Why is Curd Among the Best Home-Remedies?
Curd is the most common ingredient found in Indian households. Not only does it act as a natural probiotic for the body, but it is also perfect for healthy hair and glowing skin as well. People love to consume it every day in different forms.
It is considered a magic solution for your hair troubles. There are multiple uses of curd for hair.
Indian mothers and grandmothers have always sworn by the benefits of applying curd on hair for various hair problems. Curd was and remains one of the best home remedies for hair troubles.
Curd Benefits for Hair
As per studies, curd is known to induce a glow in hair. Daily consumption of curd can also nourish the body and meet its protein and fatty acid requirements. Curd can be used in combination with a number of natural elements.
This includes honey, lemon juice, olive oil, basil leaves, and much more. Major hair issues can be easily resolved by using curd for hair. If you are wondering how to use curd for hair fall, here are some ways. Listed below are also some curd benefits for hair.
1. Curd for Dandruff
Curd is known to have antimicrobial properties. Also, the Lactobacillus bacteria, which is present in curd, possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Dandruff is a result of the scalp getting damaged or infected.
To treat it properly, the use of curd is advised as it contains the Propionibacterium microbe. It is a good bacteria. The dominance of Propionibacterium in the scalp prevents dandruff.
As per studies, the presence of this bacteria in a dominant percentage ensures a dandruff-free scalp. It is the deficit of this bacteria that causes an issue. The rise in the proportion of the second type of scalp bacteria, the Staphylococcus microbe, makes your hair scalp vulnerable.
As a result, the scalp gets infected by some bacteria, resulting in dandruff. The remedy of curd and lemon for dandruff is a recommended recipe. It can be used twice a week as a hair mask.
2. Curd for Hair Fall
Hair loss is a common issue in today’s world. It is characterized by hair thinning, which is evident on the head. As mentioned earlier, curd consists of proteins that help with hair strengthening. Further, the presence of lactic acids also nourishes the scalp, which promotes hair growth.
Biotin is a chemical compound that helps to promote hair growth. Studies reveal that this Biotin component is found in abundance in curd, and it has to be supplemented well with Vitamin C and zinc. The elements present in curd help to get rid of dead skin cells.
Eventually, this helps strengthen the roots from within and promotes hair growth. A recipe for managing hair fall is to apply a mixture of fenugreek seeds (soaked overnight) and two tablespoons of curd. Leave this mixture on for about 15 minutes, and then wash off with shampoo.
3. Hair Conditioning and Strengthening
Curd is rich in minerals such as calcium, protein, fatty acids, and proteins. Further, it also consists of Vitamin B12, which helps promote hair growth. The presence of lactic acids in curd also helps to clear dead skin cells, promoting a supply of oxygen-rich cells to the hair scalp.
A mixture of curd with olive oil and basil leaves is said to be one of the oldest known ways of hair strengthening. Leave this pack on the scalp for 30 minutes before washing it off.
Further, if you face dry hair condition, you should try curd, known for its mineral components that help condition the hair. They also help to promote hair growth. Apply half a cup of curd mixed with honey, and then rinse it off thoroughly. It works well for dry and dull patches of hair.
4. Prevents Itchy Scalp
The hair scalp often experiences issues such as dryness, inflammation or itching. These may be due to the bacteria present in the scalp. Ultimately, this results in hair loss. To avoid these conditions, a proper remedy to itching on the scalp is applying a good hair mask.
A curd hair mask is a popular remedy for this. To use this right, prepare a mixture of curd mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Apply this mixture on the scalp and hair and leave for about 20 minutes. It will bring
instant relief from the intense itchiness. You can also add honey to this mixture of curd and lemon for dandruff.
5. Hair Softening
Having shiny, frizz-free hair is a dream. To break away from the cycle of bad hair days, a curd pack for hair is a solution that will provide shiny hair. You don’t have to worry about hair breakage anymore. The fatty acids in curd remove dead cells from the scalp.
