Moringa Benefits for Hair

Edited & Fact Checked By Disha Arora | MD, Pathology.

Achieving fabulous hair often tops the priority list for many individuals. People are willing to invest substantial amounts—thousands of dollars—on products and services to achieve their desired hair look. Yet, a more natural and budget-friendly solution might be found in tapping into the benefits of Moringa for hair growth and strength. 

Moringa is packed with over 90 nutrients and 46 different antioxidants, this botanical powerhouse is a comprehensive multivitamin for your hair.

In this article, we will be covering the benefits of Moringa for your hair and the essential hair care routine with Moringa and how to make your own body butter recipe with Moringa.

To learn more about why Moringa is specifically good for hair growth and how to apply Moringa paste to your hair once a week to see fast results, check out this article we wrote. 

Moringa Benefits for Hair

Some Moringa benefits for hair include:

• Promotes healthy hair growth.
• Strengthens hair fibers.
• Protects the scalp.
• Boosts collagen production.
• Shields hair from damage.

The impressive impact of Moringa on hair health is due to its rich nutrient composition. Moringa, whether ingested or applied topically to the scalp, showcases its remarkable versatility.

What is Moringa and Why is it Good for Your Hair?

Moringa, often referred to as the drumstick tree, has been a well-kept secret for promoting healthy hair growth in regions like India, Pakistan, and other parts of Asia for centuries. Native to India, this tree thrives in humid subtropical climates. The Moringa plant, celebrated for its rich nutrient composition, including vitamins, minerals, and protein, has found its way into the diets of various cultures. One of its standout uses?

Enhancing hair growth!

The plant’s leaves can be transformed into a paste and applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth and prevent baldness. Bursting with B Vitamins, Zinc, potassium, Vitamin C, Iron, Manganese, and antioxidants, Moringa surpasses the potassium content of the average banana. However, its potency goes beyond potassium. With a diverse nutrient profile, Moringa emerges as a powerhouse superfood for promoting healthy hair. In this article, we delve into the myriad Moringa Hair Benefits, offering insights on how to harness them fully.

Cool fact: Did you know? In a 2014 study, researchers discovered that Moringa leaf extract, was as effective as minoxidil in promoting hair growth in rats over 30 days. Not only did Moringa induce remarkable hair growth, but it did so without any side effects!

Six Hair Benefits that Moringa Has

1. Vitamin A

For many years we’ve known the effects of Vitamin A on hair. The reason that Vitamin A is so good for hair is it helps to strengthen hair and promote its growth. Stimulating cell growth near the scalp increases the growth of someone’s hair exponentially. This is good for us because according to NatureClaim, 100g of Moringa contains nearly 151% of the Daily Value of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is also good for skin and eyesight, preventing wrinkles and blindness. It also boosts immunity and promotes bone growth. Finally, Vitamin A promotes the production of Sebum. Sebum aids the scalp by creating an oily layer that helps keep the hair healthy. Cool Fact: The sebum on the scalp can be measured with a Sebutape. Check out this medical paper published by the National Library of Medicine for more about Sebum and Sebutape.

Cool Fact: The sebum on the scalp can be measured with a Sebutape.

Note: While vitamin A is beneficial, too much of it can be toxic. Stick to the daily recommendation to avoid any side effects. 

The recommended daily allowance for adults is 900 micrograms. The upper limit for adults is 3,000 micrograms per day. Too much Vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and blurred vision. It can also lead to liver damage or osteoporosis if taken over a long period of time.

2. Vitamin B

A key benefit of Moringa is its ability to boost the production of red blood cells. Scalp nourishment is the simple solution to improve hair’s health and look. Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to the scalp which directly feeds the hair follicles. With more red blood cells, a greater influx of these vital nutrients can expedite hair cell renewal, and hence, a quicker cell turnover. It’s this increased turnover that can lead to faster hair growth – making the abundance of Vitamin B in Moringa an essential ally in the quest for vibrant, healthy hair.

3. Vitamin C

Moringa doesn’t just match the Vitamin C levels in common fruits; it surpasses them. In fact, it boasts more than 8 times more vitamin C than a small orange. But what does this mean for your hair? Within our bodies, free radicals—unstable molecules created during metabolism—pose a risk to our cells, causing oxidative stress which extends to our hair cells. Antioxidants from sources like Vitamin C-rich Moringa come to the rescue by neutralizing these dangerous molecules, thereby safeguarding cellular health. When we consume Moringa, we harness an extraordinary amount of Vitamin C, which empowers us to combat the free radicals that threaten to impede hair growth. This antioxidant action positions Moringa as a superhero in promoting stronger, healthier hair growth.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals, which can lead to cell damage and aging. For hair, Vitamin E’s antioxidant ability means it can support the scalp by fighting off damaging free radicals from environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution. This action helps maintain healthy hair follicle function and encourages optimal hair growth.

Moreover, Vitamin E is known for its role in blood circulation. Better blood flow equals a more efficient delivery of nutrients to your scalp, nurturing your hair from the root and promoting stronger, healthier growth.

Moringa oleifera doesn’t just offer a modest contribution to your Vitamin E needs—it comes packed with it. The oil extracted from Moringa seeds is rich in tocopherols, compounds that make up Vitamin E.

