How To Use Curry Leaves For Hair Growth

The nourishing components in these leaves make your hair grow thick and strong!

Medically reviewed by Vd. Naveen Sharma, BAMS
Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach
Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Skin Care Coach  • 

Let’s talk about curry leaves for hair growth. Hair loss is usually linked to the health of the follicles. Issues like excessive greasiness, pollution, and chemical buildup may clog the hair follicles, leading to scalp irritation, itchiness, and hair loss. Curry leaves, fortunately, can effectively address these issues.

Curry leaves are rich in antioxidants (1). These antioxidants neutralize the free radicalsi  XAn unstable molecule formed due to reactions in the cells that can potentially damage other surrounding molecules. and keep your hair healthy and strong. In addition, curry leaves contain proteins and beta-carotenei  XThe pigment in fruits and vegetables, responsible for their yellow/orange colors, which converts into vitamin A inside the body. (2). These nutrients help to prevent thinning hair and excess hair fall. The leaves are also high in amino acids, which stimulate the hair follicles and maintain their health. Scroll down to find out how to use curry leaves to promote hair regrowth and nourishment.

protip_icon Know Your Ingredient: Curry leaf

What Is It?
Leaf from the curry tree that is native to India and used for its medicinal and culinary properties.

What Are Its Benefits?
It contains nutrients that nourish the hair, prevent hair fall, improve hair growth, and alleviate scalp irritation to keep it refreshed.

Who Can Use It?
Can be used on all hair types

How Often?
Can be used as required for maintaining hair health.

Caution
Does not have any side effects

How To Use Curry Leaves For Hair Growth

Caution: Your skin might be allergic to curry leaves’ paste. Do a patch test before applying it to your scalp. Do not consume the seeds as they are poisonous.

1. As A Hair Tonic

Coconut oil and curry leaves for hair growth
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Image: Shutterstock

Coconut oil is well known for its penetrating properties, and it keeps your hair nourished and moisturized (3). When the oil is infused with the nutrients present in curry leaves, it forms a mixture that helps with hair strengthening while curbing hair loss.

What You Need
  • A handful of fresh curry leaves
  • 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil
What You Need To Do
  1. Pour the coconut oil into a pan and add the curry leaves to it.
  2. Heat the oil until you see a black residue forming around the leaves. Stand at a safe distance away from the pan while you do this as the oil is likely to splutter.
  3. Turn off the flame and let the mixture cool down.
  4. Once the tonic is cool, strain it. You can now apply it to your hair.
  5. Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips while applying the oil. Concentrate most on the roots and ends for complete hair nourishment.
  6. Leave it on for an hour and then rinse it with shampoo.
How Often Should You Do This

Massage your scalp with this tonic 2-3 times a week before each wash to see significant changes within a month. The regular oiling and scalp stimulation will also help boost the rate at which your hair grows.

Ayu Quinn, a beauty and lifestyle YouTuber, tried using curry leaves to increase her hair growth. Her hair fall reduced and she saw tiny baby hairs growing back in a week. In her video, she says, “Fortunately I am not suffering [from] this problem anymore. Here you can see how my baby hairs began to grow (i).”


protip_icon Quick Tip
You can substitute coconut oil with argan or jojoba oils. They are lightweight and can hydrate and soften the hair and reduce breakage.

2. As A Hair Mask

Curry leaves mask for hair growth
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Yogurt works extremely well as a hydrating scalp cleanse. It removes dead cells and dandruff and leaves your scalp and hair feeling soft and fresh (4). Curry leaves contain essential nutrients that help flush out the impurities from your scalp, improving follicle health. As an added benefit, they also help prevent premature graying (5). Hair masks made with both these ingredients can help boost hair-scalp health.

