There are a lot of natural remedies for improving black and African hair health and promoting its growth; most of those remedies are topical, like leave-in conditioners. But you probably know that topical treatment alone isn't enough to obtain the healthy, natural black hair you need to grow your hair from the inside out!
In this article, we will tell you about the top foods and drinks that can help you promote your black and African hair and keep it healthy.
Top 8 foods and Drinks for African and Black Hair Growth
There are a lot of plants that can be added to your diet for the purpose of promoting your black hair growth; we picked for you 10 plants whose value for hair growth has been proven by research and studies. Without further ado, let's begin!
1. Lemon
The first plant on our list is a widespread plant that literally everyone in the world knows about; it's an indispensable component in every kitchen and every fridge. The uses of lemon and its benefits are numerous. Lemon contains sinapic acid, which is an ingredient known for its ability to promote hair growth. You can incorporate lemon into your diet in many ways, for example:
You can drink it as a hot tea by heating the water, then squeezing the lemon into it and drinking it.
You can also make refreshing lemon juice; I like it, especially on hot days. For an extra flavor, you can add some peppermint to it.
You can use it as a salad dressing or to add an extra sting to your meat or chicken.
Regardless of the way you like having it, you will reap the benefits that come from it, but be careful because too much lemon can also have side effects on your stomach.
2. Rye
Rye, like lemon, also contains sinapic acid, which means it's a good food for your African and black hair and can be a nice addition to your diet if you are looking to improve the health of your hair. Rye flour can be used to make bread, you can add it to your soup, or you can make porridge out of it. In some African countries, like Sudan, rye is used to make a thick and hard porridge known as aseeda, which can be eaten with yogurt.
3. Olive
Olive comes in different shapes, different colors, and different tastes. It can be incorporated into your routine in multiple ways because it fits into a lot of recipes. Olive contains Oleuropein studies have found that Oleuropein induces the anagenic phase, which is the phase in which the hair grows.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is famous for weight loss. It's known for its anti-inflammatory properties; that's why it is used by some people for treating skin inflammatory conditions. This same anti-inflammatory effect can target free radicals and protect your heart, though not all the studies are conclusive when it comes to that point.
The possible effect of green tea on promoting hair growth stems from caffeine. Research done on the effect of caffeine on hair concluded that caffeine might improve barrier function, increase follicular penetration, and stimulate and promote hair growth.
You can prepare green tea and use it to help promote your black hair by following the steps below:
Add a cup of water and wait for it to boil.
Add a teaspoon of dried green tea leaves.
Mix it, and then turn off the stove.
Give it a couple of minutes.
Strain the tea leaves and then drink it.
5. Arabica Coffee
Arabica coffee is different from the coffee we are used to drinking because it's less bitter and doesn't contain as much caffeine. It's mostly cultivated in Yemen and Ethiopia. As with green tea, the effect that Arabica coffee exerts on your hair and scalp also comes from caffeine.
As for the preparation method:
You can either buy the beans and roast them, then grind them, or you can buy roasted ground beans to save some effort.
Boil the water, then add the ground coffee along with the spice you like.
Heat it for 10 to 12 minutes.
Strain the bean powder, and then drink it.
Precautions:
Note that with drinks like coffee and green tea, i.e., drinks that contain caffeine, you must be careful to avoid dependence and also because caffeine can have other side effects.
6. Hibiscus Tea
According to the studies, the part that enhances hair growth the most in hibiscus is the leaves, but the flowers also have an effect. Hibiscus dried petals tea is a popular drink in African countries. The tea contains vitamins and minerals, which makes it a great addition to your routine if you want to promote your black hair health and growth. Even if you are just looking to add something healthy to your routine, hibiscus tea is the right choice.
You can prepare hibiscus tea by following the steps below:
Add a cup of water and heat it till it boils.
Add a few dried petals to the water.
You can let it boil for a minute with the water, or you can turn the stove off and wait for it until it saturates.
7. Peppermint Tea
Research has found that peppermint facilitates hair growth and may contribute to the induction of the early anagen stage. It's used at salons in many remedies to promote the health of the scalp, fight dandruff, and soothe itching and dry scalp.
Prepare peppermint tea by:
Add a cup of water and boil it.
Put a small teaspoon of peppermint in the cup, and then pour the hot water into it and give it a couple of minutes before you mix it and drink it.
8. Rosemary Tea
Rosemary has been one of the trending remedies for healthy and long hair. Studies have been done on the effect of rosemary in treating alopecia, and the results were similar to those of minoxidil (a medication famously used for growing hair, especially among men). So we can say that the hype is justified, but have you thought about adding its tea to your diet? If you haven't before, then now is the time! Rosemary tea has such a beautiful aromatic flavor; for me personally, I enjoy adding it to other teas like hibiscus tea. It's surely a healthy and tasty drink.
Taking a holistic approach to solving your black hair problems is always the best and fastest solution if you want to achieve satisfying results. Eat healthy food and drink healthy drinks, and at the same time, follow a hair care routine that keeps your hair moisturized and protected.
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