If you have ever sat with your nani or dadi while they oiled your hair, you’ll know one thing for sure: mustard oil was always their first pick. Thick, strong-smelling, and slightly warm when massaged into the scalp, this oil has been trusted for centuries to strengthen roots and bring life back to thinning hair. What they also knew is that mustard oil becomes even more powerful when you mix it with other simple ingredients lying in your kitchen.
Here are five tried-and-tested combinations that can help wake up dormant follicles and encourage regrowth, especially on those bald or thinning patches that make us panic every time we check the mirror.
Strong smell aside, onions are scalp saviours. They’re rich in sulphur, which boosts collagen production and stimulates hair follicles. When blended with mustard oil, the mixture becomes a growth-activating tonic.
How to use: Mix equal parts fresh onion juice and warm mustard oil, massage it into your scalp , and wash after 30-40 minutes. With regular use, you’ll notice those baby hairs making an appearance.
Methi dana has been an age-old rescue for weak, brittle hair. It’s rich in protein and nicotinic acid, both of which work like food for your follicles. Blending soaked fenugreek paste with mustard oil creates a thick hair mask that strengthens from the root and encourages regrowth.
How to use: Soak fenugreek seeds overnight, grind into a paste, and mix with mustard oil. Apply on the scalp for about 45 minutes before rinsing. This one’s a favourite for bringing hair back to life.
Think of this as the perfect balance. Mustard oil warms and stimulates, while aloe vera cools and heals. Together, they repair scalp damage, reduce flakes, and clear the way for new strands to grow.
How to use: Blend fresh aloe vera gel with mustard oil, massage it into your scalp, and let it sit for 30 minutes. It’s especially good if your scalp feels itchy, irritated, or inflamed.
This is straight out of South Indian dadi’s hair playbook. Curry leaves are packed with antioxidants and beta-carotene that revive thinning hair and keep greys at bay. When simmered in mustard oil, they release their nutrients beautifully, creating a growth-boosting elixir.
How to use: Heat mustard oil, toss in fresh curry leaves, let them crackle, then strain and store the oil. Massage twice a week for visible strength and regrowth.
If you have ever seen lush hibiscus plants in old gardens, you’ll know why grandmothers never wasted the flowers. Hibiscus petals and leaves stimulate keratin production, thicken strands, and are known for filling up sparse patches. When mixed with mustard oil, it turns into a potent red-hued blend that’s as effective as it is pretty.
How to use: Crush hibiscus petals and leaves into a paste, mix with mustard oil, apply to bald patches, and leave for 40-45 minutes before washing. Over time, it helps restore density and shine.
Hair regrowth doesn’t happen overnight, but what nani and dadi always knew is that patience pays off. Regular mustard oil massages, combined with these simple kitchen ingredients, can slowly coax even stubborn patches back to life. Add a healthy diet and gentle hair care, and you’ll have a recipe that no expensive bottle can quite match.
Sometimes, the best solutions don’t come from a salon, but from a grandmother’s kitchen shelf. Mustard oil, with its warmth and strength, is proof of that.
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