Would you like your hair to be healthy, strong and lustrous? In case the answer is yes, you would be better off using citronella oil as a part of your hair care program. The popularity of this essential oil has risen significantly, and it is one of the most popular natural remedies that you can use to enhance both the health and looks of your hair. Keep reading to explore the uses and benefits of citronella oil for hair.
What is Citronella Oil?
Citronella oil is a natural essential oil produced by the tall Asian grass plant, which belongs to the Cymbopogon genus. The distillation of this plant yields this oil, which is characterized by its citrusy smell. The citronella oil uses include the composition of a variety of perfumes, candles and soaps, in addition to being a natural insect repellent. Moreover, it has had several other uses, especially in China and Indonesia, for several centuries. It has long been used in order to resolve health issues including infectious diseases and skin lesions. Citronella oil is also widely used in the hair care industry as it helps in promoting various aspects of your hair’s health.
Citronella Oil Benefits for Hair
Citronella oil benefits your hair health in a variety of ways, such as:
Promotes Hair Growth: Citronella oil is one of the means by which improvement of blood flow to the scalp can be achieved and this contributes to hair growth. It brings a nourishing influence on hair follicles, helping to avoid hair breakage and loss.
Treats Dandruff: Having both antifungal and antibacterial attributes, citronella oil is a potent dandruff treatment measure. It relieves itching and swelling of the scalp and can hamper dandruff-associated fungi growth.
Improves Scalp Health: The abundant use of citronella oil on the scalp helps maintain its pH balance and also ensures that it does not overproduce sebum while promoting overall health. Besides, it has an anti-itching ability that can soothe the scalp.
Treats Scalp Infections: Citronella oil is considered as an effective treatment for scalp infections, such as ringworm and fungal folliculitis, because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
How to Use Citronella Oil for Hair?
There are a number of methods by which you can experience the effects and benefits of citronella oil for hair.
For Hair Growth: Combine a few drops of citronella oil with any carrier oil, for instance coconut oil or jojoba oil. Apply it to the hair and scalp and leave it on for at least an hour. For the best results, consider keeping it overnight. Finally, remove it by using a gentle shampoo.
For Dandruff: Mix a few drops each of citronella oil and your preferred carrier oil–almond or olive are fine. Apply it to your scalp and leave it for a minimum of one hour, or even overnight. Then, wash it off with a gentle shampoo.
For Scalp Health: Mix a couple of drops of citronella oil with your shampoo or conditioner. Next, you should use this on your scalp and hair as part of your regular hair care regimen for enhancing the health of a scalp.
For Scalp Infections: Mix a few drops of citronella oil with your preferred carrier oil and use it topically on the afflicted skin. Carefully, let it stay for at least an hour after application, or overnight if you can. Later, cleanse it off with a gentle shampoo. For as long as the infection continues, repeat this process.
Note: It is recommended to dilute essential oil with carrier oil to prevent irritation as essential oils are very potent.
Conclusion
Natural remedies have become highly popular for treating tons of hair conditions. Citronella oil is one such useful remedy you can try. Citronella oil can be used to treat dandruff, promote hair growth and support the scalp health owing to its high efficacy in fighting fungal infection, inflammation and bacterial infections. It is easy to incorporate this oil in your hair care routine. You can start by just putting 2-3 drops in your shampoo or conditioner. It can also be mixed with a nourishing carrier oil and applied to the hair and scalp for promising results.
