A very long lock of shiny and lustrous blonde hair tied into a knot. It rests on a pale green background.

Sweet Remedies: How Honey Can Help With Hair Loss

Hair loss is a widespread concern, condition, and complaint. Humanity has searched for cures and remedies for hair loss for ages, and certain medications and treatments have shown some promise and progress. However, throughout history, one thing has proven to provide strength, sheen, and glow to existing hair: honey! Not simply a sweet addition to your tea or toast, humans have added honey to our shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products and regimens for centuries. Among its many culinary benefits, honey has also been proven to help address hair loss by protecting one’s hair. Here’s how honey—one of nature’s sweet remedies—can help with hair loss.

A wooden tray covered with jars of honey and pieces of raw honeycomb, seeds, nuts, and sliced oranges.

Honey: Sweet and Nutritional

Honey has a surprising number of nutrients. It’s already full of natural sugar, avoiding the low nutritional content of processed sugar. That lack of processing means it retains the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other good stuff, making it a perfect food for energy, fighting inflammation, and more. Honey is also antibacterial and excellent for treating cuts and scrapes, soothing sore throats, and fighting similar low-level symptoms of sickness. As for hair loss, honey’s nutritional content provides vitamins B and C and folic acid, which are essential vitamins for healthy hair growth. Honey’s minerals, such as iron, zinc, and magnesium also help maintain a healthy scalp and strengthen hair follicles. Finally, antioxidants fight free radicals that, among other things, cause hair aging and damage. Beyond its helpfulness in making hair healthier, honey is a great addition to many drinks and meals, providing sweetness and nutrition.

Hair and Honey Help!

But honey isn’t just a condiment and dietary supplement. It also works wonders externally. Here are few ways to incorporate honey in your daily beauty and grooming routines.

Moisturize and Condition the Scalp

Honey has natural moisturizing properties, a vital component in combating hair loss. A dry, flaky scalp is the perfect terrain for problems such as hair breakage and loss. Honey is a known humectant, which means it helps retain and draw in moisture. When properly applied, it helps the scalp remain hydrated, encouraging heathy hair growth.

Strengthening Hair Follicles

The vitamins and minerals in honey work from the outside in. Shampoos, hair products, masks, and other treatments use honey’s inherent vitamins and minerals to strengthen hair roots and fortify follicles, aiding in reducing lost hair and thickening the hair one already has.

Promoting Healthy Hair Growth

The natural sugars in honey nourish hair follicles, encouraging growth and potentially remedying hair loss. Some say honey aids in improving blood circulation in the scalp. If this is true, it means the scalp and hair receive even more vitamins, nutrients, and oxygen, encouraging healthy hair growth.

Antimicrobial Properties

A healthy scalp is a better “field” for a fine crop of hair. Healthy scalps are also less likely to experience hair loss. Honey is generally antibacterial and antimicrobial, so application through assorted beauty and grooming treatments may make it a cure or at least preventative for scalp infections, dermatitis, and similar infections and conditions. Proper honey application keeps the scalp clean and resistant to bacteria that might encourage hair loss.

Reducing Hair Breakage

Honey lends its strength to hair, making it more resistant to breakage and similar damage. It has natural emollient properties that smooth the hair shaft, diminishing the potential for breakage and fighting split ends. Honey adds resilience, strength, and luster, making hair healthier, stronger, more vibrant, and fuller.

Luster and Shine

It helps to feel good about yourself, especially when stress and a lack of confidence cause your body to weaken, leading to hair loss (among other symptoms). Honey adds shine and luster to your hair, and looking good is a big part of feeling good. Taking care of one’s hair and other aspects of grooming and personal care instills a person with a sense of confidence and well-being. This well-being translates into less anxiety and stress placed on the body, leading to stronger and longer-lasting hair. Even if one has lost a lot of hair, preserving, protecting, and enhancing the hair one boosts one’s spirit and health.

A top-down view of a jar of honey, a hair brush, a honey dripper, a spray bottle, and twig of cotton on a wooden tray.

Using Honey To Combat Hair Loss

We’ve touched on using different methods to fight hair loss with honey, but here are a few specific treatments you can apply to your grooming regimen. A variety of shampoos, conditioners, and other treatments out there contain a specific amount of honey in their ingredients. However, you can also apply raw honey directly to your hair and scalp. Here’s the simplest method:

  1. Apply several tablespoons of honey to your hair. Gently massage and work it into your scalp. Be thorough and cover your scalp completely.
  2. Leave the honey on your hair and scalp for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Wear a shower cap as protection if you’re concerned about making a mess.
  3. Once the 20 to 30 minutes are up, return to the shower, sink, or basin and rinse the honey out with warm water. Once again, be thorough! It’s wise to use shampoo to remove any sticky residue.
  4. Side note: you can combine honey with other products and ingredients for an even better effect. Olive oil is another long-time treatment that nourishes and moisturizes the scalp and hair. Aloe vera gel is another excellent companion to honey for your hair. Soothing and healing, aloe vera helps honey protect your hair while providing pleasant effects for your skin and scalp.

Next Steps and Safety Tips

Honey is generally safe for most individuals, but people with severe allergies to bees and honey should avoid using it as a hair treatment. Even if you don’t have an allergy to honey and bees, it’s wise to test its effects on a small patch of inconspicuous skin before applying it to your hair and scalp. You can proceed if you don’t experience any negative effects from the patch test. Raw rather than processed and filtered honey is best for hair, so look no further than Bell Honey for your raw honey jars! We offer several kinds—contact us for specifics!

Finally, stay consistent with your regimen. No treatment works instantly, and regular applications may be necessary before the effects are noticeable. Of course, you should see your doctor immediately if your hair loss is pronounced and accompanied by serious health problems. Honey can help with hair loss as it is one of nature’s sweet remedies offering general hair nutrition. Contact us for more information on our products and how honey helps improve one’s health!

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