How To Use Spinach For Hair Growth?

Don't just eat it – there are many other ways to use this popular veggie for your hair health!

Reviewed by Aakriti Arora, Certificate In Plant-Based Nutrition
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech
Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Skin Care Coach  • 

If you have not used spinach for hair growth, it is probably time to include this leafy green vegetable both as part of your healthy diet and also your hair care routine. Hair requires special attention and nutrients to stay healthy. Spinach is high in iron, protein, vitamins A and C, and other micronutrients, all of which can keep your hair healthy, nurture the follicles, and stimulate hair growth. This article discusses the benefits of spinach for hair growth and how to use it to maintain your hair health. Keep scrolling to learn more.

protip_icon Know Your Ingredient: Spinach

What Is It?
A green leafy vegetable.

What Are Its Benefits?
Promotes hair growth, helps prevent hair damage, and boosts scalp health.

Who Can Use It?
People who want to prevent hair damage and improve its overall appearance.

How Often?
Once or twice a week as a topical hair treatment.

Caution
May cause allergies in some people. It may also stain your clothes while using it as a hair mask.

Benefits Of Using Spinach For Hair Growth

Woman examining her scalp in the mirror
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Image: IStock

Most of us grew up watching Popeye pump his guns after swallowing a can of spinach. But did you know that spinach is good for more than just gaining unreal strength? The green leafy vegetable is one of the excellent hair growth foods that has a high nutritional content and is extremely rich in antioxidants. Is spinach good for hair growth? Yes, here are the different ways in which spinach boosts hair growth:

  • Spinach is rich in vitamins K, A, C, B2, B6, B1, E, manganese, zinc, folate, magnesium, beta-carotene, and iron (1) (2). These nutrients help nourish your scalp and hair, ensuring healthy hair growth.
  • The high content of antioxidants in spinach helps prevent hair damage and boosts scalp health.
  • Vitamin B and C and biotin are excellent for encouraging healthy hair growth (3), (4). They speed up the rate of hair growth by increasing collagen and keratin levels.
  • The rich iron content helps increase the supply of oxygen to the hair follicles, ensuring that they stay in top health.
  • Spinach has anti-inflammatory properties (5). This helps soothe an aggravated scalp.

How To Use Spinach For Hair Growth

Now that you know spinach is an excellent hair care ingredient, here’s how you can use it to promote hair growth and hair thickening:

1. Spinach Hair Pack

Spinach and honey pack for hair growth
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Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 1 cup Spinach Leaves
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tbsp Carrier Oil (Olive, Coconut, Castor, etc.)
Processing Time

30 minutes- 1 hour

Process
  1. Throw the ingredients into a blender and blend until you get a smooth, consistent paste.
  2. Apply this paste all over your scalp and work it through the entire length of your hair.
  3. Once your hair and scalp are both covered in the spinach mixture, leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour.
  4. Wash the spinach hair pack out with cool/lukewarm water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?

1-2 times a week.

How This Helps

The honey and oil in this pack help seal the nutrients and moisture in your hair, keeping it healthy and damage-free. It also helps soothe your scalp, and improve circulation to boost healthy hair growth.

protip_icon Did You Know?
There are three different types of spinach crop namely savoy, flat-leaf, and semi-savoy.

2. Spinach Oil

Spinach oil for hair growth
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Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 1/2 cup Spinach
  • 1/4 cup Carrier Oil (Olive, Coconut, Castor, etc.)
Processing Time

1 hour

Process
  1. Blend half a cup of spinach until you get a smooth paste.
  2. Use a cheesecloth to separate the pulp from the juice.
  3. Mix the pulp with your choice of carrier oil. If you have oily hair, use a light oil like jojoba or olive oil. For dry hair, use coconut or castor oil.
  4. Massage the oil into your scalp for 15 minutes and then work it through the whole length of your hair.
  5. Leave the oil on for an additional 45 minutes.
  6. Wash out the spinach oil with cool/lukewarm water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo.
How Often?

2-3 times a week.

How This Helps

A spinach and oil massage can help improve blood circulation while unclogging your pores and balancing oil production. This helps in hair loss prevention, boost scalp health for healthy hair growth while conditioning your hair and tackling issues such as dryness or frizz.

3. Spinach Smoothie

Spinach smoothie for hair growth
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Image: Shutterstock

Not everybody likes to apply spinach to their hair and if you are one of those, here’s a spinach smoothie recipe for you to try. You can’t even taste the spinach when it’s blended in with the delicious fruits.

