Despite being ornamental in your garden, hibiscus can also be used to stimulate hair growth. Flowers, leaves or bark can be used utilized in hair care.

Hibiscus is packed with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium which are good for natural hair.

High amounts of amino acids, essential oils and mucilage contained in hibiscus makes it good at nourishing and moisturizing your strands.

Hibiscus Benefits for Hair

1. Stimulates hair growth

Studies have shown that Hibiscus, especially the leaves, has the potential to promote hair growth. [1]

Naturally occurring amino acids in hibiscus provides nourishment to the hair follicles. The amino acids produce a special type of protein, keratin, which is the building block of hair.

Hair’s strength is also greatly boosted thus inhibiting hair breakage.

2. Balances pH of the scalp

When the pH of the scalp is too high it may lead to problem such as dandruff, itchiness or frizzy hair, therefore the scalp’s PH should always be balanced.

Hibiscus contains significant amounts of compounds such as citric acid and antioxidants which help balance pH between hair and scalp.

3. Reduces oiliness of scalp

Hibiscus has astringent properties helping it reduce the amount of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands on the scalp. This would help unblock clogged pores that may cause hair thinning and eventually hair loss.

4. Clears dandruffs and scalp itchiness

Itchiness of the scalp could be as result of dryness or dandruff.  Hibiscus has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities which make it an effective and easy solution to dandruff and scalp irritation.

5. Conditions the hair

Hibiscus leaves and flowers have high amount of mucilage which seals onto your strands its natural moisture content. This increases your hair’s manageability reducing hair breakage.

6. May prevent hair loss

Hibiscus can stimulate hair regrowth from dormant follicles and bald patches.

According to studies, it was found to be as effective as minoxidil, a drug used to treat hair loss.

Hibiscus readily provides vitamin C, whose deficiency is known to cause hair loss.

Presence of pollutants on your scalp can lead to hair breakage. Alpha hydroxyl acids in hibiscus strip off these (pollutants) off the surface of your hair and scalp thus preventing hair loss.

How to use Hibiscus for Hair Growth

As we’ve just seen, hibiscus has several benefits for hair. If you are looking to tap into these, here are 9 different ways to use hibiscus for hair growth.

#1. For Scalp Massage

Hibiscus infused oil massage on scalp improves blood circulation. This provides enough nourishment to hair follicles this way your hair is able to grow.

Ingredients

• Hibiscus flowers
• 1 cup coconut oil

Method

1. Put the hibiscus flowers in a mortar then grind them using a pestle to get a paste
2. Heat the coconut oil and add the hibiscus paste
3. Using low heat, heat the mixture for a few minutes then allow it to cool to obtain ready to use hibiscus oil.
4. Gently massage the oil on your scalp.
5. Allow the oil to sit in for at least 30 minutes then rinse it out using a mild cleanser.

#2. For Conditioning the Hair

Hibiscus conditions your hair strands leaving it soft and easy to manage.

Ingredients

• hibiscus flowers
• Water

Procedure

1. Grind the hibiscus flowers
2. Add some water to make a paste
3. Shampoo the hair, divide your hair into manageable sections.
4. Carefully apply the paste from scalp to hair. Leave it in for thirty minutes or more.
5. Rinse the paste with lukewarm water.

#3. Make Hibiscus Shampoo

Using hibiscus shampoo is another great way to reap the bountiful benefits of hibiscus.

Hibiscus leaves and flowers can easily be formulated into shampoos thanks to their lather producing nature. Hibiscus shampoo cleanses your hair and scalp without stripping them of their natural oils.

Ingredients

• Hibiscus leaves
• Hibiscus flowers
• Water
• Gram flour

Method

1. In a pot, put together the hibiscus flowers, leaves plus water then boil.
2. Allow the mixture to cool then grind to make a paste.
3. Add a tablespoon of gram flour to obtain your organic shampoo.

#4. Hibiscus and Yogurt Hair Mask

This mask nourishes and strengthens your hair roots making them less prone to breakage. It leaves feeling soft and easier to manage.

Ingredients

• hibiscus leaves
• hibiscus flowers
• 1 cup of yogurt

Method

1. Grind the hibiscus leaves and flowers to make a paste.
2. To the paste, add the cup of yogurt then mix to make a smooth and consistent hair mask.
3. Apply your hair mask to your hair and let it sit for an hour.
4. Wash off the mask with lukewarm water before you proceed to shampooing using a mild cleanser.

#5. Hibiscus and Amla Hair Mask

Amla also has the ability to stimulate hair growth and therefore combining it with hibiscus makes it even more powerful. The two, amla and hibiscus, together also enhance your hair’s pigmentation.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp of blended hibiscus leaves and flowers
• 2 tbsp of Amla powder.
• Water

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients then mix to make a smooth paste.
2. Carefully apply the mask on your hair and scalp. Once all hair is covered let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
3. Proceed in washing using a mild cleanser.
4. Use the mask consistently for optimal benefits.

#6. Hibiscus and Fenugreek Hair Mask

Fenugreek is a popular solution for dandruff. When combined with hibiscus they help restore the health of your scalp.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
• ½ cup buttermilk
• Hibiscus leaves

Method

1. Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight.
2. Grind the seeds together with the hibiscus leaves to obtain a thick consistent paste.
3. Add buttermilk to the paste and mix well.
4. Apply the paste on hair. After an hour of rest wash it off using a mild shampoo.

Use it weekly for maximum benefits.

#7. Hibiscus and Coconut Milk Hair Mask

Coconut milk is the perfect remedy for dry damaged hair. Aside from moisturizing your strands, it also contains protein and essential fats which are nourishing to your hair follicles.

Together with hibiscus they repair hair and help prevent split ends by deep conditioning.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hibiscus petals
• 1 tbsp coconut milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tbsp Aloe Vera

Method

1. Put all the ingredients together in a bowl then mix to obtain a smooth paste.
2. Apply the paste to your hair and scalp.
3. Let it sit on hair for thirty minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

This mask deeply conditions your stands preventing damage that may occur due to dryness. It also leaves your hair feeling silky and shinier. Use it regularly for optimal benefits.

#8. Hibiscus and Onion Juice

Onion juice has a unique ability to stimulate hair growth. When used regularly together with hibiscus you can be assured of an increase in thickness and volume of hair.

Ingredients

• 1 onion
• 5 hibiscus leaves
• ¼ cup water

Method

1. Grind your onion to pulp. Strain the pulp using a mesh strainer with small holes to obtain the juice.
2. Crush the five hibiscus leaves with water to make a paste. Strain to obtain its juice.
3. Mix the two juices then proceed to apply on hair and scalp.
4. Keep the solution on for 15 minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
5. Use the mixture as often as possible (thrice a week)

#9. Hibiscus and Neem

Neem is a recommended solution in Ayurveda for maintaining scalp health. When combined with Hibiscus they become a solution for hair thinning.

Ingredients

• Neem leaves
• Hibiscus leaves
• Water

Method

1. Grind the neem leaves with water then strain to obtain neem juice.
2. Grind the hibiscus leaves. To this add the neem juice to obtain a thick paste.
3. Apply this to your scalp and leave it in for some minutes before washing it off.
4. Apply twice a week for maximum benefits.