioxidants. Cloves contain the antioxidant eugenol, which helps prevent oxidation of hair follicles. Oxidation can be caused by certain lifestyle habits or aging, and hair loses its pigment. Saint-Laurent Beaucejour says clove may help slow or prevent the progression of gray hair by reducing this oxidation.
Relieve itching (especially from dandruff)
Clove has been used topically to treat many skin and scalp problems due to its antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, anesthetic, and antiparasitic properties. People choose to apply cloves topically in the form of clove oil to treat conditions such as dandruff that can benefit from the antiseptic properties of the spice. Saint-Laurent Beaucejour shares that cloves benefit hair by cleansing the scalp, keeping it dandruff-free, and reducing itchiness. increase.
Cloves can also help reduce itchy scalp. One of the antioxidants in cloves, eugenol, has antihistamine and analgesic properties, both of which can help reduce itching. Depending on the cause of the itch, eugenol can help relieve inflammation as well as pain.
last takeaway
There are many ways to consume cloves as part of your regular diet. In many cultures, cloves are used in cooking as a seasoning for everything from pastries to meat. “The best way to consume cloves is to use whole cloves in teas, soups, stews and rice to maximize the benefits of whole cloves,” explains Saint Laurent Beausjuur. . “But getting them in the right form and in moderation can have positive benefits.”
Finally, there are clove herbal supplements available. However, you should always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement as it may interfere with existing medications or conditions.
This story first appeared on www.byrdie.com
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