Onion Oil Vs. Bhringraj Oil: The Battle of the Better Hair Oil

Hair loss is rising in this post-pandemic world, and although losing around 100 hairs is normal, anything beyond that needs your attention. (1) A 2015 study concluded that hair loss affects 40% of all women by age 50. (2)

Daily application of oil to the scalp and hair will help you have a head full of hair, keep you away from headaches and balding, and give you sound sleep, wrote the father of Indian medicine, Acharya Charaka, in Charaka Samhita, the ancient Ayurvedic treatment journal.

Onion Oil Vs. Bhringraj Oil

Bhringraj oil and onion oil help with hair growth. It may not be feasible to oil your hair daily with onion oil or bhringraj oil, but using either oil at least twice a week will give you excellent results.

Here are the unique qualities of both oils for your hair that make them so popular.

1. Pungency

Pure onion oil has a pungent smell but can be removed after two washes. Bhringraj oil does not have a strong odor that can be offensive to the user.

2. Potency

Onion oil is potent and can cause many side effects such as redness and itching for people allergic to it.

Bhringraj oil has a relaxing effect on the scalp because of its cooling and calming effect on the head. It is usually used by those experiencing insomnia and headache. (3)

3. Side effects

Onion oil is rich in sulfur, which makes it unsuitable for every skin type as it can cause redness, flaking, and blisters on the scalp in some people.

Bhringraj oil is suitable for all types of skin, but it cannot be kept overnight as it may cause cough and cold.

4. Hair loss

Onion oil helps in hair regrowth, but overusing it can cause hair loss due to its active ingredient, sulfur, which strips the natural lipids from the hair, resulting in scalp irritation. (4)

Bhringraj oil is suitable for most scalps and nourishes them, resulting in hair growth. (3)

5. Skin problems

When a drop of onion oil enters your eyes, it will cause pain and burning. This is not the case with bhringraj oil, as it is much milder than onion oil.

Benefits of Using Onion Oil on the Hair

Here are the unique benefits that using onion oil on the hair can provide:

1. Improves hair growth

Onion oil is rich in sulfur, which stimulates the hair follicles to produce healthy hair.

In one study, patients with alopecia applied onion juice to their scalp for several weeks, and this resulted in hair regrowth. (5)

2. Reduces dandruff

Onions have antibacterial and antiseptic properties, so when applied to the scalp with dandruff, it treats the condition and keeps the scalp free from such disorders. (6)

3. Hydrates the hair

Onions work as a natural emollient and make your hair more manageable, preventing frizzy hair and ensuring its hydration. (7)

4. Prevents premature graying

Onions are rich in flavonoids including quercetin, which helps neutralize free radicals that are responsible for destroying melanocytes.

The powerful antioxidants in onions also help to lower the production of hydrogen peroxide within the hair follicles, resulting in the reversal of premature graying of hair. (8)

5. Increases blood circulation

Massaging your hair with onion oil helps to improve blood circulation in the scalp, resulting in better hair regrowth. (5)

Benefits of Using Bhringraj Oil on the Hair

Bhringraj oil has the power to nourish your hair strands and stimulate hair growth.

Here are some benefits of applying bhringraj oil to the hair:

1. Fights against bacteria and fungi

Bhringraj oil is beneficial for the hair because it fights against bacteria and fungi on the scalp and keeps it clean and healthy. (3)

2. Controls hair fall

Bhringraj oil contains methanol extract, which promotes hair growth and reduces hair fall. (3)

3. Treats hair loss better than minoxidil

Bhringraj oil has been scientifically proven to stimulate hair growth in rats, and it was concluded that it worked better than minoxidil 2% solution. A higher amount of hair follicles were also observed in the anagen phase of the hair cycle among rats applied with bhringraj oil. (9)

4. Reduces dandruff

Bhringraj oil contains ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and apigenin, which are anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. Due to these properties, bhringraj oil soothes inflamed skin and fungus-infected scalps. (3)

5. Stops hair graying

One study demonstrated that applying bhringraj oil and Triphala cooked together in oil to the scalp helped to darken the hairs that have become prematurely gray. (10)

How to Make Onion Hair Oil at Home

Here’s how you can make onion hair oil at home:

1. Blend 8 onions in a blender to make a paste.
2. Strain the onion paste through a sieve to extract the transparent onion juice.
3. Add the onion juice and 1 liter of coconut oil to a saucepan and mix them well.
4. Heat the saucepan on medium flame, bring the mixture to a boil, and then lower the flame.
5. Keep stirring the oil for several minutes and then turn off the heat.
6. Let the onion oil cool thoroughly, and then store it in an airtight glass container. Your onion oil is ready to be used on your scalp.

How to Make Bhringraj Hair Oil at Home

Here’s how you can make bhringraj hair oil at home:

1. Take 3 teaspoons of bhringraj powder or a handful of chopped bhringraj leaves, and add them to 1 cup of coconut oil.
2. Heat the mixture for a few minutes till it gets a greenish color and has a strong fragrance.
3. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down.
4. Strain the mixture and store the bhringraj oil in an airtight container.

How to Apply Onion Oil/Bhringraj Oil to the Hair

1. Take a few drops of onion oil or bhringraj oil in your palm. Using a cotton ball, apply the oil to your scalp and hair.
2. Massage the oil in circular motions for 15 minutes and leave it on your scalp and hair for an hour.
3. Wash it off with a good-quality shampoo and conditioner.
4. Repeat the process 2–3 times a week to improve your hair growth.

General Queries on Onion Oil Vs. Bhringraj Oil

Final Word

The journey to luscious locks starts with oiling your scalp.

Onion oil offers several benefits including treatment of alopecia, improved hair regrowth, controlled dandruff, and prevention of premature graying, among others, but due to its high sulfur content, it may not be suitable for people who are sensitive to it.

Bhringraj oil is beneficial for hair regrowth, controls hair fall, reduces dandruff, and more, but it cannot be left for too long in the hair as it cools your head and may cause cold and cough.

You can try both of them as they are unique and beneficial for you, but before using onion oil, do a patch test to check for sensitivity.

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