What You Need
  • A handful of curry leaves
  • 3-4 tablespoons of yogurt (or 2 tablespoons of milk)
What You Need To Do
  1. Blend the curry leaves into a thick paste.
  2. Add one tablespoon of the curry leaves paste to 3-4 tablespoons of yogurt (depending on the length of your hair).
  3. Mix the two ingredients well until they form a paste of smooth consistency.
  4. Massage your scalp and hair with this hair mask. Ensure that all of your hair is covered in it from the roots to the tips for improved hair texture.
  5. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash it off with shampoo.
How Often You Should Do This

Add this mask to your hair care routine once a week to boost scalp health and make your hair soft and shiny.

3. In Your Diet

Bowl of fresh curry leaves
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Hair care is as much about what you put inside your body as it is about what you put on your hair. An ideal way to use vitamin-rich herbs like curry leaves to tackle hair fall and promote hair growth is to include them in your diet.

Doing this can be as simple as adding powdered curry leaves to rice or curries. Optionally, you could consume a mixture of finely shredded mint leaves (pudina) and curry leaves with milk or buttermilk for hair nutrition. In Ayurveda, pitta (heat factor) is responsible for hair loss, and curry leaves have the property to balance the pitta and regulate metabolism (6).

4. As A Hair Pack

Onion juice for hair growth
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The high concentration of sulfur in onion juice is known for stimulating hair follicles to boost hair growth (7). Apart from promoting hair health, sulfur in the onion juice may also help reduce inflammation and boost blood circulation. Curry leaves, on the other hand, combat harmful free radicals. They contain beta-carotene and protein, which help prevent hair loss (8).

What You Need
  • 7-8 fresh curry leaves
  • 4 teaspoons of onion juice
What You Need To Do

1. Add the curry leaves to a blender to create a smooth paste.
2. Add onion juice to the mix.
3. Combine the ingredients.
4. Apply the hair pack to the scalp and hair and massage gently.
5. Leave it on for 40 minutes and wash it off with a mild shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

Follow this once a week to achieve smooth tresses and natural thickness.

protip_icon Trivia
People often confuse curry leaves, plants, and powder. Indian curry leaves are fresh herbs, Mediterranean curry plants are evergreen shrubs, and curry powder is a spice mix.

Let’s now understand the benefits of using curry leaves for your hair.

Benefits Of Using Curry Leaves For Hair

Bowl of hair oil made with curry leaves
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  1. Curry leaves improve follicle health by getting rid of built-up dead skin, dirt, and grime. They contain nutrients that nourish and strengthen the roots, preventing hair fall (5).
  2. The topical application of the leaves stimulates the scalp and improves blood circulation. This helps remove toxins and boost hair growth (5).
  3. Product buildup is one of the biggest causes of scalp irritation. Your hair products can also form deposits under the cuticlesi  XThe outermost cellular layer of the hair or the dead skin at the base of the toenails or fingernails. of your hair shaft, making it appear dull and lifeless. It can also give you frizzy hair that is prone to tangling and breakage. Curry leaves help get rid of this buildup, leaving your scalp and hair feeling fresh and healthy.
  4. Curry leaves contain various nutrients that aid new hair growth and make your hair strong and healthy (5).
  5. As you get older, your hair starts to become lifeless and weak. Once you run out of the pigment in your follicles, your hair also starts to gray. However, sometimes this happens to young people due to factors like stress, smoking, genetic buildup, or excess consumption of alcohol. Curry leaves help prevent premature hair graying, and, as a result, your hair retains its color and luster longer (5).
  6. Curry leaves are also rich in antioxidants (2). Antioxidants help maintain the health of your hair and scalp. They battle the damage-causing free radicals to keep your hair healthy.
  7. Curry leaves improve the elasticity and the tensile strength of your hair. When damaged hair gets enough nourishment and moisture, it starts regaining its former strength and luster (3). Curry leaves, in combination with coconut oil, help provide the hydration and nourishment that your hair requires to heal.

Curry leaves are a vegan hair care ingredient that may improve hair thickness and the overall health of your hair while strengthening your hair roots.