This opens up space for oxygen-rich cells. Further, the nutrients of curd also help moisturize the hair, which helps them have a glowing shine. It also reduces the instances of frizz and tangle in the hair.
If you already possess lustrous hair, make sure you use curd regularly to maintain the smoothness of the hair.
How to Apply Curd on Hair
From generations, Indian women have applied curd in the form of hair masks. Mixing curd with other ingredients, like lemon, honey, or fenugreek can work wonders for your hair.
While many hair packs with curd are used for hair-growth, others are used for conditioning, damage control and anti-inflammation. Let’s check out some amazing hair packs along with their benefits.
Curd for dandruff control
Your scalp might get itchy on some days, and the obvious reason for it could be dandruff. Dandruff is a major scalp issue caused due to excessive sebum-production or dryness.
Hair pack with curd for dandruff is rich in vitamin B5 and contains protein which nourishes hair while removing dandruff. It contains antibacterial agents that help soothe irritation and itchy scalp.
Curd Hair Mask
1. Curd and lemon hair mask
Mix half a cup of curd with two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. Mix it well and then apply on the scalp. Keep it on your scalp for an hour and then wash it off with warm water.
Honey will moisturise your scalp, and curd and lemon for hair will fight stubborn dandruff.
Do not put extra on hair, it will make them greasy.
2. Curd with fenugreek (methi) hair mask
For this recipe, you are required to soak the following ingredients in half a cup of curd for a night.
Two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds
Two whole amlas
Three - four curry leaves
After soaking this mixture overnight, blend it to make a paste. Mix the paste in curd and then apply on your scalp. Keep it for two hours and then wash it off with warm water.
3. Egg and curd for hair mask
Form a paste by mixing an egg with two tablespoons of curd. Apply this paste from the roots to the tips of your hair and keep it for 20-30 minutes. After that, you can wash your hair with shampoo. This will not only promote hair growth but also bring shine.
4. Curd with curry leaves for hair
Grind washed curry leaves to make a smooth paste and then add that paste in one cup of curd. Apply this mixture from roots to tips and then leave it for over 30 minutes. It will not only strengthen your hair but will also promote hair growth. You can use this mask once a week for better results.
5. Curd and Honey for hair mask
Both curd and honey can deeply condition hair. To make a pack, mix both the ingredients in a bowl and then massage it into the scalp. Leave this mask for 20 minutes and then wash your hair. Enjoy lustrous and smooth hair with this easy hair mask!
6. Curd for Hair softening
If you often suffer from dry and frizzy hair, then the rich-creamy texture of curd will help you in the softening of hair. You can experience instant results even after a single application.
7. Curd hair mask for hair growth
It is believed that the presence of vitamin B in curd can strengthen your hair, which ultimately leads to overall hair growth. The vitamin Biotin (vitamin B7) and zinc in curd present in curd are the major factors promoting hair-growth.
Side Effects of Applying Curd on Hair
- Curd may not be beneficial to everyone. If you're lactose intolerant, there may be some allergic reactions. Performing a patch test is a must before applying curd to your scalp.
- Other than an allergic reaction, you may also experience greasy hair and scalp if you don’t apply curd in the right amount or don’t wash it off properly.
- An unpleasant smell is common while using curd as a hair mask, however, you can reduce it by adding a few drops of lavender, jasmine or lemon.
Conclusion
Although there are no long-term studies on the benefits of curd for hair, it is still one of the most suggested home-remedies for hair problems. To know whether curd is good for hair or not, you should give a try by using one of the curd hair masks listed above. However, prior patch-test should always be done to avoid any allergic reactions.
For more hair and skin solutions, visit Bodywise now!
Sources
- Abdel Naser Zaid, Nidal Amin Jaradat, July 2017; Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the West Bank-Palestine - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499037/
- C.G. Staggs, W.M. Sealey, December 2004; Determination of the biotin content of select foods using accurate and sensitive HPLC/avidin binding - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1450323/
