If you are looking for a perfect hair care combo for your tresses, then a coconut and onion shampoo is what you’re looking for!
Onion extract boosts blood circulation to the hair follicles for healthy hair growth, while coconut oil reduces hair breakage and works against dandruff.
Here is a guide for you to learn more about the benefits of applying coconut and onion shampoo to your hair.
Article Contents
Benefits of a Coconut and Onion Shampoo
Shampoo containing coconut and onion as the active ingredients can offer the following advantages:
1. Controls hair fall
Both coconut oil and onion juice help in hair growth. Pure coconut oil contains a lot of fatty acids, including lauric acid, that penetrate the hair shaft and nourish the hair and scalp. (1)
Onions are abundant in flavonoids, which are known to support the regeneration of the hair follicles and promote hair growth. The sulfur in onions helps to stop hair thinning and breakage. (2)
2. Promotes hair growth
Coconut is known to keep the hair scalp clean and healthy as it eliminates harmful microorganisms. A clean and healthy scalp leads to good hair growth. (3)
Red onions help maintain the pH levels on the scalp and improve blood circulation to the hair follicles while stimulating hair growth. (4)
3. Protects hair from harmful UV rays
Coconut hair oil protects the hair from the harmful UV rays, preventing it from breaking. (5)
Onions are rich in antioxidants glutathione and catalase, which help fight the adverse effects of UV radiation. (5)
4. Controls dandruff
Coconut is very effective against bacteria and fungi due to its antimicrobial action. It helps to clear away dandruff caused by the fungus Malassezia and keeps the scalp healthy. (1)
Onions are loaded with antifungal and antiseptic properties that control scalp infection (6) and prevent the formation of dandruff flakes. (7)
5. Conditions the hair
Coconut oil is a natural hair conditioner as it relieves hair dryness. It has been scientifically proven to be more hydrating than mineral oil for the hair. It is a triglyceride of lauric acid and can penetrate the hair shaft better. (1)
Onions are also helpful in nourishing and hydrating the hair. A combination of both coconut oil and onion in a shampoo will give good results to your hair.
6. Prevents graying of the hair
Coconut oil also helps protect the hair from premature aging due to its antioxidant properties. (8)
Onions contain antioxidants such as catalase that act against the oxidative stress that causes premature aging of the hair. (9)
Homemade Hair Masks Using Coconut and Onion
You can easily prepare hair treatments at home using coconut and onion by following these recipes:
1. Onion juice, coconut, and honey hair mask for hair growth
A recent survey revealed that these ingredients are still in use to treat hair and scalp disorders. (10)
Ingredients:
- 4–5 tablespoons onion juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ tablespoon yogurt
Method:
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix them well to form a paste.
- Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp and massage it for 5–10 minutes.
- Leave it in your hair for 30–40 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a coconut and onion hair shampoo or any natural shampoo and conditioner.
2. Coconut cream and onion juice hair mask for hair strengthening
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons coconut cream
- ¼ cup onion juice
Method:
- Mix both ingredients in a bowl to make a paste.
- Apply it to your hair and scalp and massage it well for 5–10 minutes.
- Let it sit in your hair for 2 hours.
- Wash it off with a coconut and onion hair shampoo or a natural shampoo and conditioner.
3. Herbal hair oil for hair growth
Ingredients:
- 2 onions, sliced
- 4 cups coconut oil
- ¼ cup almond oil
- 5 dried hibiscus flowers
- 2 tablespoons brahmi powder (11)
Method:
- Heat the coconut oil and add the other ingredients to it.
- Allow it to rest overnight.
- Strain the oil the next morning and massage it to your hair and scalp.
- Repeat this process twice a week to get good results.
- Store the remaining oil in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
Side Effects of Onion Juice
Here are some side effects of using onion juice:
1. Unpleasant aroma
Onion juice has a strong odor that can make you feel uncomfortable. Hence, it is recommended to mix it with coconut to get rid of the smell.
2. Not suitable for sensitive skin
Onion juice is potent and can cause a reaction on sensitive skin, leading to blisters and bumps on the scalp. It is best recommended to test it on your skin before applying it to the hair.
General Queries on the Benefits of Using a Coconut and Onion Shampoo
Why is a coconut and onion hair shampoo better than regular shampoo?
Most shampoos contain harmful ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and fragrances to make it have a rich lather, and although they cleanse your hair and make it smell amazing, they can lead to several hair problems, including hair fall.
But a coconut and onion shampoo is natural, doesn’t contain nasty ingredients, and gently cleanses the scalp rather than stripping the hair’s moisture.
Does a coconut and onion shampoo make hair dry?
No, it nourishes and hydrates your hair and helps in hair regrowth.
Does the onion in the shampoo turn hair black?
Yes, if your hair has turned gray due to premature graying. Onions are abundant in the enzyme catalase, which fights against free radicals causing hair aging. (9)
Final Word
Most people nowadays are living a hectic lifestyle with hardly any time to take care of their hair. To beat the damage that a poor diet and pollution can do to your tresses, you can switch from using chemical-laced shampoos to natural shampoos that are ethically tested and do not contain harmful ingredients.
A coconut and onion shampoo is a great choice for your hair; use it consistently so you will reap its benefits in the long run.
References
- Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, et al. Longitudinal Study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals. Scientific reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8012655/. Published March 31, 2021.
- Goluch-Koniuszy ZS. Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of Menopause. Przeglad menopauzalny = Menopause review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828511/. Published March 2016.
- Peedikayil FC, Remy V, John S, Chandru TP, Sreenivasan P, Bijapur GA. Comparison of antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil and chlorhexidine on streptococcus mutans: An in vivo study. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5109859/. Published 2016.
- GÜner S, YaĞiz Y, Topalcengİz Z, et al. Effect of ph on lipid oxidation of red onion skin extracts treated with washed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle model systems. Turkish journal of chemistry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7763107/. Published December 16, 2020.
- Korać RR, Khambholja KM. Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacognosy reviews. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263051/. Published July 2011.
- Assessment of antifungal activity of aqueous and … – researchgate.net. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319228566/.
- JH; K. Anti-bacterial action of onion (allium cepa L.) extracts against oral pathogenic bacteria. The Journal of Nihon University School of Dentistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9354029/.
- Pham TL; Thi TT; Nguyen HT; Lao TD; Binh NT; Nguyen QD; Anti-aging effects of a serum based on coconut oil combined with deer antler stem cell extract on a mouse model of Skin aging. Cells. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35203249/.
- Chernukha I, Fedulova L, Vasilevskaya E, Kulikovskii A, Kupaeva N, Kotenkova E. Antioxidant effect of ethanolic onion (allium cepa) husk extract in ageing rats. Saudi journal of biological sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8117138/. Published May 2021.
- Alyoussef A. Survey of use of herbal and home remedies for hair and scalp among women in North West Saudi Arabia. Dermatology reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7772763/. Published October 22, 2020.
- Jain R, Monthakantirat O, Tengamnuay P, De-Eknamkul W. Identification of a new plant extract for androgenic alopecia treatment using a non-radioactive human hair dermal papilla cell-based assay. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4721057/. Published January 21, 2016.