Woman applying curry leaves hair oil
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Infographic: Top 5 Benefits Of Curry Leaves For Your Hair

Curry leaves are commonly used to add an extra flavor to our favorite dishes. However, you can also use them to boost your hair growth! Regular topical application or consumption can nourish your hair and make it look gorgeous, allowing you to flaunt it. Check out the infographic below to know the top five hair benefits of curry leaves!

top 5 benefits of curry leaves for your hair (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Constant exposure to pollutants, chemical buildup, and excessive oiliness can lead to scalp irritation and hair fall. The good news is that you can use natural remedies like curry leaves for hair growth. Curry leaves benefit hair in many ways. The leaves are rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and hair vitamins that protect your hair from free radicals, stimulate hair growth and improve its overall health. You can use curry leaves as a hair mask or include them in your diet. Ensure that you conduct a patch test before using. If you develop an adverse reaction, stop using it immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do curry leaves turn hair black?

They might. Curry leaves may help increase melanin production in hair follicles, making your hair turn black.

Can I mix aloe vera with curry leaves?

Yes. It is considered safe to use aloe vera and curry leaves as a hair pack for nourished and stronger hair.

What happens if I eat curry leaves daily?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that eating curry leaves can help remove dead hair follicles and reduce thinning hair. However, there is no conclusive scientific study in this regard.

Are curry leaves hot or cold?

Curry leaves are said to have a hot potency.

Key Takeaways

  • Curry leaves are rich in antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals and keep your hair strong.
  • They help prevent hair fall, increase hair growth, and treat dandruff.
  • You can use it as a hair tonic and mask once a week to boost hair health.
  • Curry leaves combined with coconut oil provide nourishment to damaged hair.
curry leaves for hair growth

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Watch this video to know how to use curry leaves for hair growth.


Learn how to prepare a homemade curry leaves hair oil to promote hair growth with this video. Transform thin hair into thick and long locks! Check out the easy DIY tutorial below!

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Engwa & Unaegbu, Marcellus & Oh, Francis & Obiudu, Ikechukwu & Fc, Ugwu & Agbafor, Kingsley & Godwill, Engwa. (2016). “Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous and Ethanol Leaf Extracts of Murraya Koenigii.” International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research. 8. 551-557.
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301354913_Antioxidant_Activity_of_Aqueous_and_Ethanol_Leaf_Extracts_of_MurrayaKoenigii
  2. Sudha, M L et al. “Chemical composition, rheological, quality characteristics and storage stability of buns enriched with coriander and curry leaves.” Journal of food science and technology 51,12 (2014): 3785-93.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4252419/
  3. Rele, Aarti S., and R. B. Mohile. “Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage.” Journal of cosmetic science2 (2003): 175-192.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12715094
  4. Park, Dong Wook et al. “Do Kimchi and CheonggukjangProbiotics as a Functional Food Improve Androgenetic Alopecia? A Clinical Pilot Study.” The world journal of men’s health 38,1 (2020): 95-102.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6920077/
  5. Gahlawat, Dheeraj K., Savita Jakhar, and Pushpa Dahiya. “Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng: An ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological review.” Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry3 (2014): 109-119.
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284278701_Murraya_koenigii_L_Spreng_An_ethnobotanical_phytochemical_and_pharmacological_review
  6. Hajare, Rahul & A.G.Tated,. (2012). Onion Juice: An Effective Home Remedy for Combating Alopecia.. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and DEVELOPMENT. 4. 93-97.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273758703_Onion_Juice_An_Effective_Home_Remedy_for_Combating_Alopecia
  7. Mankar, S.D, et al. “A Review on Murraya koenigii: for Hair Growth Promoter.” J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem, 13, 1 (2021): 39–43
    https://rjpponline.org/HTML_Papers/Research%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacognosy%20and%20Phytochemistry__PID__2021-13-1-7.html
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