5. Iron

Moringa has a ton of iron, allowing it to promote hair growth. This is good because many people are deficient in iron. The main hair benefit of iron is that it helps hair stay true to its natural color, shine, and volume. It also strengthens your hair follicles to prevent baldness and reduces the risk of dandruff. In the same way that Vitamin B helps red blood cells – iron does the same. Iron works by increasing oxygen levels within the cells to create healthier red blood cells that in return carry more nutrients to different parts of the body. One of these parts is the scalp! A key Moringa hair benefit for iron is mostly on the other side of the coin. Since deficiency of iron is so high (which can lead to anemia) Moringa helps keep your levels up. You can also learn how Anemia has been shown to cause hair loss.

6. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that play a crucial role in the body’s cell structure and are also pivotal for healthy hair growth. Moringa seeds are an excellent plant-based source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s contribute to scalp health by their anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate scalp irritation and dandruff, fostering a better environment for hair growth.

Omega-3s help regulate oil production and hydration, keeping hair and scalp moisturized and preventing dry, flaky scalp and dull hair. These fatty acids nourish hair follicles, support hair thickening, and can reduce the rate of hair loss.

DIY Hair Serum Recipe Made With Moringa

If you happen to search for “Moringa + hair,” prepare to be amazed by jaw-dropping videos showcasing the transformative effects of Moringa hair masks and serums on boosting hair growth and repairing damaged strands. The secret lies in Moringa oil, a potent elixir rich in antioxidants and amino acids that work harmoniously to stimulate hair growth.

Luxurious and occlusive, Moringa oil is a beloved addition to hair care formulas for its silky texture. The oil’s behenyl acid content delivers profound moisture, locking in hydration without leaving a greasy touch. 

Moringa oil becomes your hair’s ally in several ways. Firstly, its antioxidant content tackles free radicals at the root of hair damage, providing a robust defense. The oil is a remarkable source of essential amino acids such as arginine, cystine, cysteine, lysine, and methionine—all contributing to the encouragement of healthy hair growth.

Moreover, Moringa oil is packed with vital vitamins and minerals, including iron, B-complex, and zinc. Deficiencies in iron and zinc have long been associated with hair loss and damage. Adequate consumption of these nutrients can nourish your hair, kickstart growth, and repair the damage caused by life’s challenges, environmental factors, and dietary shortcomings.

There are a number of great DIY hair serum recipes out there, and you can always play around with ingredients and proportions depending on whether your hair is long or short, but our go-to recipe at Morning Gardens is as follows:

Moringa Hair Serum Recipe

• 3 tablespoons of Moringa oil
• 1 tablespoon of virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1/2 tablespoon of raw honey

Mix these ingredients, apply to your scalp, and leave for at least 1 hour before washing, focusing on the scalp for maximum benefits.

For Moringa oil, the one we love to use at Morning Gardens is by True Moringa. It is a 100% pure Moringa oil and is unscented so it doesn’t have any other ingredients included in it.

Moringa Hair Care Routine

There are 3 ways you can use Moringa for your hair. 

1. Ingesting Moringa 

The leaves of Moringa tree are used in a variety of ways. They can be cooked, dried, and powdered as a spice, or made into tea. Ingesting the Moringa tree is one of the fun parts – as its flavor is well renowned. It can be used as a vegetable in Asian, Indian, and South Pacific dishes, and some are often used in soups. Moringa is also a little bit thicker and is commonly found in raw sauces such as tamarind, mango chutney, and yogurt. I personally put it in my smoothies in the morning!

2. Apply it on the skin

Rub Moringa oil on the scalp for a natural hair care solution. Moringa oil is a natural, organic hair oil care product that blends well with coconut oil.

3. Make a body butter recipe with Moringa

There are a ton of great body butter recipes out there, but here’s one simple enough for beginners:

• • • 1/2 cup of shea butter
    • 1/2 cup of avocado butter
    • 1/4 cup of Moringa oil
    • 1/4 cup of almond oil
    • 1/8 cup (about 5 teaspoons) of tapioca starch
    • 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil

Combine all ingredients except for the essential oils in a cooking pot and heat on medium-low until melted, stirring constantly. Once melted, remove from heat and let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, or until slightly cooled. Then place it in the refrigerator for an hour. By this point, the mixture should be thick, but not hard.

Add your essential oils and then use a hand mixer to combine until the mixture is appropriately fluffy. Then let sit in the refrigerator once more for 10-15 minutes to let it set. Place your butter in jars and keep the lid closed tightly.

We also wrote an article that highlights 7 Moringa oil body butter recipes that I personally love. Check it out here:

• The 7 Best Moringa Oil Body Butter Recipes [DIY]

Conclusion

In summary, Moringa stands out for its extraordinary contributions to hair wellness, whether consumed or applied as oil. With a history that stretches back centuries, Moringa has been a cherished hair care secret, with high popularity in Africa and increasing across the globe.

Moringa is a powerhouse of nutritional elements – proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and an array of vitamins, including high concentrations of potassium, magnesium, and iron. As we’ve seen above, these vitamins and minerals provide a ton of different benefits for hair growth. The Moringa tree isn’t called the “miracle tree” for nothing!