You Will Need
  • 1 Large Ripe Banana
  • 1 cup Spinach
  • 1 cup Papaya
  • 1 cup Almond/Coconut Milk
Processing Time

5 minutes

Process
  1. Chop up one cup of papaya and one large Banana
  2. Throw these into a blender and to it add the spinach and almond/coconut milk.
  3. Blend the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
How Often?

It should be consumed 2-3 times a week for best results.

How This Helps

What you put inside your body is just as important as what you’re putting in your hair. For your hair to grow out strong and healthy, your body has to be well-nourished. Using the topical spinach treatments in combination with consuming this smoothie will ensure that your hair remains healthy root to tip as it grows.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Alternatively, you can blend two cups of chopped spinach, one apple, one celery stalk, and ¾ cup of water until it’s smooth. Strain the juice and drink it once or twice a week in the morning.

Note: Consuming raw spinach every day is not good for one’s health. It should be consumed in moderation only as you may develop kidney stones.

Spinach is among those green veggies that contain the highest amount of oxalic acid. Eating too much spinach may result in the formation of calcium-oxalate, which can cause kidney stones. It can also lead to hyperoxaluria i.e., excessive urinary excretion of oxalate.

Infographic: 3 Ways To Use Spinach For Hair Growth

Whether you are trying to grow out a short haircut or deal with hair loss, spinach can come to your rescue. It is rich in iron and vitamins like A, B1, C, E, and K that promote scalp health, foster hair growth, reduce damage, and leave you with healthy-looking tresses. So, if you want to increase your hair growth and inch closer to the mane of your dreams, incorporate spinach into your beauty routine. Take a look at the infographic below to know how!

3 ways to use spinach for hair growth (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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You probably didn’t think you could use spinach for hair growth but research suggests otherwise. Spinach is rich in vitamins K and A, manganese, iron, and zinc which prevents hair damage, boosts scalp health, and stimulates hair growth. With a few ingredients such as spinach, honey, and carrier oil, you can make your own spinach hair mask at home. If the idea of putting spinach on your hair does not sound appealing, you can make a delicious spinach smoothie for breakfast to get healthy and strong hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is boiled spinach good for hair?

Yes. Spinach is good for the body, but it also contains oxalate, which can lead to kidney stones if it accumulates. Boiling is a good method to reduce oxalate levels by up to 87% (6).

Is spinach good for hair fall?

Possibly. Spinach is packed with iron and vitamin C, which may help boost hair growth and reduce hair fall (7).

Is spinach a DHT blocker?

Yes, it is a DHT-blocking food that naturally reduces the levels of DHT in the scalp.

Are there any other foods or supplements that I should consume in addition to spinach for optimal hair growth?

You can incorporate eggs, berries, avocados, nuts, and sweet potatoes in your diet along with spinach for optimal hair growth.

How can spinach benefit different hair types?

Spinach contains vitamin C, which helps increase and maintain collagen, a protein that imparts structure to hair.

How can I incorporate more spinach into my diet to promote hair growth?

You can blend it into a smoothie to include more of it in your diet to promote hair growth.

What is the recommended daily intake of spinach for hair growth?

1 or 1.5 cups of cooked spinach or 2-3 cups of raw spinach is generally the recommended dosage for its consumption. Consult with a doctor to find out the right dosage for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Spinach is rich in iron and enhances oxygen supply to your hair roots.
  • The antioxidants in spinach prevent hair loss and improve your overall scalp health.
  • You can either add spinach to your hair pack or mix it with a carrier oil to promote hair growth.
  • If you are not too keen on applying it on your hair, make a delicious spinach smoothie and consume for healthy hair.
Spinach For Hair Growth_illustration

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

A delicious and healthy spinach smoothie recipe that will help you grow your hair faster! Check out this dairy-free recipe that promotes strong and vibrant hair.

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. Use of spinach powder as a functional ingredient in the manufacture of UF-Soft cheese
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6974769/#:~:text=Spinach%20is%20a%20rich%20source
  2. Bioavailability of carotenoids from spinach and tomatoes
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15330274/
  3. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/
  4. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/
  5. Protective effect of aqueous spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) extract on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047577/
  6. Effect of different cooking methods on vegetable oxalate content
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15826055/
  7. ALOPECIA: HERBAL REMEDIES
    https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/alopecia-herbal-remedies/
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