In order to achieve strong, shiny, and healthy hair, there are several home remedies available. Curd, egg, shea butter for hair, the kitchen remedies can go on and on. Added to these, there’s a kitchen secret not many know about – molasses. Packed with high levels of nutrients, molasses for hair can be your new wellness dose for healthy hair. Let’s understand what is molasses and the amazing molasses benefits for hair.
What is Molasses?
Molasses is a by-product of the sugar-making process. A leftover from the sugarcane processing, it is a brown-colored, sweet, sticky liquid. This syrup further goes through a series of boils. Each boil gives the molasses a darker hue and a higher concentration of nutrients. The three typical categories of molasses are light molasses, black molasses, and blackstrap molasses.
What is Molasses Used For?
Molasses is a natural sweetener. Common molasses uses include candy-making, rum-making, and bakery delights. However, blackstrap molasses is mixed with animal feed and is used in the industrial production of vinegar and other products.
Molasses Nutrition Profile
Blackstrap molasses is the most nutritious form of molasses. With every extra boil, molasses’ concentration of iron increases by 5%. This makes it a popular home remedy for anemia. Other key nutrients of blackstrap molasses include calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, and phosphorus.
Molasses Benefits for Hair
As mentioned above, blackstrap molasses is nutrient-dense and can benefit hair in many ways:
1. Nourishes Scalp and Promotes Hair Growth
Blackstrap molasses packs high amounts of antioxidants, especially polyphenols. It also contains manganese, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients combat oxidative stress and nourish the hair follicles. As the hair strands are both repaired and strengthened simultaneously, it leads to quicker hair growth of healthy hair strands.
2. Maintains Hair Color
Oxidative stress causes damage to melanocytes. These are the cells that produce melanin pigment which is responsible for maintaining hair color. Molasses is rich in copper, a mineral that plays a crucial role in the production of melanin.
3. Hair Fall Control
Molasses contain high amounts of iron. The mineral increases the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. This leads to better and improved nutrient and oxygen supply to hair follicles which helps control hair fall.
4. Adds Shine and Luster
While the sticky and sugar-rich molasses help create a natural shine and luster to the hair strands, its high nutritional profile makes hair strands healthy from within. This acts as a deep conditioner for the hair, making it soft and shiny.
How to Use Molasses for Hair?
Blackstrap molasses is quite effective when it comes to hair conditioning. Here are some effective ways of using molasses for hair:
1. Molasses Hair Mask
Prepare your DIY hair mask by adding 2 tbsp of blackstrap molasses, 2 tbsp of coconut oil, and 1 egg. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl to make a smooth paste. Apply the mask onto damp hair and leave the mask on for up to an hour. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and shampoo as usual. Use once a week for best results.
2. Molasses Shampoo
To reap the benefits of molasses for good hair health, you can simply mix a small amount of blackstrap molasses with a regular shampoo. Use this mixture to wash your hair as usual.
3. Molasses Hair Rinse
Molasses hair rinse is an effective way to boost hair health. To prepare a molasses hair rinse, add 1 tbsp of blackstrap molasses to 1 cup of warm water. Apply it to your hair and scalp after regular shampoo and conditioning. Let it stay for a few minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
Conclusion
Molasses can be an easy addition to your hair care routine. A by-product of sugarcane processing, it is used in several different ways. One of the most pronounced molasses uses is for promoting hair health. Its nutrient-rich properties, especially in blackstrap molasses offer unmatched benefits for healthy hair and growth. Follow some easy DIY methods to create your customized molasses formula for healthy hair.
