It would be a shame to expose yourself to potentially nasty side effects when there is a natural remedy available and inexpensive. Okra is a miracle plant full of vitamins A, C and rich in antioxidants which make it an excellent solution for both skin and hair. Okra is also high in folic acid, calcium, zinc, including biotin, all of which make it incredibly nourishing for the hair.
The mucilage shouldn’t be discarded, because it does the job of styling gels much better than commercial alternatives and is rich in vitamins instead of chemicals. In conjunction with Apple cider vinegar, it is also an excellent hair rinse and even though only a few are aware, it is the definitive solution for treating lice.
Okra Hair Benefits :
- Bouncy hair
If you are tired of your distressed hair, try using Okra to get that bounce back. Boil okra with some water and the transparent mucilage that you get can be used to get your bouncy hair back.
- Hair conditioner
The same mucilage can be used as hair conditioner. Wash your hair and squeeze out excess water. Massage the watery mucilage through your hair and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Scalp moisturizer
Okra is an excellent moisturizer for your dry and itchy scalp. It leaves your hair feeling soft and isn’t harmful like other cosmetics available in the market. It is great for people with unruly, curly and lifeless hair.
- Fights dandruff
Okra improves the overall scalp condition and fights dandruff. It moisturizes your scalp and keeps dandruff away.
- Shiny hair
Okra, when used as a hair rinse, gives great shine to your hair. You can give your regular conditioner a miss once in a while and take care of your hair the natural way.
You’ll Need :
- 6-8 okras, chopped or sliced length-wise
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1-2 tsp oil (I used sesame this time, you can also use grape seed oil, almond oil, coconut oil etc)
Directions:
- Grab a handful of okra (6 or 7 pods) and slice them horizontally. Place 1.5 cup of distilled water into a pot and toss the sliced okra (you can adjust the amount of ingredients depending on your hair length).
- Let it boil and simmer in a low heat, once your mixture hits a gooey texture like a loose gel, turn off the heat.
- Mask that unmistakable okra scent by adding a couple of drops of essential oil like mint or lavender oil. If you don’t like using fragrances, a squirt or two of lemon or a drizzle of honey should brighten up your okra’s bouquet (this is optional).
- Cool your concoction for a few minutes. Strain it through a flour sack towel or a tea strainer. If your okra is very watery, some pieces might slip through.
- You can now add the oil and mix well.
- Shampoo your hair as you normally do. Squeeze out excess water and work the okra gel through your hair from roots to ends.
- Massage your scalp with the okra as well. Rinse the okra thoroughly from your hair. Squeeze out water from your hair and style as usual. Let your hair air-dry to minimize frizz and damage.
The Result:
Once my hair was dried, it definitely had more movement that it had with most other gels/conditioners that I’ve used, and it was softer that I could ever imagined. The best thing about this okra experienment is that I learned that okra gel (serum) adds moisture to naturally curly hair and can be used frequently. And the bonus part, there is absolutely no flaking or product buildup with this stuff.
Credit: Niqsterlove