When you are accustomed to using the chemical hair products which you always have, you may not see why you would want to switch up your routine things. But once you compare them with the benefits of natural ingredients to your locks, you would definitely want to adopt the later. These ingredients are Earth-friendly and they work with your hair instead of against them and have no strange side-effects. Use them to gain natural health and beauty, not a cocktail of chemicals which may actually cause harm to your strands.

Natural ingredients do not contain unnecessary fillers or irritants. So when you are looking to solve your hair problems, rely on Mother Nature because it often knows the best for you. However, do not take ‘natural’ as a code for better. Unfortunately, just as there are good and bad synthetic ingredients, there are good and bad natural ones also. So choose wisely the best for your hair.

Nine good-for-your-hair natural ingredients that have been proven to be the most effective include:

Green tea: It contains high levels of antioxidant chemicals including catechins and flavonoids to help prevent hair loss. As a result, these chemicals make green tea an excellent natural hair-soothing ingredient in hair care regime that stops hair fall and fights dryness of the scalp and dandruff. Green tea is rich in vitamin B. Drinking green tea as well as applying it to the hair helps in absorption of vitamin B. Vitamin B helps in controlling split-ends, softens hair and strengthens hair roots (follicles). Besides drinking green tea regularly, massage your scalp thrice a week with it and leave it overnight to get all the beneficial nutrients to sink deep in to your hair follicles. It will help in faster hair growth and strengthening hair follicles.

Orange juice: You may think of vitamin C as essential defence against the common cold but the nutrient also battles the common signs of hair problems and promotes hair growth. Besides vitamin C, oranges contain bio-flavonoids which aid in proper circulation of scalp which in turn promote hair growth. Therefore, consumption of oranges is a great way to boost the intake of desired nutrients, hence stimulating hair growth. Not only you should eat plenty of this citrus fruits to ensure your hair benefits from vitamin C, look for applying its juice in your scalp and hair to maximise the antioxidant powers on the surface of your scalp. Orange juice also acts as a great conditioner for hair. Mix a cup of fresh orange juice with a cup of water and add one teaspoon of honey in it. Mix well. Apply this mix on your shampooed scalp and hair. Leave for 30 minutes, rinse with water and a mild shampoo. Surprisingly, you will see healthy, shiny and beautiful hair.

Yogurt: Natural yogurt is full of proteins which your hair need for proper growth and health. The lactic-acid content in yogurt is great for cleaning the scalp and cleaning away the dead skin cells. It helps hair grow properly. Apply thick yogurt in your scalp and hair. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with water. This remedy may provide many nutrients, such as vitamins and fatty acids for silky-smooth hair and help overcome dandruff with its antifungal properties. It keeps your hair moisturised for longer helping to calm frizz and balances the pH levels of your scalp by regulating the sebum production. Besides nourishing, it soothes aggravated scalp with its cooling effect. Yogurt nourishes your hair from root to tip without compromising in their quality in any way. It reduces hair fall and damage and treats dry and brittle hair. It also acts as a natural conditioner that gives your hair that perfect shine you always dreamt of. You can always mix some more natural ingredients while preparing a perfect hair pack for your hair need.

Aloe vera: Aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes which repair dead skin cells on the scalp. It also acts as a great conditioner and leaves your hair smooth and shiny. Aloe vera gel promotes hair growth, prevents itching on the scalp and reduces dandruff. It helps restore the pH balance of your hair because its own pH level is the same range as your hair needs to be. Cut off leaf from the aloe vera plant and scrape out the gel-like substance. Apply it to your scalp. Let it sit for an hour. Rinse off with a mild shampoo and water. Repeat this remedy thrice a week for best results.

Onion: Onion juice nourishes hair follicles and helps restore lost nutrients to your scalp. Being rich in sulphur, it minimises breakage and thinning. It has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties that help fight infections of the scalp which in turn reduce hair fall. Rich in antioxidants, it helps reverse the effects of premature greying. When used regularly, it leaves a healthy shine to your locks. It can be used to fight dandruff. By increasing blood circulation, onion juice contributes to hair growth and adds volume. It makes your hair uninhabitable for lice. Peel the onions and make a fine paste in a food processor adding little water. Strain in a muslin cloth. Apply the juice using fingers on the scalp. Gently massage in circular movements. Let it sit for an hour, then rinse with a mild shampoo having a nice fragrance to get rid of the pungent smell of the onions. Try this remedy twice a week to see some visible difference.

Honey: Besides having conditioning properties, honey is great for boosting hair growth. It seals moisture in your hair and scalp keeping them conditioned. It reduces hair breakage and strengthens the hair follicles, curbing hair fall. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties prevent scalp infections and soothe issues like dandruff, eczema and psoriasis. It cleans hair follicles and minimise clogging which in turn boosts hair growth.

Fenugreek seeds: Fenugreek seeds help in strengthening hair from roots to treating follicular problems. They are good source of protein and nicotinic acid that strengthen the hair shaft and prevent breakage. The seeds contain hormones that help reduce hair fall and promote hair growth. Fenugreek is loaded with potassium which prevents against greying. It also works great to get rid of dandruff. Soak seeds overnight. Make a fine paste adding little water. Apply it to your scalp and hair like a face pack. Let it sit for an hour. Use a mild shampoo to rinse it off. Repeat once or twice a week.

Lemon: Lemons are rich in vitamin C which improves hair growth by boosting the production of collagen. The acidic nature of lemon helps to tighten the hair follicles and curb hair fall. It cleans the scalp and unclog hair follicles. Squeeze the juice out of a freshly cut lemon. Massage your scalp with it and leave for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild sulphate-free shampoo. Repeat twice a week.

Egg: Being loaded with vitamin A and E, biotin and folate, egg yolk is a super food for your hair. It moisturises your hair and help make them long and beautiful. Beat an egg yolk and apply it on your scalp and hair like a hair pack. Leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and a mild shampoo. Repeat monthly.

These natural wonders can help battle split-ends, early greying, dull and frizzy hair, hair-shedding, hair thinning, dandruff, lice and many more hair glitches. Everyone desires healthy hair and spends lot of money in maintaining them but a few realise that natural ingredients commonly available in your kitchen can play a huge role in determining the quality and health of your hair in an inexpensive way.