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Herbal teas and green teas are loaded with nutrients, not to mention they’re natural fat-burning beverages. But as it turns out-they’re good for more than just your metabolism!
Anecdotal evidence suggests that herbal drinks like hibiscus teas may promote hair growth and prevent thinning strands. This is further backed up by a 2003 study that showed the leaf extract of the hibiscus flower exhibited potency on hair growth of animals.
And as the natural hair blog Seriously Natural notes, using such teas as hair rinses promotes blood circulation in the scalp, prevents common scalp infections, and ultimately boosts hair health for your shiniest, thickest locks yet. (Who wouldn’t want that?!)
Hibiscus Tea
Of the diverse health benefits that hibiscus tea offers, many people don't realize that the flower is essentially a magic ingredient for hair. According to Healthline, the pros of using hibiscus oil or a hibiscus tea rinse on your hair include:
- It helps treat scalp problems, like itching and dandruff.
- Because it conditions hair, it keeps breakage, frizz and dryness at bay.
- Its rich amino acids nourish strands for shinier hair.
- It contains vitamin C, which stimulates collagen and boosts hair growth.
All of this sounds almost too good to be true-but how do you apply tea as a rinse to your hair? It's just as easy as you might think.
A hair tea rinse means that you brew a type of tea (in this case hibiscus), and allow it to steep and cool before pouring it over your hair and scalp. Massaging your scalp can also allow for further benefits.
Note that all of this should occur after hair has already been washed.
Anyone looking for a simple hibiscus tea rinse for hair growth can try the following recipe.
- Start with 200 ml of water and two tablespoons of hibiscus tea. (In good news, the rinse also works to decrease frizz, plus stimulate growth.)
- Prepare the tea normally by bringing water to a boil, adding the hibiscus tea leaves and letting them infuse the hot water for 5-10 minutes. Allow the tea to cool.
- Once cool, pour liquid into a colander.
- Wash hair normally with shampoo, then apply the tea to clean, wet hair-starting from the roots down.
- Cover the whole hair and massage the scalp well.
- Let sit for a few hours, before rinsing out and applying the conditioner per usual.
And remember-don't just limit hibiscus tea to your hair! Per Healthline, research has shown hibiscus tea to be packed with antioxidants, making it a major player in decreasing blood pressure, fighting bacteria and even aiding in weight loss.
